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It's not every day that Heiji gets a break between his cases, let alone to attend a book signing of one of his favorite book authors, Conan Edogawa. A name that's a tad on the nose but after reading his books, Conan’s definitely no joke! Heiji'd say some of the novelist’s works may even be on par with Ellery Queen’s. It's the first time the writer held a book signing and it's unlikely for the event to return anytime soon. So it may be a bit of an understatement to say he's excited to meet this elusive author.
Though the meeting doesn't come without any difficulties. For starters, Conan is rather popular, with each fan only being allotted a short three minutes to speak with the writer to keep up with demand. This is only worsened by Heiji’s unique circumstances. After all, he's officially grown into his title of “Detective of the West.” No longer a teen held back by his parents, Heiji proved his worth on his own merits. Soon, he rose to the top and started his own detective agency based in Osaka. As Heiji solves cases left and right, the media follows close behind. The detective’s given little room to breathe without a fan close by.
That being said, Heiji piled on more layers of clothes than he'd feel comfortable with to keep his identity safe. He's lucky the book signing is happening during the holiday season. Otherwise, he'd be an absolute sore thumb in the crowd. Of course to finish the look, he plopped on a pair of glasses he's got lying around. A simple trick to throw off any fan!
As Heiji inches closer to the front, he can just barely make out the silhouette and-
Huh, Conan looks about the same age as him.
Heiji figured that Conan would've been older. There wasn't any particular reason to suggest otherwise. It's just that no one around his age growing up seemed to care much for mysteries.
Well, apart from the Detective of the East.
It was strange. It was as if every bit of his existence was scrubbed from the public. Heiji had only the vaguest recollection of his appearance. Despite all the cases Heiji solved, the disappearance of Shinichi Kudo was one of the few that remained a mystery.
Soon enough, Heiji made it towards the front of the line. And there he was.
Conan Edogawa sits at a table, wearing a plain button up dress shirt. On the table are a few pens and papers piled neatly next to him. A stack of his books rest by him as well, in case any fan happened to have missed the preorders. Not Heiji though! He already read through the entirety of his fresh copy, which was now tucked safely away in his satchel.
As Conan listened to the fan's remarks about his books, he gave a polite smile and nodded along.
“Thank you for your support.” Conan replied warmly as the fan happily walked off with their newly signed book.
Now, it's Heiji’s turn.
Heiji shuffles the book out of his bag as he spoke to the author.
“Hi Mr. Edogawa, big fan. I've read each of your books, front ta back! I gotta say, your latest book really topped the rest!” Heiji couldn't help but ramble on, he only had three minutes after all. "Oh and hey, can ya sign my book? It'd be a real honor!"
Though all of the talking was met with silence. Instead, the author squints at Heiji's face before asking, "Say, aren't you that detect-"
"SHHH!" Heiji immediately looks left and right, before letting out a sigh of relief. No one seemed to hear a thing.
“Your ‘disguise’ isn't exactly doing you any favors.” Conan replied plainly.
Okay, so maybe the glasses don't do anything to the trained eye. But Heiji could've sworn he was blending right into the Tokyo crowd with them! Whatever!
“Doesn't mean ya can just say it out loud for the whole hall ta hear!” Heiji whispers back.
Conan figured he wasn't speaking any louder than the detective but he shrugs and continues. “Regardless, I’m surprised that a renowned detective like yourself is interested in my books. I figured you'd have enough murder cases in your day to day.”
“Aw naw, murder cases have dwindled recently…” Conan raises an eyebrow at the detective’s dejected response. “Not that it's a bad thing! But, aw how do I say it… Your novels, I dunno it kinda reminds me of what it was like in my early years as a teen detective. Like ya captured the essence, the thrill of findin' the truth, y’know.” Heiji gives a sheepish grin before sighing. “Growin' up… it didn't feel like I was bogged down by the realities of adulthood.”
Conan pauses a moment and Heiji could’ve sworn he saw the briefest glint in the writer’s eyes. The novelist opens his mouth to speak, hesitating, before deciding instead to stare down at Heiji’s copy.
“Say, shall I address this to the Great Detective of the West?” Conan's teasing emphasis on the moniker was met with a groan from Heiji.
“A’ight, I get it, I get it… don't need ta’ rub it in.” He feels the tips of ears redden. Agh, the scarf and the heavy coat isn't helping at all. Heiji loosens the scarf a bit as he curses under his breath. And don’t worry, he’s going to ignore the soft chuckle Conan gave during his whole ordeal. Heiji's gotta admit, for being someone that shies away from public appearances, Conan sure is easy to talk to. The detective can't help but smile.
Though, all good things must come to an end.
“Well, your three minutes are up, Hattori. But…” Conan stares straight at him, as if searching for something. Despite being in the public eye for so long, being scrutinized so closely by Conan made his heart race. “Thank you for your support. Really.”
Heiji wanted to linger longer but he was politely urged on by staff to make way for the next fan. He settles on a simple bow, holding his book tight as makes his way out of the booth.
Despite finally meeting his favorite novelist, Heiji finds himself with more questions than answers.
Now, if you told Heiji the next time he'd meet Conan Edogawa would be on a case, rather than another book event, he wouldn't have believed you.
Yet there he was, examining the crime scene laid before him. Conan seems completely in his element despite, for all Heiji knew, being a reclusive author. Perhaps, there's a reason why Conan’s books were able to capture him so.
