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“Miyano.” Shinichi smirked up at his partner who had a hand wrapped around his throat. “Are you going to kill me or kiss me?”
Shiho scowled, intensifying her glare, as she felt how Shinichi’s Adam’s apple moved as he talked under her grip. His dominant hand traveled slowly up from her thigh to the side of her waist, pulling her closer, forcing her to acknowledge his growing smirk when she couldn’t stop blushing.
Her heart was racing for all the wrong reasons. She didn’t want to feel so dependent on Shinichi’s touch, making her slowly lose her mind and crave something she shouldn’t.
He tilted his head at her furrowing eyebrows and watched how Shiho quietly sighed under her breath. He was losing her, he quickly realized. He was losing her flame. The addictive, needy look he was so used to seeing from her.
‘Why?’ He wondered. Things were going so well and set up so nicely. She was straddling him on the couch and he was supporting her weight. It was the perfect setting to make her confess that she wanted him. That she liked him.
And yet she didn’t. She hesitated with her hand slowly drooping over his collar.
Shinichi frowned and wondered if maybe his theory was wrong. Maybe it was too good to be true, following his outing with Heiji where he had foolishly confessed that he might be interested in Shiho. As he confessed, Heiji didn’t appear surprised like Shinichi thought he would. Instead, his friend gave him some advice about checking if she liked him back without needing to confess to her first.
After all, it would be mortifying if he confessed first and it turned out she hated the thought of dating him. He didn’t want to imagine it. He just couldn’t. It would break his heart, and he wasn’t sure if he was ready to deal with that yet, considering they were partners solving crimes, scandals and mysteries together for people who requested their services.
Seemingly lost in thought, Shiho had continued to fiddle with his loose collar while he remained silent. Neither of them knew how to proceed, until Shiho quietly began to question him, “…Why are you daring me to do this? It’s for a reason, isn’t it?”
“It is.” He smiled lightly, but kept his teasing smile short as his eyes remained serious. “I just want to know how experienced you are.”
“Experienced…?” She tilted her head, her hands gently lowering over his grey vest, resting comfortably on his shoulders. “I’ve done it before, if that’s what you’re wondering about.”
“Kissing?” He asked.
“What else?” She asked back.
Shinichi wasn’t pure either, truth be told. Having some flings here and there with his curiosity getting the better of him. But this feeling, having Shiho’s weight settle on top of him, her emerald gaze drowning in his ocean blues, was a feeling he had never felt before. He was silently craving her. Silently pushing her. Silently observing her.
He was a detective through and through, and she was his assistant. A brilliant assistant who had applied for his detective agency on a whim, not thinking that he would hire her since he usually worked solo. But even he was getting tired of shouldering all of his cases on his own. He loved his job, but sometimes it was just too much. That’s when he met her, gave her an interview and a fun case to solve, and she solved it in record time. Impressed, he hired her, and that was how their story began.
“Kudo-kun?” She stared at him a little worried, noticing how he was seemingly brooding while holding her waist with his lone hand on her body. Hearing her voice, he gently squeezed her before releasing his grip, letting it drift up to her arm instead, feeling the thin material of lace under his fingers.
“You look beautiful tonight.” He smiled gently at the sight of her, finally acknowledging her outfit after a long day of office work on a weekend. “Are you going on a date?”
Shiho frowned shyly at his question, or maybe it was his unexpected compliment. He wasn’t sure as he took her appearance in, admiring her lace embroidered dress with long sleeves, before taking notice of her golden earrings and her matching necklace. There was a small amethyst jewel in the center of each piece, accented by small diamonds in a leaf-like shape. It was beautiful, and truly accentuated her look, making her stand out like never before.
“I’m going to attend a wedding.” She said.
“This late?” Shinichi raised a dubious eyebrow as he double checked the time on his watch and noticed it was close to 8 PM.
“It’s a late-night wedding.” She explained. “It was difficult to find a time which fit everyone, so having it late was the only option.”
“I see.” Shinichi hummed as he remembered how Shiho’s last job had been quite taxing after working so many late hours in a row. He didn’t know that pharmaceutical jobs required such hours, but he understood why she applied to his agency when his work operated on a request system. If there was work, they worked. If there wasn’t, they both relaxed and did whatever they wanted to do.
“Can I come?” He asked suddenly, and watched, very intrigued, how Shiho’s eyes went wide. She didn’t expect his question at all, nor him witnessing her reddening face when she instinctively turned her head away. “Or do you have someone you’re going with already?”
