Ai quietly entered her home, letting out a sigh as soon as the door closed. She looked down at the documents in her hand.

'That turned out to be more eventful than I thought it would.' She thought as he pulled a pair of glasses out of her pocket.

'But the day's not over yet! I managed to slip this into his jacket's hood while he kneeled down, but I hope he doesn't find it too quickly…'

Ai turned on Conan's extra pair of special glasses, activating a tracking and listening device.

'He was in front of Subaru-san's house when we met, and he asked about him the other day… they must be hiding something! Let's see what your true intentions are, Furuya Rei.'

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Rei stepped into the home, looking around to make sure they were alone.

"Why are you still here?" Rei suddenly asked. "They're gone now, you have no reason to keep hiding."

Akai turned off his voice changer and removed his glasses. "Am I not allowed to stay? I still have my reasons to stick around, but they don't concern you, Furuya-san."

Rei motioned his head towards the house next door. "Does it have to do with her? And why keep the disguise?" He shook his head. "Cowardly as usual Akai-san. You ruin other's lives but continue to live so peacefully."

Akai shook his head. "I'm sorry about what happened to Scotch, no…, Hiromitsu Morofushi. He was a good man."

"You don't get to talk as if you care!" Rei shouted. "It's all your fault, and you need to leave her alone too. Why don't you just leave Japan?!"

Ai carefully listened in, although she was very confused about the conversation. 'Who is Akai? I can't place the name, but he seems so familiar… and Scotch… they must be referring to the Organization.'

Akai walked closer to the window, looking at the Professor's house. "I made a promise to protect her, I want to make sure she's ok."

Rei rolled his eyes, annoyed by this answer. "And who did you make that promise to? Akemi? If it wasn't for you causing her death, you wouldn't have to make such a promise in the first place! You are doing no good by being here." He glared at Akai.

Ai was shocked to hear this, her chest became tight, and her body shivered. 'What… what did he just say?'

Akai shook his head as he thought about Akemi. 'I don't know what I'm doing… I don't want to hurt her in the process, but I made a promise to you…'

"Well, what do you have to say? I will keep her safe, we don't need YOU, Akai Shuichi. You can't even face her like a man." Rei scoffed.

"I will face her directly soon, but we can't all barge in whenever we want like you." Akai smirked. "I'm not as good at making pancakes."

Rei angrily took off his jacket, he was getting heated at the idea of Akai watching him. "You're just upsetting her, at least she actually feels comfortable around me!"

He felt something move as he was about the throw the jacket. Rei looked down, finding a small device hidden within the hood. 'Don't tell me…'

In the meantime, Ai began to rush over to the house next door. 'It looks like they're here, but I don't hear Subaru's voice, unless…?'

Rei chuckled, surprising Akai. "It looks like you have less time than you thought, Akai-san." Rei began to walk towards the door. "Our guest should be arriving shortly."

Akai furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, until Rei pulled out the device, dangling it in front of him.

Rei could hear small footsteps coming closer and closer. He opened the door, revealing a panicked Ai. "Welcome, Miyano-san."

Akai's eyes locked with Ai's, and she instantly knew who he was.

"You... you're Moroboshi Dai. What did you do to Akemi?!" She angrily yelled, trying her best to hold back the tears.

Rei closed the door as Ai walked in. He felt angry for her, as he felt the same pain for his late friend.

Akai walked up to Ai as he slowly took off the rest of his disguise, kneeling down to see her eye-to-eye. "My name is not Moroboshi Dai. My name is Akai Shuichi…" He took a deep a breath.

"Moroboshi Dai… is a name I told your sister when we began dating."

Ai's tears began to slip out, her hands closed into tight fists.

Akai continued, although pained to see her like this. "I was able to infiltrate the organization through her. However, I was outed as an FBI agent. I found out she knew who I was all along, and I asked her why she would stay with me… and she just teared up…"

"You mean… she knew you were using her?" Ai was shocked.

Akai nodded. "Soon after, the organization decided to get rid of her because of her relationship with me. I'm so sorry… Miyano-san…"

Ai could barely breathe; all of this was just too much. "You… it's all your fault... If you didn't use her, she would still be alive!" Ai broke out into tears, unable to control them.

Rei gently pat Ai's back, handing her a handkerchief.

"Did he know?" Ai suddenly got up.

"I heard about some of the details while undercover." Rei looked down. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner.

Ai shook her head, looking at Akai instead. "Did HE know?!"

