Chapter Eight: The Lost Bride (Where The Sakura Blooms)

Chapter Eight: The Lost Bride (Where The Sakura Blooms)

Third Person's View

"We have some pieces of information where Ran could be found," Sato said as she put three pictures on the wooden table. "We found some pictures from the city's CCTV. One of the pictures was different from the two. She is wearing a white dress. Then, the next two pictures was where she was dressed in a black shirt and cap."

"How could you be certain that that is Ran?" Shinichi asked while staring at the two pictures.

"Brown hair, and her slim body. Perfectly match to her appearance. And also, we inspect her room. Her drawer has been opened up. One of her caps was missing and her dress, heels, and other accessories had been piled neatly on her bed, but what's weird is that her purse was still tucked inside one of her bags in the room," Sato explained.

"Any more informations?"

"Oh, yeah," Takagi said and pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. He puts it in front of Shinichi so he could see it clearly.

"A clue?" Shinichi frowned in confusion as he saw the piece of paper. He looked at the piece of paper and read it quietly:

The cettle as qeatly placed near a buffel beside the amitting fipe. Browls of night owls ade not beeply slumboring through the zight.

"It is in English," Shinichi muttered.

Takagi rolled his eyes. "Of course it is. I heard Ran-kun is practicing her English nowadays because she just mastered her course in a university from another counter to become an international lawyer," Takagi said.

"That's not useful for the case, Takagi-keibu," Sato said as he glared at Takagi. She sighed afterwards and looked at Shinichi who's thinking deeply while staring on a piece of paper. "Any idea how to encode it?"

"Kin-der-gar-den," Shinichi muttered as he read the sentence with his eyes.

"What?"

"She told us the word 'kindergarden'," Shinichi said, as if the code was so easy to cipher. He puts down the paper and started pointing things out. "Look, the kettle was being spelled as 'cettle'. Other words are also had the same mistakes. Like is spelled as 'as', qeatly spelled as 'neatly', duffel spelled as 'buffel', emitting spelled as 'amitting', and fire as 'fipe'. The first sentence formed the word KINDER, the half word of the main word."

"No wonder that you're a famous detective," Takagi muttered.

"How about the other words?" Sato asked, listening completely to Shinichi's explanation on the code.

Shinichi nodded and continued. "Browls are 'growls', sde is really an 'are'. Beeply is an unnecessary word for the sentence so I changed it to 'deeply' which connects the next word slumboring, which again, doesn't have any sense to the word so I changed it as 'slumbering'. The last unnecessary word was zight which is really 'night.' The second sentence will form the word GARDEN, the other half of the first word which forms the word KINDERGARDEN."

"How did you deciphered that? It doesn't make sense," Sato said, looking confused.

Shinichi smirked. "It's easy," Shinichi said. "Can I borrow a pen please?" Takagi gave him his pen. He started to draw circles on some certain letters.

The cettle as qeatly placed near a buffel beside the amitting fipe. Browls of night owls sde not beeply slumboring through the zight.

Then, he erased it all out with the black ink and put new letters on the erased letters.

The Kettle Is Neatly placed near a Duffel beside the Emitting fiRe. Growls of night owls ARe not Deeply slumbEring through the Night.

Sato's eyes and Takagi's eyes widened as they read the words at the top of the erased letters. "K-I-N-D-E-R..."

"... G-A-R-D-E-N..."

"Kindergarden," they both muttered in unison. They looked at Shinichi.

"As we expected from the great detective," Takagi complimented and clapped his hands. "Bravo."

"So, she is in a kindergarden?" Sato complied, making the conversation about the case continue. "But there's so many kindergarden here in--"

"Let's meet at the first place where we first met where the cherry blossoms bloom," Shinichi blurted out. "That's what Ran said. This clue and what she said are connected."

"Are you sure, Kudo-kun?"

"Precisely. Are there any kindergardens near a forest of cherry blossoms?" Shinichi asked as he piled up the pictures and hide the clue in his pocket.

