Detective Conan: A fan's fantasy

Chapter Seven: Clash! Noemi and Ai

 There were two light knocks on the Kudo Manor again. Through Conan’s child ears, he could hear it but faint. Heiji and Noemi was too busy exchanging ideas about his tragic life. He quietly stood up. He was more curious about the visitor than his own life. He struggled to reach the door knob too high for his height indeed.

“Kuh…” He groaned as he felt really stretched when reaching for the knob.

“Why did we choose this type of door?!” He struggled.

He managed to open it.

“Fuwaahh…” A big and lazy yawn greeted him. “That took some time.” A cold and soft voice said.

“Haibara?!” He gasped. “What are you doing here?!”

“She called. Maybe 4 times already.” She said calmly and walked inside the house on her own. “Oh… Sorry for intruding.” She sarcastically said.

“She? You mean Ran?”

“Yup.” She handed him her phone, showing him evidence. “See?”

Conan gulped as he saw what she means. Four missed calls from Ran. He’s definitely dead.

Haibara chuckled to her amusement.  

“Call her.” She demanded. “Call…” She trailed her voice. “H—Her…” She managed to utter. She can’t still say her name.

“Later. I have many things at hand right now.” He glanced towards the direction where Noemi and Heiji is at.

She heard two voices, she can recognize the deep, husky voice with an Osaka accent embedded to his words. And then, there was this high and cheery voice that belonged that she presumed is a girl not that far away from their “age”.

“Guests, I presume? The Osaka detective and a girl, right?”

“Yeah.” He groaned. “Can you come back later after we talked?”

“Sure.” She smiled and turned towards the door.

“Are~! Shin-chan?! Where are you?!” She heard the girl’s voice now in high pitch mode while looking for Shin-chan.

She sounded familiar, to the fear of Haibara. She stopped dead on her tracks like her feet were glued to the marble floor.

“Over here!” Conan called. “I’ll tell you the details later.” He whispered to his friend who’s keeping the same secret as him.

“D—D—Don’t tell her… A—a—about me!!” She stuttered. She grasped his jacket and hid behind him.

“Oi! Haibara! What’s wrong?” He asked—worried. She only acted like this when she can sense a member of the Black Org nearby. In some strange reasons, she can sense them.

“Ne, Shin-chan? Where are you?”

“Over here!” Conan answered back—shouting.

“Oi! Kudo! You just left! What happened?” Heiji asked his brow arched on his curious face.

“Nothing. Prof. just had an errand for Haibara, that’s all.”

“Hai…bara…?” Noemi repeated.

“She’s the Professor’s adopted daughter.” Conan explained. He felt the little shivering girl’s hand clutched behind him twitched a little—reminding him of what she said earlier.

“Hello! My name is Noemi! I’ll be you new neighbor from now until Shin-chan comes back. You do know him, right?” Noemi crouched so she could meet the little blonde girl’s eyes.

Ai nodded lightly, still hiding her face away from the strange visitor.

“I’ll be going now,” She said in a small voice. “Professor might be looking for me. See you tomorrow, Conan-kun.” She quickly turn around and opened the door.

“Ah, yeah. See you, Ai.” Conan answered casually. “She’s just shy,” He assured Noemi. They haven’t called each other by names until now.

“She must’ve really been bothered,” Conan presumed.

“Don’t you dare exchange Ran-chan for a kid like her, ok?” Noemi narrowed her eyes to him with suspicions.

“What?!” Conan flushed. Heiji laughed. He took a quick glare at him and return to the subject matter. “So, what have you learned?”

“Quiet about everything,” She winked and walked towards the living room again. “You know, it wouldn’t hurt if you told your only cousin in the whole wide world, Shin-chan.”

“Sorry. You slipped my mind. I though you said you’ll only return in your wedding day.”

“It’s not like I can help it, ok?! Mom’s being so pushy and strict. I need air and space.” She placed her arms around her chest and pretended to sulk.

“So, the course of action is to first find the Black Org.” Heiji began to ease Noemi’s sulking. “I could have asked my dad about what is happening but Kudo wanted this to become a personal battle between him and the Black Org. I am just a back-up. And so is you, Noemi.”

“I get it. But I have many connections too, Shin-chan. I could help out. Just let me enjoy Japan for a few weeks or so!” She raced towards the stairs. “I’m going to sleep!” She called. “And oh--, you don’t mind if I kidnap Kazuha-chan and Ran-chan for a shopping spree tomorrow, right?”

The two seemed so shocked before they couldn’t speak.

“Great! I’ll pick them up tomorrow morning then!”

“What?” They looked at each other, amazed. But they have no time to be relaxing, they hurried towards the Professor’s house.