AN: This story, once again, is being started without the completion of my previous ones. I can guarantee you though, that none of them will be abandoned and written progressively. This fic has its end in sight however, unlike the others and may - most probably will - get completed first.

For: Shana-Fujioka in response to her prompt (Secret Crushes).

Please read and review!

Enjoy~

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Note:- The movies are not considered at all. So KID doesn't know who Conan actually is.

Warning:- Also, this is slash. M/M pairing. If anyone is uncomfortable with it, please do not read. Nothing explicit, however.

xxx

Acknowledgments: I owe this story to a prompt (Secret Crushes) given by Shana-Fujioka. This fan-fiction will be based on it. My thanks to her and her creative mind for writing such an inspiring and intriguing plot, which has lead me to write a story on it.

Also, thanks to my best friend for inspiring quite a few conversations between Ran and Shinichi as well as Shinichi and Kaito.

To Shana-Fujioka – I hope you enjoy this story!

xxx

"Dialouges"

'Thoughts'

Chapter 1: Secret Crushes

He wasn't sure how long it had been now.

It was certainly after Ran and he had that talk about letting each other go and finding happiness with someone else. As the Black Organisation had yet to be taken down and the cure unavailable, Shinichi had been trying out a new and improved antidote created by Haibara, when Ran had arrived at Hakase's house.

The meeting had been unplanned, but the talk had been long-awaited. They both knew that while once there had been a chance, a potential for a relationship between them, now it was no longer so. It had been nearly a year now and he had been still stuck as Conan, with no hope for a cure. They two of them had sat down and conversed for hours before parting with heartfelt tears and apologies, but with a lighter heart. Ran and Shinichi still loved each other, just not romantically. They were now like siblings to each other and cared for the other like family.

So, Shinichi was not certain how long it had been now, since he had fallen in love with Kaitou Kid.

It had begun with the Bell Tree Express Case, where Conan had somewhat blackmailed KID into disguising as Miyano Shiho and facing Bourbon. The plan had been carried out perfectly – for one made on the spot with limited resources and a high level of danger – and Conan had realised just how well they could work together.

It was a long time after that spectacular Blush Mermaid Heist – the only second time Conan had purposefully led the police astray so as to let KID escape, the first being during the Iron Tanuki Case – that the detective had entertained the idea of collaborating forces to bring down the Black Organisation.

Haibara had been reluctant and KID even more so (The last time I agreed to a plan of yours Tantei-kun, I nearly got blown up in a train carriage! Blown up!) – But after encountering a similar black-clad individual wielding guns at another Suzuki Jirokichi Challenge Heist, even Kaitou Kid had to agree that a little help would not be remiss. Especially from someone who was already involved and far more ahead of him in combatting against them.

Another year later, the organisation was down.

"…I told you we worked well together, Tantei-kun!"

"I recollect that it was me who said that, KID,"

"Meh, same difference…"

The FBI had retreated from Japan, after issuing a huge apology to the Japanese Government for unauthorised stay and investigation on foreign land – Amuro Tooru, or as he now went by, Furuya Rei had been smug for days – and had left a parting gift for Conan. The files holding the formula of the APTX-4869.

Conan had reluctantly told James Black and Jodie-sensei (Andre Camel had a very bad track record of keeping secrets) about his identity, Akai Shuichi was already aware anyway, as he'd needed a reason for wanting access to the files containing a deadly poison. The three of them had promised to keep the shrinking side-effect of the poison a secret, and agreed to let Haibara start over as a child, free from her dark past.

While Conan would miss many things when he returned to being Shinichi – the numerous police acquaintances he'd made, the Detective Boys, Azusa-san's special iced coffee she prepared only for him, Kobayashi-sensei's cheerful attitude and classes – the one thing that dominated in his mind was KID.

Edogawa Conan was quite popular as the Kid Killer and was known to attend every Suzuki Jirokichi Challenge Heist, but Kudo Shinichi had not been to a single one. Not only because he was primarily a homicide detective, but also because he had no interest in thieves. Neither had Conan for that matter, but KID had been different.

Truthfully, he'd never had any particular need to attend KID's heists. He had no interest in seeing a thief steal a jewel or another priceless artefact. All he'd been interested in was the challenge it provided him, without the threat of death hovering around. And the heists were a means to encounter that challenge and strive to win against his rival.

