Hey there! How's the summer season been for you so far? Hope you're all well and are enjoying the break! Now then, what I'm about to share is based on how it's been going with my writing. I'm fending off the lack of inspiration for my other works and just sitting down to create and share some story that comes to mind, typos and all, which I will fix later on. This is messy, absolutely and completely so! But let's see how I do with a spontaneous free writing?

Here you go, enjoy!

Title: A Moment Of Doubt

Type: Story - One Shot

Summary: "How could Ran's husband leave her all alone like that? She's absolutely in tears… NO! I won't stand for this! I'm going to give Shinichi-kun a piece of my mind!"

Or in other news, Sonoko can't trust that their date in Tropical Land will go well and decides to spy on them.

Idea: Sonoko spies on Shinichi and Ran on their Date to tropical land.

Sub-Ideas: Sonoko can't leave well enough alone.

- Sonoko is happy for their date to tropical land.

- Thoughts of all the ways it could go wrong don't leave her mind.

- She decides to spy on Shinichi and Ran, and successfully does so.

- She regrets her decision, but also doesn't.

Originally Shared: July 12, 2024

Date: July 15, 2024

Edit Date: August 13, 2024

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Suzuki Sonoko absolutely knew that the day was fast approaching. Her best friend, Mouri Ran, was finally getting the date, one which she had practically been fantasizing over, not for herself of course, but for Ran and that detective geek to finally be more romantic. Could he not be any more obvious with his feelings? She always had an inkling that Shinichi-kun had liked Ran a lot longer than she liked him, but now was the opportunity, the moment, possibly a confession to boot!

But… She also knew Ran, how she's still a little newer in understanding her feelings for Shinichi, so she had a feeling a lot of her actions would come off as playful and oblivious to the already in love mystery otaku. Also, knowing Shinichi, he'd just retreat into his safe place and talk her ear off about Holmes this and Holmes that.

Okay, she was definitely having doubts about their date now. Maybe, she knows she shouldn't... Okay, she promised Ran she wouldn't meddle, making sure to stay out of their way, and told her to enjoy herself... But the longer she thought of those two hopeless cases, the more she couldn't leave well enough alone. So, making the ultimately tough decision whether to trust all was well or not, she concedes to tagging along.

The long awaited day of the Tropical Land date was finally here. Sonoko came there, dressed plainly, disguised with a professional wig and minor prosthetics. She couldn't believe how that worked out in her favor when she got a call from Shinichi's mom the day before asking her for updates on her son. They apparently were there to visit, but decided against it when they saw he was having some quality time with Ran. She was definitely getting the deets on that later. But during that moment, she decided to take the initiative and asked his mom, Yukiko-san, to help out with her spying. The retired actress more than agreed, saying that she wanted as many pictures as possible.

So, that's what she did, she spied with her new camera provided by the Kudos and tailed them on their date. The more she watched them, the more she began to gain a new sense of appreciation for the detective geek. He really knew how to be romantic. Although, just as she had suspected, Ran wasn't taking the gestures the same way he was. "Ah, Ran, why are you like this," she wondered to herself.

Well, the upside is that she got a bunch of amazing shots of them around Tropical Land. Her absolute favorite moment was when Shinichi did the countdown at the fountain and the two were in the middle, alone, together, admiring the beauty of this special moment. Seriously, has he always been that thoughtful? Or is it just because this was about his feelings for Ran?

The next few hours were so adorable to watch. It's a wonder that she hadn't been caught by Shinichi yet. She'd think that the detective would have noticed someone secretly watching him, right? He is the dubbed, "Heisei Holmes," is he not? Then again, it was better this way since he was focused on Ran the whole time as they went through all the attractions. She got some really great shots in the haunted house of a scared Ran clinging to Shinichi, not knowing the boy was blushing by the action. Then there were the carnival games where they won prizes, their smiles were just so swoon worthy photo opportunities. Then there was the mascot meet and greets where she saw how awkward and uncomfortable he was around the colorful characters while Ran was happily pulling at his arm to go take pictures with each one.

