My inspiration really went, "Let's Struggle!" I haven't been able to make a satisfactory next chapter for my KH story. So I ended up doing something else. Guess it's time for Round 2 of, "fending off the lack of inspiration for my other works." Oh well, here's another idea I have. It's based on this interesting plot from a certain set of anime movies that came out a few years ago. I'll name drop the movies at the end if you want to just skip there.

Feel free to skip to the end notes if you only want the main idea of the story and movie titles. Well, here you go, enjoy!

Title: It's A Little Off

Type: One Shot

Summary: He wakes to another day, another lie, living in the falsehood of this world. But today feels different. For the first time in a long while, he's comfortable in his life, comfortable in his skin, comfortable in his own bed. But wait, why is he here? Shouldn't be in Mouri-ojisan's room?

Idea: Look For Idea Below

Sub-Ideas: Shinichi is fine, but not all's quite right.

-He wakes up in a familiar house, his own.

-Things feel the same, but things also feel so terribly off.

Date: August 15, 2024

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Another new day has come, the heavy fog of a forgotten dream melts away as he takes in all his senses. His body shifts gently with the blanket that has swaddled him in its soft fabrics. The rays of the sun quietly inch their way toward his feet and soon tickle his face. This warmth is welcoming, inviting even. Prismatic light dances upon his eyelids as the morning light filters through the thin holes in the curtains.

It's this comforting feeling that alerts him that something's wrong. It's not exactly wrong per say, but it's more that the futon is too soft, the blankets are too smooth, and the light wasn't hitting his eyes at the right angle. For as long as Shinichi's been Edogawa Conan, he's become familiar with the layout of Kogorou-ojisan's bedroom, so he knew just how mornings were suppose to look even with his eyes closed. Everything about this moment, it just didn't match up. But strangely, nothing about these feelings felt foreign, if anything, they were just right. It was as if all was right with the world and he couldn't explain why.

The sight is all too familiar when he finally opens his eyes. The body that greets him is still the same as ever; the shrunken seven-year-old form he's become again for more than a year now. But for some reason today, there's a new feeling that wells within. A sense of belonging, a sense of comfort greets him as he takes in his appearance.

It's when he finally looks up is when he sees where he's laying down. For one, this is not the futon he slept upon last night. It's now a bed, one which was elevated above the no longer carpeted floor. English chestnut brown hardwood spreads all throughout the room which he takes in as more spacious than the ojisan's. To his left, light blue curtains cover the window, and to his right, a computer desk and bookshelf sit against the wall by the door. In front of him, several sliding wooden slit doors stand, which are slightly open and reveal a closet full of clothes. Other than that, there's hardly much to look at, given it's surprisingly tidy and bare-bones, say for the few posters on the baby blue painted walls of a skateboarder, a soccer player, a Sherlock Holmes book cover, and some framed traditional Japanese poster painting.

He knows this place, has known it for more than a decade of his life. This is,

"My bedroom?"

Now what in the world is he doing back home? As far as he could recall, nothing required him to meet up with his parents or the agents that sometimes used their home as a base of operations. There was also no excuse to meet up with, "Subaru-san," for any particular reason. So, how in the world is he home? Why is he home? Also, why can't he remember coming home? He's suppose to be with Ran and her dad, remembers vividly turning in earlier than them for the night so he didn't have to hear the old man's snoring. He was really tired since a case they had come back from lasted well past midnight and he still had class again in a couple of hours. So what is he doing here?

A knock interrupts his thoughts as he turns towards the doorway of his bedroom. His mother gently opens the wooden door, bright eyed and bushy as ever. Something feels more loving and gentle about her presence, a contrast from her usual playfulness and teasing.

She smiles at the sight of him being awake, "Ohayo, Shin-chan!"

"Kaasan," he replies upset, annoyed by the use of his actual name. Though his voice was crackly enough to be mistaken for tiredness.

She smiles sweetly, then tells him something unexpected, "Make sure to get ready. Ran-chan will be here soon to take you to school."

So, wait, he did stay over? His mom's actions and words suggested so, but why couldn't he remember coming over?

"Haii," he ends up replying. She smiles and gently closes the door, leaving him to prepare for the day. The night before must have been really rough on him if he couldn't recall coming to the mansion. He ends up shaking it off, deciding to just get ready and ask questions later. His body moves on its own, naturally remembering his daily home routine from the times before he became shrunk.

First, he gets his clothes. He becomes pleasantly surprised and bothered to find all are replaced with nothing but child sized clothing. Where did his others go, especially his Teitan High School uniform? But he still moves on, finding a more causal outfit instead of the usual blue blazer, bow tie, suspenders, and shorts he often donned. Though, when he looks back at his bed's headboard shelf for his glasses, he upset to find that they're missing. Maybe his parents knew where they were? Well, for now he'd continue on. After his time washing up, getting dressed, and fixing himself, it was time to go downstairs.