But when he'd come to know the thief better during their takedown of the Black Organisation, he'd realised just how much more there was to KID. He was challenge even outside the heists; his mind and thought processes were complicated and convoluted, yet held no maliciousness.

It was…refreshing.

Conan no longer wanted to simply chase the thief as he stole, but also wanted to engage him in conversations about everyday mundane topics. He'd grown to appreciate the teen's cheerful attitude, witty remarks and ceaseless enthusiasm for magic. KID enjoyed a challenge and mystery much like any detective; only he preferred to create them more than solve them. That worked out quite well for the both of them, in fact.

So, somewhere along the way, Conan knew it was no longer friendship that he felt towards the thief, but love. Somehow, unexpectedly, inexplicably, he'd fallen in love with Kaitou Kid.

And despite knowing that it was not meant to be, he couldn't fall out of love with the damned thief, no matter how much he tried to convince himself.

The 'He's a criminal' excuse or 'I don't know him really' excuse wasn't truly valid anymore. After the organisation's fall, KID had told him that would be hanging up the cape and top-hat. Perhaps a few interspersed heists like the Ryoma's treasure ones to return artefacts or expose frauds, but that would be it. Kaitou Kid would disappear just as mysteriously as he'd appeared – like a phantom.

Edogawa Conan would be doing a similar vanishing act. And the fact that he would no longer be able to see KID, to learn more about that brilliant mind and unique individual – because Kaitou Kid was an unsolvable mystery that would take Conan a lifetime to unravel – was regretful.

Painful.

But necessary.

"Are you sure you want do this, Kudo-kun?" Haibara asked quietly, the red and white pill placed on a petri dish in front of her.

She had told him numerous times that there was no true antidote to the poison, just another poison to counteract the previous one. Each time he took a pill, he chanced death.

"Yes," Conan replied in an equally quiet voice, "all that I'll be leaving behind as Conan is regretful, but I had a life as Shinichi that is far more precious to me."

"Then I have a condition," Haibara said as she passed over the pill, "I want you tell the kids the truth."

"The kids?" Conan was surprised.

"You're going to tell the girl from the agency, aren't you? Then telling the kids too will be the correct thing to do."

"But –"

"Don't you see, Kudo-kun?" Haibara leaned forward, "You're going to tell Mouri-chan because she deserves to know the truth. You don't want to lie to her any longer. Then the kids deserve the same courtesy. Besides, they know how to keep secrets; you've taught them well."

Conan looked hesitant, but he agreed, "Okay, I will."

Two months later, Kudo Shinichi stepped out of Teitan High School with his graduation certificate along with his childhood friends, Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko.

"Freedom! At last!" Sonoko cried out in happiness, "But…I will miss high school. We had fun times."

Shinichi snorted, 'Yeah, fun times – stuck as a kid.'

"Well, not that you would know anything about that, Shinichi-kun!" Sonoko huffed, "Gone off on that huge case…barely had any time for Ran!"

"Sonoko!" Ran tried to reproach her, "He was working with the FBI! As well as the Japanese Secret Police! You should be proud of him."

"I did come to that play you directed, you know," Shinichi interjected.

But Sonoko was not deterred and continued to berate the Heisei Holmes as they walked back to his house – they were staying over for dinner as a celebration of their High School Graduation. She had been quite miffed with him ever since he'd come back and not pursued a relationship with Ran. Never mind that she did not want to either, she still ranted at every available opportunity (It's my right as your best friend, Ran!) despite Ran's attempts to waylay her.

"Where are you applying for, you two?" Ran quickly asked in hopes of steering the conversation away from her non-existent love life.

"Oh no, I'm not applying for University," Sonoko said, "I'll be studying privately to take over the Suzuki Business. And Makoto-san will be joining me in quite a few lessons, too!"

The other two easily ignored her breathy sigh of 'love' with practice.

"Kyoto University, probably," Shinichi replied, "Hattori is applying for it too. They have some of the best professors for criminology and psychology there,"

"Oh, you deduction geeks!" Ran laughed,

"And you'll be joining Tokyo University, I presume?" Shinichi asked.

"Yes," Ran smiled, "Kaa-san studied there. Best recommendation for pursuing a career in law,"

"Ah, look at my Ran-chan!" Sonoko cooed happily, "All grown up! In a few years, she'll be a great lawyer too!"

"Mou, Sonoko!"

Shinichi laughed; glad to be back among his friends.

