Suber Sweetieba #2

In this selection, Hakuba agrees that Kudo should be the representative of the East, not himself. He volunteers to step down from that position, giving himself a “guest” title instead, despite that he was legitimately qualified (having been invited officially for that purpose – and the fact that Ekoda is 26km/16miles from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, which totally counts. IMO).

Then, he takes the opportunity, unprompted, to acknowledge Conan as a great detective in his own right and suggests that he take the spot for representative of the East. He believes that Conan can hold his own against the older detectives; and even crouches down, forcing the rest to notice the boy, while giving his endorsement to the people in charge.

Hakuba’s seen Conan in action and, based on his merits and skill, has earned the foreign detective’s respect. It doesn’t matter that he’s just a kid; he’s damn good and should be recognized for it. As a teen detective, I’m sure that Hakuba can relate to that, having to deal with adults that refuse to listen (Nakamori, I’m looking at you) all the time. He’s mindful of this, and unlike most of the people in the series, seems intent on making sure that Conan gets a fair chance to be heard. 

Seriously, though: he remembers Conan’s name, deduction skills, where he lives (thus making him fit for the detective of the East title), freely compliments on how impressed he was by him, and backs him up without hesitation. A++ Sweetieba!

FINALLY… he admits that the only reason he accepted the position was because Baaya was upset that he hadn’t been considered the #1 choice for the spot. We’ve seen plenty of evidence to suggest that she truly believes in him and thinks that he deserves the fame and praise that he’s received. He doesn’t want to let her down, so he agrees to go and try to get his name out there again (which I imagine would be tough in Japan, being a halfer who came claiming that he was going to arrest Kaitou KID and, uh, still hasn’t succeeded in doing so). The relationship between Hakuba and Baaya is one of my favorite things. They’re so kind to each other. I don’t know about you, but I have a tough time believing that someone is nothing but a cold-hearted jerk when they’re routinely shown being respectful and sweet to children and elders.

Adorable.