Tag Archives: ic

by

koizumiakako:

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“Well I was enjoying a quiet afternoon at my favorite restaurant. I guess I’ll have to pick somewhere else from now on,” she replied hotly, allowing some of her anger show. She watched him take a sip of his coffee again, noticing the barely there wince just as she had the first time it happened. “In any case, I don’t really care to sit here and watch a classmate of mine torture himself with scalding hot coffee.“

A part of her really hoped it burned him to the core but another part of her was also truly concerned about his new self-destructive tendencies. She had never known Saguru to feel the need to harm himself but beatings weren’t the only things that could leave scars and she could see them in his head as clearly as she could see the color of his eyes.

Butterscotch.

Frowning to herself, she ignored the thought. His eyes were the least of her concern.

"You’re curing me of my boredom though, so thank you for that. I don’t know how much longer I could just sit here and stare out the window.” In her head it had sounded more like appreciation for his company but her tongue had a way of poisoning her words. “You’re much nicer to look at than the cityscape.“

Hakuba set the coffee down at its place on the table and swallowed against the lingering burn. While it was true that he had many self-destructive tendencies, especially as of late, the coffee was only part of it in that it allowed him to skip sleep. He continued to burn himself because he was too impatient.

Still, concerning. The two attempts he’d made on his own life had been years ago and abandoned early. He’d promised Baaya that he’d never do it again. Yet, all the rest of his behaviors…?

He was embarrassed about the coffee, and about her seeing so clearly through his attempt to be neutral. He’d known that it would fail, so why had he even bothered? Being around her bothered him almost as much as being around Hattori did. Almost. 

"Oh, well, I would hate to ruin your favorite restaurant, but I’m pleased to know that I can be an entertaining circus monkey for you, Koizumi-san.” Honorific san and surname only. Different than before, when she’d been Akako-san to him, or some equally formal-but-respectful pet name in French. 

But then the rest of what she said caught up to him and he blushed despite himself, frowning with severity. “Ah- what?”  No. No. She’s only manipulating you. He pursed his lips. “…Please. Spare me the empty compliments. You motioned that I should sit here, but I can’t imagine what you would have to say to me. Is there anything other than scathing commentary in store, Koizumi-san?" 

by

askkudoushinichi:

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“Do you really have that little confidence in your own ability?” he asked, raising an eyebrow and laughing. He didn’t mean it to sound so condescending so he rephrased. “I mean… you’re a talented detective right? I’d like to think that would count for something.“

He himself didn’t really care what Hakuba looked like. All that mattered to him was that he was good at what he did but he quickly realized how insensitive that sounded. Japan was a rather homogenous society and Hakuba stuck out like a sore thumb so of course there would be a lot of hesitance in allowing him to climb the police force ladder. Even if his dad was the top-most rank, that meant nothing when Hakuba was so different.

"I guess that might just be my own thought process though… there are still a lot of people with a conservative mindset that might balk at the idea of having you so high in the police force.” Quickly trying to lighten the mood, he flipped the subject. “I think they might just be jealous of your good looks. Westerners are considered pretty attractive around here, you know.“

Just a compliment between colleagues, of course.

O-of… course…

The reluctant annoyance that Hakuba was beginning to feel toward Kudou was distracted by the other detective’s compliment. Indeed, it brought his one-track mind sputtering to a stop before falling over on the tracks. He blinked, cheeks coloring, and averted his gaze quickly after that, 

"Ah… thank you, Kudou-san,” Hakuba said after a moment, voice uncertain. “However, I don’t think that’s really why, though I appreciate the thought." 

At last, a smile returned to his face. As loathe as he was to admit it, the kind words about his looks came across like praise from a picky master to a needy golden retriever. 

"Not to worry, Kudou-san. I’ve known from a very young age that the nepotistic focus of Japanese society would ultimately prevent my ability to flourish here. I’ve never held any delusions about that.” A pause, then “Ah- how far are we from the cafe? I don’t believe I quite recognize this part of the neighborhood…" 

In truth, he’d only been here a few times, mostly to run errands for the police. And although it had been incredibly tempting, he’d only been by Kudou’s home three or four times in the past couple of years, but never went past the front gate. No one had been home. 

So, ultimately, he was unfamiliar with the area. 

by

great-goddess-amaterasu:

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Amaterasu noted the lack of space on the rock. It’d be unwise to try to climb up to the very top, so she stayed on the rock just below the man. It would be a bit harder to tell if he could see the unseen, as she didn’t have her divine instrument on her back at the moment. This area was hallowed ground and there weren’t demons and monsters nearby.

