Heiji was looking toward the hotel room and think about the trick that one of the suspect would be use but before he conclude anything, Shinichi already interrupt his mind and tell him that any kind of trick that he's thinking is impossible to pull. Conan also help Shinichi talk with Heiji about the three suspects innocent. Heiji seems doubtful by what he sees with his eyes, the fact that Kudou Shinichi and Kudou Conan tried to let go of the suspects

"Kudou… you are acting strange… both of you" said Heiji serious
"Eh?" asked the brothers
"You two used to always gone after suspects until their alibi was proven beyond a doubt… but today, you two are just different"
"Really?" asked Shinichi surprised

"Well… making it to the door and knocking would take another five seconds" said Conan while walking toward the dresser and open it

"It's just can't be done" said Shinichi serious
"Wait a minute, what's that?" asked Heiji and Shinichi take the thing inside the dresser

Three of them look at the thing which to be a mop. They became confused because why would a room need a mop to begin with. Suddenly, a realization came to their mind after looking at the light switch

"Oi Kudou… couldn't it be done? The other two can't, but with what he uses so often, he could operate the light when he isn't here" said Heiji serious
"Oi oi what are you saying… he couldn't have done it" said Conan with a slight doubtful voice
"What are you saying!? Hiding such a little tool could be-"
"I told you it can't be done!" shout Shinichi angrily

Shinichi's shouting surprised both Heiji and Conan, Shinichi shout that he will prove it and then run from the room.

"Wait Niichan!" shout Conan who start running right behind him

Heiji look at Conan running catching his brother in worried and serious look. Now he knows why both brothers act like that


Time Skip~

Conan run to find his brother who suddenly run and he saw him just stand there in surprised look and disbelief. Conan look and see the three athletes walk away and so he run inside the toilet which make Shinichi comeback from his thoughts and follow Conan.

Inside the toilet, he sees Conan taking a needle from the trashes. Conan show it to Shinichi and start to doubtful by the clues. Shinichi start to fall to the ground by the toilet wall and hold his head

"But that's impossible… but by the evidence… It's just too real…"

Conan sees his brother in sad and serious look and then put his hand on Shinichi's cheek

"Niichan… do you want… to hear me first?" asked Conan in sad voice
"Eh…"
"Actually… at first I thought it was a coincidence but after seeing the evidence and by the trick that we suspect in the room, I don't think it's a coincidence anymore"

The little brother told something which make Shinichi look at him in shock, his hands became limp after hearing his little brother deduction. He just too shock by the whole truth and then give an anger mix of sad look

"Conan… can you… can you do the deduction show… I don't think I can-"
"Do you think I can too? In front of everybody so easily…"

Shinichi look to his brother's eyes to see a defeated, sad and almost in verge to cry eyes. Shinichi look down and then hold Conan's hand on his cheek and became serious

"Then… How about we do this…" said Shinichi in sad look

Moments later

Heiji is at the hall looking toward the three suspects and Inspector Otaki talking to the managers, suddenly he look that Shinichi coming toward him

"Sorry Hattori for yelling earlier" said Shinichi with a small smile
"Yeah yeah it's fine, so what is-"
"Hattori… can you do me-I mean… both of us a favor?"
"Eh?"

Heiji look at Shinichi's face to see a uncertain face and confirm him that it seems he already face the truth. With that Heiji agrees with his favor and start to talk with Inspector Otaki. Shinichi who sees that leave to the place


Time Skip~

Conan put his hands on his pocket, suddenly he heard someone surprised by his and Shinichi's creation. Conan start do his deduction show, with the witness only his big brother and of course the culprit behind Ed McCay's murder, Ray Curtis. Shinichi just voice his deduction about the 3 seconds trick while the rest of deduction including the evidence is all from Conan's mouth. Ray was too shock by the deduction and the fact that his murder trick was solved by mere grade schooler and high schooler

"Please, just give up Ray… for both us" said Conan in low voice

Shinichi just folded his hands and look down without looking into Ray's face. Ray then smile and apologize to them by the fact he can't because he don't want to turn himself in for his family and fans our there. Ray thank Conan for helping him beating the police, Conan became flustered and before he does anything, Shinichi already take the soccer ball from Conan's hands

"Wait! The problem is not only that!" shout Shinichi in anger
"Niichan…?" said Conan in low voice

Conan was surprised by Shinichi's actions. He was sure that he already told the deduction really well but it seems Shinichi knows something that he didn't know

"Am I right? The Iron wall of Europe… Ray Curtis!" shout Shinichi

Shinichi kick the soccer ball in anger to which hope that his idol, Ray Curtis will easily catch it but he was wrong. The ball hit him directly to his cheek and make him fall to the floor. Conan who witness it was too shock, he can't believe the goalkeeper that he adore so much can't catch that ball easily. Shinichi goes out from the room which Conan quickly follow him but he stop behind him

