Conan: No, why aren't you following the script?

Before she knew it, Ai Haibara couldn't control her emotions, and tears began to stream down her face, no matter how much she wiped them away.

Her emotions gradually began to break down, and the scenes of Miyano Akemi and her time together flashed through her mind like a slideshow.

"Shiho, you have to cheer up. You're a big girl now, so don't cry all the time."

"Shiho, you're going back to Japan next month, right? Remember to let me know then, and I'll make you red bean rice!"

"Shiho, you really need to find a boyfriend soon!"

"Shiho..."

"Sister...I, I'm..."

Finally, after a short visit to Professor Agasa's house and hearing Kitagawa Isao's accusations against Shinichi Kudo, Ai Haibara, recalling Akemi Miyano, slowly squatted down on the ground, tears streaming down her face, just like in the original timeline.

Just then, Kitagawa Isao's gentle voice rang in Haibara Ai's ear.

"If you feel sad, just cry. I... will be here waiting for you, and... I think you might need this."

Hearing the sound, Ai Haibara looked up, sobbing, only to see a clean white tissue being held by Isao Kitagawa and handed to her.

Upon seeing this scene, Ai Haibara could no longer control her emotions. Taking the tissue, she burst into tears, just like in the original timeline, for her sister, Akemi Miyano.

However, unlike the original timeline, this time... the person beside her is no longer Conan Edogawa, who shouldn't have been her emotional support, but rather Isao Kitagawa, who is more emotionally sensitive.

This means that even when she's crying, there will always be a large hand holding her tightly in its arms...

……

Finally, after an unknown amount of time, Ai Haibara's emotions were completely released.

Looking at her white T-shirt, which had just been soaked with her tears, Ai Haibara looked slightly flustered, belatedly realizing what had happened.

"I'm...I'm sorry, Kitagawa-nii. I didn't mean to do that. Anyway...I'll wash your clothes for you."

The little girl's face flushed slightly, as if she was apologizing for her earlier rudeness. Seeing Ai Haibara like this, Kitagawa Isao was not angry at all; instead, he reached out and ruffled her fluffy hair.

"It's alright, Ai. It's just a piece of clothing. But you, are you feeling any better now that you've cried?"

"Ok!"

Ai Haibara nodded seriously, but at this moment, she still felt a little apologetic for getting Kitagawa Isao's clothes dirty.

Seeing this, Kitagawa Isao had no choice but to unleash his pre-prepared trump card.

"Ai, it's really nothing. You don't need to be so cautious in front of me. Although we haven't known each other for long, it's fate that we've become family, isn't it?"

"Home, family?"

Ai Haibara looked up in confusion, only to meet Kitagawa Isao's determined eyes.

“That’s right, it’s family! Although we don’t know when we’ll find your real family, in the meantime, I’ll stay by your side in their place. So, these little things don’t need an apology in your family’s eyes, do you understand?”

Her mind went blank for a moment; Ai Haibara seemed to have never expected Kitagawa Isao to say such a thing to her.

All told, they had only known each other for three days, but in those three days, Kitagawa Isao had shown her meticulous care and given her a long-lost sense of security.

Perhaps this is what family feels like?

Ai Haibara looked up with a serious expression, and after staring at Isao Kitagawa for a long time, she finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Idiot, Kitagawa-nii, why...why are you so good to me?"

After laughing, Ai Haibara composed herself and cautiously asked the question.

Now, she is an ominous person, a traitor who could be hunted down and eliminated by the organization at any time, a rat who has no right to live under the sun.

Logically speaking, she should have lived a solitary life, avoiding any contact with anyone in the world, and preventing them from being dragged into the organization's sights and becoming her scapegoats.

But Kitagawa Isao...

This man seemed to appear out of nowhere, inexplicably arriving at her side at her most difficult moment. He not only saved her but also took great care of her, handling her school enrollment procedures and providing her with a range of daily necessities...

To be honest, although Kitagawa Isao's fashion sense is indeed a bit questionable, in Haibara Ai's opinion, it's not a very important matter.

Now, she was just very curious, curious about why Kitagawa Isao had gone to such lengths.

What is the purpose of this young man who always boasts about his 'skill' in reasoning?

Was it just out of pity? Or... did he actually discover the mystery behind him all along, and that's why he did it on purpose?

If it's the former, Ai Haibara would be a little worried, worried that Kitagawa Isao would get tired of her one day and then disappear from her life suddenly, just like he did when he first appeared.

If it's the latter...

Recalling the scene of their chance encounter on the street tonight, Ai Haibara still felt a little uneasy, which was why she wanted to take this opportunity to confirm it again.

This might be a good thing for everyone involved...

Thinking about this, Ai Haibara couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She felt that no matter how Kitagawa Isao answered, the answer to this question might not truly satisfy her.

It seems I really am a cursed person...

A person cursed to be alone for life, never to be connected with anyone again...

Seeing that Kitagawa Isao hadn't answered for a long time, Haibara Ai sighed silently and prepared to end the topic so she could return to her apartment as soon as possible to compose herself.

However, what she didn't expect was...

Just as she turned around to leave, Kitagawa Isao's voice sounded timidly from behind her.

"I... I'm not a good person either. There's a reason why I'm so nice to you, and... that reason is related to Shinichi Kudo."

Is it related to Shinichi Kudo?

Upon hearing this, Ai Haibara instinctively stopped in her tracks, then turned around and looked at Isao Kitagawa with a puzzled expression.

She didn't quite understand the logic and key point...