30 Cases - Conan & Ayumi
Dec. 10th, 2009 01:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mancha_sama30 Cases
Thirty not-quite-unrelated stories that lead our darling detective and his frustrating foe along the path of romance (that's Shinichi and Kid, for the unenlightened). Will be KaitoxShinichi.
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Ayumi has always known Conan liked someone else. A confrontation leads to the question of who is it really?
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Case 08 – Conan & Ayumi
He’d tried to be patient. He’d tried to be understanding! He’d even gone out of his way to be extra nice. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to have made much of a difference.
Conan sighed, listening to the scuffle of shoes on concrete following him clumsily. He knew what he’d see if he turned around, and almost wished he didn’t have to. Still, he wasn’t one to run from his problems. Spinning on his heel, he watched dispassionately as Ayumi dove for cover behind a sign board for a restaurant. He waited patiently, and was rewarded a moment later by worried eyes peering around the edge of the sign.
“Ayumi-chan…” he said flatly. “What have I told you about following people?”
She shuffled guiltily out from her hiding spot, giving him a sorrowful look that made him swallow nervously. Please don’t start crying… She always seemed to do that when she wanted him to do something these days. One sight of her watery eyes, and he was ashamed to say he caved nine times out of ten.
“Stay out of sight, be subtle and don’t directly look at the target, keeping a few feet back is not enough space between you and the target—“ she recited dutifully, and he nodded sharply, cutting her off.
“Right. So then…why?” he asked plaintively, fixing her with an admonishing stare. She looked guiltily at her feet.
“Yrnotcrinl,” she mumbled, and he sighed.
“What?”
“I don’t want to do that to you, ‘cause you’re not a criminal,” she said clearly, raising her head defiantly. Well that was…oddly touching. And a completely ridiculous and childish reason to be expected of Ayumi, who still had such an optimistic view of the world. He was glad she was still able to be so innocent, even as she continued getting dragged into horrible situations with him.
He let out a rather explosive sigh, “Thank you, Ayumi-chan, for that vote of confidence. So why did you feel the need to follow me, then?”
“You haven’t been playing with us very much lately,” she accused, but gently, as if she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
He did feel a pang of guilt at that, but he’d been too caught up with the intrigue of KID. Kuroba. Or rather, Kaito, as the other teen had insisted on being called. And while Kaito hadn’t admitted to being KID, throwing in a denial here and there if the topic came up (though that happened less and less), it was obvious to Shinichi that his rather fanciful guess had hit the mark.
Still, it was surprisingly refreshing, just talking with someone his real age who knew who he really was. Because even as Kaito never admitted to being KID, he also never treated Conan as anything other than an equal. It was never spoken aloud, between the two of them, but there was an understanding there that each would keep the other’s secrets.
Hattori was a good friend, it was true. But he lived far away, rarely came to visit for pleasure over business, and there was still a hint of detective rivalry that Conan doubted would ever leave the Osakan. It was just…more comfortable with Kaito. He was interesting, and entertaining, which made sense, given his profession of choice, both public and private.
“Conan-kun!”
The shout right next to his ears pierced through his introspection, and he blinked at Ayumi’s face, far too close to his for comfort. He yelped, backpedaling until his back hit the wall of the building. Ayumi had a cross look on her face, and she put her hands on her hips as she huffed in annoyance. He was sure she’d stolen that look straight from Ran, too…
“See? You’ve been acting so weird lately, Conan-kun! I was calling your name forever!” Ayumi complained. He hadn’t spaced out that much…had he? He must be losing his touch.
“Look, Ayumi-chan, I’m sorry. I just…have had a lot on my mind lately,” he said, rubbing the back of his head uncomfortably. “It’s nothing you did!” he added hastily, when it looked like she was going to interrupt. “But it’s also nothing you can help with.”
He fumbled for an explanation, one that wouldn’t leave a sour feeling in his stomach for lying to his friends…because young though they were, they were as loyal a bunch as he’d ever met, and had wormed their way into his affections. He hated lying so much, was so sick of living a lie, but he had no choice. He could, however, ease her worries without giving away too much. He wasn’t even sure why he wanted to keep his meeting with Kaito to himself.