“N-No, not really…” She mumbled as she considered his offer. When she met his gaze again, her eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly as she opened her mouth, “…You can come on one condition.”
“Sure. Anything.” He said, looking expectantly up at her.
“Don’t…” She hesitated, feeling her heart flutter foolishly from her incoming words, “…Don’t flirt with anyone else other than me tonight.”
***
Shinichi was stunned when he heard Shiho’s words. He almost thought he was dreaming, that she was teasing him somehow, but no. She was serious. Her gaze didn’t falter, nor did she take back her words when she removed herself from his lap and helped him up to his feet. She remained as normal as she usually did while he drove her to the venue and opened the door for her on the way in.
With both of their coats hung up, Shinichi offered his arm to Shiho, casually mimicking what the other guests did with their dates. She was hesitant at first, meeting his gaze briefly before looping her arm around his. When she did, he pulled her closer, making her stumble ever so slightly into his side as he couldn’t help but chuckle at her scolding face.
Tonight would be a good night. He could tell by how she carried herself beside him, trying her best to match his confidence with her eyes straight and her chin held up high. It was endearing to watch, as it gently reminded him of when they worked together. Him in front, and her slightly behind. Or him thinking about something, and her silently watching him while taking some notes. It was a comfortable feeling, something he felt notably while having her so close to him.
“Oh, it’s Kudo Shinichi!”
“What! Where?!”
Shinichi turned slightly when he heard someone suddenly address him. As he did, he noticed how everyone around him turned to him and his partner as they began whispering about what they were seeing. Shinichi, as notable as ever in his striking black suit with faded stripes, couldn’t help but smirk at the attention he was getting. Especially from the jealous women who muttered and sighed at the shocking sight of his arm firmly locked with Shiho’s.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” A male guest approached them bravely, giving Shiho a light smile before returning his gaze to Shinichi. “Is there a case going on?”
“Ah, no. I certainly hope not.” Shinichi smiled politely. “I am simply escorting my partner for the night. Keeping her company and whatnot.”
There was honestly nothing else to it other than that. However, as Shinichi said his piece, he could feel how Shiho stirred slightly beside him, tightening her grip on the inside of his sleeve. It was a sign that she was uncomfortable, and that he should probably hurry dealing with the crowd he had unknowingly gathered.
“With that, I hope you’ll excuse us.” Shinichi bowed gently before the man as he excused himself to escort Shiho. Diligently, he led her to an empty table where they could stand for some respite.
“…You’re doing well.” He noted beside her as he could feel her arm slipping out of his hold when she reached forward to take a glass of white wine. “I haven’t seen you blush yet.”
But it was there as soon as he said it.
He didn’t notice her blushing at first, as Shiho deliberately avoided his gaze while taking a sip of her fine wine. But the more he craned his neck, the more she shied away, exposing her reddening ear in the process. He smirked at the sight of it, took a step closer, and lowered himself to whisper in her ear,
“Cute.”
Shiho jumped at his sudden whisper, her entire body shivering from his deep voice resonating softly in her ear. Startled, she turned swiftly around to meet his gaze, intending to push him away, but she froze when she found his nose just mere inches away from hers.
Shinichi smiled when he couldn’t help but cup her flustered cheeks. “You’re really cute when you look at me like that.” His tone was low and gentle, his eyes filled with adoration as he stared deeply into her quivering eyes.
“K-Kudo-kun—” Shiho stuttered trying to free herself with a slight panic in her voice. But as she tried, Shinichi read her clearly with attentive eyes. He moved one of his hands around her waist and pulled her against his chest, keeping her trapped in his teasing gaze.
“What?” He tilted his head ever so slightly with a light smile on his face. “You were the one who told me I could only flirt with you tonight. So I’m doing it. Just like you asked.”
“Y-You’re being too much.” She mumbled downcast.
“Am I?” He blinked confused. “But I haven’t even kissed you yet.”
At the utter of his words, Shiho looked up with genuine surprise on her face. Like always, she was a mess, blushing like a fool. And like always, he was confident, staring down at her completely unaffected by the rise in temperature which seemed to only affect her and her smitten heart.
He didn’t like her, she just realized. He was just teasing her. Enjoying her reactions. Making fun of her, while he could. This was painfully made clear when he closed his eyes and leaned down, intending to steal her lips. She tensed when she realized, her eyes swimming with embarrassment when she suddenly smacked a stopping hand to his lips.
Shinichi flinched, instantly opening his eyes when he felt his lips firmly rejected against Shiho’s palm. Her gaze was averted. Her eyebrows were furrowed. He didn’t understand why she looked so sad and conflicted when all he wanted to do was to kiss her.