"What's wrong Ray… that was only a high school student's kick, you should've been able to block it with one hand" said Shinichi glaring at his idol who's now in sitting position by the stair handle

"What's wrong with you… ANSWER ME RAY!" shout Shinichi in anger

Ray just smile and look at the high schooler while holding his pain on his cheek due to the ball that he got hit with

"I'll tell you two… I used drugs, that's why" said Ray

Conan just stare in shock about this revelation. Now he understands everything and start to think that rumor that Ed made is really true. Conan look at his brother who just glare uncomfortable

"Recurring yawning, joint pains are both symptoms of drug abuse… I notice when you were coming out the toilet that your knee is still giving you trouble" said Shinichi in low voice

Conan can't help to move backward to the wall right beside the door while tighten his fist in anger by the revelation and confession about this

"I guess you take them to stop the pains in your muscles and in your joints" said Shinichi tighten his fists on his pocket

Conan who's recovering from shock just hold his head in anger and disbelief by the fact that his idol is using drugs

"As I should known… from that super play…" said Conan in anger to which grab the two attention
"No! it isn't like that!" shout Ray to Conan

Ray tells everything about how he start his drug abuse and the motive of his crimes and the fact that, he start using drug after his wife's death. Ray was in verge of crying, before Shinichi say something, Conan goes forward while looking at Ray in serious face

"Stop… stop it Ray… Even if you are facing a bitter aspect of life…"

Shinichi look at his brother who just talk with great English accent, he also notice that the light on his glasses make his eyes can't be seen by Ray but Shinichi who beside him know that he's holding his anger and disappointment under the lens

"Drugs and murder are foul, without any excuse… Deserve a red card, for a loser."

Conan's words hit the soccer athlete very hard. He was very shock by his words until he let out a soft smile to the boys

"True, I was a cheater… A bad player and I lost the game… I must be ejected" said Ray in English while standing up

"For both my late wife and fans like you two"

After Ray Curtis walk down from their current place. The two brothers just stand silence seeing their idol's back before he goes to the police to admit his crimes. Shinichi was still in disbelief suddenly feel someone hug his foot which to be his brother. Shinichi then take him up and carry him, Conan usually will be mad if Shinichi or even his parents carry him like a baby but this time he seems didn't mind and just hug Shinichi's neck with his head on his shoulder

"Niichan…" said Conan in low voice and putting his face on his brother's shoulder and squeeze his sleeve
"Yeah I know… You have been through a lot, Conan"
"You too been through a lot… more than I did… just get us home now"
"Alright buddy… let's go"

Shinichi and Conan get down and gets out from the hotel. As they about to walk toward Heiji's house, they look that Ray is being taken away by the Osaka police officers. Ray look around and look at the brothers who just proved his crimes. Conan's words still linger on his head and he smile to both of them as he goes into the car.

Heiji seems to be looking at the brothers from afar in sad look. Ran, Kogoro and Kazuha just arrived and surprised see the scene where Ray Curtis is taken and the Kudou brothers look at the police car goes away. Conan who sees it quickly put his head on Shinichi's shoulder again but this time, he cries like a proper grade schooler. Shinichi understand how Conan's feel, as much as he wants to cry, he can't because he still have pride in public but no one notice that the high schooler actually let out one tear from his eye.

Three of them realize the situation now, they are the one who make Ray confess his crime to the police to which Ran knows on how much both Shinichi and Conan idolize Ray so it must be shocking for them who knows the truth. Ran about to go to them, Shinichi walk away while carrying Conan on his arms. Ran and Kazuha notice that Conan seems to be crying in Shinichi's shoulder.

"Kudou-kun… Conan-kun…" said Kazuha while looking at the brothers
"I think it's best to leave them alone for the night, let's go home slowly without them noticing us" said Heiji walk home

"Did those two the one who solved it?" asked Kogoro beside Heiji
"Ahh… It's ironic that the fact that both of them are trying to find evidence of his innocent but eventually became sure he's the killer"

"You overheard everything?" asked Kazuha to his childhood friend
"Yeah… it was deliberately insane… little Kudou is the one who explain the trick and evidence. But the one thing that I didn't even notice is when big Kudou gives shocking statement about Ray's drug case. Ray eventually gives up and confessed"

Now they understand, they don't want to do deduction show in front of everyone to protect Ray's pride. They adore him so much so that's why they do the deduction show just him alone so that he can tell the truth alone without them telling the police

"Shinichi… Conan-kun…" thought Ran worried

Ran seems worried for them since this case never happen before with Shinichi or even Conan before

"I'm surprised you let them take your jurisdiction" said Kogoro to the Kansai detective
"It was never mine from the start, Occhan… it was never mine" said Heiji serious looking forward
"Heiji…" said Kazuha who sees Heiji's expression


Three of them arrives at Heiji's house, they silently goes in front of the room. Luckily the backyard lights were not too bright so it didn't show their reflection, they secretly open the door and surprised to see Conan crying in Shinichi's chest while Shinichi himself just let out tears and hug his little brother

