Disclaimer: Gosho Aoyama owns Detective Conan. I only own the plot of this story.

It wasn't that hard to catch up with Shiho. All it took was a few steps. In the darkness of the night Shinichi could make out her petite frame, but with her back turned to him her face remained hidden.

Shinichi coughed. "Sorry," he said. When there was no response he hugged her from behind.

"Look, I'm here," he mumbled into the nape of her neck. "There's nothing to fear." Shinichi did not miss the way Shiho shivered slightly, as his warm breath hit the sensitive spot in her neck.

"I'm sorry," he apologised once more, tightening his arms around her waist. "I shouldn't have left you back then."

Instead Shiho stiffened. "My, my," she chuckled sardonically. "Could it be that the Great Detective is showing affection for me?" Firmly, she grabbed his wrists in an attempt to release his hold on her.

"Sorry, but I don't need your care. Or pity," she said. "In fact, I have you to thank for making me realise how much of a fool I was, to think, for even a second, that staying with you under the same roof is the Best Idea Ever."

"It's not pity, you know," Shinichi whispered.

Shiho laughed. "Sure, tell me more about it."

"I don't know how to explain this feeling, but…" he trailed off. "I just really want to protect you."

Now Shiho was really angry. She spun around and tiptoed until her eyes were level with his. "I don't need anyone to protect me. Much less someone whose idea of 'protecting' is simply dictating what other people should or should not do. You, are the worst."

Shinichi looked at Shiho calmly. "Really? Is that really how you feel?"

"Yes."

"After being together for so many days, don't you feel something – anything – at all?"

"Of course. Anger. Hatred. I hate you, Kudo Shinichi."

Before she knew it, Shinichi grabbed her head and captured her lips in one swift motion. Tilting his head slightly, he nibbled and sucked her lips ever so tenderly.

"Sto – " she tried to speak, but her lips were sealed by yet another firm kiss. Gently, Shinichi caressed her hair and gradually he broke the kiss with a smirk. With the touch of a serpent, Shinichi grazed Shiho's lips with his finger. She trembled. "Your body says otherwise, Shiho-chan."

Shinichi watched as Shiho struggled to find words to explain herself. "It's just…hormones! Any girl would react that way. Don't get the wrong idea."

Even as she said so, Shiho felt her cheeks flushing. That was her first kiss. And it was phenomenal – not that she would ever admit to anyone though.

Shinichi lifted Shiho's chin with a gentle smile. "That's where you are wrong. You're not just any girl. You're my girl. And I will never allow anyone to hurt you."

Despite the fluttery sensation in Shiho's chest, she was not convinced of his grand claim of love for her. "For all your big talk, I was just slapped by Professor Agasa."

At the mention of Professor Agasa, Shinichi's eyes darkened. "Yeah…he's not someone to be trusted. I have kept an eye on him for quite some time now."

"So you knew? That he was dangerous?"

"I had my suspicion."

"Then why did you even invite him over for breakfast the other day? Are you crazy?" Shiho almost shrieked.

"It was part of the plan."

"To do what?"

Shinichi seemed to be in deep thought.

"Hey, Shiho," he suddenly muttered. "Is there anything about Professor Agasa that strikes you as strange or unsettling?"

Shiho raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously asking me that? Everything about him is strange! From the very first time we met, he has been either incredibly nasty or downright creepy. I don't even know why but he keeps calling me Sherry! And the scariest thing is that I feel like I've heard it somewhere before. But I'm not sure. It may be just my imagination. But my point is – he sends chills down my spine. I don't feel safe around him at all."

Shinichi seemed to be thinking very hard. "Anything else?"

Biting her lips, Shiho paused and thought for a while before responding, "Yes, yes! His face! It felt rubbery. As if his face is made of plastic. But maybe he's just really thick-skinned."

"Wait, rubbery?"

"Yeah. It's kind of rough too. But at the same time it's slippery."

Shiho could see the triumphant smirk forming on Shinichi's face.

"…I see. Thanks, Shiho. Guess we won't be sleeping much tonight."

"Huh?"

"Let's make another visit – to Hirota-sensei's house, that is."

A/N: Hello! Wow, it's been such a long time since the last update, but the good news is: the ending is in sight! What do you think will happen next? ;) As always, thank you for being such dedicated readers! If possible, please leave a review! :)