“I…there was…something…” he stuttered, unsure where to start. “I can’t tell you all of it,” he finally said miserably. “But I needed time to myself. And I know you just want to help, but you can’t—“
“I like you!” Ayumi blurted out, and he stuttered to a halt, stunned. She was giving him a determined stare, face flushed with her own audacity. He gaped, feeling a wash of cold terror down his spine. What was he supposed to say to that?!
“I like you,” she repeated, as if testing the sound of the words she’d kept so close to herself for so long. “A lot, Conan-kun.”
And that was it. She continued looking at him in a cross of hope and nervousness, but didn’t look like she was going to say anything else until he did. Oh no, no no anything but this. He’d imagined this moment so many times, but it had always been Ran, and he’d been Shinichi, not Conan, and he’d hoped so hard that Conan would be gone before Ayumi could gather up her courage. He’d known she was crushing on him, he wasn’t completely oblivious, and she was rather obvious, but why now?
Maybe you should say yes, a traitorous part of his mind chimed in. Ran is moving on, and you’ll never have a chance with her anyway as Conan.
He snarled at the thought. It didn’t matter, not if Ran moved on without him, not if the world forgot about Kudou Shinichi; he would return to that life. It was all he wanted. It was.
“Ayumi-chan…” he choked out weakly, unable to speak around the lump in his throat. She studied his face for a moment, and her eyes turned sad. Whatever she’d seen had given her her answer, and it wasn’t what she’d hoped for.
“It’s Ran-neesan, isn’t it? I know you love her,” Ayumi whispered, staring down at her hands. She had clenched them together, and he could see tears hovering at the corners of her eyes. She took a deep breath, blinking her eyes rapidly to dispel the moisture gathered there, and tilted her head up to stare him in the eyes, waiting for his reply.
He tried to be angry, to banish the uncomfortable feelings twisting his gut. It wasn’t her business… But…maybe, it was. He had led an innocent girl along, even if it was mostly involuntarily, when he’d had no intentions of ever reciprocating the affection. She wasn’t just a faceless girl who fancied herself in love with him; she was his friend, who’d been through so much with him, both good times and bad. She deserved an explanation.
“I loved her,” he rasped, clenching his eyes tight as he finally voiced the feelings that had been eating him alive, that he’d tried so hard to forget with his new fascination with Kaito and KID. “So much…since we were kids.” He didn’t care now, if he confused Ayumi. He wouldn’t lie, he’d tell her what she needed to hear, but he wouldn’t explain. “She’s all I ever…but not anymore. She’s not…she’ll never…and the chance is gone. Even if…I just can’t anymore. Ayumi, please,” he pleaded, unsure even what he was asking for.
His eyes shot open as he felt arms go around his neck, and then Ayumi was crying into his shoulder. He patted her awkwardly on the back, fighting down the lump in his throat. He’d said it, finally, and now he had to deal with the truth he’d been avoiding with all his might. He just hadn’t expected it to hurt so much.
“You’ve been so happy these past weeks,” she said through her sobs, voice muffled against the fabric of his shirt. “And I thought, I thought, you’d finally fallen in love with someone else, and I wondered why couldn’t it be me?” She ended on almost a wail, clutching him tight as she sobbed her heartbreak out. He slid to the ground with her, ignoring the looks of concern or annoyance by passing pedestrians. No one bothered the pair.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered into her hair, unsure she could even hear him over her tears. “I’m sorry, but it can’t be me.”
He didn’t know how long they sat there, him rubbing her back absently and staring at nothing while she got herself under control. When her sobs tapered off into quiet, shuddering breaths, he let her sit up on her own, watching almost dispassionately as she wiped futily at her eyes with the back of her hand. He fumbled in a pocket, pressing his handkerchief into her hands automatically.
He felt numb, as if he’d been the one crying, leaving him feeling empty and detached. The last time he’d felt this emotionally beaten, a messy-haired girl had innocently sparked a fire in him, given him a reason to push on, to search anew.
There was nothing, now. No one to fight, no one to chase, no one to return to…
A shadow fell across the pair, and Conan tilted his head up at the figure towering over them. Kaito stared down at him solemnly, his unusual purple eyes filled with a quiet understanding. He squatted down, pulling Ayumi into a loose embrace, murmuring soothingly as the girl started in surprise. Conan was overcome with a surge of warmth, though he tried to suppress the irrational feeling. Kaito always seemed to understand what didn’t need to be said.
