Detective Conan: Midori

CH 14: HELLO, JOHN

Recently, the troublemaking Detective Boys found a new pastime. One, that unlike many of their other activities, had very low chances of anything breaking or anyone getting kidnapped, hurt, or killed. It was a significant improvement.

Considering how much they were going there, it didn't take long for [Name] to find out and jump at the idea. The five of them walked together and the closer they got to the two-story, or three if one counted the attic, western house, the more expectant [Name] became.

It had been a while since she had come by, having been too busy with several matters since her parents' deaths. But being here really brought back pleasant memories of the past.

When they saw the house, the children sprinted off toward the metal fence that was Genta's height. Although the fence was tall for the children, since it was made of metal bars, they could still see into the backyard of the house.

Leaning against the fence, the children began loudly calling.

"John!"

"Come here, John!"

A loud bark came from inside the house and within seconds, a large German Shepherd was trotting out of the sliding glass door which had been left open and led to the backyard.

The dog went toward the children, sitting in front of them with the fence standing in between. He wagged his tail uncontrollably yet stayed there, not trying to get out. His black, beady eyes locked on them. John was practically Genta's size, but he was the least troublesome between the two.

Not that Genta knew anyone thought that. He was just happily stroking the dog through the fence at this time with the rest of the children.

John, the big baby that he was, just sat there with his wagging tail and let them do whatever.

[Name] hadn't seen the silly dog for a long time now, but she could still remember many of those occasions. And during most of those days, she remembered that Shinichi was by her side. The two of them, despite being smarter than most children their age, still remained significantly innocent and naive of the world. That had changed since. John, on the other hand, had not changed whatsoever. "You have grown so much bigger yet you're still such a little fool."

[Name] didn't know whether John recognized her or not, but he was more than happy to let her join the kids in stroking his fur. Though, his favorite spot was behind his ears.

"[Name]-san, would you know how old he is now?" asked Mitsuhiko.

"Hmm, it's been a while, so... I think he should be around 8 by now. He was a puppy when I was your age. So small and cute, always running and jumping around. You are such an old grandpa already, John, but you're still so childish."

Conan frowned beside her, hands inside the pockets of his shorts. It had been over eight years already since they met the dog for the first time. It's funny. Back then, he and [Name] were practically inseparable. So much so that people said they were tied to the hip. After he became the Modern Sherlock Holmes, he began going on cases on his own. Meanwhile, [Name] had grown slightly distant for a while and Shinichi who had figured out his feelings and wasn't sure how to act around her just took the opportunity to take some time also.

Later, they both grew close again and it appeared to others as if that distance never occurred in the first place, but for the two people involved, they could tell there was a strange and new wall in between them. It just wasn't the same as before.

Now that he had been turned into a child and had to act every day, he regretted it. He should have ignored his fear of being rejected and should have just confessed to her. Not like now that he had to hang around, waiting for a way to recover his normal body while worrying about every Tom and Jack around who might appear to woo her.