Maybe pushing her was the wrong move. Maybe forcing her to acknowledge him was too much, seeing how she struggled to meet his gaze.
‘Does she… not like me…?’ He wondered suddenly. If that was the case, then why did she agree to bring him along? Why did she consider his offer, his want to kiss her, when she slowly lowered her hand over his chest?
‘Is she testing me? Is there someone else…?’ As her partner, he couldn’t imagine it. He would have known if she was going out with someone, not to mention their heated moment earlier at his agency when she was straddling him. There was nothing that indicated she had a boyfriend. Not her voice, nor her expression.
He didn’t get it. What was she waiting for? Why did she shy away from his touch? Why did she look at him with such hopeful eyes, only to lower them when he stared silently back?
“Sorry…” Shiho murmured, her shy blush fading when she pushed him gently away.
“Miyano,” He tried to stop her, grabbing her wrist, but she shook him off surprisingly easy.
Her apology made him restless. He wanted to hold her, reassure her that what he was doing was real and out of love. But as he watched her, he couldn’t bring himself to touch her. Not when she turned around after noticing his narrowed gaze filled with doubt and confusion.
***
It was a quiet day at the detective agency as Shiho typed away on her computer answering emails and the occasional call who asked for Kudo Shinichi. The renowned detective was out at the moment solving a case for the police. Shiho on the other hand, remained seated by her desk. They rarely got any clients knocking on their door now that modern technology was the king of easy communication. However, there were times when someone would knock, and when they did, Shiho would answer.
As fate would have it, someone did knock, as they casually invited themselves inside.
“Oh my! And here I thought I would see both of you in one place, but it’s only you Shiho-chan!” It was Kudo Yukiko. Shinichi’s beloved mother who seemed to always be in a wonderful mood with her playful smile and singing voice.
Shiho smiled as she stood up from her office chair and regarded Yukiko politely. “It’s good to see you again, Yukiko-san. Kudo-kun is currently out solving a case for the police.”
“Ah… I should’ve known…” Yukiko sighed disappointed, sulking ever so slightly, then quickly perked up when she placed a stack of papers on Shinichi’s desk. “Well, no matter! I’m sure he’ll have plenty of time to look at this once he’s back.”
“May I ask what it is?” Shiho asked curiously.
“They’re marriage candidates!” Yukiko beamed.
“M-Marriage candidates…?” Shiho blinked startled.
“Shin-chan is getting to that age, you know?” Yukiko hummed softly. “And I don’t want him to live the rest of his life alone either. That’s just too sad to imagine! So I took some liberty in finding him some promising candidates!”
“I-I see…” Shiho lowered her head when she could feel something vile twist around her heart. She felt angry, confused, as hopelessness filled her thoughts, spiraling wildly out of control when she could only think about Shinichi. Even though he was away, she could feel herself longing for him, hoping that whatever blessing Yukiko had given to these candidates could be silenced by her son.
‘It’s not fair…’ She thought. ‘Why do I care so much about him when he’s not even mine…?’
Her burning question made her heart beat painfully at the thought of Shinichi marrying a stranger. She knew he was popular. She knew he was well liked. But even so, she couldn’t imagine herself giving up on him if he married someone else.
As jealous as Shiho was, she quietly calmed herself, clenching her fists with everything she had, making her nails dig deeply into her skin.
When Yukiko looked at her innocently, Shiho forced a smile on her face as she promised Yukiko that her message would be delivered. With that, Yukiko left pleased as she couldn’t wait to hear who Shinichi would choose.
***
It was late when Shinichi came back from his case. He gently announced his return as he hung up his coat and walked over to his desk. Meeting Shiho’s gaze briefly, he smiled lightly at the sight of her like he always did, then suddenly stopped himself short when he saw what was on his desk.
“Miyano?”
“Yes?” She answered him somewhat distracted while typing away on her keyboard.
“What is this?” He pointed at the stack of papers placed neatly at the center of his desk, then eyed her slightly offended when she turned around in her chair to face him.
“Marriage candidates.” She said with an even voice as she could manage. “Your mother was wondering where you were and dropped them off when I told her you were out. She was excited when she told me, and she asked me to tell you to look over them tonight.”
“Ah. I see.” He sighed tired as he grabbed the pile of papers and made his way over to the small shredder in the corner of their office, turning it on without any warnings.
“W-What are you doing?” Shiho asked concerned when she saw how Shinichi pried the staple holding the papers together and placed one candidate application into the machine.