“It’s alright, Ayumi-chan,” Conan said, giving the wide-eyed girl a lopsided smile of reassurance. “Kaito-niichan will take you home.”
“Kuroba Kaito at your service,” Kaito said pleasantly, grinning easily at the girl. “What say we follow Conan-kun’s good advice?” He opened his arms invitingly, and with one glance back at Conan for assurance, Ayumi allowed the teen to pick her up. She curled tiredly against him, head resting in the crook of his neck as she hid her tears from the world.
Kaito didn’t move for a moment, cradling Ayumi to him and gazing down at Conan. Conan knew what he was waiting for.
Are you alright?
Taking a deep breath, Conan stood up and brushed himself off. He’d try. For his friends, he’d continue living, even through the lies, the pain, and the loneliness. They weren’t new feelings, but now, with someone who could really understand, he felt a little bit better about the future. Meeting Kaito’s gaze, he inclined his head in acknowledgement. There was an answering glimmer of approval, and Kaito turned to go.
Ayumi lifted her head suddenly, causing the teen to pause.
“Conan-kun?” she asked thickly, peering timidly over Kaito’s shoulder. “Will you tell me who, one day? Soon?” He blinked up at her in honest confusion, trying to follow where the question had come from.
“Who?” he parroted dumbly.
“Who it is you like, of course,” Ayumi said, a little strength returning to her voice as she grinned wanly at his shocked expression. “You can pretend all you want, but I can tell.” She managed a soft giggle, burying her head back against Kaito’s neck as he continued to gape. Amused purple eyes peered back, and Conan was mortified to feel his face flush.
“But I don’t—“ he protested weakly.
“See you tomorrow, Conan-kun!” Ayumi said, waving as Kaito proceeded away without another word. Conan slumped against the wall again. He’d never understand girls, no matter what age! He wasn’t in love with anyone!
Right?
-
Case: Conan & Ayumi - Closed
Next case: Mitsuhiko & Conan
Thirty not-quite-unrelated stories that lead our darling detective and his frustrating foe along the path of romance (that's Shinichi and Kid, for the unenlightened). Will be KaitoxShinichi.
Ayumi has always known Conan liked someone else. A confrontation leads to the question of who is it really?
-
Case 08 – Conan & Ayumi
He’d tried to be patient. He’d tried to be understanding! He’d even gone out of his way to be extra nice. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to have made much of a difference.
Conan sighed, listening to the scuffle of shoes on concrete following him clumsily. He knew what he’d see if he turned around, and almost wished he didn’t have to. Still, he wasn’t one to run from his problems. Spinning on his heel, he watched dispassionately as Ayumi dove for cover behind a sign board for a restaurant. He waited patiently, and was rewarded a moment later by worried eyes peering around the edge of the sign.
“Ayumi-chan…” he said flatly. “What have I told you about following people?”
She shuffled guiltily out from her hiding spot, giving him a sorrowful look that made him swallow nervously. Please don’t start crying… She always seemed to do that when she wanted him to do something these days. One sight of her watery eyes, and he was ashamed to say he caved nine times out of ten.
“Stay out of sight, be subtle and don’t directly look at the target, keeping a few feet back is not enough space between you and the target—“ she recited dutifully, and he nodded sharply, cutting her off.
“Right. So then…why?” he asked plaintively, fixing her with an admonishing stare. She looked guiltily at her feet.
“Yrnotcrinl,” she mumbled, and he sighed.
“What?”
“I don’t want to do that to you, ‘cause you’re not a criminal,” she said clearly, raising her head defiantly. Well that was…oddly touching. And a completely ridiculous and childish reason to be expected of Ayumi, who still had such an optimistic view of the world. He was glad she was still able to be so innocent, even as she continued getting dragged into horrible situations with him.
He let out a rather explosive sigh, “Thank you, Ayumi-chan, for that vote of confidence. So why did you feel the need to follow me, then?”
