A/N - Hello. Another short shinran fanfic cause as always I miss them. This is sort of set in timeline when ShinRan were in Junior high. When Shinichi had a game and they lost in PK rounds in the semi finals.
There is a OVA episode called flower of Fantasia about it, this time line is mentioned in the Koushien case and also in the 16th DC movie - the 11th striker.
A/N - It has been inspired by an image I found on pinterest.
A/N - Do let me know your thoughts and comments!! and as always please forgive me for the grammatical errors.
"It was a good game everyone."
"I can see that everyone is hyped up for the game coming in 3 days."
"Keep up the spirits and we shall play with no regrets!!!," said captain Toonoka in his usual hyped and motivated voice.
The team, even though exhausted by the day's practice still responded with enthusiastic fervour.
"Thank you for the good work!!"
The soccer team shouted in unison and the two opposing teams bowed down as thanks.
"Oi Kudou, Hama, Inoue stay back for a few minutes." Toonoka called out.
The rest of the crowd dispersed as the four people and the coach stayed back.
"Well, I had some first-years run around to gather some more information regarding our opponent of the first match. "
"A few key players to mark and a few recordings of some of their games."
"Go through the video of the recorded game, though I do not think we need to make any changes in our current play style for this match but have a cursory look."
"We can do the reviews at my home today." Shinichi offered.
"Yea, sounds good to us."
"Lets quickly get changed and head to Kudou's house."
The three guys were well respected in the team for being quite level-headed. It was no secret that Kudou was an insane soccer fan but since he was very good at analysing things he was an excellent strategist. Similarly, Hama and Inoue were all rounded players who also had good inputs.
It was fairly common for the soccer club guys to crash at Kudou's house to watch matches and hang out in general, well he did live in mansion which also had an excellent home theatre system. It was perfect to watch matches, movies etc.
As they walked towards the locker room they passed by a few guys from the basketball club.
"Man that was one strange accident."
"I know right!! To think a stay baseball would end up shattering the indoor gym window and at the same time the tempered glass basketball hoop would end up shattering like that."
"Apparently some one ended up getting caught in the shattered glass shower."
"I think it was Mouri from class 4."
Shinichi froze in his tracks.
"EEHHH?? How is it Mouri, the captain of the Karate club?? Of all people how did she get hurt?"
"I dont know there was some sort of commotion."
"Excuse me," Shinichi interrupted.
"Please let me know when did this accident happen."
"Ahh just a few minutes ago, I think Nakamichi-kun from the basketball club took her to the infirmary."
"Captain, you guys, go ahead to the changing rooms, I will join you guys in ten minutes." said Shinichi and dashed towards the infirmary leaving the guys staring at his back.
"Arn't Kudou and Mouri-san childhood friends?"
"Yes, they are, since kindergarten apparently."
"But do you think he likes her?"
"I am not sure. But it is Mouri we are talking about? Who does not like her."
"But they have been friends for so long, he has an advantage."
"You idiot, childhood friends are the ones who end up being the furthest apart in such times. First of all, because the person is so close it becomes difficult to distinguish if you like them romantically or not and then if the other person does not return your feelings it is impossible to go back to being friends."
"Followed by, what if the feelings are just a misunderstanding just because the other person is of the opposite gender. It's a lot more complicated than it seems." Toonoka finished with a self-satisfied, righteous expression.
"So captain how many shoujo manga have you read exactly?"
"You- You guys!!! how dare you talk to your captain like that!!" Tonoka said, aghast and gave the guys a chase.
"Ohhhh the captain is not denying it!!"
"Hama! Inoue! Be quite otherwise I will shave you hair off!!"
Shinichi had no idea at what time had he started to run. His mind attempting to deduce the severity of the accident.
"Hey you! No running in the corridor! Also why are you wearing outdoor shoes inside the school building?!?!"
Shinichi stopped immediately and took his shoes off and started running again.
"Heyyy I said no running in the corridors!!"
"Gomen sensei, it's a medical emergency," Shinichi called out without turning back.
Shinchi was almost there when he heard some voices coming from the infirmary.
"But even so thank you so much for protecting Aki-kun."
"Don't worry about it. I am really not that badly hurt."
That voice is Nakamichi and ....Ran's voice...
"And I already got first aid as well. So don't cry Aki-kun."
Shinichi stopped by the door frame, panting heavily but analysing the scene before him.
Ran was seated on a stool and gently patting the head of boy who clearly looked like an elementary school kid. His small face was flushed and eyes were wet with tears.
Nakamichi was sitting front of her who was tyding up the first aid box.
They both started as six pairs of eyes stared at the out of breath, sweaty teenager who was for some reason holding his sports shoes in his hand.
"Did you get hurt Shinichi?" Ran asked slightly surprised and concerned on seeing his dishevled state.
"No I just heard you were in an accident so I..." Shinichi could not finish the sentence now suddenly quite embarrsed by the situation.
