Chapter Three: The Red Invitation (Part Three)

Ran's POV

"So, are you saying that the invitation you have right now is mine?" Sera frowned. "How come?"

"Sonoko gave me this invitation. I told her to give it to you first but she told me she wanted me to be your partner in the event."

"Event?" She take the invitation and took the card inside and read it. "Wait, a bloody night? Is this some kind of joke?"

I shook my head. "Sonoko said it is legit. She will come to the event with Makoto-kun."

"A party, huh?" She stared at the card. "Bloody night, huh..."

"So, are you going? Sonoko and I just went shopping a while ago for some clothes," I said and put up the bag I am carrying.

She looked at me and faked a laugh. "As if I could deny I will go," she said and sighed. She stared at the card again. "I guess Sonoko picked the right partner for you, Ran." She smirked. "Guess I have to go to the party tonight."

I sighed in relief. I thought she will not go with me. "Now, can we try the dresses? We bought some for you too."

"Sonoko is really advanced." She clicked her tounge. "That girl needs a lot of maturity in life." She opened the door wide and I got in to her house.

We got uostairs, directly to her room and we started to fit in some dresses.

Heiji's POV

"A bloody night..." I stared at the three same words. I think there's something odd with this card.

I took it out of the mail a while ago. It was an invitation colored in bloody red.

"P.S. BE SURE TO TAKE AT LEAST ONE PERSON WITH YOU," I said as I read it out loud. "One person?" I frowned. "Why do I need a partner?"

I took my phone beside my pillow and immediately called the person who I decided to be my partner.

"Moshi moshi?" (Hello?) said the person on the other line.

"It's me, idiot."

"You're the idiot!" the person shouted to the other line. "Why did you call?"

"Where are you?"

"Training. I have five minutes more 'til I finished. Why?" she asked. Shouting directions of the trainor, shouting of the newbies and slapping is in the background.

"I'll wait for you. I'm coming there."

"Idiot. You will not going in here if you have nothing to talk about. It's not just you dealing with your courtship to me for the past two years," the person said and scoffed. "What is it?"

I sighed. She knows me too well. "I tell you when I get there. Bye."

