“That sounds wonderful. I haven’t really eaten all day.” Kaito smiled and chuckled lightly. The food sounded amazing as did the prospect of coming back. He glanced around the room subconsciously remapping escape routes despite not wanting to really leave. He expression was soft and relaxed when he finally looked back to Hakuba.
“This place really is beautiful.” Through he spoke about the room its meaning was for its owner.
It was the expression that won him over. Hakuba tilted his head, smile hesitant as if silently asking what Kaito had meant by that. He thought he might know, but he didn’t want to dare hope. God, he really didn’t. Things had been so resolute before, and while he was no stranger to chaos theory and the inevitable variables that came with the human condition, he needed routine to function. Why did Kuroba throw wrenches – or in this case, shameless and distracting compliments – into everything?
“Thank you,” the detective said in response after a moment, deciding that he wouldn’t be able to pry a straight answer from the thief even if he were inclined to interrogate him like he used to. Like a criminal, not a guest. “I find it a tad excessive considering that there are only three people living here, but…” Hakuba shrugged, glancing up to the ornate light fixture above the table. “My mum wanted something elaborate, and she’s not the type of person that you can say no to.”
He was quiet after that, reaching for the glass of water that had already been set out. It wasn’t exactly polite to leave the conversation on such an awkward topic, but he didn’t feel inclined to continue, opting for a moment of silent contemplation while he took a quiet sip.
It’s not as though he were playing the part of a good host, anyway.