“Don’t worry about Hattori. He’s only got excited and angry to go on. I’m sure you do just fine on your own.” Of course, Hattori would have plenty to say if he heard him say that. “He’s a good person though. You’d be surprised at how resourceful he is.
“Though I’m sure Conan-kun had to help him out a lot. He can be pretty dense.”
Of all the subjects he could bring up, why did he feel the need to bring up his own abilities? And he was trying to keep Hakuba from finding out his secret too. Sometimes he just couldn’t keep his mouth shut.
Hakuba bit his lip and decided to decline commenting further on Hattori. It would just… cause problems, which was the last thing that he wanted for his first real interaction with Kudou. If nothing else, it would show poor sportsmanship, and the foreign detective thought himself a true gentleman.
So instead: Conan.
“The boy is unusually perceptive… exceptionally talented, actually. I’ve been watching his career with keen interest, and expect to see great things from him in the future.”
He spoke evenly, but with sincerity and perhaps a hint of fondness.
“I dare say he’ll be better than the both of us one day.”