"Wait--" I cut her off by ending the call immediately. I leave the house and started to walk towards the place where she is.

~~~

"Idiot, why did you suddenly dropped the call a while ago? It makes me upset," she complained as she got near my position.

I just smirked at her and grab the gym bag out of her hand. We move to the nearest bench and sit there.

"Here." I gave her the bottle of water frkm the side of her gym bag and put the plastic bag in our center. "There's also foods that I bought for you. Feel free to eat.

"Thanks," she said and drink some water from the bottle before taking one food from the plastic bag and opened it. "So, what are we going to talk about?"

"I wanted you to be a partner in an event," I answered.

I saw her stopped putting the protein bar halfway in her mouth. "An event?" she asked and bite to the protein bar. She chewed and gulped it before looking at me. "You want me to be your partner?"

"Yes."

"Why me?" she asked as she continue to eat her protein bar. I lend her the invitation. I saw her frowned. "What's this?" she asked as she took the invitation and opened it afterwards.

"That's the invitation. Kazuha, I need you to be my partner to that event," I said.

She read the card as soon as she opened it. "This event looks disgusting." Her face scrunched in disgust. "I felt my stomach is going to turn just by reading the description of it."

"From the looks of it, it's just a theme for the event, idiot," I told her and snatched the card from her hand and put it back on the envelope.

She glared at me. "Well, why would I be your partner anyways? Don't you want Ooka Momiji-san to be your partner? I'm sure she will autmoatically agree."

Momiji Ooka was the woman who claimed me as her future husband. She said that we made a promise to each other that we would be married but I think I could not do that. Toyama Kazuha is my love, the one and only girl I love.

"Are you upset, Kazuha?" I asked her as I looked at her intently.

Her cheeks flushed red. She is avoiding my gaze. "N-No." She sighed. "I-I'm just saying you need someone with you, not me. Maybe, you'll be more comfortable without me."

"Are you upset or are you jealous?" I asked her teasingly. I saw her cheeks becoming more flushed. "Oh, come on," I poked her cheek, "Just tell me your jealous. I'm not going to tease you."

"Idiot!" She slapped my hand away. "I would never get jealous. Momiji-san is far more beautiful than me. I'm sure she could be more charming for you."

"Aww..." I put my arms around her and scooted her closer. "Is my Kazuha still hesitating my love for her?"

She puts her head on my chest. "Hmm... It's just, what Momiji-san said two years ago is still bothering me. Did you really made a promise each other to get married?"

"I don't know. I couldn't remember it," I said as I caressed her hair. I kissed her forehead. "I only now that it is you whom I love."

She laughed and punched my chest lightly. "Idiot. Now, that's corny."

"So, you will now believe me that it is you who I love?"

"Yes, but still, try hard to court me more. I want to see you trying hard for me," she said and then, stood up. "I'll be your partner for the event by the way."

What she said stunned me. "W-What?"

"I said I will he your partner for the event," she repeated.

I blinked a few times before standing up. "Really?" I asked, still looking at her unbelievably.

"Yes," she said irritatingly. She raised an eyebrow.

"You will not going to force me to have Ooka Momiji as my partner, right?"

She frowned. "Do you want her more than me?"

"No."

"Then, it's decided. I'll be your partner," she said and wrap her arms on my arm, which made me stunned. She was smiling. "He8ji, you look like a stone structure right now. You aren't moving."

I blinked a few times before looking at her. "Sorry. Just shocked. It is the first time you didn't deny my offer."

She gave me a deadpan look. "I didn't deny you once, idiot," she said. "Now, let's go. We need to buy clothes for the event."

I shook my head as I saw her running away from me. I carry the bags before walking towards my soon-to-be girlfriend.

Sonoko's POV

"Hurry, Makoto-san!" I shouted at him as I ransacked the make up in the vanity. I put on the last touch of my make up before turning to Makoto-san.

I was stilled from my position when I saw him walking out of the bathroom wearing a formal wear from head to toe.

His hair was clearly done and his appearance... Just wow. I couldn't decribe how handsome he is.

I shook my head ran into him as I looked at him from head to toe. "Wow, Makoto-san. You look good."

"Thank you," he said and looked at the full body mirror to fix his tie. He glanced at me. "And please remove the "-san, just call me Makoto."

I felt my cheeks burned so I looked down as I thought what he said. He wants me to call him by his name only. Without any respect.

I cleared my throat and looked at him. I saw him looking at me in the mirror which made me blushed more.

Oh my god. This is so embarrassing.

"You look beautiful today," he said, complimenting me clear and loud.

My cheeks reddened even more. I heard him chuckled. I heard footsteps and in a second, he is in front of me while holding my chin. His face leaned into mine and suddenly, his lips was on mine.

It was only a five-second kiss. He pulled his lips away afterwards. His thumb caresses my lower lip.

I saw him smiled while looking at me so softly. This is what I'm not expecting. Makoto-san was sometimes full of surprises.

"M-Makoto-san..."

"Shh..." He brushed his lips on mine. "I really want to ruin your lips tonight."

I bit my lips and move back. "M-Makoto-san, I-I mean, M-Makoto, don't joke like that. We know both that our parents wants us to finish school first... Right?"

He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "I'm just kidding. Of course, I know that. I aould respect our parent's decision. I just wanted to kiss you."

That wasn't our first kiss. The first kiss was on our first date below the fireworks.

As Makoto-san got back to fix his tie, I go to the side table and grab my phone. I called Ran.

As soon as I heard Ran picked it up, I greeted her. "Yo, Ran!"

"Oh, Sonoko. I am now heading to the party with Sera. Are you and Makoto-kun still there?"

"Hmm... Yeah, Makoto-san is still fixing his attire."

"Well, then. Help him. I guess he needs help. I need to end the call now. Bye."

