Crimson Petals

Side Story 3

Shinichi was making his way back to his house from the grocery store to buy extra food for the week. He couldn't ask Kaito to do it because he has a magic show today.

As he continued to enjoy his way back home, he passed by Poirot Cafe. He caught a glimpse of Kazuha by the corner of his eye. She seemed to be talking to someone.

Slightly curious, he entered the cafe to see that Kazuha was actually talking to Ran. He got even more intrigued by what the discussion was, seeing how Ran's face was one of shock.

Shinichi didn't mean to eavesdrop but he felt like he couldn't interrupt the moment, so he just slightly hid at one of the tables, disguising like a normal person who wants to eat in a cafe, close enough to hear the conversation.

"What...? You have got to be joking right now, Kazuha. There is no way that's true!" Ran's voice sounded shaky as if she was about to burst into tears.

"He...H-Hattori-kun isn't...he isn't..." Words faded from her lips. Shinichi could hear Ran crying. It was almost silent, clearly trying to suppress a full-on breakdown.

What really caught Shinichi's attention though, was the mention of Hattori. This led him to overthink. What in the world is happening? What is it that happened to his best friend? And why is Ran crying about it?

This had started to make Shinichi worry, terrified even. He didn't want to assume things, but considering how Ran was reacting, it must be serious.

Despite his internal turmoil, Shinichi knew he had to approach them. He couldn't stand idly, while his friend was clearly in distress. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he stood up and approached Kazuha and Ran cautiously.

"Ran, Kazuha, is everything alright?" Shinichi's voice betrayed him as he spoke.

The two girls gasped when they turned to him.

"Shi.. Shinichi....." Ran choked on a sob again.

When Shinichi looked at them closely, he noticed that Kazuha's eyes were red. It looked like she had been crying for days. Meanwhile, tears shimmered in Ran's. They exchanged a glance before Kazuha spoke, her voice trembling. "Kudo-kun, it's Heiji... He... He's gone."

The words hit Shinichi like a physical blow, and for a moment, he couldn't comprehend what he had just heard. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. There was no way his best friend was actually gone, right? He and his boyfriend just visited him last week. "This has to be a joke." He admit, he actually thought it was real.

It took Kazuha a few seconds to say something again, "I don't know all the details but the doctor said it was from blood loss." Kazuha needed to lie, of course. She didn't want to tell the real reason to the person who was involved. Because he, himself, didn't know he was involved. It would just break his heart and she's sure Heiji didn't want Shinichi to blame himself.

He didn't want Shinichi to know.

Not now, not ever.

"No..... But... We just saw him alive and well last week! He can't be gone! Tell me this is a joke, Kazuha-san. Please.." He said as he sank to his knees and looked up at her with tears. "Please."

Kazuha couldn't say anything, she just stared at Shinichi- heartbroken by the news. She couldn't dare say comforting words as she, too, was grieving, as she, too, lost someone dear to her. Meanwhile, Ran hugs Shinichi, both of them crying as Kazuha looks away from them.

It was just too much for her.

Finally, when both of them calmed down, " Are you...okay now?" Kazuha asks after Shinichi.

" I don't know.." Shinichi answers as he wipes his tears away. " I still can't believe it. I mean, not even once did I ever think of him..." he paused.

" Dying?" Kazuha said

" I also can't believe it too," Ran said while sniffling. Shinichi took out a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to Ran.

Kazuha just stared at the two childhood friends,
'They're so close, huh? Me and Heiji...we were like that too.'

This unsettling feeling inside her, she knew it was wrong to blame Shinichi because, in fact, he didn't do anything wrong, he didn't even know. Yet, Kazuha can't help but want to blame him. In her heart Shinichi killed Heiji.

Truthfully, Kazuha knew Heiji was in love with Shinichi, from the very beginning she knew it all.

How could she not?

All these years her eyes were all set on Heiji.
All these years she was in love with Heiji.

The way he looked at Shinichi was similar to the way she looked at Heiji. She knew she had to let go of Heiji's happiness because above all else, she prioritizes Heiji.

But when she learned about his disease she was scared and angry. She was mad at Shinichi but she was also mad with herself, because why didn't she have that disease?

'Was my love not deep enough? '

Kazuha lost in her thoughts, didn't realize she was spacing out not until Ran interrupted her.

"Kazuha-chan...Kazuha-chan?" Ran called

" !...yes?" From Ran's constant calling, she was brought back to reality.

With a worried look, Ran asked Kazuha, "Are you okay?"

"...Yeah" Kazuha answered. "I'm fine" she smiled weakly.

After a while of talking Ran decided to take Shinichi back home, he refused at first but after a minute of bickering with each other like they always do, he finally agreed.

" Well then," He looks back at Kazuha. " We'll get going now. Take care of yourself Kazuha-san.."

Once again, Kazuha forced a smile and said "...Yeah. You too, Kudo-kun."