"Thank you, Kudo-kun. Your help is greatly appreciated, as always," Inspector Ayanokoji said.

Inspector Ayanokoji Fumimaro was Inspector Shiratori's friend and had been first introduced to him via Megure-keibu during a case. As an Inspector of the Kyoto Prefectural Police, they would be working together quite often, but Shinichi and Ayanokoji-keibu had gotten along as well as he had with Shiratori-keibu at their first meeting, which is to say, not at all.

It had taken a couple of months and chance meetings at crime scenes, that Shinichi just happened upon across the course of his daily life, for them to get to know each other better. Developing a mutual respect for each other had gone a long way in helping, of course.

The two of them had been making small talk when the Inspector abruptly paused, "Ah, it seems your companion has arrived. I shall keep you no longer then, Kudo-kun."

Shinichi turned to see who he could mean and waved at his 'companion' when he spotted her, "Ran!"

Ran gave him a hug upon reaching him, "Mou, Shinichi. My first visit to you and it is at a crime scene! I was actually looking forward to eating at this restaurant,"

"Gomen, gomen," Shinichi chuckled, "the head chef got poisoned. I know another nice place though, we can go there,"

"Sure," she slipped her arm through his as they walked out of the eatery, "Kazuha-chan was telling me how delicious the gyoza is here though, so you'll have to bring me to this place one day."

"Of course," Shinichi grinned, "but tell me, how is everything at Tokyo?"

"Wonderful!" Ran beamed, "I'm doing great at my classes and I've made some really exciting friends! Hakuba-kun is in my class – you know, the detective from that Sunset Mansion Case? Oh, what am I talking about, you never forget your cases! So, he's in my class and he's quite like you – a total Holmes nut!"

"Yeah?"

Ran delved into her life at Tokyo University, telling him about the vast library and huge auditorium (Sonoko would have loved to direct a play on that stage!) as well as the large campus grounds. She complained a bit about her mother and father's reluctance to go out on family dinners (But I'm making progress! I am! Stop laughing, Shinichi!), told him that the kids send their love as well as a request to come and visit soon, Hakase's failed attempts at inventing an improvised toaster and Haibara's resignation at it.

"But, enough about me," Ran said finally as they took a seat at the café, "tell me everything! How is Kyoto? And the University? And life at dorms? And Hattori-kun? I've not heard from him in so long…"

"It's all good, Ran," Shinichi smiled, "The University is great. They're allowing leave of absences if I'm caught up in a case too –"

"Okay, now I see what's great about it," Ran giggled, "they don't complain if you miss their lectures if you stumble upon a body!"

"Oi!"

"You and Hattori-kun must be taking so much advantage of it!"

"Hey, we're not that bad," Shinichi protested, "Heiji and I have a very good attendance record, all things considered,"

"Heiji?" Ran raised a sceptical eyebrow, "I didn't know you were on first-name basis with him,"

"We share a dorm. Cooking and eating food together and washing each other's laundry removes quite a few barriers of propriety and politeness," Shinichi said dryly.

At that, Ran gave a full-blown laughter that attracted quite a bit of attention.

"So that's the real reason?" Ran asked, sipping her coffee, "I wondered, you know. Eisuke-kun did leave rather suddenly…"

"Hmm," Shinichi nodded, "I don't know if he still wants to pursue a career in law enforcement and join the CIA one day. May be not, now that the organisation is defeated,"

Ran sighed, "I don't like the danger you surrounded yourself in, Shinichi. I know that capturing them was necessary, but hearing about it now, even after everything is all over…it scares me slightly."

"Would you rather I never told you?" Shinichi asked her quietly.

"NO!" Ran nearly shouted. Calming down, she repeated, "No, I'm glad you told me the truth. But, I would've just preferred that you never got caught up in that mess,"

"Not all my experiences as Conan were bad, you know," Shinichi told her, "Meeting Ayumi, Mitsuhiko and Genta, becoming friends with Haibara, getting to know all those detectives and police officers…"

Ran smiled, "Yes, that's true. And you did enjoy the Kaitou Kid heists as well,"

As usual, hearing about KID made Shinichi melancholy. The thief's fan base was wide-spread and plenty of people at the University could talk about nothing but KID every time the papers advertised a jewel exhibition or Nakamori-keibu appeared on T.V.

Absently, Shinichi caught himself hoping that Jirokichi-san would throw out another challenge to the Moonlit Magician, because KID was never one to turn down challenges and was sure to make an appearance then.