"Bye." Then, the call ended.

I put my cellphone in the little pouch I have and go towards Makoto-san. I move in front of him and slapped away his hand.

"Sonoko--"

"Let me," I said and then, fix his tie. Once I fimished it, I put it in the center and move back. I fox his suit and dusted it off. "There. Now, you are looking good."

He smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. So, let's go?"

He nodded. I grab my pouch on the bed and cling on Makoto-san's arm before leaving our own apartment. I'd make sure I locked the doors and windows before leavimg completely with Makoto-san.

Ran's POV

"So, does Sonoko and Kyogoku-san in there already?" Sera asked as I ended the call.

I looked at her. "Not yet. They're still in the apartment."

"Psh. Those two live-in bird lovers, they're really whipped. How I wish I could feel the same way."

I smiled. "You will find someone that suits you."

Sera rolled her eyes. "As if I could find someone who could beat me back and could outsmart me."

"Someone would really going to outsmart you, Sera. For now, just wait for the right person."

She scoffed. "Yeah, right."

I chuckled as I looked out from the window.

I remember Shinichi so suddenly. His face, his expression, how he tease me, how he was so scared when I was angry, how he performed a deduction show in front of people, how I always see his face on TV, how he mocked me with his unbelievable smart explanation, and how he smiled and comfort me when I needed him.

I really missed him so much. So, so much. For the past two years, there's no day I'd never think of him, how was his health, and how he is doing in one day.

It's like making me crazy when I didn't know what his condition was. I never thought that for the past two years, I could live a life without seeing Shinichi or feeling his presence around me. It felt so empty and it feels not right.

"Ma'am, we're here now," the driver announced. I give the money and me and Sera got off the taxi.

As soon as we got to the counter, the lady asked us for our invitation. Sera gave the invitation and explained that I'm the person she chose as her partner. The lady nodded and let us in the room.

Kazuha's POV

"I knew that you had a reason why you want to come here," I said and crossed my arms.

We are now at the event. Many rich people are here, wineglasses in hand and talking formally to each other. Classical music was being tuned in the speakers.

"Sorry. I spoke it up too late," Heiji said. "The invitation was merely odd to me so I decided to go here. Those three words are exactly the same. My guess is three people will be targeted while still on the event."

I rolled my eyes. "Can't you just take a break in your detective mode for a while, Heiji? We are on a party," I said.

"A detective's gut feeling isn't bending, Kazuha. I'm sure he is also here."

I frowned. "Who?"

"Kudo," he answered.

My eyes widened. "Wait, what? But Kudo Shinichi hasn't been seen for two years. How could he appear here so sudden? It's impossible."

"It's possible," he backfired and glanced at me. "I know Kudo. I'm sure he will not going to let this pass. He's the famous high-school detective after all."

I scoffed. "Yeah, right. The famous high-school detective who disappeared two years ago without any trace since the last case he solved here in Tokyo," I said with sarcasm. "How could you be so sure? It's not like he would appear like a ghost here."

"I told you. I'm sure he's here," he insists.

I rolled my eyes. I didn't fire back a response to him and just let him believe what he believes.

Shinichi's POV

"This is so boring~" Kid sang as he keeps on rocking his chair back and forth.

"Shut up," I said as I looked around the room. As of now, there's no traces of any odd things.

"Hmm... You're the only one whose enjoying this stuffs," I heard Kid complained. I looked at him. He has that bored look on his face. "My hands are too itchy to steal now." His hands are somewhat moving randomly in the air and then, there's a rose came out of his hand. He smelled it. "I want to see how Aoko is doing right now."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. This thief really is something. That bored look didn't really help.

Suddenly, I looked unconsciously to a one table. My eyes widened as I saw the girl sitting on the table across us. Her hair is on a bun but her face is clearly familiar. I looked at the man across her. His back was facing me. By the builr, it is too obvious that he is really that tanned guy in Osaka.

I frowned. Why are they here?

I stood up so suddenly that made Kid frowned. "Where are you going?"

"Just going to meet a friend," I answered as I fix my suit. "I'll be right back. Stay here."

I didn't wait for his response. I immediately went to the men's bathroom and locked myself in one of the cubicles.

Kaito's POV

Psh. Meeting a friend, my ass. He obviously went to the bathroom. I saw it with my two clear eyes.

"That detective really needs a better excuse," I said to myself as I looked to the people talking formally to each other.

I never knew that being a normal person in an event could be so boring. It could be, exciting if I had a plan to steal something here and just popped up as Kaito Kid and do some tricks for my fellow fans, but no, I can't do it right now. That detective forbids me to do it plus Aoko told me to never do anything that could drive suspicions to people that I'm Kaito Kid.

As I took my eyes around people, I noticed a man in black suit got up to his seat with his phone on his ears. I instantly get focused on his movement once he caught my attention. He puts away the phone for a sec and talk to the girl across him. Hmm... Maybe his girlfriend.

He puts back the phone on his ears before leaving their table and got to the direction where that bastard detective went.

That's when I noticed that the man is very familiar. That face... I also heard his accent when he passed to the table I'm in. It's in Osaka accent.

Wait, is that...

I stood up and put some napkin below the vase before leaving the table. I followed the Osaka-accent man to the men's bathroom.

As soon as I opened the door, I immediately stilled as I saw that the idiot detective and the Osaka man are facing each other, talking as if they're buddies.

They instantly stopped and slowly looked at me. With wide eyes, Metantei pulled me in to the bathroom.