The thought of the whereabouts of his glasses are forgotten when he's greeted to a sight he hasn't seen in a long time, not since his parents left him by himself during his last year of junior high. His mom's setting down the food and his dad's laying out the plates. They're smiling kindly at one another, the clear signs of their lovey-dovey nature. But something just felt less youthful about their actions and instead their eyes felt more warm and mature. It was the kind of love he'd witnessed between older couples, one filled with less energy and held an air of serene grace as they enjoy the silence of being together. Honestly, it was off-putting to see, especially since his parents loved being loud, reckless, and irresponsible.

His father finally looks to him and messes up his hair. He complains, "Tousan!"

Again, his father, in all he remembers, feels even more calmer and seems much wiser than he cares to admit. "How was your sleep, Shinichi?"

"Good? I guess?" So his father wasn't surprised to see him. Though this was something he expected more or less from the man. He always knew what to expect, so he must have easily deduced the reason why he even made it home in the first place.

"Alright Shin-chan, go on and have your breakfast. Ran-chan should be on her way to bring you to school." His mother smiles sweetly as she lays out the plate in front of his usual seat. He sits to find this particular meal looks like a standard American styled breakfast; sunny side eggs, turkey bacon, sausage, and a couple of slices of toast with butter and imported jam on the side. Being in The States for as long as they were, this was their main go to, quick and easy breakfast to make. Though some days, they'd replace the bread for a bowl of rice. He thanked his mom for the meal and began to eat.

His father's reading the newspaper and something interesting catches his attention. Noticing the particular article himself, a picture of his good Osakan detective friend is right in view. Looks like he did something over here in Tokyo, without him, and got featured on the front page news. The bold print read, "Hattori Heiji, The Great Detective Of The West Solves Another Baffling Case." Good for him, but seriously how did that happen and when? Last he recalled, Hattori was still in Osaka and had shot him a quick text complaining about some upcoming exams. So how was he in Tokyo yesterday?

It didn't escape his father's notice that he saw the cover, smiling with that knowing grin as to what he was thinking. Though, the man didn't say a word and instead observed him further as he ate. His mom was giving him an odd look though, like she was expecting him to say something to them. But as the minutes passed, their smiles morphed from curiosity to concern.

"Shinichi?"

"Eh?" He looks up, slightly distracted by the thoughts that had been flittering through his mind. Something was just a little off and he knew it. For one, "Subaru-san," hasn't been seen all morning. But that could easily be explained away as the man going out for, "important business." Yet again, that line of thought felt wrong. Another thing, even though he forgot to ask, not once did they bring up his lack of wearing his glasses disguise. Was it weird that he didn't feel the need to search for it? The biggest thing bothering him was that the atmosphere of his home didn't feel the same; that loss of urgency felt replaced by a calming atmosphere.

His father interrupts his thoughts again when he fails to respond any further, "Is something the matter, son? You're usually not this quiet at the table."

Shinichi raises an eyebrow, "What?"

His mom looks deeply worried, "Are you okay, Shin-chan? Did something happen at school yesterday? Are you not feeling well?"

What's with all these questions? Why are his parents being like this? It wasn't strange for him to be this quiet, was it? Also, he realizes now, she isn't calling him by his fake name. Neither of them. I mean, sure, they're home, but there could be bugs and security cameras, and the agents could easily hear either one of them slip-up if they suddenly come back unannounced.

"I'm fine. Don't know why you'd think I'm not. But the bigger question is why aren't-"

His words are interrupted by the doorbell. His mother frowns but dismisses it and instead chooses to say, "Oh, Ran-chan's here! If you're sure you're alright, then finish up with your food and brush your teeth, then you can get going."

He sighed, "Fine."

It seems he wasn't getting any answers now, cause that was just too strange. Even though everything was wrong, at the same time, why wasn't he feeling like everything was so off? Why were his parents so concerned with his quietness, and oddly a little more toned down than they usually were? Why hadn't they questioned him about his lack of glasses or not call him by his alias? These thoughts bothered him all through his meal and into brushing.

When he finally makes it back downstairs, he sees Ran dressed in her Teitan High School uniform, happily talking with his mother about some dainty topics no doubt.

"Ah, you're finally ready?"

"Haii, Ran-neechan!" He sugarcoats the sweetness of his usual Conan tones.

His mother looks a little more relieved by his response, then kindly looks to Ran, "Okay now, remember Ran, bring him back home before curfew and make the others get home early too."

His eyes became wide. Bring him back? Curfew? He isn't a child, at least not a real child. Also, when did they decide he'd stay over here instead? What in the world happened yesterday?

"You know I always do, Kudo-san." Kudo-san? Since when did Ran call his mom that?

"Oh, Ran, we've known each other for so long and you're still so formal? You know you can call me, Yukiko-chan, or add a neechan instead if you'd like."

Ran blushes, "Oh, uh, right. I'm sorry."