She made a light breeze move in a different direction with her brush. That acrid smell that lingered in the city seemed to be carried by the wind and she truly was unaware of what it was called. It was irritating, though.

The wolf didn’t seem bothered by him, so Hakuba sort of shrugged it off. He hadn’t been aware that this particular area was inhabited by wolves, but then, it wasn’t like the Japanese government was really forcing animals to stay in one specific place according to race and class, was it? Ha ha.

Chuckling at his own private joke, Hakuba pulled the coffee from off of the briefcase and set it on the rock, opening the case to fish out a little bag of crackers. He opened it up and pulled one out, held out his hand.

“Would you like a cracker, wolf-san?”

by

Of Crimson, Tigers, and Birdwatching

phantom-thief-kid:

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“I’m not and the murder hasn’t happened yet, so figuring it out would be wisest. Obviously, I can’t go to the police. And, even if I tried, that would result in an innocent man getting arrested instead of the killer, along with other consequences.”

That was only half-true, but Heiji was dominant lately. Or Sazerac had perfected his little act. Either way, this would be bad. Very bad. Especially since it involved the ravens.

Blink.

That sounded awfully familiar. Hakuba tilted his head, glancing back at Kaito again, forcing a neutral expression. “Perhaps it might be prudent if we went back inside and you filled me in? I’m quite curious…”

He took the bottle of scotch in his hand, lighter and suit jacket in the other, and gestured back to the room. Suddenly, he didn’t feel very tired anymore.

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Hate Date in Osaka

meitanteiosaka:

whiteknighthakuba started following you

“Oi. What’re you doin’ here, Hakuba?”

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“I’m headed toward the library. Your city’s main public archives has a book that I’ve been looking for forev- Ah… this… is the way to the library, isn’t it?”

Hakuba blinked, confused as he glanced around curiously. Where was he? He looked back at Heiji. Huh. He didn’t recognize any of this part of the city. He must have been wandering again, lost in thought. Troubling. 

“Hattori-san. We meet again. Could you direct me to the library, please?”

by

For the Love of a Painting || kaitouxjeanne

The following evening brought out the usual high society crowd in droves. Each dressed in their finest to impress, young Saguru Hakuba included. He’d forgone wearing the deerstalker and ‘classic’ Sherlock outfit in favor of a black tux with burgundy vest, both because the costume was technically inaccurate and because he wanted to show off as he had been unable to adequately do the night before. If there was ever a time to be a pompous ass, a function like this was it. 

He stood near his client as they greeted the guests, but could not keep himself from glancing periodically at the painting in question. Truthfully, he was a little nervous. He much preferred to work with cold, dead corpses that weren’t going anywhere, with paper trails coated in inherent flaws that he could inspect to unearth the truth. This robbery business… It was well enough and fine, but he was no athlete made to chase over buildings and up walls. And their riddles? Exhausting. But he did as he clients bid him to do, and so steeled himself for the evening.

Hakuba nodded politely, charming smile fixed into place, polished and friendly as was expected. Despite the mixed blood, he had good breeding on both sides, which went a long way with the rich crowd. ‘Oh, both sides of the family are rich? What a fine young gentleman!’ 

It was difficult not to think about that while taking the hands of the ladies to kiss and the men to shake, nodding hellos, bowing, and offering bits of trivia about themselves to confirm that, yes, he was supposed to be there, he did belong, and he was a damn good detective there was no need to worry. 

But where of the girl from the night before? She was new. Jeanne. He hardly knew anything about her except that she was interesting and very suspicious, both of which he enjoyed. Surely, she would show. 

He hid a sigh and turned to his client, raising a faint brow at a whispered request, then moved away to seek out a server. Asked to retrieve drinks? He wasn’t a butler. But he did as he was told, slipping into the crowd, disappointed bitterness hidden away.

by

Of Crimson, Tigers, and Birdwatching

phantom-thief-kid:

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“I can’t forget this ‘raven business,’ though. It is tempting, yes. Even so, I’m not going to leave my friends who are involved with those ravens. Also, please don’t bring Hattori into this. He and I get along fine, unlike you and him.”

Interesting choice of a location, now that he thought of it.  He rested his head on the rail. Yes, running could get you far, but it didn’t change how the people left behind were stuck in whatever cesspool you’d fled.