"Onee-chan got hurt because of me." came a small sniffling voice.
"Aki-kun its not like that. I am quite glad that you are okay. And see onee-chan does karate so I am quite strong." Ran said, reassuring the child attemting to lift his spirits.
"Who is this and what happened exactly?" Shinichi asked, walking inside the infirmary.
"Aah this is my younger cousin, Aki Yuzuhara, currently studying in Teitan elementary school. Next year he will be joining this middle school so he pestered me to bring him today for a field trip and since its summer vacation and only the clubs and the remedial classes will be on I decided to bring him to school."
"He was watching us play, after practise got over I was just practising some free throws, when Mouri was making her way towards the exit."
"Ehh why use the basketball court exit?" Shinichi asked
"The main entrance stays closed during the vacation Shinichi." Ran added.
Well since Shinichi was in outdoor sports it was natural he was not going to know the gymnasium settings during the summer vacation.
"It is sort of my fault really," Nakamichi said a little guiltily.
"Its really an accident and I am really not badly hurt." Ran reassured the boys.
"Well I was practising the free throws on the hoop which was near the exit since it was hot and the doors were open. Mouri initailly took the long way around the court but I told her it would be okay to use the shorter route."
"Aki was chasing the basket balls after my throws and well it just happened to fast. A stray baseball smashed in through the upper window and litrally at the same time I had thrown for the hoop but it ended up smashing the tempered glass."
"Aki was so surprised and could not move on time but Mouri with her fast reflexes pinned him down and covered him."
"You know the rest, I removed the glass shards and helped them up and came to give Mouri some first aid."
Shinichi saw her hands where her fingers were covered in individual band aids.
"Its not that bad Shinichi, really," said Ran waving her hands in front of him to show that she was not hurt.
"Also I am wearing the gymnasium clothes so I am in a jacket and all so I did not get pierced with any glass shards," Ran smiled reassuringly to all the boys present in the infirmary.
Nakamichi sighed but gave a grateful smile and said, "Thanks Mouri, I owe you one. You too Aki, say thank you one again."
"Hai, arigatou pretty onee-san." Aki said cheerfully, clearly regaining his spirits.
All three were taken aback by his bashful compliment but Ran playfully tapped his nose.
"Nakamichi, I think you should get going. I suppose you will need to run a few errands." said Shinichi.
"Now that you mention it, since I was the last person there, I will need to clean up the glass shards in the gym and also drop a message to Gotou-san, our club advisor about the damage." Nakamichi said, suddenly listing things off.
"Aki, lets run to see if a few of my teammates are still here, I will need to ask for their help."
"Do me a favour Nakamichi, my teammates must be waiting for me as well, please let them know I will be running a little late and that they can wait at the family restaurant 2 streets away, the usual hangout spot."
"Got it. Anyways, thanks Mouri, see you guys around."
Nakamichi rushed out with Aki-kun in tow. Ran giggled at the kid and waved him goodbye and her eyes met Shinichi. His eyes were calm but were locked onto hers. Unmoving and steady. Seeing the serious look in hie eyes Ran's own eyes softened and a small smile blossomed on her face.
"I am really not hurt Shini-ouch!" Ran let out a small yelp and moved her hands towards the nape of her neck.
"Dont touch it." said Shinichi, swiftly holding on to her wrist.
"Let me do it. As suspected there are shattered glass fragments in your hair. Well since your hair is long and silky it did not get entagled but any small leftover shards are dangerous."
Shinichi grabbed the first aid and circled around her and to have a look.
"Wear gloves Shinichi, otherwise you will also end up getting cuts if there are more glass shards."
"It will be fine I can see clearly."
Shinichi very slowly placed his hand on the back of Ran's neck, she let out a slight surprised gasp. Shinichi moved his hands slowly and placed his hand on the nape of her neck.
Ran felt a rush of heat. His hands felt big and hot against the cool nape of her neck.
As soon as he stopped his hand, he felt the shard. Shinichi picked the tweezer from the first aid box and removed it.
"I will have a quick look Ran."
Shnichi kept his hand on the back of her neck and with the other hand slowly combed through her hair. His movements was gentle and patient as he slowly and steadily gathered bunch of her hair and placed them on her shoulders.
Ran closed her eyes in bliss. Well there was no one woman in the world who did not like to have their hair bushed. It was a hot day but now the sun was setting, the school had gotten quiet as the club activities had gotten over, the chirp of the cicadas was loud, clock of the infirmary was ticking away and in this quiet she heard it as well. Shinichi's and and her own heartbeat. Ran felt as is she had trancsended somehwere, her auditory and tactile senses had expanded and she really felt as his and her heart were beating in unison as if they were always one, two halves of the same thing.
Ran woke up, startled and slightly confused.
She looked around, her hair was bunched up on one side of her shoulder, her neck felt cool and she could distinctively feel the bandaid on her neck.
