”Hh-hmm. Indeed!
That was a turn of fortune
I won’t soon forget.I’d like to believe we’ve both helped
the other shape into a better person
since our rather unconventional initiation.”
“I still have hopes that you’ll turn out to be the daughter-in-law I’ve always wanted, you know!”
4. A pie in the Face (delightful)
Showering the detective with a bevy of baked goods had quickly
become a great source of joy for the journalist, who was glad for
a willing taste-tester to give feedback on new recipes or flavor
variants. However there was also the inherently childish piece of
her personality, which could not be muffled enough to silence a
particularly cartoonish idea which happened upon her mind, come
the beginning of the tricks-and-treats, season.And the cartoons did not exaggerate the joy
one finds when watching someone open an
unassuming box, which sends a coconut cream
pie directly at an unprepared set of features.Nailed it.
DEFEATED BY PIE ONCE AGAIN!
“Well, uh, tha’s no’ tha only way people become comfortable. Ya can become comfortable with people ya dun like, or jus’ think as friends…”
“That’s actually what I meant, dear, not to worry! So you’re saying that he allows himself to act pretentiously when he feels safe with someone, in essence?"
”And you can always take heart in the fact
that even if he is a bit of an ass;
He’s a lovable ass.”
“You see? I KNEW there was a reason I set you two up~!”
"He can be, very much so, ‘round tha righ’ people. He’s curious, kind, an’ pu’s other befere himself. Yeah, he can be’ a lil’… pretentious a’ times, bu’ only in situations he feels… comfortable…”
“So are you saying that if he’s being pretentious… that it means that he likes someone, Hattori-kun?”
“He’s no’ tha bad mam. A little rough round tha edges, bu’ everyone is, wha’ gives ‘im his charm.”
“Even so, he doesn’t have to be so pretentious… honestly, I thought he was far more socially aware than this.”
“I never raised my son to be an ass, and yet…”
“…Mum…”
He jumped back from the window as if it bite him and slammed into the other back. He felt his breath hitch and froze before he jumped and slipped on ice. He caught himself against the glass and just glared at red faced. He had been caught indulging in a moment of fantasy. Turning so his back wasn’t to there other he just hung his head embarrassed beyond belief.
That was enough confirmation for Hakuba, who simply looked at him, body unmoving against the bump of the other, though he reached out a hand to help steady him. Ice was something that he was used to, so he did the action without a second thought, so distracted by the object of Kaito’s attention.
He leaned closer still, eyes narrowing as he inspected it. “Hmm…” he said, putting on his critical gaze. “It’s no burberry, but it does seem like it’s a fine enough scarf, yes…” Without thinking about it, he used his free hand to stroke the cashmere around his neck fondly. He had to admit that the color was very nice; Kaito had good taste.
“But then, nothing compares to burberry, does it?"
Shinichi looked up at him with the excitement of a young boy. It wasn’t often, more like never, he came across others that even like Holmes. “I have and loved it. The concept was nearly perfect some point could have been tweaked a little but all in all it was very good. I was especially please with Waston and Moriarty. Their characterization was spot on.” He sighed and sat down. ” What did you think of Reichenbach and the way they had it?”
If he was a dog he would have had his ears forward and tail wagging.
“Oh my god!” Hakuba said, suddenly brightening, himself. The Sherlock Switch had been flipped. “Oh god, Watson was so incredible, easily my favorite portrayal of him, since he’s supposed to be intelligent but such a fantastic contrast to Holmes and – oh oh ohhh Moriarty god I could only HOPE to have that sort of relationship with a–”
He stopped himself then, freezing in place for a moment as the thought settled in, suddenly paling. The memory of Spider in those final minutes was all too fresh in his mind. It only lasted two or three seconds before he shook his head, but his voice carried a tone of distraction as he continued.
“I was shocked for Reichenbach… I hadn’t expected Moriarty to off himself, but at the same time, it made perfect sense for the character and the adaptation. Pushing Holmes to… oh, and then when the third season? And John’s reaction? Oh god, and the awkward wedding scenes…"
Hakuba managed a laugh, trying his best to recover, though his hands fumbled under the table for desperate need of something to drink. He hoped that the awkward server girl would return soon with his tea.
"Wasn’t Mycroft brilliant, too? And everything with the fishbowl… oh, never have I so closely related to a literary piece in such media!”
Kaito sniffed and prayed he wasn’t getting sick. “Well, I usually spend Christmas alone.”
That was how it had been for the past five or seven years. At least when his mother started travelling more. It was hard those first years but he finally got used to it. Stay at home with a small real tree with little light and even smaller amount of decorations, a homemade Christmas cake and music playing in the background. He was alone. That always struck him the most. Especially when all he had to do was look out the windows and see families cuddled together.
He hunched down even more, glanced to the side to see the shops, and slowed to a stop. It was the red that caught is eye. A deep red scarf was wrapped around a mannequins neck and fluttered down near its waist. The price was way out of his reach though and all he could do was imagine what it would look like on him. Sighing he shivered against the cold and stared at it longingly.
The answer surprised him. Hakuba frowned, taken aback, and didn’t say anything for a moment, particularly when Kaito came to a halt in front of the next window. Awkwardly, he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to come up with something to offer that would make it better, but he wasn’t having much success.
“Ah, well, I suppose… ah…” Part of him wanted to invite Kaito to come home with him. He was certain that there could be accommodations made, that his mother would be more than happy to have a guest, and that it would make the holiday much more enjoyable for his classmate. But then, Hakuba also knew that there was no way he could ever convince Kaito to go with him.
…besides, what they’d been saying in class was true. The rumors and little teasing whispers. He did have a thing for Kuroba, and it was against his policy to date classmates, or act on crushes, or anything of that ilk, so it was completely out of the question. Besides, Kaitou KID.
His thoughts derailed, however, as his gaze settled on the item that Kaito was so focused on. “Hm… are you looking at that scarf?” Hakuba asked, leaning over him to get a better look, brushing against his shoulder.
