The letter came as a pleasant surprise for him. He reread the letter and slipped it back into the envelope. He reached for his coffee and watched the morning start. It had been such along time since he had heard from the other detective. His hand writing had change slightly. The laptop by his side was already open with a blank email opened waiting for him to respond.
He stared at the screen and the blinking icon for a moment before hesitating his hands over the key board.
Hakuba S.J.,
I understand.
Tell me when and where you want to meet. I have admit I am curious to hear about your Moriarty, Congrats on his defeat.
Kudo Shinichi
He paused reread the email then hit send. Now there was nothing to do but wait. He remembered Hakuba Saguru from his days as Conan but that was seven years ago. He stood and walked towards the window. The soft light of the morning sun played with the trees and flowers in the front yard. He, for a moment, felt peace.
To say that Hakuba was surprised to receive a response from Kudou – and so quickly – was an understatement. It was via email, not hand-written, which was a shame but within the allowable protocol as had been specified in his original correspondence. He wondered if it held any further meaning than that, but… no, Kudou Shinichi was practical. Honest. It was speed and convenience that had guided his hand, not some silly veiled meaning. That was for him to do.
The once famous detective reread the email and stifled a yawn. It would be over-eager to respond right away, but then if he did, and caught Kudou still at his console, perhaps they could begin an open dialog and…
A whine interrupted his thoughts, and Hakuba glanced down at the dog curled at his feet, tail sleepily thumping against the ground. He looked at the time and frowned. So late… so late, and if he got started now…
With a heavy sigh, Hakuba very slowly, very carefully picked himself up from his chair, leaning against the desk to close his own laptop before shuffling with a heavy limp and grimace to his bed. He would reply later, when it was closer.
…seventy-one hours later.
Kudou Shinichi-
I will be arriving on Thursday at 12:43:00 at Tokyo International. Would you be available this weekend for tea? Any location is agreeable with me, though I must confess my fears that any proposed meeting spot on my end may no longer exist in this world. If you have any suggestions, I would be more than glad to hear them, and as always, my father’s estate is open to you.
Thank you for your quick response.
Sincerely,
Hakuba S. J.
The email from Kudou had been the only silver lining in the sea of dismal despair on which Hakuba found himself lost in for the past… well, as long as he could really remember in recent history. Impressive how such a simple thing could be so significant.