"Let's blow up some more balloons!" Ayumi exclaimed.
"But there's already so many! Let's take a break…" Genta whined as he took a bite of a cupcake.
"Oh, Genta!" Mitsuhiko sighed. "Everyone will be here soon, you'll be stuffed before the party even starts!"
"Speaking of which, where's Ai-chan and Conan-kun?" Ayumi asked as she looked around. "The party's gonna start…"
"Oh, don't worry." Agasa assured. "They're just outside right now."
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Haibara let out a big sigh as she gazed at the familiar street.
"Everything ok?" Conan asked.
"What do you think life will be like after we finally turn back?"
"Well, it's going to be amazing!" He grinned. "I'll get to see my old friends again, go to high school… and, well, not be treated like a baby anymore!"
"Hmm…" Haibara rested her chin on her hands. "It's not so bad though, being pampered as a kid. Adulthood is merciless."
"Oi, oi…" Conan looked worryingly at her. "Are you having second thoughts?"
"No, it's not that…" Haibara shook her head. "It's just crazy… thinking about how everything is going to change. You get to go back to your old life, but I don't have anything to return to…"
"That's not true!" Conan exclaimed. "We'll still have each other, and we'll keep in touch with the kids! Not to mention Agasa-hakase, plus you and Furuya-san are friends now too, right?"
Haibara hugged her knees close to her body. "We're not that close…" She mumbled.
'I wonder what he's doing right now…'
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Rei's hands gripped a bouquet of white lilies as he knelt down to his friend's grave.
Footsteps began creeping up behind Rei, making him turn around.
"Ah, you're here…"
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The party began and everyone mingled for a bit, enjoying the festivities. Ran, Kogoro, Subaru, and some of their kid's classmates came, including their teacher, Kobayashi.
The kids played a lot of games, even enjoying one last game of soccer in the backyard.
It was a day full of fun and laughter, but the party had to come to an end eventually.
"Ai-chan! Conan-kun!" Ayumi cried. "Promise you'll send us lots of pictures! And that we'll message each other all the time!"
"Of course we will, Ayumi-chan." Haibara assured as she lay her hand on Ayumi's shoulder.
'Well… we'll probably have Agasa photoshop some pictures for us.' Conan thought to himself.
"This is really goodbye…" Mitsuhiko frowned.
"No matter how far apart we are, we'll always have these!" Genta lifted his Detective Boys badge. "Don't lose this ever, got it?!"
"Detective Boys forever!" Ayumi cheered, putting her hand out.
"Detective Boys forever!" They all cheered in unison.
"Stupid brats…" Kogoro scoffed. "So…sniff…dramatic…"
"Aw, dad! Are you crying?" Ran teased.
"I am not! I just have allergies!" He looked away. "I'm glad I don't have to deal with those freeloaders anymore… but I thought you would be more sad, Ran."
"Well… I have a feeling we'll see Conan and Ai-chan again really soon…" She smiled, excited to see Shinichi again.
'Wow… my daughter looks way too happy…' Kogoro thought to himself as he teared up.
"Ahem." Subaru gathered everyone's attention. "I suppose now is as good a time as any. I will also be moving tonight."
"Eh?!" Everyone gasped in unison.
"I'll be moving back to be with my family, but I'm grateful for the hospitality you all have shown me while being here."
"Does that mean no more curry?" Genta exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I'll give the recipe to Agasa so you can still eat it whenever you'd like." Subaru smiled.
'Uh oh… did I just get cooking duty?' Agasa thought to himself.
As the party ended, Haibara anxiously looked at the clock.
"Furuya-san isn't coming?" Conan asked, surprising Haibara from behind.
"Wh-why would he come?" Haibara scoffed. "We haven't known each other that long… Besides, I'm not worried about him coming."
"Is that so…"
'He looked so upset the other day… I wonder what happened?' Ai clutched her phone, debating on whether to send a text.
'Ugh, why do I care so much? I should just go be with the kids…' She thought as she walked towards the Detective Boys. "Thanks for the party, you guys…" She said as she gave them a hug.
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Thank you for coming, Morofushi-san. Rei kept his head down as he greeted the detective.
"Yes…you said there was something important to discuss, I assume regarding my late brother, considering we are meeting here…"
"About Hiromitsu…I…" Rei could barely speak, his chest filling with regret and grief. He knelt down, bowing his head. "It's my fault, I'm so sorry…"
Morofushi simply stared in shock.