And while Shinichi had never gone to KID's heists before getting poisoned – he'd not even been truly aware of it, thieves not catching his interest – now he'd gladly make his appearance at one, just to be able to go against him once more.

He was not Conan and may be regarded as just another detective by KID, but it did not matter. To interact with the man behind the mask that he'd grown to love, even if he'd never seen his true face, Shinichi would definitely make an appearance.

This was a forlorn hope, of course. KID must be, no doubt, enjoying his civilian life; now that the oppressing shadows of the Black Organisation had been chased away. While the thief had confessed to actually enjoying his heists and generally making a fool out of the KID Task Force, he would not be thieving anymore unless it was needed.

Shinichi had kept a lookout for any new magicians planning to make their debut to see if he could find him, but of course KID had not left such an easy trail. He would probably wait for some time before going professional.

"Shinichi? Shinichi!"

Shinichi brought himself out of his thoughts at Ran's call and tried to integrate himself back into the conversation, "So, have you got a boyfriend yet?"

"No, and not for lack of trying," Ran told him, "Sonoko's been introducing me to guys left, right and centre. But…no one clicks, you know?"

"Yeah, I do," Shinichi said softly.

Ran was surprised at his tone, "Say, Shinichi…have you found a girl?"

"Hmm?" Shinichi blinked at that, "No. No girl."

"Are you sure?" Ran insisted,

Shinichi frowned at her persistence, "Yeah, no girl. Positive."

She looked at him shrewdly for a moment, "A boy, then?"

Shinichi sputtered, "W-What?"

"A boy, Shinichi. Has a guy caught your eye?"

Shinichi's silence said it all. Ran knew her childhood friend very well, after all.

"So? Who is it? Tell me!"

Shinichi shook his head, gaining back his composure, "No, not telling you any names." 'Not that I know his name. Can't tell her it is KID, now, can I?'

"Huh?" Ran pouted slightly, "Why not?"

"Oh no, not telling at all. You'd never leave me alone if I did!"

"Okay," Ran contemplated, "How about an exchange then? You tell me about this crush of yours and I'll tell you about mine. Not that I have one right now, but when I do, I'll tell you, okay?

"Ran," Shinichi groaned, "Come on! Don't bring me into this girl talk! Don't you have Sonoko for this? And I can talk to Heiji for my girl problems, okay?"

"But you don't have girl problems, Shinichi," Ran pointed out with a smirk, "These are boy problems. So obviously, I'm the one to talk to, right? Besides, who said this is girl talk? This is best friend talk! So, you totally can't get out of this."

Shinichi pondered upon the wisdom of agreeing to this, but decided to let Ran have her way. She would keep insisting till he consented either way. Seeing that he was going to comply, Ran beamed.

"Let's shake hands on this, like boys," she stressed mockingly, "Deal?"

"Deal," Shinichi shook hands at Ran's prompting, wondering what he'd gotten himself into now.

It had been precisely two weeks later that he got a call from Ran.

Shinichi had been studying by himself in the library – Heiji having gone down to the local police station to give in his statement for that case he's solved two days ago – when Sera Masumi had plopped down on the chair across him.

"Yo, Shinichi-kun," Masumi whispered passing him his cell phone, "Ran-chan's called you three times in this past hour. I think you should check it out,"

"Oh, thanks Masumi-chan," Shinichi gave her a smile as he walked out of the library, dialling Ran's number.

The moment she picked up, Shinichi was bombarded by questions, "Shinichi? Are you alright? Stuck in a case? Hurt? Is something wrong? You've not been answering my calls since the past three hours!"

"Calm down, Ran," Shinichi murmured soothingly, "I'm fine. I was in the library and had left my phone in the common room,"

"Oh, okay," Ran said sheepishly, "Sorry, I just tend to worry a lot now. The last time you ignored my calls for so long, you'd gotten poisoned…"

"I know, it's fine. I'm fine. But that's not what you called me about, did you?"

"Oh, yes, I meant to tell you," Ran sounded happy now, "Okaa-san won the case!"

"The Kichimura defence case? I heard the prosecutor was Kujo-san… That's great!" Shinichi replied happily.

"Isn't it? We're celebrating this Saturday by going out to dinner," Ran told him, "and since you helped out by sending in your observations in that report for Kaa-san, she wants you to join in,"

"Hmm, Saturday is it?" Shinichi furrowed his brows, "Okay, I think that's fine with me. I might stay for the rest of the weekend too, it will be like a visit, yeah?"