“You haven’t been playing with us very much lately,” she accused, but gently, as if she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
He did feel a pang of guilt at that, but he’d been too caught up with the intrigue of KID. Kuroba. Or rather, Kaito, as the other teen had insisted on being called. And while Kaito hadn’t admitted to being KID, throwing in a denial here and there if the topic came up (though that happened less and less), it was obvious to Shinichi that his rather fanciful guess had hit the mark.
Still, it was surprisingly refreshing, just talking with someone his real age who knew who he really was. Because even as Kaito never admitted to being KID, he also never treated Conan as anything other than an equal. It was never spoken aloud, between the two of them, but there was an understanding there that each would keep the other’s secrets.
Hattori was a good friend, it was true. But he lived far away, rarely came to visit for pleasure over business, and there was still a hint of detective rivalry that Conan doubted would ever leave the Osakan. It was just…more comfortable with Kaito. He was interesting, and entertaining, which made sense, given his profession of choice, both public and private.
“Conan-kun!”
The shout right next to his ears pierced through his introspection, and he blinked at Ayumi’s face, far too close to his for comfort. He yelped, backpedaling until his back hit the wall of the building. Ayumi had a cross look on her face, and she put her hands on her hips as she huffed in annoyance. He was sure she’d stolen that look straight from Ran, too…
“See? You’ve been acting so weird lately, Conan-kun! I was calling your name forever!” Ayumi complained. He hadn’t spaced out that much…had he? He must be losing his touch.
“Look, Ayumi-chan, I’m sorry. I just…have had a lot on my mind lately,” he said, rubbing the back of his head uncomfortably. “It’s nothing you did!” he added hastily, when it looked like she was going to interrupt. “But it’s also nothing you can help with.”
He fumbled for an explanation, one that wouldn’t leave a sour feeling in his stomach for lying to his friends…because young though they were, they were as loyal a bunch as he’d ever met, and had wormed their way into his affections. He hated lying so much, was so sick of living a lie, but he had no choice. He could, however, ease her worries without giving away too much. He wasn’t even sure why he wanted to keep his meeting with Kaito to himself.
“I…there was…something…” he stuttered, unsure where to start. “I can’t tell you all of it,” he finally said miserably. “But I needed time to myself. And I know you just want to help, but you can’t—“
“I like you!” Ayumi blurted out, and he stuttered to a halt, stunned. She was giving him a determined stare, face flushed with her own audacity. He gaped, feeling a wash of cold terror down his spine. What was he supposed to say to that?!
“I like you,” she repeated, as if testing the sound of the words she’d kept so close to herself for so long. “A lot, Conan-kun.”
And that was it. She continued looking at him in a cross of hope and nervousness, but didn’t look like she was going to say anything else until he did. Oh no, no no anything but this. He’d imagined this moment so many times, but it had always been Ran, and he’d been Shinichi, not Conan, and he’d hoped so hard that Conan would be gone before Ayumi could gather up her courage. He’d known she was crushing on him, he wasn’t completely oblivious, and she was rather obvious, but why now?
Maybe you should say yes, a traitorous part of his mind chimed in. Ran is moving on, and you’ll never have a chance with her anyway as Conan.
He snarled at the thought. It didn’t matter, not if Ran moved on without him, not if the world forgot about Kudou Shinichi; he would return to that life. It was all he wanted. It was.
“Ayumi-chan…” he choked out weakly, unable to speak around the lump in his throat. She studied his face for a moment, and her eyes turned sad. Whatever she’d seen had given her her answer, and it wasn’t what she’d hoped for.
“It’s Ran-neesan, isn’t it? I know you love her,” Ayumi whispered, staring down at her hands. She had clenched them together, and he could see tears hovering at the corners of her eyes. She took a deep breath, blinking her eyes rapidly to dispel the moisture gathered there, and tilted her head up to stare him in the eyes, waiting for his reply.
He tried to be angry, to banish the uncomfortable feelings twisting his gut. It wasn’t her business… But…maybe, it was. He had led an innocent girl along, even if it was mostly involuntarily, when he’d had no intentions of ever reciprocating the affection. She wasn’t just a faceless girl who fancied herself in love with him; she was his friend, who’d been through so much with him, both good times and bad. She deserved an explanation.