"The police are going to search through the whole city to find where it is," Sato said and then, stood up. She pulled her blazer down. "Thank you for solving the code, Kudo-kun." She smiled. "We appreciate it but leave the rest to the police."

"And also..." Shinichi looked at Takagi. "Takagi-keibu, would you mind tell me the rest of your conversation to the man? I would like to hear it."

"An unknown number called him between 4:00-5:00 in the morning. The voice hasn't been robotic as what he says. As he described it, the caller was a young mature female," Takagi said. "The caller told the man to drive in front of Mouri Kogoro's Agency in six o'clock sharp because she will be going to a wedding but the driver waited until no one arrived. We arrived there an hour after the man's arrival. And then, Sato-keibu called you after."

Shinichi nodded. "That's it?" he asked. Takagi nodded. He stood up and the two police officers came second. "I'll leave the rest to the police then."

"Thank you for the cooperation, Kudo-kun," Sato said and puts her hand in front of Shinichi.

He shook his hand with her not until his eyes caught something on the police officer's left finger. He let go of the hand as he keep his mouth shut. He also shook hands with Takagi and his eyes caught the same thing on the police officer's left ring. He let go of his hand and he smiled as he kept what he saw for a while.

"Well, we should get going now. Takagi-keibu," Sato called. As they was about to go out of the room, Shinichi suddenly talk making the two officers abruptly stopped by the door.

"You two are couples right?" Shinichi said as he glanced to the two officers. Takagi and Sato didn't look back. Shinichi's back and the two police officer's back were facing each other. "You're married two years ago. The reason why the ring looked freshly new to your side, Takagi-keibu, is because an oil had been spilled in there, am I right? Sato-keibu, your ring had a crack, which indicates it is not pure gold." The two police officers listened to the young detective as he deduct. "You two have one kid. It is a male. He is really not much that obedient, he is a reckless kid going around in the streets of Tokyo, playing with other boys and bullying other girls. Hmm... Had been confined in a hospital? Well, I think your son really need much attention. "

Sato smiled as she turned to look at Shinichi. "As always, your deduction is always shocking. The details about our son is precisely like that but what you have mistaken is one thing."

"Then, what is it?"

"Yes, our son was too reckless for his own good. He is just ten years old but he won't bully girls. I told him not to."

"But he still did get a lot of trouble to school, right?" Shinichi said, making Sato's lips straight in a thin line. "What's always on his record? Stealing a sandwich? Stealing someone's things? Bickering foul words to his classmates? Putting insects into someone's clothes? Had on one to one punching battle?" Sato remained silent. Shinichi smirked. "So, I'm right. Your son is in trouble, Madam. You should take care of your son too well or he'll get in much trouble again. Be a good parents, Takagi-keibu, Sato-keibu."

Sato smiled. "We'll try."

Shinichi shook his head. "No, don't try. Do it. You're police officers, right? You have responsibility to the headquarters, right? Then, you should also take responsibility in the house as your son's parents. You need to pay attention to him."

Sato nodded. "Thanks for the advice, Kudo-kun," she said and go downstairs with Takagi who smiled at him after he followed his wife through.

When the door closed, Shinichi smirked as he recalled what he said. "Let the police do the rest, huh? A detective can't possibly give up like that. Sorry, Takagi-keibu, Sato-keibu, but I'll find the bride first."

~~~

"Can you tell me what kindergarden do you and Ran went before, or perhaps us?" Shinichi asked Sonoko when she came into the agency.

Yes, Shinichi is still in the agency, still finding some clues for Ran's whereabouts.

"Hmm... I can't remember the exact name but I remember the place itself. I heard the name had been changed. Do you want me to show you?" Sonoko said.

Shinichi shooked his head. "No. I just wanted to know what the place looks like. Do you have a picture of it?"

"There are pictures online. Give me your phone for a minute," Sonoko said. Shinichi gave his phone right away, trusting her. Sonoko typed the name—not the exact one. Her eyes brigtened as she saw the picture. She put the screen in front of Shinichi. "Here it is. That's the school."

Shinichi took his phone to Sonoko and smiled. "Thank you," he said and stared to the picture.

"You're welcome, but why did you want the picture anyways? Going there?" Sonoko asked, frowning as she was confused in the first place.

Shinichi just smiled at her and tossed his phone in the air before grabbing it again. "Thank you, Sonoko. Bye." And then, he left.

Sonoko watched him through the windows as he walked passed the next streets. Sonoko sighed. "Geez. You don't have any memory but you still act like the Shinichi we know. What a detective geek you are. Wait until Ran will know this."

