Chapter Text
"We'll arrive at the camping site in a few minutes. Everyone should have their luggage ready so the unloading will be easier. No running and pushing later. Those at the ba—"
Shinichi tuned out their class adviser's voice and tried to focus on the whirring sound of their school bus' engine as he stared outside the window, watching tree after tree.
It has been five months since Shinichi, with the help of his acquaintances, took down the Black Organization and returned to his normal teenage body for good. He had a hard time adjusting to his size after being stuck to a seven-year-old's body for a long time. Even walking became a difficult task for him, but he gradually and eventually learned to regain his bearings and was able to continue living his life as if his phase as Conan was just a figment of imagination. However, there are still lingering side effects that turn up in sudden bouts.
His return as Kudou Shinichi has been the talk of the town for quite a while. Many questioned the reason behind his absence. He just played it off as a confidential case and couldn't really give information so that they would let him off the hook. Some were content and drew the line at that, but there are others who still try to pry for more. Hungry for a possible big scoop that'll boost their reputation.
Now that he's back, his assistance to cases was sought after. The spotlight was once again given to thee "Saviour of the Police Force." He wants to scoff at that title.
"Kudou-san, we're here."
Shinichi woke up from his stupor and zoned back into the situation at hand. The chatter of his classmates was loud in his ears. Apparently, zoning out has been a near constant to his lifestyle now.
"Ah, thank you, Sera-san." Shinichi thanked Sera with his signature fake smile, which he often uses to reassure others or when dealing with the media.
Sera has been a friend of his, even when he was still Conan. She was one of the many people who helped him bring the Black Organization to the ground. He was also thankful for her presence as Kudou Shinichi. Sera was a classmate of his during his last year in high school, and they both took the same college program at Tokyo University.
His relationship with Ran has been shaky as of late. Their interactions were quite awkward now, considering that he broke off with her a few months before his return, not that they had been officially dating; no. He just willed her to stop waiting for him and to move on with her life. It was for the best. He didn't know if he'd ever return to his original state after being stuck as a kid for a long time. He was actually losing hope that he'd be able to find a permanent antidote even months before his decision.
Despite the strain in their relationship, Shinichi still holds on to the idea that they're still friends. They've known each other since childhood. She was his best friend. And his interactions with her as Conan became an essential part of his life. Shinichi looks up to Ran in a different light than he used to. Now, he sees her as a sister who he can rely on.
Once his classmates started leaving the bus, Shinichi stood up and took his luggage from the compartment atop his seat. They lined up in front of a small wooden platform with students from other departments, their PE uniforms identifying them and their chosen program.
"We'll start this day with roll calls of the participating departments in this joint retreat for the freshmen."
[College of Arts and Sciences. Faculty of Agriculture. Faculty of Engineering. Faculty of Science, Faculty of Law...]
Shinichi didn't bother to listen to the roll call and opening speech; instead, he roamed his eyes around and observed his surroundings.
As far as I know, all freshmen from our University are participating. If there are at least 20 students per program, that'll be roughly 300 students in total based on the buses. That's quite a lot for a retreat—team building, whatever. Shinichi feels tired just thinking about it. Dealing with hundreds of people will be so exhausting. He'd probably lose his mind by the weekend.
Shinichi sighed. It feels weird doing these kinds of activities again.
HORREY!
Shinichi jolted from his contemplation by the sudden loud shouts on his left. He grimaced at the students cheering.
I want to sleep. I didn't consume enough caffeine to deal with this.
The heat was becoming sweltering by the second. The students were subjected to body heat from every corner, and it was getting hard to breathe. When the opening speech finally ended, their camp leaders ushered them to their assigned cabins and lodges to unpack and rest before lunch and the afternoon program.
"You alright, Kudou-chan?" Sera asked, masking concern in her tone, but Shinichi picked it up. "You've been out of it even before we boarded the bus."
"Ah, yes. Sorry, I just have something in my mind," Shinichi replied sheepishly. He didn't even notice Sera walking beside him.
Get a grip.
He reproached himself for being unguarded and oblivious to his surroundings.
"A case, perhaps?" Sera inquired, although quite obviously giving him a way out.
Without anything coming to his mind, he just hummed in agreement.
"Ah, here we are." Shinichi smiled as they arrived at the hallway of their cabin, halting in front of the opposing doors. "Let's unpack first."
—
Sera knocked thrice on the slightly opened door. "Kudou-chan, are you done unpacking? Let's head to lunch."
Their classmates had already left minutes ago.
"Ah, yes!"
Sera smiled at the drag to the last syllable. Shinichi unconsciously speaks childishly from time to time. He might have picked it up from his time as Conan. It's quite endearing, but she won't tell him that.
She heard faint shuffling inside the room before Shinichi poked his head on the small opening of the door and smiled shyly.
Adorable.
She smiled at Shinichi's childish behavior, fighting the urge to ruffle his hair. "Let's go."
—
"Kudou!"
Sera and Shinichi turned to the source of the overly familiar voice.
"Hattori?" Shinichi tilted his head, quite confused.
Ah, right. We're in the same University. How can I forget?
Shinichi mentally slapped his forehead.
"Hattori-san," Sera warmly greeted him. "Good to see you!"
"It's nice to see you too, Sera-san!" Heiji beamed. Heiji wrapped an arm around Shinichi's shoulder and pinched his nose. He grumbled, "Why is it so hard to see you even when we study at the same University?"
Shinichi pouted and swatted away the other's hand from his reddening nose. "Not that our University is anything small. Now, is it? And besides, we've literally just been a week in the academic year."
"Still..." Heiji whined.
The three continued their way to the open meal area with the other freshmen. Several wooden tables and benches were situated in a more shaded area of the camp, some already occupied.
They headed to the counter of the open lodge, which displayed various foods and had a vending machine in the corner. Shinichi took a food tray and began filling it up. He was about to get a tonkatsu when a pair of chopsticks collided with his. Shinichi frowned and looked at the owner of the other chopsticks.
It was a guy a few inches taller than him, wearing a dark blue unzipped hoodie and a white blue-collared pe uniform underneath. Engineering, then. His brunette hair's a mess, and his eyes are hazy and barely open. He looks like he just woke up from a nap. Although, the color of his pupils is quite eye-catching. Dark blue? Purple? Indigo? Shinichi wasn't sure, and the lighting wasn't helping either.
"Oh, sorry. Go ahead." The guy dipped his head a little and motioned to let him have the tonkatsu.
"Thanks..." Shinichi muttered with a slight bow, then glanced at the other again before he took the offered food.
"Kudou!! Come on, we won't have a table at this point." Heiji yelled. He and Sera are already outside with their trays, clearly waiting for him.
"Kudou?" The guy mumbled, his head tilted. He looks confused. Shinichi wanted to snort at him, but he just thanked the guy again and made his way to his friends.
Hopefully, he wouldn't recognize him as the Detective of the East or whatever pseudonym he has.