The bike purred under him like a large cat. Sleek, black and powerful. The heat from the engine warmed his thighs as he rode on. The manor’s drive was long and, thank the Gods, paved. As he came around to the front he slowed and sat for a minute. He had to admire this place with its elegant style and beautiful grounds. He shifted the bomber’s jacket sleeve up to glance at his watch. Seven minutes to spare. He smiled under the helmet and brought the bike closer and out of the way in case anyone else need to come through. Shutting off its engine he began to pull off the helmet while looking around the front grounds.
Oh.
Oh.
Somehow, Hakuba hadn’t known that Kuroba had a motorcycle. Despite all of his research and near-stalking, it hadn’t come up. He found himself staring at the beautiful piece of machinery, letting out a soft breath as the equally beautiful creature dismounted and pulled off his helmet, wild hair waving in the-
“Young Master.” Baaya’s voice came from behind him, startling him from his thoughts. “The door?”
Hakuba blinked at her, eyes wide, fingers fumbling together as he stumbled toward for the knob. “Right! Yes! Of course!” Then he halted, taking a deep breath and reached up to adjust his collar and tie, composing himself.
“A motorcycle… this isn’t your usual type, Young Master…”
The detective glanced at her over his shoulder, lips pinching again, eyes narrowed. “Baaya… I don’t have a ‘usual type,’ if you recall, I haven’t dated in some odd years and this is just my former classmate come to vi-”
“My word, is that Kuroba-kun? He’s grown into quite the handsome young man. Bless me, just look at him.”
Hakuba leaned over to peek out of the side glass again, doing as requested with utter obedience. “…Well. Yes. Yes, he has.” Biting his lip, he looked back at Baaya, suddenly paling at the cheshire grin that greeted him. “….Baaya.”
“Well, go on! Greet your guest, be a good host. You don’t want the Mistress to be disappointed, go go~!”
The older woman pushed at his back and Hakuba, anxious as he was, dug his heels into the marble flooring. Despite the size and weight difference, however, he was no match for his governess, who he thought might have been able to move mountains if so determined.
Resigned, he straightened up and took another breath before pulling the door open to be wide and inviting, stepping out onto the concrete landing and down the couple of steps to the drive. Right, don’t muck this up…
He forced the smile that he used for magazines and strode up to him with every bit of confidence that his training could muster, offering a hand to shake. The game was on. “Kuroba-kun! So glad that you could make it!"