(Untitled)

[deaduction]

[Does the dressing room have a ballroom? Shinichi seems to have found one. The ghost has chosen a quiet corner of it to haunt, where by haunt we mean fool around with a soccer ball. He's in a cheerful mood, pale as ever and wearing his usual garb of suit and baseball cap, but solid enough that the ball only goes through him every fifth kick or so.

Comments

[karates_doors]

[Here, Shinichi, have yourself a Ran, drawn by the sounds of kicked soccer balls. She recognizes him immediately upon entering, and smiles shyly at him from the doorway. She hasn't really spoken to him since she had a talk with his Ran, and while she's worried, she's also awkward and unsure if she should say anything]

Shinichi!

[deaduction]

Ran! [No need to ask if he's happy to see her. Shinichi forgets the ball, letting it fall through him unheeded as he waves. ] Look what I found!

[karates_doors]

I can see that, you dork. [She wanders in with her hands folded behind her back, peering around the large room with interest] What is this place?

[deaduction]

Conan found the ball. I found this place. [He waves at the room.] Definitely a ballroom. But just think -- all the people here, this would be the perfect place for a soccer game.

[karates_doors]

A ballroom? [her wondering expression falls flat at his next sentiment] Mou. Only you would think of using it for soccer instead of actually dancing.

[deaduction]

But it's just the right size. We must have enough me's and enough Conan's to make a good sized team by now, and you, Ran and Ran can be referees.

[karates_doors]

There's a reason indoor soccer is played in a gym, Shinichi. [Meaningfully eyes the chandelier on the ceiling, then blinks and quickly looks back at the detective] T-there's another me here?

[deaduction]

When I find a gym, I'll play it there. [Totally unrepentant, what.]

[Startled.] She said she'd talked to another -- I thought she meant you.

[karates_doors]

Oh -- no, I... I talked to your Ran. [laces her fingers together in front of her, giving him a subdued look] Is she okay...?

[she hasn't seen her other self either since then, and isn't sure if that's a good or a bad thing yet]

[deaduction]

[Shinichi's smile is quiet, a little too honest, and his reply is muted.] Closest thing to it that I've seen in months. Thank you. Whatever you said to her -- it really helped.

[karates_doors]

[shakes her head]

I think she knew it all already. I just... reminded her, that's all. [but she smiles, small and tentative] I'm glad it turned out okay.

[deaduction]

[Shinichi's smile doesn't go anywhere as he retrieves the ball, begins toying with it again.] Me too. I think -- we're going to be all right.

[karates_doors]

If there's anything else I can do, let me know, okay?

[she doesn't think the other Ran is out of the woods, not yet. How could she be, when Shinichi is dead? And there's something about Shinichi's smile...]

[deaduction]

Of course! And you too -- not that I imagine there'll be much.

Although -- we do need to talk about Conan.

[karates_doors]

[blinks]

Conan-kun?

[deaduction]

I was haunting the infirmary that time, remember?