Chapter Text
When Aoko had shown up at the end of his classes insisting that he join her and Kaito at the library, grinning mischievously and promising he’d enjoy himself, Hakuba hadn’t expected that what she meant by that is that they would be watching Kaito valiantly trying - and failing - to hit on the on-duty librarian for a good seventeen and a half minutes. Frankly, he was impressed at how effortlessly they managed to disable the magician’s booby-traps without even looking up from his book, oddly familiar with Kaito's brand of tricks. He wasn't sure if he should focus on that, the apparent narcissism in the magician's taste considering how remarkably similar they looked, or the fact that he knew the librarian. While the last one didn't actually bother him, Saguru couldn't help but marvel at how of all the people his somewhat-friend could have chosen to take a fancy to, he picked Kudou Shinichi.
Not that he personally had any issues with the other detective, but he was a detective, and there was no way the magician didn't know that. Kaito was always up to date on the news, and even without the massive case Kudou had been involved with a couple years ago that blew up his name everywhere, there was also the fact that he occasionally chased KID at his heists. Saguru never claimed to understand the other perfectly, but this particular breed of insanity was beyond anything he'd seen from the magician so far.
Kaito wandered back to the table Saguru and Aoko had set their books up at and slumped dejectedly into one of the empty chairs after some other library-goers took over Kudou's attention by actually having a legitimate reason to talk to him, like having books they were checking out. Aoko curled over with her hands on her face to stifle her giggles, and Saguru did quirk the faintest of smirks at how dramatic the magician was being.
"Maybe it's for the best that he doesn't acknowledge you." Hakuba commented dryly.
Lifting his head up, Kaito sent him a narrow-eyed glare. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, given your nighttime activities. I doubt you could hide that from someone you're in a relationship with, let alone a detective."
"Would you give that a rest already," Kaito barely even looked outraged, the argument so old and worn. Instead, he appeared rather pouty, and there wasn't even much vehemence in his hushed tone.
Aoko, on the other hand, was interested by the new information. "You know him, Hakuba?"
"Of course," The blond nodded. "You've probably heard of him too, in the midst of your father's post-heist rants. The inspector's not generally very welcoming of anyone else trying to catch KID and Kudou-kun may have accidentally made the heists sound like a novelty game." He made a point of ignoring Kaito's scandalized expression at the sign of familiarity, and the subsequent slump and sulking.
She frowned in thought as she racked her brain for the name, brightening and leaning forward when it came to her. "You mean Kudou Shinichi? I remember dad being mad about him going after KID because Conan said it was fun." She made a bit of a face at that. Aoko had always remained very anti-KID, and had frowned about a child being part of the chase. On more than one occasion she had taken to shouting at KID about the child endangerment in leading the boy through the dangerous chases (which weren't really that dangerous), though she did let up a bit after several reassurances that Conan was capable and being told that KID went easier on the child (though Hakuba knew otherwise).
"Yeah. He's a good detective, if a bit... easygoing about his method of approach to cases. He's serious enough, but he can come off as goofing around or being ridiculous at times. Regardless, he's not often wrong, if ever."
"Huh," she looked musingly at the detective-slash-librarian, who was ignoring another patron looking for his attention for non-library reasons as artfully as he had Kaito's approaches. "I wonder, is he a better detective than you?"
Saguru leveled her with a flat look.
She smiled back mildly and shrugged. "I'm just saying, they call him the Heisei Holmes. You don't have a title as grand as that."
With a resigned sigh, the detective explained carefully. "Publicity doesn't imply much about one’s skill level; Mouri Kogoro is a good example of that." Though the famous "Sleeping Kogoro" had lost steam at the same time as Shinichi's return, his "brilliance" seemed fleeting at best even before. "Kudou-kun is the real deal, but I don't think one could accurately compare our abilities, nor can I fairly claim one of us over the other, as colleagues."
Her smile turned sheepish. "I guess that's true."
Saguru had to say, he was impressed that Kaito was sulking so much that he didn't even butt into the conversation. Glancing between his friend and the other detective, he tapped a finger on the cover of his book contemplatively as he got an idea. "Kaito."
The magician looked up at him, grunting vaguely in acknowledgement.
The blond smiled, asking loftily. "If I helped get Kudou-kun's attention for you, do you think all those mysterious incidents in my mansion would stop?"
Kaito's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I wouldn't know."
"Ah, well," Saguru said, returning deliberately to his studies. "It was just a thought."
