[ Discontinued ] Crossroad 『Detective Conan』

Chapter 19 - ... Thank you !

   The children went to their next attraction smiling.
   -We are going to the castle ? "Yoko" asked. I'm interested in the observatory!
   -Good idea ! Mitsuhiko affirmed.
   The two girls accompanied by the two boys started running, leaving Agasa, Ai and Conan alone.

   -What are you thinking, Kudo-kun? Ai asked.
   -Eh ?
   The concerned looked at his comrade.
   -Your expression indicates very clearly that you are thinking.
   -It's not much... When we were in the caves, she was far from looking like a child... She knew very quickly how to react and changed at all... Even her voice showed no hesitation unlike usual... She sounded more "adult"... He explained.
   -Oe... You wouldn't think that...
   The two children looked at each other in silence as they walked towards the castle.
   -I just have to think too much haha... When I see her now, I tell myself that maybe it was just a coincidence...
   -...

   "Yoko" was admiring the view, smiling. She thought she was splendid. To tell the truth, in her eyes, everything that could well make a photo was beautiful.
   -Aaah! Too bad I don't have my camera... She complained.
   - Do you like taking pictures that much? Mitsuhiko asked.
   -Yeah ! I would so love to be able to become a photographer... Aaah!
   She said nothing more about it, immediately distracted by another view of the observatory.

   Conan stared at his watch before approaching his comrades.
   -Oe, we better go now! He called.
   -Aaah! It's true ! Genta remembered.
   -Go where ? Asked the former high school girl, raising her eyebrows.
   -You will see ! Ayumi replied. It was Conan-kun who explained to us that it was a good place!
   The girl grabbed her classmate's hand to pull her out of the castle.

   Everyone was running through the park, avoiding people in their path. Then, once they got to where they wanted to go, they caught their breath.
   Where they were was a place with different water jets.
   -Yoko-chan! Go to the center! Ayumi ordered pushing her friend.
   -Eh ?
   The girl with the glasses went there, looking at her comrades. Conan was staring at his watch.

   -Three... Two... One... Zero!
   Right at the end of the bespectacled boy's count, a wall of water activated around the former high school girl, hiding her from the view of the rest. The projected droplets gave a rainbow under the rays of the sun.
   -... Waaah!
   "Yoko" couldn't help looking all around her, her gaze shining. This moment, although banal, seemed magical to her.

   Finally, the water subsided.
   -So ? How was it ? Mitsuhiko immediately asked.
   -It was great ! She shout almost jumping.
   -Wait until you see more! Genta announced.
   -See more ?
   -Hakase! Give her what you asked for! Ordered the girl in the headband.
   The concerned searched in his pockets and took out a watch and a badge which he handed to "Yoko". She picked them up and looked at them.
   -These are... The watch and the badge that you have...
   -Yes ! We asked for you to have some too! Explained the freckled boy.
   -Why ?
   -Because you are part of the Detective Boys! Answered the bulk of the group.
   -On the other hand, it's still unfair that Conan-kun has better inventions than us! Added Ayumi.
   The concerned did not know how to act, especially when he was fixed by his three comrades. This amused Ai and "Yoko" a bit.

   -...
   The latter stared at the objects for a moment and then thanked everyone. She put on the watch and attached the badge to her clothes. Then, Conan approached her and handed her a camera.
   -Consider it a thank you for healing me the other day. he explained.
   -How you have...
   She delighted. Her question was stupid. It was obvious that she wanted a camera. Her reflexes to take it had betrayed him.
   -You tried multiple times to take it before you looked disappointed. You could have forgotten it but when we were camping you didn't have it either, so I figured you didn't have it anymore.
   -Tha... Thank you!

   As they headed back to the attractions, "Yoko" asked the question she had wanted to ask since arriving at Tropical Land. It itched to ask.
   -Why... Why did you do all this for me?
   The children turned around.
   -Why did you surprise me?
   There was a moment
   - Because you are our friend! Ayumi explained.
   -And we wanted to see you smile! Since your arrival you have only looked sad, and despite our attempt to make you smile, we only failed...
   - It was... For this same reason the camping invitations?
   -Yeah ! But business called us! Almost bragged Genta.
    -We didn't know what to do and it was Conan-kun and Haibara-san who gave us the idea to bring you here! And it worked! Finished the freckled boy.

   The former high school girl looked at her friends, all with a smile, except Ai who just yawned. Then she lowered her head, tears in her eyes, clutching her camera.
   -Finally, you are like him... she whispered.
   -Eh ? Almost all of them did.
   The girl raised her head, shaking it and crying. She didn't expect so much. They had succeeded in giving her back her smile, they had offered her a lot of things for that. She didn't deserve so much.
   -Thank you... She repeated several times between her sobs, mixing joy and sadness.

   It took the bespectacled girl many minutes to calm down. But at least now she felt better.
   After that, the end of the day could have passed in almost the same atmosphere as the morning. "Yoko" had taken many photos that she had promised to develop in order to give them to everyone.
   Finally, they all returned. She had given the address of where she lived in order to be dropped off.

   -See you Monday ! Greeted the former high school girl
   - See you Monday Yoko-chan! Responded her comrades.
   They waved their hands until they no longer saw each other, leaving the young girl alone.
   She stayed put, staring at the night streets, starting to get lost in thought. Then, her gaze turned to herbcamera.
   -... "Yoko" huh...
   She was silent, a sad smile on her face, before continuing.
   -I guess that's the person I am in everyone's eyes... I guess I'm not Enoshiya Kyoka anymore...
   She stared at the sky, with a look similar to her smile.
   -Is that right, Yosuke...?