“Hattori? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Osaka?” The writer turns away from the crime scene to face the detective. While Conan had a confused look on his face, Heiji notes that it didn't seem like he was perturbed by his entrance. Hell, he'd dare say that the novelist was pleased to run into him.
“I could ask ya the same thing. Aren't your cases supposed ta be confined ta paper and pen?”
“Well, it wasn't always that way.” Conan shrugs before continuing, “I happened to be in the area when officers arrived on scene and decided to stick around.” Heiji gives him a look and Conan sighs in response. “Yes, I'm authorized to be here. I happen to be friends with Inspector Megure of the TMPD.”
“Huh that's funny, Megure was the one who invited me over. Said somethin’ about hearing I was in the area.” The detective tilts his head and gives a mischievous grin at the writer. “Say… ya wouldn't happen ta know anything ‘bout that, do ya?”
Conan’s look of surprise came and went in an instant as he tried to mask his shock. But oh, Heiji didn't miss it. The detective had his suspicions when he received a sudden call from the inspector. They've worked on cases before, but he wasn't used to hearing the man proudly boast about “a young detective like yourself” on the scene. Heiji figured Megure just wanted to connect him with one of the budding TMPD officers. Maybe even be a mentor of sorts.
Little did he know it was the writer he was speaking with just a few days ago.
“I'm surprised I left such an impression on ya that ya had Megure reach out.”
“I didn't tell him to do that...” Conan pinches his brow before letting out a heavy sigh. “I just brought up that we happened to meet after Megure asked about my book signing event. How would I know that he’d reach out to you?” Conan grimaces as he looks off to the side. Anything is better than looking at Heiji's stupid grin. Conan felt as if he was on the other end of his own deductions.
“Hey, no worries! I’m actually happy ta see ya again.” Heiji feels a light blush beginning to dust his face so he lets out a few awkward coughs. “A-anyways! Let's get started on this crime scene.”
The more the two worked together, the more Heiji thought it was strange how quickly Conan finds connections between the clues they gathered. For someone who isn't a detective, he sure has the skills of one. Not only that, but his affiliation with the police… Surely Conan wasn't always a writer, so why did he pick up the pen?
Soon enough the pair deduced who the culprit was and the case was closed. It felt like clockwork working with Conan. While Heiji and Conan arrived at the same conclusion, the writer wasn't afraid to push back on any of his theories. It’s a nice change of pace, given that lately, it's rare for Heiji’s deductions to be challenged by anyone.
“No wonder your books are so dang good! It takes first hand experience ta write anything as detailed as your stories!”
“Well, it's good to hear these skills of mine aren't so rusty.” Conan smiles yet his eyes tell a different story.
“Say... and ya don't have to say anything ya don't wanna! But…” Heiji shuffles his feet a bit before committing, “You're Shinichi Kudo, aren't ya?”
The novelist's eyes shoot up straight towards Heiji. There was a brief hint of fear that melted into a sort of resigned acceptance.
“Maybe I let myself have too much fun here, huh?” Shinichi sighs as he leaned his back against the wall. It was too easy to let his guard down around Heiji. He's a fellow former teen detective after all. And though they've both grown, solving the case with Heiji still captured that same spark Shinichi had when he was younger.
“What happened? I was growin’ up thinkin' I was the only high school detective once ya disappeared.” Heiji couldn't say how many times he tried searching for Shinichi. It's... rather embarrassing in hindsight, but the chance to meet someone like him? Heiji wouldn't want to pass it up.
“It's uh, a long story.” Shinichi scratches the back of his head as he parses through his thoughts. “Let's say… I was stuck with a major case for a while. At the end of it all, that investigation left me with an injury that I'm still recovering from today.” Once the Black Organization was defeated, Haibara managed to develop a permanent antidote to reverse the effects of APTX-4869. Though it wasn't perfect. It took several months of physical therapy for Shinichi to be able to walk again. And, if Shinichi were to be honest, all the adrenaline he had built up fighting the Black Organization finally dissipated. He was left tired and disillusioned. Yet, a part of Shinichi still yearned for the drive he had for mysteries before he got caught up in that whole mess.
As a result, writing became his lifeline.
“I'm sorry ta bring up bad memories…”
Shinichi waves his hand. “No no, don't be. It's been a few years since then and I'm doing way better now.” Shinichi pauses to stare at the ground. “It's just... I don't know if or when it'll be the right time for me to be a detective again.”
“I'll wait for you.” Heiji blurts out.
Shinichi stares at him wide-eyed. Ah, he didn't mean to say that out loud… The novelist gives Heiji a look full of uncertainty and yet. There's a glimmer of hope in Shinichi's eyes that pushes him onward. “I'll wait for you,” Heiji repeats. “If ya need anythin' I'll be here. From one detective to another!” His face is beet red and for what? It's not like this is a confession or anything! It's just…
He doesn't want to miss Shinichi again.
Shinichi looks at him, absolutely bewildered, before breaking out in laughter.
“H-hey! I was pourin' my heart out!” If Heiji's face wasn't red before, it surely was now.
“Sorry, it's just-” Shinichi pauses to catch his breath, “that was the cheesiest way you could've asked me to be a detective.”
“W-well?! Don't leave me in suspense here. Ya killing me, Kudo!”
It was the first case in a long time Heiji had genuine delight working through. He was afraid that growing up made him lose his love for mysteries. Maybe it's selfish of him, but when Shinichi suddenly appeared in his life-
“Thank you, Hattori.” Shinichi gives Heiji the biggest, most radiant smile he's seen.
He finds himself hesitating to let that love go.
