The stories of the famous detectives all have a bit of a "faction fight" flavor to them in the end.
Do you choose your comrades, who fight alongside you and oppose the "Black Organization", or do you choose your childhood sweetheart, who you've always had a crush on?
It's just that the subsequent stories and theatrical versions of Rain Palace Lotus weren't very interesting to him, so he only heard of similar plots. He didn't pay much attention to them himself.
He didn't intend to say anything about parts he knew, but not in detail.
“Stories are stories, reality is reality.”
“Mouri, I'm sure you understand this.”
“People can't be trapped in the future of stories.”
“...... I know.”
Mouri Ran took a deep breath, trying hard to control her emotions.
“But I'm so mad!”
This time, her emotions were really hard to control.
“Shinichi and I have the best relationship.”
“He knows I don't like those Sherlock Holmes things, and I've always been compromising for him. Can't he compromise for me just once?”
“We had a date planned for the weekend. I gave him so many chances, but he still rushed to a case and left me at the amusement park.”
“I have feelings too!”
Rain Palace Lotus sighed slightly, listening quietly.
“It seems that stories are indeed stories.”
“In reality, there are no girls who give so many chances to face so many things.”
He could fully understand Mouri Ran's emotional outburst at this moment.
First, she learned about Kudo's deception, then she discovered Kudo's "selfishness" towards her.
Then she learned about Irene Adler, who would meet Kudo in the future and share his destiny. Any girl would be emotional about that.
Moreover, Mouri Ran herself is not the kind of girl who can be so magnanimous.
It's normal to be jealous if you know the boy you like has other girls around.
It's normal to be angry if you know the boy you like has another girl in his future who shares his destiny and efforts.
“Mouri, this is just my own understanding, and what I say has nothing to do with Kudo.”
Rain Palace Lotus thought for a moment and added a disclaimer to his following words.
“I think Kudo didn't expect to encounter such big trouble before he received that blow.”
“That's only natural. If he knew he would encounter such things, he wouldn't have rushed in with such enthusiasm.”
“He just habitually does what he likes, like any normal 17-year-old boy.”
“It's just that his past life has been too smooth, and he doesn't know there's something called a ‘闷棍’, and he forgets that bad guys won't reason with him.”
“He's like the protagonist of a hot-blooded anime, always loving the unknown and exploring.”
“Actually, these characteristics are quite normal anywhere.”
“And think about Kudo's situation.”
“He received elite education from a young age. He understood many things from a young age. Plus, his father went far on the path of detective. The natural influence of his father has naturally made him very inquisitive about the unknown.”
“It can't be said that he did it intentionally.”
“Or he's not able to grasp the accuracy of emotional issues.”
“It's a very normal thing for a boy.”
“Moreover, you two are childhood sweethearts. You two don't deny the title of ‘Kudo Couple’ in school, so you are considered a couple in the eyes of others.”
“But there's still something missing.”
“Kudo himself knows something is missing, so there are some things he really wants to say, but some hesitations and worries keep him from saying them.”
“Perhaps Kudo's situation is constantly retreating due to a series of emotions like tension, worry, and apprehension.”
“......”
Mouri Ran listened very carefully and attentively.
She could fully understand the meaning of Rain Palace's words.
She also remembered the times when Shinichi was hesitant but swallowed his words.
But she couldn't help but smile.
“There were many times.”
“I remember many times when Shinichi wanted to say something but couldn't.”
“But it's enough.”
“What he couldn't say then, he doesn't have the chance to say now, and he won't have the chance to say in the future.”
As she said these words, she felt her mood exceptionally calm.
Shinichi doesn't have the chance to say those things now, so they won't have a closer relationship in the future.
Moreover, at this moment, she realized how correct Sonoko's past advice to her was.
She and Shinichi have differences in their values.
There's no use for them to be together if they are incompatible.
Some things are destined not to change.
“Ran, this is good enough!”
“Don't think about that Kudo guy. Just act as if work doesn't exist.”
“Besides, didn't he already kill off the ‘Kudo Shinichi’ identity? Just act like he's dead.”
“Yeah, that's what I'm planning to do.”
Hearing Sonoko's words, Mouri Ran also agreed.
No need to think about Shinichi's affairs.
He has already made his decision, so there's no need to think about changing the outcome.
After all, Mrs. Shiho and Mr. Kudo already killed off Shinichi's identity.
She believes that the killing of that identity was perfect and the organization wouldn't be able to find any problems.
Since that's the case, then she'll just act like Shinichi is dead.
No need to think about anything else.
“I feel much better after making this decision.”
“It felt like a stone had been stuck in my heart all along.”
“Now, I feel much better.”
Mouri Ran relaxed her entire being.
She is relaxed now.
She knows that her current state isn't fully recovered. Some things can't be let go just by saying so.
But she believes she can let go.
As long as Shinichi doesn't appear before her again, everything will have time to change, and she will have time to get used to the fact that Shinichi will never come back.
“Rain Palace, do you think it's a good thing for me to choose to let go?”
“I can't give you an answer to that question.”
“But if that's what you truly think, then everything needs to be considered based on your standards.”
“Don't think about the so-called story. This is a choice you need to make.”
“Okay, thank you.”
PS: There’s one more chapter coming, but it’ll be a little later