"Great!"

It was Sunday, the day after that celebratory dinner, and Shinichi had cooped himself up in the Kudo house's huge library, re-reading Sherlock Holmes. Ran was about to arrive in some time, and he debated upon actually getting up and dressing for their outing. Obviously, Sherlock Holmes won out.

"Shinichi!" Ran huffed when she entered the library an hour later, "Leave those books alone for a while and get dressed. We're not spending the whole day inside your library."

"And why not?" Shinichi countered, burrowing deeper into his armchair, "It is better than meeting up with Sonoko certainly. All she'll do the whole time is pester me about not dating you…"

Ran giggled then, "Oh, I forgot to tell you. I found 'the one'."

"Huh?"

"You know, last time we met…I told you I'd tell you about any guys I'm interested in?" Ran reminded him.

"Yeah... So, who is he? Are you going out with him?"

"Oh no," Ran shook her head, "Not yet, I just barely know him. He studies at Tokyo Uni too. Hakuba-kun introduced me to him. And he looks quite a bit like you,"

"Like me?" Shinichi raised an eyebrow,

"Yes, not much, but similar enough," Ran perked up, "And I met a girl who looks quite a bit like me too!"

"Like you?" Shinichi repeated incredulously, "What are the odds…"

"Isn't it?" Ran smiled, "He's a nice guy, though. And I don't like, like him, right now. It's just a tiny crush at the moment,"

"Hmm," Shinichi smiled at her, "that's nice. But, you've got to introduce me to him first, before you plan to date him or something…"

"Oh, going to play overprotective big brother role, eh?" Ran teased, "Then I get the same privilege. Which reminds me, who is that mystery guy of yours?"

Shinichi remained silent, wondering what to tell.

"He's an enigma," Shinichi began, deciding to simply describe his personality and odd quirks, all of which endeared him to the detective, "a complex puzzle that I wish to solve,"

Ran came forwards and took a seat in front of him, eagerly listening, "Something like you told me back in London, then?"

Shinichi nodded with a soft smile playing up on his lips, "Aa. The both of you are really complex…"

"And?"

"He's quite smart too; I guess you could call him a genius,"

"Mou!" Ran laughed, "You were attracted to his mind first, weren't you?"

"Yes," Shinichi grinned unrepentantly, "though I suppose you could call him handsome too,"

'Not that I really know how he looks like, but I could make out quite a few angular features and his blue-indigo eyes from our meetings together,' Shinichi mused,

While the conversation stalled after that due to their appointment with Sonoko, they vowed to continue it later.

Sure enough, every meeting thereafter was riddled with talks about their crushes, though in Shinichi's case, it was love. They never mentioned names, but with all they talked about it seemed pretty much redundant.

For some reason, they'd both simultaneously decided not to tell each other any names. While talking to each other about them, Ran called her crush Ao-kun (For his eyes, she said) and Shinichi decided to call KID as Kai (From the Kai of Kaitou Kid).

"…He's a performer,"

"Performer?"

"Yes, he's in the Drama Club at Uni, too,"

"Yeah?"

"Hmm…what about your guy?"

"He's an entertainer…of sorts. Plays the piano quite well."

"Really? Ao-kun does too! He's quite good at poker too, though I still think he cheats!"

"Ran! Everyone cheats at poker! Kai does too, but sometimes I think that it is just his abundant luck giving him the winning hand…"

It had been mere skills and the physical characteristics at first. Shinichi had not been able to tell Ran much except that KID had eyes the shade of indigo (Ao-kun does too!) while Ran had told him quite a bit about her crush. His propensity for acting, gymnastic athleticism – courtesy of his mop wielding friend – something that the detective had not understood at all and strange likeness to Shinichi himself. Apparently they were similar not only in facial features, but also height and weight!

Soon after, they delved deeper…

"…Ao-kun loves chocolate; I don't think I've ever seen someone eat so much chocolate in one sitting before!"

"I have, Kai adores chocolate too – chocolate milk, chocolate parfait, chocolate cakes, chocolate ice-cream. I swear, if he could, he would live and breathe chocolate!"

"Yeah? He sounds interesting. And how did he take it when you told him that the only sweet you could binge on was lemon pie?"

"He told me it was a blasphemy… I guess you and Ao-kun must get along well with your love for sweets,"

"We do! We're going to go on a sweet eating spree next weekend."

