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“Just about.” Even though his back was to Hakuba he really didn’t have to see him to feel the waves of curiosity. The kettle whistled and sputtered and Kaito snagged it off the burner then balanced the tray one handed and made his way back to Hakuba.   

“Could you grab the tray and set it on the table?”

“Yes, certainly.” Hakuba was at least familiar with this step, hopping up from the chair to take the tray from Kaito as requested. A courtesy nod was given before he turned away, placing said tray at the center. It was a lovely spread, really; much like tea time with Baaya, though they didn’t have Walkers usually. Not without his mum sending up a special box from home. What an odd and unexpected treat! 

“I appreciate your humoring me, Kuroba-kun. I honestly didn’t think that you’d let me through the door…" 

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“You can sit down and stay out from under my feet while I make the tea.” Kaito clipped and opened the pantry for the tea. A beat up plain grey kettle came in to view along with a small earthen pot. After he water was put on the stove Kaito moved back into the pantry and pulled down some Walker shortbread cookies in a red tin. 

Smoothly Kaito moved about the tiny kitchen with practiced ease. Pulling out the bone china tea set with the gold trim and rose overlay, arranging the cups, pot and cookies on plates and a tray in the same design. Sugar came off a high self in the cabinet above the stove and cream ventured from the fridge in a matter of minutes the only thing they waited for was the water.

Stay out from under… oh. “Oh! Right, ah, apologies, Kuroba-kun!” Hakuba backpedalled from his former classmate, retreating to a chair over yonder to observe from a safe distance. It didn’t keep his gaze from wandering, though, memorizing every little detail that he could about the kitchen and what he could see of the rest of the house. 

Of course, he then noticed the particular brand of cookie and cocked his head to one side, curious and yet again surprised. Other puzzle pieces fell into place the longer he watched, too, painting a familiar yet vague sort of picture that he felt he should have been able to recognize before. 

The tea set’s design… sugar, cream, shortbread cookies? Was Kuroba not making matcha? Who didn’t make matcha for guests? And if not green tea, what kind of tea was Kuroba making?  He leaned forward in hopes of getting a better view, but in the interest of staying out of the way, he never let himself quite leave the chair – only almost.

“Do you still have everything well in hand, Kuroba-kun?” he called. 

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Kaito wanted so badly to break out into a wide smile but held back to a minor passive one. To be honest he had completely forgotten about the shoes being there but they did provide a perfect opportunity to see is Hakuba would react traditionally. Well there was a reaction, a tiny one, at least there wasn’t the screaming accusations.

“Great!! Let me put on the kettle and grab the tea. You can sit where ever you like. Make yourself at home.” He said cheerily and moved easily to the kitchen area. Leaving Hakuba to find his own way.

The abundant cheer seemed manic at best, and Hakuba winced as he followed along. Had he upset Kuroba by noticing the shoes? What should he have done? And why, now, was he being granted such freedom in the house? It worried him. Worried him in that way when prey knows it’s being played with, even if the cat swears otherwise. The detective padded, slippers making soft sounds as he attempted to keep up, not wanting to get lost or be swept with too much temptation. And there was, really, so much temptation.

“Th-thank you,” he said, voice full of caution. But, really, now that he had Kuroba talking to him, he didn’t really want to leave his side. “Is there anything that I can do to help?”

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“You’re welcome.” He chirped and knelt down in front of the mans feet to collect the shoes and lay the slippers down. Carefully and neatly he rested the dress shoes next to one that look frightfully like KID’s and closed the door softly.

“Do you want anything? Tea?” He asked with his usually teasing tone. 

“Tea would be…”   Hakuba’s voice trailed off as the shoes caught his gaze and he blinked at them, freezing for a heartbeat as the evidence smacked him in the face. He recognized those shoes. They were, without a doubt- no, there was the possibility for assumptions to ruin him, but they could EASILY be – Kaitou Kid’s shoes.

But why would Kuroba leave them by the door? His brows knit but he tore his gaze away, biting back the oh-so-strong urge to investigate. Leave it, he commanded himself like he might a hunting dog. Instead, he turned his attention  back to Kaito and nodded with another small and carefully measured smile. “Lovely. Tea would be lovely, thank you.”

If the tease was noticed, he didn’t let it show. Whether that was because he was used to Kuroba’s teases or he just didn’t care enough as long as there was tea… was up for debate.