Somewhere at the half way point Kazuha got tired of dragging Hakuba along with her and slowed the pace a bit. Kazuha lifted her other hand to her cheek – touching it briefly in order to ensure her fluster was gone before turning to face the detective.
“What’s wrong Hakuba-kun? I didn’t hurt yer arm right?” Kazuha questioned tilting her head slightly and dropping her arm from his. She still hadn’t known what it was but could definitely tell something was on his mind.
“Oi? Hakuba-kun? Oi!” Kazuha yelled her eyes solely focused on him. It was him after all who’d offered to take her. Why was he in such a trance like state – perhaps she was a bit too rough?
Oh. He was being rude, wasn’t he?
Hakuba blinked once, then forced a smile, straightening up once they’d come to an awkward sort of pause.
“There’s no need to yell, Toyama-san… my apologies; I was just thinking about the strength of your grip.” The detective said this, only realizing after the fact how it might come off, so laughed and quickly amended his statement. “I was trying to figure out which sport you might be engaged in to put that strength to use. I’m aware that Hattori-san is something of a Kendo champion… but I’m afraid that I’m unaware what captures your extracurricular attention.”
He turned to her, tilting his head, and looked her over from ponytail to foot. Then, he began to pace around her, investigating, while rubbing his sore, previously clutched arm, with his other hand. Ow.
“You’re clearly athletic… built for speed and power, yes… But what are your individual strengths and weaknesses?”