[ Discontinued ] Crossroad 『Detective Conan』

Chapter 22 - Explosion

   Yoko was shaking in Sato's arms. She was stuck in her memories again. All because of an explosion. Yes, an explosion like the one that had killed her brother and her adoptive parents. But here it was a bus.

   A bus had exploded. The cause ? Three criminals. Two of them had hijacked the bus in order to free someone, guns pointed at the passengers. This had already scared the former high school girl a bit, but it was worse when bombs were installed.
   This case had ended well by luck. But a lot of people looked pretty shaken up. Ai, on the other hand, stayed on the bus, but Conan saved her.

   The policewoman ended up releasing the little girl when she had managed to calm down a bit.
   -Stay here and take the time to calm down, okay? I'll help Matsuda-kun with the passengers. She said walking away.
   Yoko just nodded. She had stopped shaking but she still didn't feel well.

   The woman helped Jinpei guide the bus passengers into another vehicle for the deposition. The latter stared at the kid he care for, seeing very well that she was in bad mood.
   - You should bring her home. She will give her deposition at the same time as the other children. She told him.
   -I'll bring it back right after. He contented himself with answering while continuing to watch the people getting into the vehicle.
   He felt that the former high school girl was stuck in her past memories. He knew what it felt like. He too, it happened to him, while it had been a long time since it had happened.

   Once everyone left, the policeman approached the girl with the glasses who had her knees close to the body.
   -You come ? You will give your deposition tomorrow. he told her.
   She just lifted her head slightly before getting to her feet and following the policeman to his car.

   Once inside, Yoko fastened her belt and laid her head heavily against the arm of Jinpei, who was still surprised. She had never done this before, even when she was crying. It bothered him a bit, especially since driving in these conditions was not going to be easy.
   He sighed and leaned on the window, waiting to be able to drive in good conditions. As for her, she was comfortable. She didn't usually act like that, but now she had felt the need.

   After a few minutes, they were finally able to return. Once at the apartment, the girl took off her shoes after her tutor did.
   -Matsuda-keiji...I...I'm going to rest. I'm sorry if I'm not cooking for you tonight...
   She gave him a vague, lowered smile before going to her room and dropping down, staring at the ceiling. She felt exhausted, certainly from the fear and stress she had felt. But she had the impression that if she closed her eyes, she would have images of that famous day again, when she should have died.

   The next day came rather slowly. Yoko hadn't really been able to sleep, mainly because of memories that had resurfaced. She who was trying to bury them...
   She had, during the afternoon, joined her friends to make her depositions with them. Or at least just Ayumi, Genta and Mitsuhiko. Conan was also there, just to accompany everyone.
   -Never mind that Haibara didn't come! Said Genta.
   -She just needed more rest. Agasa-hakase stayed with her, and since he's even sicker... Conan explained with a sigh.
   -I hope she gets better soon! Ayumi wished.

   The former high school girl looked down at her feet, remembering that the redhead had stayed on the bus before the explosion. It was she herself who had noticed her absence, and it was the boy with glasses who had saved her. Right after that, the vehicle had exploded. From then on, she couldn't remember exactly what had happened, probably because of the fear that had taken over.

   -By the way, it seems to be better Yoko-chan! Said the girl in the headband.
   -Eh ?
   -Yesterday you looked so bad because of the case. Mitsuhiko explained.
   -Ah uh... Yeah... Laughed embarrassed the concerned.
   She would have liked to tell them that she didn't take things as easily as they did, but she preferred to keep quiet. They had dealt with murder cases before, so for them, an incident like the one the day before couldn't be a big thing.

   After a few minutes, everyone arrived at the police department. Sato was waiting for them outside. It was easier to guide them through the building.
   -Hello Sato-keiji! Ayumi greeted her.
   -Hello all of you. replied the policewoman. I let you follow me.p
   The group thus set foot in the building. The Genta, Ayumi and Mitsuhiko trio were quite happy to come back here, Conan had his hands in his pockets and Yoko couldn't stop looking around.
   It was the second time she had set foot here. Her memories of her first coming were vague to her. At the same time, she was still in shock at the time and stared at the floor more than the rest. She should have come back after the castle affair, but she hadn't felt like going there and had simply told Jinpei about it.

   - Here we are. The woman announced as she opened a door.
   Several offices were there with a few policemen working. There was also a faint smell of cigarettes.
   Sato sat down and invited the children to do the same.
   -I see that you are better compared to the first time we saw each other. She says intending the kid with the glasses.
   -A little yes... It's thanks to the school and to Matsuda-keiji. Answered the concerned.
   Her comrades looked at her, surprised.
   -Why thanks to Matsuda-keiji? Ayumi asked.
   -Ah... It's true that I've never told you before... I live with him... She answered somewhat embarrassed.

   She understood their reaction. They didn't know much about their friend. Mentioning Jinpei might seem strange without explanation. At least now they knew.

   - But it's too good to live with a policeman! Genta exclaimed. He has to take you on murders!
   -So you've already solved some murders! Added Ayumi.
   -Eh uh... N-no... I haven't known him for that long, so...
   Yoko couldn't keep from throwing a look asking for help to Sato who looked a little amused by the children's reaction.
   -Why do you live with him anyway? Mitsuhiko asked.
   -Uh... Actually...
   - She had nowhere to go. Answered the policewoman. We found her on the street, following a case to which she is linked.
   The concerned stared at the table around which they were. She didn't want to go back to that any more. But with them, complicated to move on.