T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 17 - Hospital Woes

Now for someone like 6-year-old Kudo Shinichi, he is good when it came to hiding.

He doesn't brag about this much, but he was stealthy good. One time, back then when he, Ran and Sonoko used to be friends when they decided to play hide-and-seek,

Shinichi's hiding skills truly shined. As his friends, Ran and Sonoko, counted to one hundred, he vanished like a ghost into the surroundings. His small frame allowed him to fit into tight spaces, and his keen observation skills helped him find the perfect hiding spots.

He tiptoed silently, using his surroundings to his advantage. He moved like a shadow, careful not to make any noise that could give away his location. He climbed trees, squeezed behind furniture, and even hid beneath a pile of laundry without leaving a single trace of his presence.

As he hid, he focused his keen detective mind on the game. He analyzed the patterns of his friends' counting and tried to predict where they might search first. He knew Ran's tendency to head for the most obvious spots, and Sonoko's inclination to search for him in places related to detective work.

After a few minutes, he heard their voices getting closer. They were calling out his name, trying to find him. But Shinichi remained composed and stayed put. He knew that any sudden movement or sound would betray his position.

Finally, he heard their footsteps moving away from his hiding spot. They had given up searching in that area. Shinichi smirked to himself, feeling the thrill of outsmarting his friends.

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So he was shocked when those Edgewood kids were able to tell, although he hid himself pretty well.

Shinichi couldn't help but be impressed by the skills of the Edgewood kids. It seemed like they were no ordinary group of children. Their ability to discern his presence despite his best efforts to hide was a testament to their own detective abilities and sharp senses.

He wondered if they had received specialized training or if their upbringing in high society had honed their observation and deduction skills. Whatever the case may be, Shinichi knew that he was dealing with formidable opponents.

"Are you still hiding? Come on, show yourself. Unless you want us to drag you out."

Shinichi took a moment to weigh his options. Revealing himself now might put him at a disadvantage, as he could lose the opportunity to gather more information. On the other hand, if he continued to hide, they might become more suspicious and wary of his presence.

Taking a deep breath, Shinichi decided to step out of his hiding spot and face the group of Edgewood children. He walked towards them with a calm expression, trying to appear unfazed by their detection skills.

Samantha, the tall girl and apparent leader of the group, gave him a scrutinizing look. "Curiosity killed the cat, you know? Did your parents not teach you to eavedrop on people's conversation?" she replied in her British accent, her tone guarded.

"Then who are you guys to simply gather around Ranran's-"

"Hey, wait a minute," One of the British children, a boy suddenly recognized Shinichi, "I remembered you! You were at the alleyway when were dealing with Millie!"

Then Shinichi's eyes widened before recognizing who that boy was, "You are Ellis, right?! I saw you," Then he pointed at the girl with the ponytail, "And you and Veronica withholding Millie from attacking Ranran after that Comedian murder case!"

The children seemed surprised by Shinichi's recognition of them. Samantha, the tall girl, exchanged a glance with Ellis, the boy who had mentioned their encounter with Millie. "You remember them? Interesting," Samantha said, her guard still up but with a hint of curiosity.