“And I got a bizarre riddle. From what I can tell, if I don’t figure it out and stop the writer, they’re going to kill someone very soon. I’m not gonna let that happen either, Hakuba..” No need to mention Sazerac being the writer. That… wouldn’t go over well.

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“I… was joking,” Hakuba said, frowning again. “I know we can’t just leave." 

The detective turned back to the city view. He knew he was being unreasonable, but it still hurt. 

"I went and visited Hattori-san just like you asked. I was more than polite. I’m not going to cause any problems, don’t worry. I’m not the one that has an extreme temper and violence problem.” Pause. “…bizarre riddle? Wait, since when were you a homicide detective?”

by

themoonlightthief:

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An utterly unamused look was aimed the detective’s way as he noted Hakuba’s own expression and he had to resist the urge to mutter some very well chosen words under his breath.

Well.

Two could play this game. Whatever kind of game it was Hakuba was playing.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if you’re planning on staying here, then one pizza is not going to be enough,” he replied with a roll of his eyes and turned to head back inside, reluctantly motioning for the other to follow.

He’d hidden the sapphire in the secret room behind the painting, and there was no way Hakuba was getting in there. It didn’t stop Kaito from feeling slightly unsettled though – he hadn’t expected to run into the detective again quite so soon – but he hid it with ease behind a well practiced poker face.

Success.

Hakuba walked into the house and removed his shoes, casually taking in the surroundings with careful, practiced gaze. Yes, memorize all of the details.

“That’s fine. You order, I’ll hand you my credit card. Is that agreeable enough for you?”

Shoes off, he straightened up and offered a grin. It was that same amused, ‘I’ve got you now’ kind of grin that he had worn before, but now it was a little more relaxed.

“We need drinks, too. I suppose pizza delivery doesn’t bring scotch, but… Soda should be fine? What do delivery places in Japan usually bring? Do you have tea already in the house? Oh, wait, I’m sure that you do… Oh, are you watching something?" 

by

koizumiakako:

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More than anything, having him roll his eyes at her had irritated Akako the most and for a moment she imagined that he had actually rebuffed her invitation. Thankfully, for both of them, he had conceded and made his way over to the table. She ignored his rudeness and instead fixed him with an equally neutral stare, trying to hide the effect he had caused.

“Hello, Hakuba-kun,” she greeted flatly. There was no inflection in her voice; not even a hint that they had once been involved in any way. She laid the spoon on the table next to the half-empty cup of melting cream and straightened it just so before taking a small sip of iced tea. Normally she preferred juice but she had been going through a lot of changes recently.

Crossing one leg over the other and straightening her back, Akako tried her best to appear taller. It wasn’t difficult considering she already rivaled his height on a normal day but she hadn’t been feeling her best and the extra few inches couldn’t hurt.

“What brings you here?” She was only half curious but chose sugar over vinegar. Saguru probably wouldn’t respond to anything else from her. Actually, even with him joining her, Akako would still be a little bit surprised if he decided to respond at all.

The posturing was noted with a bite of irritation, which Hakuba showed by tightening his jaw. He nodded to her greeting, then took a sip of coffee – which was, as always, far too hot to drink right away – then set it down in silence. Until the question, anyway. 

“I had some shopping to take care of,” the detective answered quietly, stating the obvious. “I suppose I should ask the same of you?”

Hakuba glanced over again, trying sort of hard to keep the disdain out of his expression and stay neutral. When it didn’t work, the drank more burning coffee. Ow. 

by

askkudoushinichi:

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“The police can always use the help on cold cases. Is there any specific reason you would choose the United Kingdom over Japan?” he asked as an after thought. It did seem rather strange to him, but then again, he realized that Saguru was raised in England.

They were a lot alike in some ways and then completely different in others. While Saguru wanted to work on cold cases, Shinichi was much more involved in the here and now. Organized crime had become his game, which wasn’t really all that surprising. Maybe he would go back to solving murders when they were finally put behind bars.

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The question brought Hakuba to a near-stumble. “Ah, Kudou-san… Well, that is to say…”  

He looked back at Shinichi, raising a brow, frowning somewhat. Either Shinichi was teasing him or he’d somehow managed to transcend mortality and was, as he might have guessed, an angel of equality.

Either way, he decided to err on the side of caution and answer the question seriously. 

“Considering I look about as Japanese as a piñata, I’ll never make it past rank 6, and that’s only if I am incredibly fortunate. I’ll have a much better chance advancing in London."