“It’s not as much a secret as I’d prefer it to be, despite my best efforts, so I suppose I will answer.
"I have several scars on my lower back… I really don’t know how many, but most are small, and I’ve never wanted to ask anyone to help me count. If you want to know what they look like, well… I’m not about to show you, or anyone else. But they look about how you’d expect with such a weapon as a fire poker.”
the secret code was of course “you r the best". obviously. shhhh
“It’s not comfortable, sitting in this blood, but I wanna get this stuff straightened out before I head off to shower. The anticipation and worry building up like that as you wait for me to reappear clean? Bad.” And Hakuba fretted enough as it was.
“But that would be a wise idea, having my other side caged up.” He gave Hakuba a smirk. “I have a pacifist reputation for a reason. I’d rather not attack people, even as the king of beasts.
"Maybe you could train my lion self over time and I could be your oversized cat? Wonderful to have for keeping warm on chilly nights, I would imagine.” Jesting there, but making jokes would probably keep Hakuba reasonably calm.
“I’m… not actually a ticking time bomb, you know… I can handle stressful situations.” Just not when they were about Kudou. Or feelings. Or half a dozen other, important topics.
“For this, I’ll recommend that you wear a harness under your clothing… loose, so that it can accommodate the lion’s form. That would at least make it easier to recapture you, should you escape. Securing your house would be another step."
The detective looked thoughtful. ”…as for training, I’ve never actually owned a cat before. I’ve got experience training dogs… Horses I’ve worked with. My hawk, of course. But a lion? How do I know you wouldn’t just eat me up?“
Hakuba smiled at this… mostly because he’d managed to follow the KID lion earlier with great success in the not getting eaten department.
no regrets
<3 <3 <3 <3
“Sounds like an idea.” KID headed back in. He crawled back onto the bed and sat crosslegged on it. “So, what do you wish to know? I can’t tell you everything, as I am not sure of most of it myself and there are some secrets that aren’t prudent to reveal, either of mine or other peoples’.“
"That’s fine, I’m used to you not giving me much-” Hakuba said as he closed the balcony door. “-information, I mean… But what is this riddle you’re talking about? Murders and… whatever else you were saying. I understand that you can’t turn your back on the situation, and I definitely wouldn’t advise you to, but… Well, why are people expecting you to handle death threats and murder in the first place?”
The detective was legitimately concerned about this. KID was adrift in the safe harbor that was criminal- but not exactly… dangerous per se, or rather, certainly not violent… but getting involved in murders when one was not a detective or member of the force certainly was. Being on the wrong side of justice there was certain to lead to bad ends, even if KID remained completely innocent. It would be far too easy to be in the wrong place at the wrong time… and how would Hakuba protect KID from that? He was having enough trouble trying to figure out how to prove Hattori innocent, let alone an actual criminal like the phantom thief.
The little pup’s head raised at the somewhat familiar tongue the male was using. He wasn’t stupid, having been trained since he was small. Warily sniffing at the offered hand, the small pup decided that maybe the stranger wouldn’t hurt him. Maybe he could take a break, he had been out for a while and a bit of a petting would be nice. Jumping at the chance, he placed his front paws on the male’s knees and leaned up to lick his face in happiness as his tail wagged back and forth. It seemed as if the dog have forgotten its little ‘mission’ as well as the idea of going home just for the moment.
“Akio! Akio!” of course, it wasn’t the same for his owner. Looking over the fence to see if she might spot the little troublemaker before she would have to return home. Part of her wondered just what is it that could have made the hyperactive dog run off like that, he was usually so well-behaved at home and it worried her immensely. Deciding that thinking too much about it would only cause unnecessary worry, she quickly shoved the train of thought into the back of her mind.
“Honestly, where could you go?“ tongue switching into English out of habit, finding just the tiniest bit of comfort in using the more familiar language. Now if only she could find the little troublemaker, then all her worries would disappear.
Pets were freely given to the beagle, and Hakuba couldn’t begrudge the animal for sneaking a kiss or two. That tail wag was something he’d missed from his own dogs, who were unfortunately still in London. He rubbed his hands over the shoulders and neck of the dog, with spared scratches and rubbings for the ears, and took the collar and tag in his hands. It listed the dog’s name, Akio, but nothing else. Hm.
