(Dragon and Ai) A Stone's Throw Away, Worlds Apart

Ai, I've always wondered whether the distance between us is like that in the photograph: seemingly just inches apart, but in reality worlds away?

Echizen Ryoma

Ryoma, I think I've fallen for you, haven't I? I've always tried to run away from you, fleeing to the ends of the earth, but every time you find me and pull me back within arm's reach.

Haibara Ai

Warning: New readers must read this:

1. Before posting this story, I showed the original character for one of the supporting roles, the passerby Michiko Kobayakawa, the person who inspired her. She called it a classic among the most horrifically cringeworthy stories. That may be an exaggeration, but it does make one thing clear: this story really is a shocker. So if you don't have a strong stomach, please pick up a free lightning rod at the warning station and put it on your head before coming in.

2. The Prince of Tennis and Detective Conan manga were published several years apart, and Conan's timeline in particular is a complete mess. Any time discrepancies in this story are entirely due to external factors. Please take into account my brain cells' complete lack of a sense of time and forgive my mistakes as soon as possible. Don't throw bricks at me in the comments. Any brick-throwing comments will be deleted.

3. The characters in this story, especially Ryoma, may be a little out of character... Ahem, if anyone's to blame, it's Konomi for not explaining things clearly in The Prince of Tennis. I'm just taking what was left unexplained, mixing in a bit of my own imagination, and cobbling the story together like a hodgepodge. (Drifts away)

4. I've used my own imagination to connect some of the mysteries in The Prince of Tennis with this story. So pay attention to every sentence as you read: any one of them could be foreshadowing for a later plot point. (Remember to guess what happens, especially whether Ai and Ryoma end up together in the finale. Given my personality, which doesn't favor the obvious, don't just say, "Of course they'll end up together because they're the main characters." You could well be wrong. Anyone who reads the story from start to finish should be able to guess. I'll give a prize to anyone who gets it right.)

5. The story is a slow burn, and updates are even slower. If you're thinking of jumping in, please think carefully, then think it over again.