All day, she watched as the two talked, visited attractions, rested, and had a great time together. But as it was getting late, she noticed the conversation dwindling and Shinichi was starting to retreat into his usual safe place, Sherlock Holmes. Ran, as usual was absolutely annoyed as she expected. Oh, now this was the time she was expecting something more romantic? "Ran, he did that earlier for you, but you failed to reciprocate the feelings," she thought while sighing as she accidentally bumped into a couple of men in black clothing. It was a rather ominous fashion choice for a theme park in her opinion, and the one with the long golden hair absolutely glared daggers at her, matching the mood of their color pallets. She apologized but annoying thought the guy was rather rude and unnecessarily hostile for a simple bump. Ugh, some people.

Well, her focus was back onto the two. Shinichi as usual went and showed off to Ran his skills by grabbing a random girl's hand and deducing her profession or something. She will NEVER admit it to his face, but she will never not be impressed by his observational skills and his near accurate deductions. BUT this wasn't the time to get distracted, though she focused heavily upon the other couple in the line who were giving a show of a passionate kiss. Oh she could see the blush on the detective's face! There was no way he wasn't fantasizing about Ran and himself doing something similar. Oh please, please confess already?

As the two got into one of the front seats, using her camera to zoom in, she watched their interaction. Apparently Ran had looked down and disappointed with whatever Shinichi had done. But his face badly blushed and he became flustered by whatever she had said. Did she finally do it? Did she take the first step? All hope bubbled up inside, at least… until Ran had to go and ruin it all. She had on her, "Just kidding around," face. Sonoko again was disappointed, and sadly she caught a picture of Shinichi also looking mildly disheartened by the action. She couldn't help but sympathies with him in the moment. Oh Ran-chan.

Neither her gaze nor her zoomed in camera were able to follow the view as the coaster left. Her view from her spot on the line didn't let her see the first drop, so she would absolutely have no idea what they talked about. She still hoped that maybe a confession or some romantic gesture of promise would happen, possibly during the ride or before their date ended.

But instead of all that, a case happened. Of course. If Shinichi-kun doesn't run to cases, the cases find him. She was definitely right to assume that this date wouldn't be all feels and fluff. So, to keep an eye on them, she stuck around along with the rest of the rubberneckers admiring the, "Great Teenage Detective of the East," working to solved the case. Oh hey, there's that rude guy and his friend from earlier! He's a suspect? Serves him right! Even if he didn't do it, he's getting bothered and held up by the detective geek. "Go give him my ire for me, Shinichi-kun," she thought while snickering to herself.

She felt guilty after the case ended, thinking about her petty vengeance against the rudely as well as oddly dressed men in black. This girl who committed the crime took a full on vengeance against her former lover then wanted to take her own life. How awful a case... She couldn't help but cry along with Ran as she watched them from afar.

Shinichi was absolutely horrible about taking care of Ran, hardly comforting her from all she witnessed on this case. In his failing attempts to keep her from crying all the more, something catches his eye. Ran doesn't seem to notice, still caught up in her tears. What was distracting him? So, she turned to where he was gazing. Oh, it was that rude guy's friend. Why's he running into the wooded area of the park? It seems Shinichi's expression was uneasy, hit with a bad feeling from just his sight alone. It was then she watched as Shinichi sprinted away, waving goodbye to Ran as she could hear him tell her loudly that she should go home ahead of him and he'd catch up with her later. Wait, what? Was this for real? Ran began running after him, only for her shoelace to break. Oh that is definitely not a good sign. Sadly, Ran didn't follow and turned to and walked away in the opposite direction.

She was seething.

"How could Ran's husband leave her all alone like that? She's absolutely in tears… NO! I won't stand for this! I'm going to give Shinichi-kun a piece of my mind!"

So, contrary to what she told her self about not interfering, this was where she drew the line. So, she ran, just out of sight from Ran and not quite into the woods. Finally catching up, she yelled,

"KUDO-KUN!"

He stopped, shaken and instinctively yelped with surprise, "Sonoko?! Wha-"

"How could you, Shinichi!? You left your wife there, crying! Complete alone! In tears no less! What an irresponsible, self-centered, jerk you are!"

"Sonoko, keep it down. I've got to-"

"Go after that man in black? Honestly Shinichi, you're with Ran. You're suppose to take care of her. You can't just leave her to go home by herself, in the dark, and it's suppose to RAIN later! Did you ever think of that?!"

"But, the man-"

"Even if he is suspicious, you've still gotta take care of her!" She scolded, completely livid with his actions. But looking at the desperation in his face, she sighed, "Fine. I'll go investigate in your place."

"Sonoko?" The surprise was evident, paired with a hint of doubt by just uttering her name alone.