"Well, love, it looks like you’ve got an owner, but no phone number. I can’t take you inside or Mum will come up with some kind of a scheme to get you home, so…” The detective reached to the tie around his neck and loosened it, then pulled the silk fabric from around his collar.
“I don’t think we have any spare leads, so this will have to do. Try not to bite it too awfully much, please?” He threaded the tie around the collar and tied a secure knot. He’d have used his belt, but it was likely that it wasn’t long enough. Gripping the other end of the tie, he looped it once around his wrist, then stood up straight. It was a short lead, but about regulation size for show, and would have to do.
“Come along, Akio… let’s take a little walk and see if we can’t find your master.” Hakuba once again clicked his tongue, then headed off to leave the grounds and get out onto the neighborhood sidewalk.
“Helps on a few,” he admitted. “Don’t run inta many people who speak th’ language, though. An’ since I work local, ain’t many cases where it’s necessary.“
The conversation was pretty much over after that. The restaurant owner couldn’t think of a reply to all that information, and looked somewhat stunned at the knowledge one of his regulars possessed. Heiji continued to drink his tea, slowing his pace so that he’d finish at the same time as Hakuba. He then pulled out his wallet and paid for his own meal, just as he’d promised, before saying goodbye and slipping outside to wait for the Brit.
"So, didja still need help ta find th’ library, or d’ya remember how ta get there?”
After thanking the owner and paying his dues, Hakuba caught up with Heiji. He hummed thoughtfully, whisking his mobile from his pocket, and pulled up a navigation application. “I believe that I can get there from here on my own, between this and your earlier instructions…” he answered honestly, then looked back at the Osakan.
“You’re welcome to come with me if you like, but I worry that I’ve already taken up far too much of your time, Hattori-san… Thank you, again, for helping me out and, ah… letting me yell a bit."
Sheepish, but pleasant enough, Hakuba extended his hand for a gentleman’s handshake. Without even waiting to see if Heiji wanted to go with him.
“It’s actually just around the corner,” he answered quickly, waving his hand noncommittally in the direction of the restaurant before continuing the conversation.
“I guess I don’t really have that same ambition but I still get it. You want to be better than other people, right?” he concluded. “But more importantly, you want to impress people. It’s about your reputation. You want to look good because that will make your father look good too.“
Hakuba didn’t act like a selfish person so his need to succeed didn’t really make sense if he was doing it for himself. His father, on the other hand, was a powerful man in the police force. Any action Hakuba took would reflect on his father, for better or worse.
"I think you’re doing a great job, so you should probably stop worrying about it so much.”
“Ah…” Such praise from his senpai. Hakuba rubbed the back of his head, combing his hair with his fingers in embarrassment – but at least it was the good kind of embarrassment. “Y-yes… I suppose that sums it up nicely, Kudou-san… Thank you very much for the high compliments."
It was true, to, at least as far as Hakuba was concerned. Doing well honored his father and helped to set himself apart… in a way that made it less about his mixed heritage and more about how much he was legitimately better.
Truly, Kudou-san was a most masterful detective to have figured that out, indeed.
"Ah, speaking of fathers… How are your parents? I must confess that I’m a great fan of your father’s novels…”
Mum and papa Dad wouldn’t stop bickering at the table so I excused myself and hid in the study, doors locked. It’s ridiculous, I know, but they’re so persistant that I’ve had a near-constant headache since she got here. Don’t misunderstand me, I love my mum – dearly – even with all of her meddling. They just can’t stop picking fight after fight. It’s almost as bad as Hattori-san and I. But at least we’re still children, not full-grown adults.
I told Baaya that I had cases to work on, which I do… but instead I’ve been rereading the James Herriot books. I think I can get away with it so long as I get back to work once everyone else has retired for the night…
Life continues to get more complicated. I have a date this week (arranged by mum, of course), KID has somehow managed to get tangled up in mythological nonsense, Hattori may or may not be legitimately psychotic, the charity benefit may be in danger, and I don’t know where I fit in anywhere.
All I want to do is read about the countryside. How long is it until Paris, now? I hope that the trip won’t be called off due to some unforeseen tragedy (which seems to be more and more likely these days).
I miss Kaito-kun… but I don’t dare call him, not while everything is so ambiguous. I’ll just… keep reading.
