Stay! By My Side

Chapter 23

Shinichi's POV

I currently on Kudo Shinichi form right now and cannot remember anything. I used my brain real hard but the last thing I could remember was Haibara disappeared from my side a while ago. This just doesn't add up, Haibara wouldn't be so afraid back then if we were just playing hide and seek.

"Shinichi? Why are you daydreaming now? Come on, let's go back to the others."

"Right! The others. Are the kids there also?"

"Of course. Shinichi, was something happen around the time you were hiding? You're scaring me."

"Ah, no, it was nothing. I just got confused back then, I was so sure Haibara was there with me. Maybe she just left me to find another hiding place."

The Ran being silent all of sudden caught my attention. She's terrified of something. I can see it all on her face right now.

"What is it? Did I do anything wrong?"

"No, Shinichi. But you were just talking about Ai-chan."

"What's with her?"

"Shinichi, you never talked to anyone about her since that day. But all I can say is that everyone miss her too, including me. I know you need time to coupe up with everything that happened, that's why I never said anything about this to you. But you need to accept the fact, Shinichi. It wasn't your fault."

What are you talking about?

I suddenly felt like it's hard to breathe. Everything Ran just said gives me chill and anxiety. Did something happen to Haibara? Don't tell me she's....

"Come on, Shinichi. Let's go back and get you something to drink."

She grab my hand and dragged me along with her while I still try to get my brain to work. This should be a dream. This is totally a dream. I just try to wake up and everything will be back to normal.

I look around and realize we're on a cruise ship. I hope there wouldn't be any death person around while I certainly not in my best right now. Which reminds me how Haibara always said to my face about being a corpse magnet. I smiled to myself.

Ran brought me to the west side of the ship. Everyone was here, except for her. The anxiety drowned me once again. But this is just a dream so everything would be fine once I wake up.

Agasa gave a concern look at me after Ran whispering something to him. Oh my, how I really want to wake up right now. He walks to my direction and something in his face is getting on my nerves. I don't like the look on your face right now, Professor.

"Shinichi. Let's talk somewhere private."

I silently follow him to this private place he mentioned. For an unknown reason, I couldn't make myself to say any words at all. I really need to wake up right now.

My body starts shivering when Agasa's opening the door of one room. I was afraid of what would I found when I entered through this door.

"Come in, Shinichi."

I brace myself to follow him inside the room. Apparently, there's nothing scary inside. I admit, I was afraid of seeing Haibara in any bad condition when we were still in front of the door. But now I still didn't see her anywhere. At least, I didn't found her being dead. That's what I thought, but I still feel anxious.

"Look, Shinichi. About Ai-kun, we all know we haven't found her body yet. But... To fall down from such height, I don't think there's another possibility. I'm sorry about that, Shinichi. I know you can't put away your guilt at once. But seeing you being like this, I just can't hold myself any longer. Please, just let her rest in peace, and give yourself a break. Life must go on."