"I-it was my footsteps he heard…that's why…" Rei started to breathe heavily, unable to finish speaking.
"That's enough, Furuya-san."
"Eh?"
"I don't need to hear any more." Morofushi said in a stern voice. "I don't know the exact details, but I know my brother would never want to see his best friend in so much pain… he did what he thought he needed to protect his friends."
"But still… you must feel some resentment towards me…"
"It hurts to know my brother is gone… but I know how important you were to him, and it is clear you still hold him dear as well." Morofushi sighed, looking at Hiromitsu's gravestone. "Resentment over his mistake, especially towards his best friend, would only make him sad."
Tears began to flow from Rei's eyes, unable to hold back anymore.
Morofushi knelt down with Rei, holding onto his shoulder. "Oh Furuya-san, you must have been in so much pain… tell me, is there anyone now you wish to protect?"
"Eh?" Rei looked up in surprise. "All I wanted was to protect Hiromitsu's legacy, and avenge his death…" Rei suddenly thought about Ai, and the time they've recently spent together. "But now… I do have someone I want to protect more than anything…"
Morofushi shook his head. "Protecting the people you care for IS protecting Hiromitsu's legacy…it's why he became an officer in the first place!"
"Morofushi-san…"
"You're a good friend, Furuya-san." Morofushi began to tear up as well. "I'm glad my brother met you. Keep protecting the ones you love, for Hiromitsu's sake."
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Everyone had gone home for the night, leaving the detective boys to say their last goodbyes.
"Ok everyone…" Agasa said as he knelt down to take a group photo of the Detective Boys. "Smile!"
The kids all flashed a smile and peace sign, trying their best to hide their emotions.
They gathered at the porch, the doorway separating Ai and Conan from the kids.
"Bye, everyone..." Conan said.
"I'm really happy I met you guys…" Haibara said with a sad smile. "But we'll still be together, even if you can't see us."
"Bye Ai-chan! Bye Conan-kun!" Ayumi called out as they all waved goodbye.
The door shut, and the shrunken teens sighed.
"So, I guess it's time…" Agasa said. Handing them each a pair of adult-sized clothes.
"Mm." The two nodded.
…
Conan and Ai stood in front of each other, each clutching a pill in their hands.
"Ok Kudo-kun… are you ready?"
GULP
Hey! I thought we were gonna take it at the same time!
"Haha… sorry, I got too excited…" Conan chuckled. "Go on! Take yours now."
Ai shut her eyes tight as she swallowed the pill.
"Well, see you in a few minutes.." She smiled as she closed her bedroom door.
Conan nodded, grinning from ear to ear.
The two felt a sharp pain in the chest, palms sweating, heat rising… it was more intense than any feeling before…
ARGH!
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"Ugh… my head…" Shinichi groaned as he slowly got up from the floor.
"Take it easy, Kudo-kun." Shiho called out from the other room. "It's going to hit harder than the previous antidotes, since this one is permanent."
Shiho stayed on the floor for a moment, examining her hands and legs. She clenched and unclenched her fingers, same with her toes.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Are you ok in there, Haibara?" Shinichi asked on the other side of the door. He donned his school uniform, minus the jacket and tie.
Suddenly, the door swung open. "Quit rushing me!" She wore an oversized t-shirt and basketball shorts, courtesy of Agasa. The young woman sighed as she pulled out a small flashlight from her pocket. "Now stand still."
"Oi, what're you doing?" Shinichi jumped as Shiho shone a light at his eye.
"I'm recording your health, obviously." Shiho said bluntly as she dotted down notes. "To make sure there's no negative long-term effects of the antidote."
"Eh? You think something bad could happen?"
"Theoretically, you should be fine. Maybe some short-term joint pain." She said as she placed a stethoscope on his chest. "Ok breathe in…breathe out."
Shinichi let out a deep breath. "I guess my joints do feel a little sore… Can I still play soccer?"
"I would take a break from any intense physical exertion for 2-3 weeks, to let your body adjust, but after that, knock yourself out."
"Um… would riding a roller coaster count as physical exertion?" Shinichi chuckled.
"Taking your girlfriend out on a date?" Shiho smirked.
"Yeah, something like that." Shinichi blushed. "Our last trip to Tropical Land didn't exactly end well, so I wanna make it up to her."
"Mm, have fun." She said in a deadpan tone. "Just make sure to take breaks if you're feeling nauseous."