"I can be sneaky. I've been tailing you both on your date all day and not once did you notice." To prove her point, she quickly showed off the camera while scrolling through a bunch of pictures she took of them. An array of emotions flashed through Shinichi's face, but in the end, he reluctantly agrees.

"Fine, just, be careful Sonoko. Don't get caught." He's rubbing his neck with worry. She nods giving him a cheeky grin of reassuring confidence. He's slightly eased and she's finally satisfied that he was walking back to her.

"Go, NOW SHINICHI!" She spoke with a finality in her voice as he flinched and rushed away to get back to Ran.

Now, to find out what all the fuss is about. She carefully walks through the wooded area until she comes to a statue and witnesses what she wished Shinichi was wrong about, an illegal deal at a amusement park. Great, those guys aren't just rude, but are also criminals. Why did the detective geek have to have so many cases revolving around him? As she got her camera out to take pictures and film the event, to report it properly to the police, she suddenly realized something.

"Wait… Where's the rude blond guy?"

It was too late, as she felt an awful throbbing and her consciousness was fighting to stay alert and aware. Words were spoken between the two, not ones she could make out properly as everything was sore and her ears were ringing. She caught a few words such as, "got followed," and, "a poison," and, "untraceable." She even caught some exasperation in their tone as one of them mentioned something like, "teenage wannabes dete-." Oh gosh, she was in over her head taking over for Shinichi-kun. Were they going to take her out? Was this her last day? No, she had yet to fall in love! She had yet to be a maid-of-honor at their wedding! She had so much she wanted to do!

The last moment she registered as she was force fed a pill and swallowed the water unwillingly was the rude guy in black saying, "Bye bye, detective girl."

Then, everything burns, her skin is on fire. Her bones ache with pain she never knew she could feel, as if they were becoming more softer and malleable. Her voice fails her as she desperately tries to cry out and scream. Though nothing but empty air escapes her throat. It hurts, so so much. She passes out.

The next moment she's awake, she registers the lights in her eyes. Oh gosh, did she pass? Kick the bucket? The voices and the sounds of walkie-talkie static reassure here that she's survived. Their poison must not have worked! She can still be saved! She'd report those corrupt men and expose their whole operation. Oh wait… they probably took her phone and the camera with the pictures and videos of Shinichi's and Ran's date! That wasn't even hers, it was Shinichi's mom's camera!

THEY WERE SO GONNA PAY!

She finally registers the world around her as she's picked up and a voice, probably a security guard says something about, "…a little girl about five to seven. She's got a head injury, possibly a concussion as well."

A little girl? She's a full grown woman, thank you very much! Well, she's still in high school, but that's besides the point.

A couple of misunderstandings later, an intense stare at her reflection in the mirror, and she's running for life from the guards who think she's some sort of runaway orphan with a huge imagination. How dare they!? But as she's running clutching what clothes she had, wearing nothing but her shirt, which became a huge dress on her, and oversized flip-flops, is when the whole situation begins to hit her, hard.

"They tried to silence me, and I survived! I've shrunken and become a kiddy again. Oh gosh, if Shinichi had gone, would he have survived at all?! I've gotta get over to his house, he'd know what to do!"

So there she stood, in front of his door in the falling rain, trying to reach for the doorbell. As she struggles, as she tries her hardest to get help, a thought lingers deep within her; a foreboding sense of danger, for her life and the future to come.

What awaited the now de-aged heirs, would all depend on Kudo Shinichi.

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So, how'd it go? This story was actually shared elsewhere first this time since the site wasn't working for a bit. Now I can finally share it here. It's an AU with the small change of Sonoko having a Moment Of Doubt about the Tropical Land date and how it would probably end in disaster. I mean, she wasn't wrong, but now her interference has caused her to take Shinichi's place as the Shrunken Teen.

Come to think of it, that would be an interesting change after all. I can just imagine the sisterhood building up between Haibara and Sonoko because of this change. High end shopping buddies and Fusae brand EVERYTHING! Also, because the Suzuki family is missing one of their daughters, that's probably going to be a big difference and a lot of attention. Unless they play it off as a defiant rich girl running away from home and striking out on her own? Gin really messed up by shrinking her, huh?

Well, that's all for this free write. If you'd like, let me know what you think. Thanks for reading and see you on another idea soon!

Edit Date: August 13, 2024: I fixed up the chapter and the typos.