"It's so unfair… why we have to stumble this case" said Conan in low voice
"Conan…"
"Just why… why he have to do that… that's just…"

Shinichi pat Conan's back try to calm him down, he became like this due to anger. Ran who sees it can't help want to hug the boy but Shinichi already done it

"Ssshh sshhh let it out let it out" said Shinichi in low voice calming his little brother

Ever since Conan came to Japan, he act older than his age so that's why people around him are very used to his non-child act. They always forgot that Conan is just seven years old boy due to that and now he's shown to be a proper grade schooler. For Conan, his trust is purely on his older brother so that's why he is okay to act like himself in front of him. Shinichi is the only person in the world who saw Conan's true face, the real grade schooler Kudou Conan's face

But now, Ran, Kogoro, Heiji and Kazuha just see Kudou Conan without his non-child poker face act and just letting out his frustrations, anger and sadness toward the case to his older brother. Seconds later, Shinichi notice them and look toward Ran in sad face. Ran knows what he means and quickly close the door to which Heiji, Kazuha and Kogoro seems surprised

"I think we should not see it even further, for both of them" said Ran in sad voice
"Ran-chan…" said Kazuha surprised
"She's right, we should go to bed. I'm sure tomorrow they will be alright" said Kogoro while standing up

After that four of them goes to their rooms to sleep giving the brothers a proper alone time

The next day

In the morning , Shinichi and Conan sit by the balcony and staring blankly to the backyard, their sitting style are very identical to each other to which amused the one who sees it from behind. Four of them are worried on how down their mood are. Not to mention, they didn't use the soccer match tickets that Ray give them at the party

"Those two… really in slump huh" said Kogoro staring at the brothers
"Um… they are still shock about what happen yesterday, they don't even think to watch the Nagai game today" said Kazuha worried
"Shinichi is always like that if something happen to what he likes, he will show a sad child-like face… those two really like soccer very much so…" said Ran while holding the door

"What time when you four going back to Tokyo?" asked Heiji to Kogoro and Ran
"6 PM with Nozomi train, why?" said Ran looking at her phone

"Then.."

Heiji stands up and goes behind both of them which grab the little boy's attention since he have more alert sense than the high schooler

"Hoi, let's go eat at the Okonomiyaki place that I mention before" said Heiji to both of them
"Will we really be there? Unlike last time you tried with me" said Conan unhappy remembering when Heiji promise him to take him there but in the end he can't eat

"Don't worry, this time we will be going there in top speed without worrying if we're late or not"
"Hm?" asked Shinichi looking at the Kansai detective


Time Skip~

All of them are now at the Okonomiyaki restaurant and eating together, both brothers and Heiji sit at the bar while Kazuha, Ran and Kogoro seat at the table. Shinichi and Conan was surprised by the Okonomiyaki taste and then eat happily

"Woah, this is quite good!" said Shinichi while eating
"He's right!" said Conan smiling
"Of course! This is the best Okonomiyaki in Japan!" said Heiji proudly

The girls look at the brothers who seems to be cheer up after being slump in the morning and giggle happily

"Good thing Hattori-kun invite us here" said Ran smiling
"You're right hehe" said Kazuha smiling

With that, all of the continue eating together without thinking of what happen yesterday


Time Skip~

At Shin-Osaka

Shinichi is sitting with Kogoro on the waiting bench while reading newspaper. Ran and Kazuha is looking at the magazines while Conan and Heiji seems to be talking together

"No way! I will not do that" said Conan angrily
"Come on Kudou! Help your buddy out"
"Kazuha-neechan already told you to do your homework by yourself remember"
"You really have to heard it… Kudou please, just for few days"
"No and that's final High School detective of the West"

Heiji seems unhappy and just sigh while Conan just give a big smirking face. Ran and Kazuha see the boys and can't help to smile

"Conan-kun seems to be better" said Kazuha
"Yeah, you're right" said Ran smiling

Moments later, the train arrives and four of them quickly aboard the train and they sit on the two seater seats facing each other, Conan and Ran sit by the window while Shinichi and Kogoro sit beside them respectively

Ran and Conan wave to Kazuha and Heiji and the train departs. Suddenly Shinichi look at his phone and to his surprised to see an email

"Conan… after this you can go home first" said Shinichi
"Hm? Where are you going?" asked Conan surprised
"I have been called by Inspector Megure, it seems something serious"

"Hmmm… alright but don't get home too late okay, you have school tomorrow remember"
"I will, don't worry"

With that they silently sit as the train take them back to Tokyo


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Hello guys, thank you for reading my story!

I want to say big thank you to Lemon1412 for always giving me reviews, it really made my day and keep me for making this story!

See you in next chapter!

- Admin H

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References case:

- Detective Conan Volume 29: Files 9-11 (Episode 239)