His mom smiles, "Ah, it's okay! It's just, you're like a daughter to me Ran-chan. I will always be so thankful for you and your parents, especially for your help with Shin-chan. He just adores you so much!"

Woah, woah, woah! What? Did. Did his mom just say?

"You know I love taking care of Shinichi! He's such a sweetheart," Ran smiled sweetly in his direction, though he could hear her sighing under her breath, "Although him running into cases so often would be nice to avoid."

Yep, he heard correctly. What happened yesterday? How in the world did Ran know? Did he have some sort of meltdown that caused him a case of mild amnesia? If so, did several days pass by and he forgot? Did he do a whole confession to her? Was that why none of them were speaking his name or even mentioning the missing spectacles? What in the world happened?

It was awkward leaving the house to say the least, as they walked together on the usual route he use to take along with Ran back in the day to Teitan Elementary. It was a nostalgic trip, but he couldn't enjoy it. He was becoming so self conscious with the lack of frames on his face, which oddly didn't leave the foreign feeling he's developed over the year. Whenever someone took his glasses, he always seemed to feel that weighed loss, but now it was like he never knew it. But the bigger thought dominating his mind at this moment was, "Ran knows I'm Shinichi."

Ran was apparently looking worriedly at him, "Shinichi? What's wrong?"

He startles from the voice that pierced the silence as his voice becomes panicky, "What's wrong? What's wrong?! What do you mean what's wrong?!"

She's surprised by his outburst, "You've been surprisingly quiet, and you're acting nervous. By now you'd be talking my ear off about something you'd learned from a TV program, or the internet, or even from your books. If not those, then you'd be regaling me with your favorite adventures from Sherlock Holmes. Or you'd even be talking about, "Hattori Heiji-san, The Great Detective Of The West," who's got as big a reputation as Holmes does." Her expression was genuine when she spoke, as in she really has no clue what was causing him to stress.

Then, his mind thinks back to the details of this day. The odd absence of his teenage clothes, the absence of "Subaru-san," especially the man's missing toothbrush in the bathroom, the newspaper article, his parents toned down attitude, the lack of mentioning his name and disguise, and the tranquil atmosphere in the home, it all pointed to something right out of the realm of his reality.

"Oh, look Shinichi! Your friends are coming this way."

He looks up wondering, "My friends?"

There before him were three familiar faces greeting him with a smile, bouncing enthusiastically at his arrival.

"Shinichi-kun!"

"Shinichi!"

"Hey!"

Those three! They know too?!

Ran waves happily to them as they go run up to her, crying a joyful, "Ran-oneesan!"

They know. They know who he is. Ran knows who he is. What is happening?!

"Let's go, Shinichi-kun!"

"Uhh-huh."

He can't respond properly, his mind's overwhelmed because, they knew. Those three, the Shounen Tantei-dan, knew he's Shinichi and not Conan. Ran even knows. How and why, he couldn't fathom.

There's something terribly wrong, and to confirm he asks rather hesitantly, "Hey, umm…"

Everyone looks to him, attention completely focused on what he wanted to say.

"Does the name, Edogawa Conan, mean anything to you all?"

Ran blinks and the children shake their head. They question him asking,

"No, I don't think so."

"Is that your new friend?"

"Are we getting a new student?"

"Who is that, Shinichi?"

Okay, there was no doubt about it now. Everything that was more than a little off about this whole day, it all pointed to an unbelievable truth.

Somehow, someway, he's still himself, Kudo Shinichi.

But at the same time, he doesn't exist.

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Alternate Title: A Slip In Reality

Ideas: Shinichi slips into a parallel world for a few days, where everything is right and wrong at the same time. His unique situation of being shrunk played a huge factor in the kind of reality he slips into. Based on the concepts from the two movies:

-"To Me, The One Who Loved You," - 君を愛したひとりの僕へ | Kimi wo Aishita Hitori no Boku e (2022)

-"To Every You I've Loved Before," - 僕が愛したすべての君へ | Boku ga Aishita Subete no Kimi e (2022)

Sub-Ideas: Shinichi is STILL Shinichi, but not everything is quite right.

-He is Shinichi, but he's not the right age.

So this came about after looking up these pair of movies. To make a long story short, both explore different realities or parallel worlds of a boy's life if he had chosen to go with his mom or his dad. Now, the main idea may be a stretch, but if you go see the movies or read through the plots, it may make more sense?

In this story, Shinichi experiences a slip (parallel shift) in reality, such as the ones depicted in those movies. But because he's currently shrunk, he's experiencing a unique slip (shift) into a parallel world in which everything is both the same, and at the same time not at all. Everyone is still the right age, the world still moved somehow in the same story direction, but the only difference is he's a genuine child who's the same age as the Shounen Tantei-dan/Detective Boys. So yeah, Shinichi is really going to be in his head a lot trying to make sense of all this, plus trying to compare and contrast the differences of this kind of life.

That's all for this idea. How was this? If you'd like, let me know what you think. Thanks for reading! See you on another idea!