Transport Into Detective Conan (OC Reader Insert)

Chapter 44 - The Warehouse

Kaiya POV

"Good morning!" Yukiko greeted me as I entered the dining area. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm food filled the air.

"Perfect timing," James said with a smile, emerging from the study just behind her. Jodie and Shuichi followed, both looking serious but oddly calm.

I paused at the table. James was holding a folder in his hand, the same one I had seen him pass around to others in the past during critical meetings.

"James-san?" I blinked, trying to focus on him despite the gnawing feeling in my gut.

"I heard about what happened" James replied.

"I had to create a distraction to them to safety. And I... just thought maybe...if I could prove myself... I-I would be on track to becoming an FBI" I admitted.

"Being an agent is not all fun and games" James sighed. "So I will tell you the same thing I told Jodie when she was a child."

"But with all due respect sir, I-" I began, knowing exactly what he was going to say.

"You've proven yourself quite capable, but for your own safety, I invite you to consider Witness Protection." James replied.

"No!" I cried, before I could stop myself. I took a half-step back, shaking my head in disbelief "I-I'm perfectly happy here. I can't... I can't just vanish."

I looked at Yukiko and Yusaku, my heart sinking. Did they know about it?

"Why didn't you say anything?" my voice cracked.

"We're just worried about-" Yukiko began.

"I can't believe this..." my words faltered.

"Kaiya I know how you feel-" Jodie started.

"No you don't!" I shouted "Sorry I-I didn't mean to..." I said softer "I just.... I-I should get to school."

I grabbed my backpack off the chair, ready to bolt before anyone else could try to convince me.

Shuichi was at the door "For the record I didn't agree to anything."

My eyes widened "You didn't? Even after I lost the cap...?"

"But you should know" he continued "Jodie has been in your place before. That's why none of us are going to force you."

"I-I'm sorry... I-I just need some time to think" I mumbled before walking out the door.

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(at school)

The sound of the chalk scraping against the blackboard pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up just in time to hear the Sensei call my name. "Miss Matsuki, could you solve this problem for us?"

I glanced at the equation on the board. It was a simple expression that I'd normally without even thinking. But today my mind was a jumble and the numbers blurred together. I looked at Sensei, feeling the pressure building in my chest.

"Miss Matsuki?" he prompted gently.

The usual confidence I had when it came to math was gone, replaced with the dread of being unable to pull together the simplest solution. Think, Kaiya. You know this. My fingers clenched around the edge of my desk. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The answer that usually came without effort seemed miles away. I glanced around, desperately hoping to see a hint of the solution from somewhere, anywhere. But all I could see were the expectant gazes of my classmates, some confused, some impatient.

Finally I muttered, barely above a whisper, "I... I don't know."

I could feel the heat rush to my face. This wasn't me. I was the kid who could breeze through math problems, the one everyone turned to when they needed help. But right now I felt like I was drowning in the simplest equation.