“…What does it look like I’m doing?” He muttered, as if it wasn’t the most obvious thing in the world when he placed candidate number two into the machine. “I know my mother is just looking out for me, but it’s honestly not necessary.”
“Are you perhaps not interested in marriage?” She asked quietly, then instantly regretted it when he saw how Shinichi smiled somberly at her.
“I already like someone else.” He confessed suddenly, which startled Shiho so badly that she could almost feel her heart breaking at his words.
“But she doesn’t know that yet.” He added quietly.
“Is… is it someone I know?” She asked carefully, feeling vividly afraid of the answer when she couldn’t calm down at the shocking revelation, choosing to clench her fingers around her armrests.
“Curious?” He smiled softly at her curiosity, another common trait which Shiho couldn’t refuse to respond to whenever he asked. “I can tell you if you want, on one condition…”
“…What is it?”
“Kiss me.” He said. “Kiss me, and I’ll tell you who it is.”
She had no words. No thoughts either, as Shinichi regarded her with a serious gaze. “What…?”
“Kiss me.” He repeated. “Since you don’t want me to kiss you, then the only option is for you to kiss me.”
It was simple. Logical. And very obvious what he thought of her.
But Shiho didn’t budge.
She was stunned, completely locked in her chair while the shredder finished tearing the last candidate application into small strips. His patience was running low, as he found himself done in his little corner. He made a decision as he walked towards her with his heart in his throat and placed both of his hands on either side of her chair, making his hands claw roughly for balance on her armrests.
Shiho stilled under his gaze as he leaned down and smirked at their closeness. She was nervous, flustered, and confused. Only his words, his precious voice, could diffuse the situation strangling her heart,
“Can I kiss you?”
Shiho blinked at his question.
“Can I… kiss you?” He repeated, a little quieter this time, as she couldn’t help but notice a small blush forming on Shinichi’s face. Her eyes lit up at the sight of it. And before she knew it, her hand was on his chest, feeling for his heart.
His heart was racing.
She couldn’t believe it. After all this time working for him, studying his eyes, his expression, his manners and his way of words, his usually sharp gaze mellowed under her soft gaze.
He raised an eyebrow as he waited. And for a second, Shiho thought Shinichi had figured her out as he slowly leaned closer, only to stop when their noses touched.
“…You’re killing me.” He sighed shakily, sinking ever so slightly as he closed his eyes. But as he tried to calm his heart, it jumped feverishly at the feel of her soft lips against his.
She was kissing him, overwhelming him, as she gave him what he wanted. It was slow and tender, and over before he knew it, as Shinichi froze when he saw her endearing smile.
“I… I like you, Kudo-kun.” She murmured with an averted gaze, then furrowed her eyebrows when she couldn’t believe what she was saying. “I’m sorry… for not saying it sooner. But when your mother came… when she told me what those papers were, I just couldn’t bring myself to stay silent any longer. I-I know you might not like me, but I can’t stand the thought of you marrying someone else…”
“Really?” Shinichi grinned pleasantly surprised at Shiho’s honest confession, startling her, as he couldn’t help but cup her face in the process. She was warm against his touch, so soft and vulnerable when she met his ocean blues which were hungry for her affection. “Do you really mean that?”
“Mm…” She nodded weakly, feeling embarrassed, until Shinichi suddenly kissed her again.
She melted at the feel of him, his hand slowly sliding into her hair as he pulled her closer against his chest, forcing her to stand. She moaned against him, gripping his woolen sweater, and felt how he smiled against her lips when he pried her mouth open.
He was tasting her. Ravishing her. Keeping her trapped in his dizzying spell. It was all so new to her, to be loved so fiercely, when Shinichi kissed her again and again, giving her loads of heated kisses. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think. She didn’t want it to end, even when he gave her time to rest and settle against his rising chest.
“I love you, Miyano.” He confessed softly against her forehead as he let his words sink in for a moment when he met her startled gaze. “I’ve actually held back for a while now… as I wasn’t sure if you liked me too…” He admitted sheepishly.
“R-Really? I had no idea…” She stared at him surprised. Despite sticking to him so closely, both as his assistant and his partner, there was nothing Shiho could recall from her memory about Shinichi trying to hold himself back. Until recently, he always kept her at an arm’s length, acting like a gentleman, only touching her when he had to protect her from danger or from men who had their slimy eyes on her.
It puzzled her knowing he had secretly held back on her.
“Since when?” She asked suddenly, as she craved to know the full truth of his confession.
“Oh, I don’t know…” He leaned back, smiling softly. “I guess you could say… it was love at first sight.”