"Ooh, like a date?"

"Shinichi! No, as friends; Hakuba-kun and his girl-friend, Nakamori-san, are coming along too."

"Oh, so a double date then?"

"Mou, Shinichi!"

"Okay, okay… Geez! Besides, I have to meet him before you go out with him on a date, remember?"

"Of course, Sonoko said that too. Best friend rights to threaten him or something…"

Neither Ran nor Shinichi had gone out with either of their 'crushes' yet, with Ran still on the stage of getting to know each other as friends and Shinichi having not even seen KID since months.

"…He's got a real cheerful personality and has quite the reputation as a trouble-maker and prankster! Keeps flipping Aoko-san's skirt too!"

"Aoko-san?"

"Ao-kun's childhood friend and Hakuba-kun's girlfriend; that near look-alike of mine I was telling you about. I've been getting along with her quite well too,"

"Flipping her skirt, you say? You don't approve then?"

"Of course not! Though…Hakuba-kun tells me it's something of a tradition between them, ever since middle school. But's he an overall nice guy, you know. Apart from the skirt flipping thing!"

"I'm sure you'll break him off that habit once you start seeing him,"

"Naturally!"

"Well, Kai is actually quite the gentleman. He's mischievous, of course, and likes fooling around, but gentlemanly at the same time. A little contemplative and makes a good conversationalist in philosophical matters too,"

"You too really mesh well!"

"You think so?"

"Of course, he sounds like a great guy! One day you'll have to introduce me to him,"

"Hmm, maybe Ran, one day, maybe…"

Talking about KID with Ran helped Shinichi quite a lot.

They say 'Out of sight, out of mind'; yet that wasn't quite true for the detective. He'd expected to fall out of love with Kid now that they no longer saw each other, just like his continued distance with Ran had changed their inclination towards each other.

But instead, the correct idiom might be 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder'. Because the more time he spent away from the thief, telling Ran all he learnt about him during their time together as they planned to take down the Black Organisation, the deeper he fell in love with him.

The man might not be there, but just recounting all the instances they'd sat together on rooftops chatting with each other or spent time drinking coffee as they put forth ideas to capture Snake, it made Shinichi remember what a delight it had been to simply be with KID.

"…Kai dislikes fish. I think he has ichthyophobia, but he's not really confirmed it verbally,"

"Then how do you know?"

"Detective."

"Oh. Right. Of course, Mr Deduction Freak has to deduce everything he can set his eyes on,"

"Of course, with such an exquisite puzzle before me, how can I resist?"

"And how did Kai-kun take that? Being called a puzzle?"

"I think he liked it, being called an unsolvable mystery. The unsolvable part more than mystery, of course. Said he'd keep me guessing forever that way,"

"That's so romantic!"

"I don't know, Ran…did he mean it in the romantic sense? Or did he say it just because I'm a detective?"

"So you don't know if he likes you that way?"

"No, do you know if Ao-kun likes you romantically?"

"Well, no…we're just friends for now. And I have a huge crush on him, but I don't yet know if he's good boyfriend material. Or if he thinks I'm good girlfriend material,"

"Don't worry, Ran. You're a smart, beautiful, loyal, strong girl. There's hardly a person who wouldn't like an angel like you,"

"Thanks Shinichi… But, that aside, you're a detective. Shouldn't you know if Kai-kun likes you?"

"It doesn't work that way, does it? I can deduce if it is others, but when it comes to myself…the heart gets involved too and then everything becomes confusing. It was the same with you, remember?"

"Yes... You sound like you're in love, Shinichi,"

"Maybe I am, would that be so bad?"

"No, but it would hurt if you didn't tell him. He doesn't know that you like him that way, does he?"

"No. But, I don't know if he even considers me like that. For now, I'm focusing on maintaining friendship,"

"He's a student at Kyoto Uni?"

"No, not at Uni, just a friend I met at a case…that long case I was missing for,"

"Oh…"

What Shinichi had told Ran was true. He didn't know if KID liked him that way; in fact he was nearly sure that KID didn't. After all, the thief had only ever known him as seven year old Edogawa Conan. Developing romantic feelings for a child? Not possible.

Even if KID had confessed that he liked the challenge Conan provided at heists, and that the child was KID's favourite detective, it surely wasn't because he was attracted to him. It couldn't be.

Could it?