Akai nodded sorrowfully. "I asked Conan to not say anything. I wanted to tell you myself, it's not his fault."

Ai's sadness turned into rage. Her partner, her friend, he kept this from her and even allowed Akai to live next door, knowing what he had done to her sister.

"So, you two were just taunting me?! Acting so innocent while leaving me in the dark?"

"I understand if you hate me, if you want revenge…"

"I don't want revenge!" Ai snapped. "I want you to leave, and I don't want to see you again!" She stormed out of the house.

Rei looked back at Akai before running after Ai. "You see? We don't need you here! And you can't bring Akemi-san or Hiromitsu back… so just go."

Rei slammed the door, and Akai just sat there, weighed down by his grief.

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"Miyano-san! Miyano…" Rei found Ai sitting in front of her house, crying. He gently picked her up as she lay her head on his shoulder. He rubbed his hand on her back, holding back his own tears. "C'mon, let's go inside…"

Rei placed her in her bed. "I'm sorry you found out like this… let's get you some water."

Ai took some sips and was able to breathe a little better.

"If you want some alone time, I understand…" Rei said as he got up.

Suddenly he felt a small hand grab his wrist.

"Who is Hiromitsu Morofushi?" Ai asked as she scooted over, making room for Rei to sit with her.

Rei sat in the bed with her, tucking her in her blanket. "He was my best friend… we knew each other since we were kids." Rei looked up at the ceiling, reminiscing his memories with his friends. "We became police officers together and went undercover within the organization. Akai Shuichi was also undercover at the time. I remember running up a case of stairs one day and entered a room to find my friend shot dead, by none other than Akai-san"

"I hated that man ever since. He caused the death of not one but two of my friends." Rei looked down at Ai. "I used to play with Akemi-san when we were children, it's how I got to know your parents!"

"I didn't realize you knew my sister as well… I assumed you had just met my parents through the organization."

"Oh no no, in fact, your mom was the reason I wanted to become a police officer! She was so kind to me as a child, I wanted to see her again."

Ai clutched the blanket closer to her.

"I was upset about what happened to your parents, and then Akemi-san… and then you." Rei smiled as he pat Ai's head. "But then you came back! It was like a miracle when I bumped into you that day, like I was getting another chance. That's why I'll protect you not matter what."

"Thank you, but I don't need protecting." Ai slowly closed her eyes. "And I can't replace my sister or my mom…"

Rei's eyes widened. "Wait, I don't want you to replace them! Of course, I am sad that they're gone, but I wouldn't put that on you." He picked up Ai and placed her on his lap, surprising her.

"Hey, what're you-"

"Listen to me, Miyano-san. I want to be there for you because I care about you! We just met, but we've both been through a lot, and I understand what it's like…" Rei eyes became very serious. "To me, you are not Miyano Akemi, or Elena… you are Miyano SHIHO! And even though I just met her, I think Shiho is pretty great."

Ai became very flustered, removing herself from his lap. "Well, thank you… but don't grab me like that again! And don't call me Shiho…"

"Eh? But we just had such a wonderful heart to heart… I'll let you call me Rei!"

"No thank you, we just met after all." Ai crossed her arms.

Rei shook his head in defeat. 'She has a point I guess…' He gets up, heading for the door. "Well then, it looks like I'll need to spend more time with you! I'll see you tomorrow, Miyano-san!"

Rei took his leave, and Ai sighed. She pulled out her drawer, picking up a photo of her sister.

"Why did you stay with him, knowing the risks, sis?" Ai began tearing up again.

She proceeded to go down to the basement, looking around at her research materials. "It just never stops...I wish you were here, Akemi..." Ai stopped to stare at the childlike reflection within her computer screen. 'Will things ever truly get better?'

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Rei was in his car, driving back home. 'I hope Akai will actually leave this time…' He let out a big sigh. "What a mess… but I'm happy I have Miyano-san here… Ah-that's right! I still have that little device."

He pulls out the contraption, taking in a deep breath. "MIYANO-SAN! MIYANO-SAN! I hope you can hear me!"

Ai hears a small noise coming from the glasses in her pocket. 'Hmm?' She picks them up, putting it up to her ear.

"Can you hear me Miyano-san? I'll return this tomorrow, but I forgot to tell you good night and sweet dreams!"

A slight smile managed to creep through her sorrowful face. 'I'm only going to say this because I know you can't hear me...'

"Good night, Rei."


Hey everyone! I hope you liked this chapter.

I have a lot planned for these two... so please let me know what think! XD