askkudoushinichi:

He nestled he hands against the back of his head and thought about it for a long moment. His life was pretty hectic, what with still needing to keep his identity a secret and having the Black Organization still roaming around. It was dangerous enough just showing his face on the street but at a public airport terminal? One time avoiding onlookers was lucky but a second time? He didn’t want to chance it.

“I don’t know, really…” he sighed, a little down-trodden after he had really thought it through. “No time soon, I don’t think. One day.”

Leaning forward again he snatched the menu out from behind the table decor and slid it across the table to Hakuba. The menu itself was something he had memorized long ago from living only a few feet over the restaurant. He would be disappointed in himself if he couldn’t remember something as simple as a daily lunch special.

“Order whatever you like. If you’re looking for tea, it’s on the back side under the coffee list. Earl Grey is number three,” he added. It was something he had picked up from the distinct smell of Hakuba’s jacket. The scent of bergamont oil, almost like anise. That particular citrus scent mixed with the smell of oxidized plant matter could only be one thing: Earl Grey tea.

Although there was concern and some degree of disappointment in the answers regarding London, Shinichi’s unasked for observations regarding the tea meant a pleasant distraction. Hakuba tilted his head, reaching to take the menu from him with a nod of thanks.

“I would ask how you knew my particular favorite, but I really don’t think that it’s necessary. You are, after all, our modern day Sherlock Holmes, are you not?" 

The title had once belonged to him, in London. He wondered if Shinichi knew this, or would even call attention to the fact. Not that it mattered; he’d long since decided to defer to his brilliant full-blooded Japanese counterpart. Jealousy aside, it was only right and fair. Kudou had bested him in every gauge that he’d been able to set, and Hakuba was not above admitting when he was wrong.

He looked over the menu with a faint smirk. "What do you suppose you’ll order? Do you have any other recommendations?"