"…Ao-kun can juggle really well. I once saw him juggle four smiley balls, one wrist watch, a plate, two paper weights and an apple together! And he has a really good sense of balance. Pity it all goes to waste on the ice rink,"

"He can't ice-skate?"

"Not even to save his life. Aoko-san and Hakuba-kun love poking fun at him about it!"

"Ha! A great sense of balance that desserts him on the ice, eh?"

"Yeah…it's kind of cute. I tried to teach him, of course, but it's no use."

"Kai loves any kind of card games. He's great at them, mostly because he cheats of course, but still, he has great luck at them. Even mah-jong."

"Ao-kun hasn't beaten me at mah-jong yet! Though Hakuba-kun always loses pitifully, and Aoko-san doesn't really prefer to play,"

"Well, you have an inordinate amount of luck too. It should be illegal to have so much luck!"

"You're just saying that because I always win at mah-jong!"

"What else does he play? Any sport?"

"No, mostly indoor games. Table-tennis, billiards – though he is hopeless at that, Hakuba-kun is quite good at it though – numerous card games, carom, bowling… though he is a huge soccer fan, like this one idiot I know,"

"Hey! Soccer is fun!"

"Yeah, well, at least he doesn't go on and on about what he loves like a certain Holmes nut,"

"Hmph!"

"And what about Kai-kun?"

"Kai…he plays a bit of base-ball, card games and darts. He's very good at darts. Not much at chess, or shogi. I rather like seeing him lose at that, for all the times he's cheated at billiards!"

"Cheated at billiards?"

"You don't want to know, Ran, you don't want to know… He's not much of a soccer fan though, but I might be the cause of that mainly,"

"He doesn't like soccer because of you? What did you do? Bore him to death by reciting its greatness?"

"Well, that's a long story, and not one I think you'd believe either…"

By now, listening to Ran talk about this 'Ao-kun', Shinichi was sure that the attraction she had was developing into something more. What he couldn't understand was… why did he get a foreboding feeling because of it?

"…Ao-kun wants to follow in his father's footsteps, take the stage one day. I think he really idolises his father,"

"That's a good ambition to have. Kai wanted to go professional too. Not immediately, but in a few years, I think,"

"Yes. Shinichi…I think I'm falling for him. I'm not sure yet, it's only been a few months since I've known him, but I think…I think I want to give it a try with him,"

"Have you asked him yet?"

"No, no yet; I still don't know if he thinks of me like that. I'm not even sure that I think of him like that. And he's a nice friend, if I ask him and he says no…things might become awkward,"

"Only if you let it be. You're only thinking of a relationship right now, you're not too deeply involved. I think it's the right time to ask,"

"Can you come with me? I want you to meet him; deduce if he likes me…anything! As a detective, you could do that, right? Use small clues to figure people out?"

"Sure, Ran, if you want me too. I want to meet him before you go out with him anyway."

"We'll be going to the flower viewing at the end of this month. You could come then, I could introduce you to Hakuba-kun and Aoko-san at the same time,"

"Of course, I'll be there. I am very interested to meet this Ao-kun…"

And the date had been fixed. At the end of the month, Shinichi would be visiting Tokyo once more, to meet Ran's new friends from college and her crush.

Ran had professed an interest to meet 'Kai', but that unfortunately, was impossible. Shinichi had carefully distracted her from that topic to instead talk about 'Ao-kun'.

The detective was happy that Ran had found someone. Whether the relationship would bloom or not was different, but Ao-kun seemed like a nice person and would be a good friend to her if not boyfriend.

Shinichi was highly anticipating their meeting. Something told him that it would be quite…interesting.

AN: The story's primary focus will be the relationship between Kaito and Shinchi, but it will have plenty of other views to it. Such as conversations between Shinichi and Ran, Shinchi and Heiji, Kaito and Aoko, Kaito and Hakuba. The Detective Boys are going to make an appearance too, as is Haibara. Plenty of people are going to be involved and all of them will be given equal importance and value.

Please do not think that I'm undermining any character, or that I'm doing Kaito and Shinichi and their relationship an injustice. The plot itself is such that many others will have to take on more than a simple side-role.

That said, if any readers have complaints or suggestions if they feel that the story is moving away from its intended genre - Romance - please let me know. I primarily write Mystery and Adventure and Friendship genres. Romance is a new territory for me. Any tips would be helpful.

Please be generous and free with your comments.

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