“Who knows, Hakuba? You have more knowledge of some of their motives and methods than I.” KID chuckled and continued sipping it. He noted the lack of comment on something they’d discussed when he was Kuroba. Maybe to avoid conflict involved and avoid fainting again? After all, that could also remind Hakuba of that matter involving Kudou and he fainted. (That still surprised him.)
“Well, I am glad to hear there aren’t hard feelings, my dear detective.” He had noted the way Hakuba drank so quickly. It struck him as odd, but it was wiser to hold his tongue at the moment. “Care to sit down and relax?”
The detective nursed the second drink, taking his time, though he remained standing by the coffee table despite the invitation. The situation, tense as it was for him, made him long for a cigarette. He liked the way KID said his name.
“In a moment, Kaitou-san…” he said between sips. The warmth had spread, coloring his pale English complexion a shade- barely noticeable. Hakuba set the drink down and removed his suit jacket, laying it over the arm of the couch.
He hadn’t stopped thinking about the conversation about Kudou, Conan, and Kuroba. It was all that he could think about, aside from the nagging thoughts about Hattori’s predicament, and even then… Kuroba’s admission, subtle as it was, stuck with him. After all, it was an important moment that he’d worked very hard for. While overshadowed somewhat by the still difficult-to-understand situation with his detective colleague, Hakuba still felt the gravity of it. Yet, Kaitou had asked the same questions. What was he getting at? It troubled him.
“You, ah… asked why I hadn’t turned you in… though we’ve been over it already. Am I to understand that you should like to hear my confession again? I won’t put it in writing, I can tell you that right now.” The hesitant detective offered a faint, but playful smirk. “I suppose I wouldn’t mind doing so if you were to likewise give a more… official – only between us – confession of your own.”
Ah, he wanted a trade.