“I loved her,” he rasped, clenching his eyes tight as he finally voiced the feelings that had been eating him alive, that he’d tried so hard to forget with his new fascination with Kaito and KID. “So much…since we were kids.” He didn’t care now, if he confused Ayumi. He wouldn’t lie, he’d tell her what she needed to hear, but he wouldn’t explain. “She’s all I ever…but not anymore. She’s not…she’ll never…and the chance is gone. Even if…I just can’t anymore. Ayumi, please,” he pleaded, unsure even what he was asking for.
His eyes shot open as he felt arms go around his neck, and then Ayumi was crying into his shoulder. He patted her awkwardly on the back, fighting down the lump in his throat. He’d said it, finally, and now he had to deal with the truth he’d been avoiding with all his might. He just hadn’t expected it to hurt so much.
“You’ve been so happy these past weeks,” she said through her sobs, voice muffled against the fabric of his shirt. “And I thought, I thought, you’d finally fallen in love with someone else, and I wondered why couldn’t it be me?” She ended on almost a wail, clutching him tight as she sobbed her heartbreak out. He slid to the ground with her, ignoring the looks of concern or annoyance by passing pedestrians. No one bothered the pair.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered into her hair, unsure she could even hear him over her tears. “I’m sorry, but it can’t be me.”
He didn’t know how long they sat there, him rubbing her back absently and staring at nothing while she got herself under control. When her sobs tapered off into quiet, shuddering breaths, he let her sit up on her own, watching almost dispassionately as she wiped futily at her eyes with the back of her hand. He fumbled in a pocket, pressing his handkerchief into her hands automatically.
He felt numb, as if he’d been the one crying, leaving him feeling empty and detached. The last time he’d felt this emotionally beaten, a messy-haired girl had innocently sparked a fire in him, given him a reason to push on, to search anew.
There was nothing, now. No one to fight, no one to chase, no one to return to…
A shadow fell across the pair, and Conan tilted his head up at the figure towering over them. Kaito stared down at him solemnly, his unusual purple eyes filled with a quiet understanding. He squatted down, pulling Ayumi into a loose embrace, murmuring soothingly as the girl started in surprise. Conan was overcome with a surge of warmth, though he tried to suppress the irrational feeling. Kaito always seemed to understand what didn’t need to be said.
“It’s alright, Ayumi-chan,” Conan said, giving the wide-eyed girl a lopsided smile of reassurance. “Kaito-niichan will take you home.”
“Kuroba Kaito at your service,” Kaito said pleasantly, grinning easily at the girl. “What say we follow Conan-kun’s good advice?” He opened his arms invitingly, and with one glance back at Conan for assurance, Ayumi allowed the teen to pick her up. She curled tiredly against him, head resting in the crook of his neck as she hid her tears from the world.
Kaito didn’t move for a moment, cradling Ayumi to him and gazing down at Conan. Conan knew what he was waiting for.
Are you alright?
Taking a deep breath, Conan stood up and brushed himself off. He’d try. For his friends, he’d continue living, even through the lies, the pain, and the loneliness. They weren’t new feelings, but now, with someone who could really understand, he felt a little bit better about the future. Meeting Kaito’s gaze, he inclined his head in acknowledgement. There was an answering glimmer of approval, and Kaito turned to go.
Ayumi lifted her head suddenly, causing the teen to pause.
“Conan-kun?” she asked thickly, peering timidly over Kaito’s shoulder. “Will you tell me who, one day? Soon?” He blinked up at her in honest confusion, trying to follow where the question had come from.
“Who?” he parroted dumbly.
“Who it is you like, of course,” Ayumi said, a little strength returning to her voice as she grinned wanly at his shocked expression. “You can pretend all you want, but I can tell.” She managed a soft giggle, burying her head back against Kaito’s neck as he continued to gape. Amused purple eyes peered back, and Conan was mortified to feel his face flush.
“But I don’t—“ he protested weakly.
“See you tomorrow, Conan-kun!” Ayumi said, waving as Kaito proceeded away without another word. Conan slumped against the wall again. He’d never understand girls, no matter what age! He wasn’t in love with anyone!
Right?
Case: Conan & Ayumi - Closed
Next case: Mitsuhiko & Conan