Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World

In the later parts of the famous detective's story, things took on a bit of a factional struggle.

In the end, should he choose the comrade who fought alongside him against the Black Organization, or the childhood sweetheart who had always been by his side?

Ren didn't particularly like how the story progressed in its later stages, nor did he enjoy the theatrical versions. He had only heard about certain developments but never paid much attention to them.

He had no intention of discussing the parts he did remember in detail.

"A story is just a story. Reality is something else entirely."

"Mouri, I believe you understand that."

"People shouldn't get caught up in what happens in a story's future."

"…I know."

Ran took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"But I'm still really angry!"

This time, she couldn't suppress her emotions.

"Shinichi and I have the closest relationship."

"He knows I don't care for Sherlock Holmes' antics, yet I've always been the one compromising for him. Can't he accommodate me just a little?"

"I gave him so many chances during our weekend date, but the moment a case appeared, he ran off, leaving me alone at the amusement park."

"I have feelings too!"

Listening quietly, Ren let out a soft sigh.

"So it really is just a story after all."

"In reality, no girl would keep giving endless chances after all of that."

He completely understood why Ran was having such an emotional outburst.

First, she had discovered that Shinichi had kept secrets from her. Then, she realized that his supposed protection of her wasn't entirely selfless.

And now, she had learned that in the future, there would be another Irene Adler, someone who shared Shinichi's fate, someone who would walk alongside him.

Any girl would be upset.

And Ran was not the kind of person who could just accept that without feeling anything.

It was only natural to feel jealous after finding out that someone else would be at the side of the person she liked.

It was normal to be upset knowing that the boy she had feelings for would have another girl by his side, someone who shared his struggles and experiences.

"Mouri, this is just my personal understanding. What I'm about to say doesn't necessarily reflect Shinichi himself."

Ren thought for a moment before continuing.

"I don't think Shinichi ever expected things to escalate the way they did before he got hit with that drug."

"Of course, if he had known, he definitely wouldn't have rushed in so recklessly."

"He was just doing what he had always done, what he liked to do. Like any normal 17-year-old boy."

"His life had been too smooth. He never realized how dangerous the world could be, never considered that criminals don't play fair."

"He's like the protagonist of a shounen anime, always chasing the unknown, always wanting to solve a mystery."

"And honestly, that's not unusual."

"Think about Shinichi's upbringing."

"He grew up in an elite environment, exposed to advanced knowledge from a young age. His father had already made a name for himself as a mystery novelist, and Shinichi naturally inherited that curiosity and drive for exploration."

"In a way, he didn't do it on purpose."

"Or maybe, he just never fully grasped the nuances of emotions at least, not with the kind of precision you'd hope for."

"That's pretty common for boys his age."

"Besides, you two grew up together. At school, everyone calls you the 'Shinichi-Ran couple,' and you've never denied it. To outsiders, you're already a couple."

"But there's still something missing."

"And Shinichi himself knows it."

"There are things he wants to say, but something—maybe uncertainty, maybe fear, keeps holding him back."

"Again and again, because of nerves, hesitation, or self-doubt, he pulls away instead of speaking up. That's probably the situation he's facing."

"…"

Ran listened carefully, absorbing Ren's words.

She could understand what he was saying.

She also recalled those moments, times when Shinichi had seemed ready to say something, only to hold back at the last second.

But despite understanding, she couldn't help but laugh.

"So many times."

"For as long as I can remember, Shinichi has wanted to say something but never could."

"But… it's enough."

"If he couldn't say it then, he won't say it now, and he won't say it in the future either."

As she spoke those words, she felt a strange sense of calm.

Shinichi no longer had the chance to say those words, which meant their relationship would never progress any further.

And in that moment, she realized just how right Sonoko had been all along.

She and Shinichi had different values.

Being together wouldn't change that.

Some things were simply meant to be unchangeable.

"Ran, that's the right mindset!"

"Forget about Shinichi. Just treat his story as if it never existed."

"Besides, hasn't he already 'killed' his identity as Kudo Shinichi? Just consider him dead."

"Yeah… I think I will."

Hearing Sonoko's words, Ran found herself agreeing wholeheartedly.

There was no point in thinking about Shinichi anymore.

He had already made his choice. There was no reason to try and change the outcome.

Besides, Aunt Yukiko and Uncle Yusaku had done everything necessary to erase Shinichi's identity.

She was sure that they had created a perfectly convincing illusion of Shinichi's death, one that the Black Organization wouldn't be able to see through.

If that was the case, she might as well just consider him dead.

There was no reason to dwell on it any further.

"Now that I've made up my mind, I feel a lot better."

"Before, it felt like a weight was pressing on my heart."

"But now… I feel lighter."

Ran finally felt a sense of relief.

She knew she wasn't completely over it, some things couldn't be let go of so easily.

But she could move on.

As long as Shinichi never appeared in front of her again, time would take care of the rest.

Eventually, she would get used to the fact that Shinichi Kudo no longer existed.

"Amamiya, do you think… letting go is the right choice?"

"I can't answer that for you."

"But if that's how you truly feel, then all that matters is what's best for you."

"Forget the story. This is your decision to make."

"…Yeah. Thank you."