"You got it doc!" Shinichi flashed a cheesy grin. "What about you?"
"I'll take note of my own health stats later."
"Ugh not that!" Shinichi sighed. "What are you gonna do for fun? We can do whatever we want now!"
"I'll just start packing my stuff. I won't need children's clothes and first-grade textbooks anymore."
"Speaking of clothes, you don't really have anything much to wear, huh? Maybe Ran can lend you something in the meantime?"
"No thanks." Shiho looked away.
Shinichi shook his head. "Cold as usual…" He mumbled.
"Sorry for being cold…" Shiho said sarcastically.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Hm? Who could that be?" Shinichi said as he went to open the front door.
…
"Akai-san!" Shinichi smiled. "Do you need help packing?"
"No, I'm actually all done. Here, this is for you…" Akai said as he handed a dish to Shiho.
"Oh, thank you…"
"So, is this really the boy that's always trying to show up the FBI?" Akai teased as he rubbed Shinichi's head. "I'm heading out now, but I wanted to get a look at you two before leaving." He turned to look at Shiho. "Let me know if you ever need anything, ok? I'm just a call away."
"Eh? Sure…"
It was kind of weird, seeing him in his normal attire. Shiho had gotten so used to seeing him as Okiya Subaru.
'Everything's changing so much already...' She thought to herself.
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'I hope she did fall asleep already...' Rei thought to himself. He was in front of Agasa's front door, hesitant to knock.
Before he could, however, Akai opened the door to leave, revealing Rei standing on the other side.
The two looked at each other awkwardly for a moment.
"Don't worry, I was just heading out." Akai said, brushing past Rei.
Rei put a hand on Akai's shoulder. He turned around, expecting the usual tense interaction.
Instead, Rei looked away as he held out his hand.
Akai's eyes widened before softening with his smile. The two shook hands, surprising Shiho.
"You didn't have to hide that stuff from me..." Rei mumbled, quietly enough for just Akai to hear.
He shrugged in response. "I'm not sure what you mean..." He said as he waved goodbye, and headed out to his car.
"Well, it's getting late, I'll talk to you tomorrow!" Shinichi grinned as he rushed to sleep in his childhood home. "Bye, Furuya-san!"
Rei smiled as he waved goodbye. He awkwardly stepped into Shiho's home.
"Sorry for missing the party…"
Shiho shakes her head. "Don't worry about it. You didn't have to come out here so late."
"Of course I had to! This is an important moment." Rei looked Shiho up and down. "Heh, it feels like I'm meeting you for the first time."
"You think so?" She asks as she looks down at her attire. "In that case, I wish I could have had a better first impression."
Rei shook his head. "You look perfect! More importantly, how do you feel?"
"I feel… nothing really? I don't know what to do now that the antidote is complete. This drug has been my whole life up until now…"
"I see, a blank slate… that's good! The possibilities are endless." He smiled.
"Um…what about you?" Shiho shyly asked.
"Me?"
"Do you feel better?"
Rei's smile softened. He leaned in, wrapping his arms around Shiho. "Mm, I feel much better, thanks to you. I really thought…on the train…" He held her tighter. "I'm just glad you're here, I won't make the same mistake as before, I'll protect you with all my might!"
Shiho had no words, she simply held onto his shirt, closing her eyes.
This is what peace felt like… a little scary, but so comforting at the same time, a feeling you never want to let go of once you finally have a taste.
…
"Is it okay if I come over tomorrow?" Rei asked as he pulled away.
"For what?" Shiho raised an eyebrow.
"Do I have to have a reason?" Rei chuckled. "I just want to see you!"
A slight blush formed on Shiho's cheeks. "I-if you want…"
"Great, see you tomorrow!" He smiled, exiting the home.
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Shiho went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. "If Furuya-san is coming over, maybe I should borrow some clothes…" She shook her head. 'Wh-why should I dress nice? It's not like it's a date!' She thought to herself, looking at her current outfit in the mirror.
She sighed, pulling out her phone. 'I guess I could ask Mouri-san…' She thought as she reluctantly sent a text.
Shiho washed up and stared in the mirror after drying her face. She carefully examined her features, which were much smaller and softer just hours ago. A gentle smile curved on her face.
'Welcome home, Shiho.'
Wow! It's been a while since I posted here. I do have a couple of chapters written up, I just need to edit them, so there will be more updates coming very very soon!
Thanks for reading, and please let me know what you think!