Vineyard [Detective Conan fanfic, Vermouth x Gin]

Chapter 14

Disclaimer: Detective Conan belongs to Gosho Aoyama and associated parties. I do not make money nor own anything with the exception of my own original characters.

Author's note: The main storyline stays the same with added content. But it has been heavily rewritten and uploaded as of 28/06/2022, so please read it from the beginning. This story is officially set in an alternative universe where the Miyanos and Akais aren't related.

Chapter 14

If a genie granted Shinichi Kudo one wish, he would wish for his father to be here with him or better yet, instead of him. A clothing retailer was hardly considered awful, and somehow it turned into his personal hell. Try being the only man shopping with his girlfriend, his mother, and Vermouth. "Mom! This is the tenth shirt already. I'm not trying it on."

"But it'd look so cute on you!" Yukiko cooed, holding up the garment, eyeing. To be honest, anything would look good on her handsome boy. "I hardly ever spend any time with you. Is it too much to ask?"

Vermouth smiled and pulled Ran to her side. "What do you think, angel?"

Ran blushed, imagining her beau wearing said shirt. Every shred of logic escaped Shinichi's mind; he mumbled, and headed straight for the fitting room. "Last one."

Among his mother's guilt-tripping, Vermouth's manipulation, and Ran's natural beauty, the detective stood no chance. The one blessing was that he didn't have to carry anything. He didn't know how Vermouth did it. Whenever they picked up something, someone would appear and carry the load.

"Where is dad anyway?" Shinichi asked after suffering through another dozen bouts of trying on new clothes. He felt very much like a stripper posing for the paying clients.

"He has to work." Yukiko explained while making air quotes gestures.

Vermouth chuckled at her friend's response. "The husbands bailed out so fast."

"They think we don't know, but we do." Yukiko had been married just as long as he had been.

Vermouth grinned, steering her fellow actress away and redirecting her attention to rows of footwear. "Alright, let's get you a nice pair of heels."

Shoes had a magical way of quelling a lady's anger.

Suddenly, Yukiko grabbed the older woman's arm. "I almost forgot. Shin is planning a date. He booked a very romantic restaurant."

"Mom!"

"Really?" Vermouth cocked her head, listening closely.

"He wouldn't tell anyone when. Because he worries I might spy on him." Yukiko complained. Excuse her for taking an interest in her son's life.

The genuine frustration in her tone put a smile on Vermouth's face. After scouring the racks, she handed a dress to Ran. "In that case, you must try this."

One look at the gown and Yukiko agreed. "Oh, you must!"

Surrendering from the women's pressure, Ran reluctantly entered the fitting room. After a few minutes, the drape opened to reveal a princess enveloped in a gown crafted from sheer mesh and drenched in a delightful pattern of shimmering sequins. The fabric clung to her body, highlighting her figure. Suddenly, the store transformed into a ballroom with classical music, bringing up an urge to kiss her hand and ask for a dance.

"How do I look?" Ran asked, her cheeks turning pink, her hands fidgeting at the hem of her dress.

"Wow." Shinichi muttered, standing in place; he was overwhelmed by beauty.