Chapter Ten: Reminiscing Memories (Thoughts)

Shinichi's POV

"You aren't talking to me since that girl left!" Hayley exclaimed as she's stomping her feet continuously on the floor like a kid.

I sighed as I watched her boringly. She's right. I haven't talked yet when Ran left a while ago. I'm still left confused about her smile. It has a meaning but I can't seem to catch it.

"Is she beautiful than me?" I looked at Hayley and saw her doing the puppy look. "Am I not worthy enough to you?" She's like on the verge of crying. "Am I not a good grilfriend to you? Jimmy, please talk to me. Please say I'm the better woman for you."

I sighed. This woman got some nerves to boss me around whatever she likes. It makes me quite irritated.

I stood up and let out a breath heavily. "I'm going to my room. Excuse me," I said and go upstairs and locked myself to my room.

Hayley's POV

I watched him walked upstairs until I heard a door closed.

I stomped my feet in anger as I sat to the living room's couch and shout so much loudly, I don't care if anybody hears me. I'm frustrated!

My head goes to that girl again. Argh! She's really getting into my nerves! Jimmy is not noticing me because of her! She's not as smart as I am. Well, even though she did became an international lawyer by herself, that's it! I'm way smarter than her! I'm more pretty than her!

My fist clenched as my sight turned red. I wanna kill her. Jimmy is mine! Mine!

Shinichi's POV

A few minutes later, I heard the door opened. I closed my book and stared at it until it opened up and my mother's head peek through.

"Ahm... Hayley-chan stormed out of the house," she announced.

I sighed and put the book down on my bed as she go towards me and sit beside me.

"Shin-chan... What's the matter?" she asked.

I looked away. "Nothing, Ooka-san."

"I know you have one problem in mind. Tell me."

She will not going to stoo bickering on me until I told her what's my problem.

I sighed. "I don't know, Mom." I raked my fingers through my hair. "It's just... Hayley was like pushing off my ignorant button all the time."

"You mean, you don't like her." I looked at Mom unbelievably.

"No, of course I do! It's just..."

"Who's in your mind all the time?"

"What?"

"I mean, you aren't like that when you're in America," she said and smiled. "Hayley is a good woman to be honest but..." She looked at me with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "... I don't think you love her. Is it just like?"

I looked down and slowly nodded.

"Is it the truth, son?" I nodded again. Mom sighed and shook her head before looking at me with joy. "Who is in your mind right now? Don't hesitate or I'll punch you in yoir gut."

I chuckled. Mom would really do that. She punched me once when I didn't answer her question.

"Well?" She raised an eyebrow at me."

"Hai, hai. I'll answer now. It is Ran, Mom."

Her eyes brightened. "Really? Is it really Ran-chan?" She suddenly cleared her throat and sit perfectly straight. "Let me show you something, son. Let me get it for you."

She stood up and leave the room. Couple of seconds later, she came back with two picture frames in hand.

"I promised you that I'll give this to you but I don't have time these passed days so it would be a great opportunity if I give it to you now," she said as she puts it down my bed in front of me. "See it."

I frowned. I can't recall what she is saying so I flipped the two picture frames and my eyes widened as I saw the pictures.

"Still shocked, Shin-chan?" Mom teased. "Well, those two pictures are too important to you."

"How come this pictures are important? They're not even look valuable to me."

"It is," she said. "Those kids are the Shounen Tantei. You know them and don't ask who are they because you'll know them soon. "

"Soon? What was that mean?"

"Oh! Didn't you know what soon means? Do you want me to explain what the word soon means?"

"No, no, no, no, no!" I shook my hands and sighed. "What do you mean by soon?"

"Oh! Ran-chan asked me a favor. She wants you to go in an amusement park. It was called Tropical Land. She told me there's an unsolved mystery there. The case hasn't been closed since. The police didn't continue the investigation so as a good fellow, I wanted to offer the case in the famous detective, and of course! The famous detective is my son, you, Shin-chan!"

I glared at her. "You're no fun," I commented. "But why does she need me?"

"Look, lawyers can't solve crimes, Shin-chan. Only detectives and police officers can," she said and rolled her eyes. She looked at the pictures again. "Look at the pictures. I'm sure you'll know what the background is. And you'll really meet your real you when it comes to break time in cases, Shin-chan."

I frowned while looking at her as she winks at me. What does she mean break time?

"Wait, you said that--"

"Oh! I have some cooking recipes to try on!" she exclaimed as she stood up. Even her cheeks are blushing in excitement. She clapped too like a kid. My mom is a really mature child, get it? "Bye!"

I was about to asked her a question but then, she slammed the door to my face.

I laughed as soulless as I can be possibly be and looked at the pictures. One of them is me and Ran pictured on an amusement park. Her eyes are glowing in happiness while I'm looking like an idiot grinning widely while I make the peace sign pose.

I smiled to the thought we played for some quite time even we are a high school student. I felt a sudden pang in my head and I saw something. It was Ran forcing me to take a picture with her. And it's gone. I sighed as I still felt a little bit of sting in my head.

What was that?

I shook my head as I stood up and put the two pictures on the top of the bookshelf. I walked back and smiled as the frames glistened in the morning sunlight.

I felt complete yet something's missing. I have a question in mind.

Who are they and how did they went into my life?