~~~

Shinichi smiled as his eyes averted over and over again to the place he is standing on. He's in front of the kindergarden that Sonoko talks about.

Shinichi had suspicions that Ran could be here so he'd come to check.

He turned the flashlight of his cellphone on and started walking inside. He has no fear in darkness but he knows someone who has fear on it, but he can't seem to remember everything about that person. Only his heart knows.

He wasn't nervous but his heart keeps on pounding fast every minute like he was running so fast during a marathon. He checked every room. He opened every sinngle one of it and walked into it to check if anything is suspicious but there's nothing until one room was left closed.

Without no hesitation, he opened it. His eyes widened as his sight saw the large room. It was empty but he noticed that there's a girl standinng right in the center of the room, hands are in her back. Her hair was smoothly going down below her waist and the light is shining bright on her from the huge window on the right corner of the room. She's wearing a pastel dress and flat shoes.

Shinichi can't see her face but his heart was pounding so loud that he could even feel it to his chest. He could hear it. The loud sound of his heart poumding loudly and he doesn't know why it is like that. It seems abnormal. It feels like new to him yet it feels so natural.

He walked to the room and keeps on breathing out quiet breaths as he walked towards the woman with the long brown hair.

He turned off the flashlight and looked at the girl. When he was about to talk, the woman suddenly spoke his name making him breathless.

"Shinichi..." She turned around to face him and she smiled sweetly. "...right?"

He took a few breaths as he calmed himself down. Why does this woman effect me? He cleared his throat and put his hands to his back. "Mouri Ran, the missing bride, right?"

Ran looked at him sadly. "Right. The missing bride," she whispered but Shinichi heard it. She looked at him and smiled, sadness on her voice as she spoke. "You saw the video, didn't you? And you also solved the code I left? Shinichi... I've waited so long. I thought that you would not come."

"Mouri-san, I am here to give you back to your family, not to make a drama," Shinichi said, composing himself to be professional but he thinks it only came as an insult.

"Right. You can't still remember me even I'm in front of you right now." Her shoulders go up. She looks really tense. Tears are forming in the side of her eyes. "Kudo Shinichi... I love you."

Shinichi stared at her. "You said those three words... Again..." He stepped back once as his head hurt a little. "Why? Why could you say those three words so easily?"

"Because I had decided and that is to be with you. I'm committed with you for too long, Shinichi. It's nice to see you again, but I think this is only an acquaintance meeting for you, isn't it?" She chuckled. Pain is in her eyes and tone. "I really missed you and after ten years, I finally got to see you again but still, it hurts. It hurts, Shinichi. Because even though you're here, you can't remember me and you're just here because you solved all the clues I left for you. I'm begging you, Shinichi. I don't want to go back there. I don't want to get married. "

"Marriage is all that matters in life. If you don't have it, your family's generation wouldn't continue."

"Don't give me that reason, Shinichi." Her tears falls down completely on her cheeks. Shinichi felt a pang of pain in his chest. What's happening to me? Her eyes held anger now. "I waited for you for ten years and you're going to say that marriage is important in life?" She scoffed. "I don't love my groom. I never had and I never will. Araide-sensei will be only an acquainted person to me."

Shinichi felt relieved when Ran said that herself but he still wasn't convinced. "Why did you accept the marriage?"

"I didn't. Dad forced me, Mom refused but Araide-sensei and Dad had the wedding arranged already so I can't refused. So, I plotted a great plan to escape," Ran answered.