...Right, I got hurt and Shinichi was giving me a first aid.
She turned slowly and looked upwards, her eyes hazy and dreamy but shining and lovely. She felt a sudden gush of warmth enveloping her on seeing him.
"Arigatou Shinichi." she said, her voice was soft and mellow and a tender smile blossomed on her face.
Shinichi pulled away from her, a faint blush creeping up on his neck. He covered his face with his hand, trying to hide his embaressment.
"Its no big deal. Let's go."
They left the infirmary and made their way to the club room.
"Oh, how was your practise game today? Are you excited? The matches will start in three days, right?"
"Yes, everyone is in high spirits and pumped up for the tournament. A few teammates and I were planning to go to my house and watch a few recorded videos of our upcoming opponents."
"I see, wait a minute! Does that mean I held you up?"
"No no dont worry about it, I told them go ahead and wait at the family restaurant. It didnt take long anyway. I just need to get changed."
"I see, do you want to go together then?"
"Sure, wait for me," said Shinichi and entered the scoccer club room.
Once inside, Shinichi took mad gulps of air as if finally he could breath. These past ten minures or so felt erratic to him. the concern which flooded him when her heard of the accident, him sprinting all over the school premises, seeing her and then the rush of relief on seeing her not gravely injured. The next few minutes were even more bizzare.
Shinichi felt as if he had become hypersensitive towards Ran. When he had placed his hand on the nape of her neck, his palms were so much more warmer, the back of his hand felt ticklish due to her hair. However, the torture began when he had to weave through the long, silky strands. The thick locks wrapped around and slipping through his fingers were doing a number on his heart. Considering his ginormous crush on her, touching Ran like this felt extremely intimate and nerve wrecking at the same time.
Shinichi peeked at Ran, suddenly realising how still she was sitting. The sight he saw simply robbed him off his breath. Ran's face was tranquil, her long lashes were almost touching her upper cheeks, her breath was slow and steady, her full lips were slightly parted and Shinichi had the sudden intense urge to trace them with his fingers and investigate if her hair was softer or her lips.
.....Ran, I thought I could watch you forever, your eyes, lips, smile, hands, your every gesture.
.......I thought I could do it but I am slowly realising how futile this is. I have simply been enchanted.....
..... Even when I know I am sinking, I do not want to be saved. I really want to drown. I have been completely captivated by you.......
He memorised the image of her in his mind as best as he could, cleared his throat and said, "There all done."
Almost like butterfly wings, Ran's eyes fluttered open and she looked up around and met Shinichi's eyes with a dreamy, sleepy smile.
Might as well pour honey in my ears Ran!!!!
Shinichi trampled down on his urge to pounce on her and crush her in his arms.
These whiplash of emotions is tiring. How come one moment I feel an emotion which almost like devotion but then the other moment I want to do unspeakable things to her?!?!
Shnichi felt shame but somehow managed to keep the conversation going till reaching the changing room bringing him to his current predicament of gulping in air as a way to clear his head off perverted thoughts.
He quickly changed and came outside. Ran was waiting outside holding her bag by her chest. Shinichi automatically grabbed her her bag and said, "Lets go."
Ran was slightly surprised but smiled and fell in step with him.
They spoke about casual things like the upcoming matches, Karate club's summer camp, other plans for summer vacation and reached the family restaurant. The boys were waiting outside for the duo.
Hama and Inoue shared sly a look after seeing Mouri's bandage covered hands and the fact that Kudou was carrying Mouri's gym bag.
"Oooo nice timing! We just got the takeaway as well. Lets go." Toonoka said ethusiastically.
They walked and chatted till reaching a common point.
"This is it for me," said Ran taking her bag from Shinchi.
"All the best for the matches! I will definately be cheering you guys on."
"If you have time do come to see us play," said Tonoka
Ran secretly met Shinichi's eyes, smiled and said, "Of course, I will most certainly be there."
Waving goodbyes, they went there separate ways.
After walking some distance Ran had the sudden urge to look back. The boys were all smiles and looked excited, energetic and so full of youthful energy.
Seeing them like this, seeing Shinichi like this made her happy.
She clasped her hands together, feeling a dull pinching ache in her hands but prayed.
"Kami-sama, please let the scoccer team play with no regrets. Also please heal my hands quickly, I wish to make a teru teru bouzu. I hope all the matches have clear blue skies."
Following the short prayer, Ran rushed home.
I find this sooooo adorablee >////////<
A/N - THIS IS NOT MY IMAGE
A/N - All the credits to the original artist!!
Ran did mention about hanging teru teru bouzu for Shinichi's important matches and so the title. :)
Also in that case is a rare moment when 'Conan' is not really excited for the case but is actually more interested in going on a field trip with his Ran-'neechan'
The side-eye of Conan towards Heiji will always make me laugh :)))
A/N - Do let me know your thoughts!
