That's quite true as well! Because we all know Shinichi and Ran needed that little push (otherwise we would be stuck with them blushing furiously and fiercely denying liking each other whenever they walked into their classroom... You know, the married couple jeering.) But if it weren't for Conan's shrinking, they wouldn't realizehow hard it is to live without the other. I often try and figure out who has it harder, Ran or Shinichi, and I figure they're about even. Every lie Shinichi tells Ran only drives another dagger into their hearts, for Ran, the dagger is tipped with the poison of sorrow and longing, for Shinichi, the venom of guilt and loneliness. Ran's just about the only person still waiting for Shinichi, waiting with all her heart. Sure classmates may wonder where the heck he went, but only Ran will fiercely try to find out not out of curiosity, but out of necessity. And he'd be stupid not to appreciate that. Stupid not to appreciate that when be does turn back, Ran has still saved his place for him, always has, and that he can slide just that easily back to where he belongs. I mean, come on, who else really misses Shinichi that badly? And ConAi/ShinShi fans, while I respect your standing, the only ConAi/ShinShi stories I've actually enjoyed are ones where Ran doesn't exist- and for some reason those also feel out of character. (for example, Shinichi is not a player) It just doesn't feel right, you know. Like if you take a magnifying glass you'll find some odd cracks and scratches where there ought to be none. For ConAi to work, Shinichi must fall out of love with Ran to truly love Ai, and that's simply not happening.