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He’s so handsome. How does he do it? And he makes it look so effortless, too!
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It was very impressive, though, Kaitou-san… and good to know that you /can/ use a real firearm. That may save lives some day!
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Se-senpai! You shouldn’t have! …what? You don’t want me to call you senpai anymore? But… Kudou-san.. colleagues? Associates? …love slave?! Ah, Kudou-san! I’m surprised!
You slowly make your way towards the kitchen, sluggish, exhausted. It’s been another long, long night and you haven’t slept at all. How many sleepless nights does that make now? Too many. You sigh and card a hand through your hair, absently mulling over the case notes in your mind as you enter the kitchen, gaze flicking over to the counter – and the steaming cup of coffee comfortably sitting there. Next to another red rose.
Another…
The detective looked from the rose to the coffee, then back again, before lifting his head to look around the kitchen. It was silent and still, as it always was so late (or early). Still, he swallowed and offered a small “Hello?” before reaching for the rose, examining it cautiously.
Things like this didn’t happen to him. True, he had his admirers, but they had been forced to go through proper channels for some time now. And it wasn’t as if just anyone could get through the security at the Hakuba household. Baaya, perhaps…?
No, she’d been in bed hours ago. He’d checked on her earlier when pacing the inner perimeter. But then who…? Dare he hope that it be Kaitou Kid? The thought hurt almost as much as it thrilled him. Certainly, Kid was the most logical explanation, for a variety of factors, but…
Hakuba brought the rose to his lips and kissed it once, tenderly, taking in that subtle scent. Was it a dream? No; there wasn’t enough fire. Perhaps a trap, then?
Perhaps.
But if it is, he thought, picking up the coffee cup with his other hand to return to work, I think I’ll allow myself a few moments of foolish enjoyment, anyway…
“Oh I suppose I knew what you meant, it’s still more fun to try and tease you in any case. Sometimes I’ll get you, more often than I used to, for certain.”
“Thank you, Saguru— Is it odd that I call you that? Probably a little unusual. Hm. In any case.”
“I owe a lot of my confidence to you, and others like you, not solely my relationship and family. No, to this day… being your friend is undoubtedly among the best things which has ever happened in my life. That wallflower peeks out, now and then. At a gala, meeting some of my husband’s friends, or coworkers.. But for the most part, I’m just..”
“I always used to think I had so many reasons to be sad, and that’s why I made myself sad. Became meek, and shy. I just became better at realizing the wonderful things that were always around me. You. Akira. Eventually my husband, and now my son- Even just the people on the way to work in the mornings, and the view from the window of my bedroom, and the scent of trees.
Oh Saguru, there are so many beautiful, wonderful things to be happy about around us. It just doesn’t make sense to be sad. Sure, I still get sad from time to time, but it’s nothing as chronic as it once was.
And I’m sleeping much more than I used to, that’s also nice. And I mean I sleep like a bear, twelve hours sometimes if we’re back from a harsh trip.”
“I, ah, certainly must have changed if I’m letting you call me Saguru… God, I can’t tell you how much I hate that name. Still, perhaps that means I’ve managed to get over… a lot of things. No small thanks to you, I’m certain.
"More sleep is good. Friends, too, or so I’m told… Yes, that was a joke, I know that we’re friends even now. It warms my heart to know that we’re still connected, even after… whatever ends up happening.
"Tell me, are you still just as reckless, or have you calmed down some since you’ve now got a son to think about? Is your husband as reckless as you are?”
“Well… You see……”
“Yes I doooooooooooooooooooooooooo~ But I could have been happy without a husband, are you implying that I’m not a strong, independent woman? Watch your tongue young man.
…But still~ Yeeeeeeeesss~ ♥”
“I would never insinuate such a thing, Emi-kun! But there’s not so much the shy wallflower there, is there? You’ve got roots… a strong foundation… I like it. It suits you. I’m so very, very pleased to hear it.”
“…Oh my darling, time may change you but there are some things that remain very the same. Yes, you are most definitely still alive. And don’t be afraid to ask some broad-basis personal questions, it’s just the details I don’t want to throw around.”
“Honestly, so morbid. Hh-hhmm.”
“…”
“You seem quite pleased and confident, Emi-kun. Dare I ask if you’ve got a ring on your finger now?”
“Tut-tut, Spoilers, darling. I can’t go rambling off too much about what’s to come, otherwise that’d steal the excitement. And believe you, me, I’m an expert on that sentiment.”
“But I am very well, indeed.”
“I’m… very, very pleased to hear that you’re well, Emi-kun. Can I at least ask if I’m still alive?”