There was just no time to write until now. Sorry about that. But your reviews certainly motivated me. Thank you for the kind words. I hope this chapter does not disappoint. I will be releasing the next chapter in two weeks. Sorry! Haha! The party scene was quite too complex for me to include in this chapter. :P And then there's work soooo.

Chapter 11–The Unexpected Guest Part 4: Bargaining

Dinner tables all set, flowers adorning every corner and every surface in the room, thousand of lights glimmered in the most extravagant and celebrated night of the year. Everything seemed to be going perfectly well. One could hardly believe that only earlier that day, one Kudo Shinichi was caught in a war between two women. What the war was about, this certain detective did not know, his ignorance as remarkable as his genius.

(2-B classroom)

"Kudo," Miyano called to him. "Class is starting. You know the rules. Or didn't you hear the bell ring? I wasn't informed the great detective had suddenly become deaf. Still, whoever that is, she will just have to wait until I'm… finished with you."

"Ah yes, sorry, sorry!" apologized Shinichi to Shiho, then to the phone he said, "Sorry Asami-senpai. I have to go… The party? Ah, yes we'll be there… No I don't have a date—"

"Kudo!" the young chemist growled at him. Yes, she growled. And if Shinichi did not hang up soon, he was sure the teacher would not think twice about launching at him to rip his phone to shreds.

During class, Miyano had called on Shinichi several times. She was angrier about the phone call than he first assumed, thought Shinichi as he tried to keep up with the chemist, his lab partner as apparently since the number of the students in class was odd, the only way to keep all students working at the experiment in pairs was to have him pair up with her. The entire male population of the class had groaned in objection when she announced this. They had wanted to be paired up with Miyano, unlike Shinichi, who felt like he was in a hot seat all throughout the class.

Being paired up with Miyano forced the detective to work in very close proximity with her. It was truly troublesome. A few times, he didn't even notice he was staring at her, suddenly struck by the features of her face. He only realized then exactly what his male peers saw in her. Yes, he can at least admit that empirically, Miyano Shiho was indeed what one can call beautiful. But certainly not her personality. A bear would have more chance with amiable than Miyano Shiho.

It was especially agitating Shinichi whenever Miyano would correct the form of his apparatus handling—though he swore there was nothing wrong with it—and inadvertently (it must be by accident right?) touching his hand, setting the tips of his ears aflame. Hattori was no good as help, just sniggering at his best friend whenever he blushes. Who wouldn't blush, thought Shinichi, after all, no one wants to have his mistakes pointed out so intently and by his teacher, no less. That must be the reason why his heart pumped that extra blood to rush to his cheeks, right?

Then, at one point during the flame test experiment, Miyano turned to fully face him, her face inches away from his own. "You can't bring her as a date to the party," she said to him.

Shinichi was baffled. "Wha-what?" What was she thinking asking him this question all of a sudden?

"Asami. You can't bring her as a date." She continued to stare at him, holding his eyes strongly as though making sure the message sank. Then, after what felt like an eternity, she finally added, "It's simply bad form. The party is going to be the next crime scene for that gang of robbers, right?"

Shinichi nodded, not sure where the conversation was going.

"Won't that be a bit morbid for a date. So rather than filling your head with indecent thoughts about a woman who really should be looking for a guy at her own school instead of poaching one from her former school, you should just turn your attention into catching the perpetrators instead. Don't you think so? Or are you planning on lazing around and flirting at the party?"

"Um, I'm not sure I follow," answered Shinichi, which he realized was apparently the wrong answer as soon as Miyano narrowed her eyes at him. "I mean right. You're right! I think?"

"Exactly. In fact, if you're going to be bringing someone, she might as well be someone who can help you. With the forensics, for instance."

"Actually, that's just what she said. Asami-senpai offered to help me solve the case."

"Why? She's an amateur, and while I admit that there are brilliant amateurs such as yourself and Hattori, her experience as a member of the Mystery club isn't exactly impressive."

"Then someone more like… you?" Shinichi could not stop the blush on his cheeks and he could kick himself for it. There was not even anything to blush about.

"A-ah," Miyano cleared her throat to cover her slight stammering. "Ye-yes. But I'm already going to the party so asking me out would be pointless. But if you want my help, you have it."

Shinichi smiled. Somehow, he knew it was not easy for the young teacher to say what she said and he truly appreciated this. "Okay. Thanks."

And for a moment, the two just looked at each other smiling.

"Call her." That shook Shinichi up.

"I'm sorry?"

"Call her. I'll excuse it just this time. So call her and tell her that you won't be bringing her as your date to the party. "

"Wha- Now?" asked Shinichi, clearly bewildered.

"Yes. It's better to tell her as early as possible so she has time to seduce another stupid, lewd boy as her date to the party."

Did she just call me stupid and lewd? "Ah, but that's—"

"Now, Kudo."

The phone rang and it took only once for the receiver to pick up.

"Hello Shinichi," answered Asami. "Your class ended quickly. Huh, the teacher must be slacking off. Didn't you say you were having your chemistry class?"

"Ah yes, it was chemistry. I mean is chemistry. I'm still in class, actually. But Miyano-sensei gave me permission to call you because she thought it was important for me to tell you right away that I won't be able to accept your offer as my date. I might ruin the party for you as I would be concentrating in solving the case."

Miyano, who was watching Shinichi as he made the call, nodded her head as though in approval.

"My, my. That was certainly kind of Miyano-san to waive her no-cell phone class policy for my sake. But Shinichi, there's nothing to worry about. In fact, it's perfect. It's not as though I don't already expect your desire to solve the case. I'm sure that was your primary motivation for going to the party. I can assist you in the process. I, myself, too, am intrigued by the case and want to solve it. So it's perfect since we can help each other out. I think that would be a great way to spend the night of the party."

"Ah yes, well, you don't have to feel obligated to help. Miyano-sensei offered to-"

"Did she now? Then she's far kinder than I thought, selflessly sacrificing a night of fun to help you. Perhaps she thought it would help for a less awkward friendship between you, too. You know, since she's a teacher and you're a student. Some might even say that should not be allowed. But anyway, you can just tell her from me that a helping hand is good, but two helping hands are better, right? So Shinichi, just tell her that. And I'll see you at the party. I can't wait."

With that, Asami-senpai disconnected.

"Ah, that was- she- she wanted to help, too. Two helping hands are better, right?" Shinichi said weakly. He had a feeling this was not what Miyano wanted to hear.

"She'll only get in the way. But suit yourself. When you finally had enough of her foolishness, you can just turn to me. Unlike her, I actually… have…experience."

Shinichi just stood there like a fool. Then, suddenly, Miyano brought up two of her fingers to his chin and closed his opened mouth

"Class dismissed."

The guests all seem to be having a good time. And even Hattori, for once, was not only thinking of the case, but also actually enjoying the party.

Shinichi, on the other hand, with the two women at each of his side, could only hope for this party to end already. Unfortunately for him, the night was far from over.