"You need to go back to your fiancé, Mouri-san."

"It is Ran, Shinichi." Ran gritted her teeth in anger, fist clenching tight. "Call me Ran."

He glared at her. "Geez. No need to be mad," he said. Shinichi shrugged his shoulders. "But okay I'll call you Ran, Ran."

She sighed in relief. In a sudden, she took one step and wrapped her arms around Shinichi's waist. Shinichi froze and gulped a lump on his throat.

"You're heart is beating so fast, Shinichi," Ran said as she leaned more to Shinichi's chest. Hee tears are wetting Shinichi's shirt. "I missed your heartbeat for me."

Shinichi took a breath before pushing Ran away from him. "Ran, sorry, but I have someone else," he said. He saw her tears became more aggressive to fall down. "No, no, no. Don't cry please." She sobbed and her tears keeps on falling more. "Damn it." He pulled her into his arms again and caressed her hair. "Shh... Stop crying. I'm here. I'm here now. Don't cry, Ran. Damn. I don't want to see you cry please."

Shinichi never begged for a woman to stop crying. Not even Hayley. He didn't even do that to his mom. This was the first time he begged to someone to stop crying and the first time he hugged a person without any hesitation or malice—or so he thought.

They stayed like that until police cars arrived the place with Kogoro, Sonoko, and Araide-sensei.

"What did I tell you huh?!" Araide grabbbed Ran's arm tightly and pulled her harshly towards him. "I told you not to escape, Ran!"

Tears are forming in Ran's eyes again. "Let me go!" she shouted. Sonoko just looked at her with pity. Kogoro just sighed.

"Stop what you're doing," Shinichi said but he was completely ignored by the professor.

"You didn't listen to me! We're going to get married and you ran away from me. You're a selfish bride!" Araide said as he pulled Ran much closer. Tears are falling down on Ran's cheeks again. Araide leaned in and whispered to her, "I'll make sure to punish you later." Then, he grinned like a devil.

Shinichi saw that. He felt mad. He sighed heavily and walk towards the two and pulled Ran out of Araide-sensei's grasp.

"You don't have the rights to harm a woman, Sir," he said politely.

"Oh. The ex-lover," Araide said and crossed his arms as he grinned widely like a bobcat. "How does it feel to see your love with another man?"

He grinned back. "I don't know what you're talking about but I know that I'm the only who is in Mouri Ran's heart, bastard." He looked at Araide so coldly but so threatening. "Get your hands on Ran again and I'll have no hesitation but to put you in jail in any cause, Sir."

"And how could you do that? You're just using your title to--"

"What you did before is violence and everyone in this room saw it including the two officers behind you," Shinichi said, making Araide-sensei's face pale. He smirked. "I'm nit using my title too, bastard. Being a detective isn't like being a police. There's difference. Now, if you don't mind, I shall bring back this lady to her original place, hmm?" Shinichi turned to Ran. "Let's go."

He pulled Ran and she just followed through. They stopped in front of Sonoko and Kogoro. He pulled Ran beside Kogoro before letting go.

"As of today, learn your lesson, Uncle," Shinichi said. "Don't let your daughter being forced to a man she doesn't love."

"I just wanted my daughter to be happy and she's old. She's turning thirty next year. She should be married!"

"Your daughter doesn't want another man more than me so don't give me that reason," Shinichi said as he glared at Kogoro's eyes. "I may have not remembered her but at least I know she loves me and that's enough for me to tell you to learn your lesson and consumed it all the way. Uncle, your daughter is old. She could decide whatever she wants. Don't force her to the things she never want to have." He sighed. "As always, I'll leave you to the police. They should do the rest."

Shinichi was about to turn back when someone held his wrist. He looked back. He saw Ran looking at him with a smile on her lips.

"Thank you," she said and kissed him on the cheeks. It was so sudden. He felt his cheeks go red.

He smiled as he saw Ran looked down slowly as she blushed. He left the place with a smile as he walked home.

Well, Mouri Ran isn't a bad choice to make after all.