He could hear Aoko's badly stifled giggles, and there was no doubt that Kaito was looking at him like he'd grown a second head, trying to puzzle him out. And as expected, Kaito spoke up before he'd gotten halfway down the page. Taking forty-seven point three seconds to try to figure what Saguru’s aim was, he finally asked, "Do you think he'd be interested?"
Despite the fact that Kudou had somewhat insisted on Saguru referring to him in a more friendly manner, the blonde didn't really know that much about the other detective outside of cases. He'd heard rumor of him having once been interested in his childhood friend, Mouri Ran, but nothing conclusive on any front. He'd never put much thought into it either, there were always more important things at hand. At the very least, he was sure that the magician could stir up enough intrigue that, coupled with his dogged persistence, could make a chance for the other to consider it. "There's only one way to find out, isn't there?"
Jotting down a few more notes while the magician thought it over, he wasn't surprised at all by the sly, not-conceding-to-the-former-accusations response hardly twenty seconds later.
"Well, I don't know about those mysterious incidents, but I know if I'm occupied with something else then I sure won't have the time to mess with you."
Saguru marks his page and closed the book, tucking it away as he stands. "That'll do."
The magician was obviously still a bit suspicious, and notably surprised when Saguru first stood like he thought he wouldn't do it, still looking for some backlash once the punchline came out, but trailed along behind him anyways. Aoko followed as well, not bothering to be subtle about her interest in the proceedings.
Shinichi looked a little physically pained by whatever passage he was currently reading, but still maintained enough focus on it to continue ignoring the person there until they stormed off upon noticing the trio stepping up to the desk with apparent purpose. Saguru shook his head at the display before catching the brunet's attention. "Kudou-kun."
Sharp eyes snapped up to look at him. One could almost watch the mental checkmarks as he quickly scanned the blond and his companions and smiled amiably, relaxing and putting his book down next to a stack nearby — composed entirely of some variations of mystery and whodunit books. "Ah, Hakuba. It's been a while. What brings you here?"
"My friends study here since it's near our college, they invited me along to join them today." Saguru began, gesturing to the two stepping up from behind him. "Nakamori Aoko, studying criminology, and Kuroba Kaito, studying engineering."
Shinichi's gaze turned to scan each of them again, nodding in greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Kudou Shinichi, although you might have known that." He adds, wryly.
The blond could practically pinpoint exactly when Shinichi snapped on his personable “meeting people” face that disarmed even some of the harshest personalities he’d come across. It did well to belie his traits that could often put people off, instead seeming almost childishly innocent of such flaws. And, much to Saguru's amusement, despite Kaito knowing about Shinichi's obsessive detective skills and interests - the much more eccentric parts of his personality - the magician still fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Looking even downright smitten.
Privately, the blond might have started to hope it worked out with them, if only because he didn't want to deal with the sulking magician afterwards. It always brought down the moods of everyone around him when he wasn't happy. But, if he were being completely honest, that is just an excuse to avoid admitting he cared. Good thing he's not especially honest.
Kaito, in his usual fashion, grinned right back and slipped a rose out into Kudou's face. It was, unsurprisingly, a very deep red. "As if I'd ever forget a face like yours!"
Shinichi raised an eyebrow at the magician, pausing thoughtfully before taking the flower. “Well, I’d hope not. You’ve been trying to get my attention for a while now, as I recall. You’re more persistent than the usual fans.”
It probably wasn’t a compliment but, regardless of that and the fact that meant he’d been deliberately ignored, Kaito preened at the words. “I’m impossible to get rid of,” he agreed. Which- didn’t sound all that flattering.
At least the detective looked more amused than put off by the declaration. Dryly he remarked, “I guess I should be grateful you aren’t one of the ones who try to stalk me home at least.”
He probably has, Saguru thinks sardonically. He’s just really good at hiding it.
“When do you get off?” Aoko chimes in, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “We were going to go to a cafe after we finished studying, you could come with.” And now wasn’t that just clearly a line to start a set up.
Shinichi mulled it over, seemingly not picking up on the probably-too-obvious underlying goal, and Saguru watched with a barely concealed smile as Kaito stared at him wide-eyed and hopeful. “Ran and Sonoko made similar plans after work...”
“We could all go together then.” The blond added, before Kaito had the chance to wilt. “It would be a nice group outing.”
Kudou smirked like he did when when a suspect unknowingly gives him the exact evidence he needed, and glanced at his watch. “Two and a half hours, then. I should get back to work, but if it’s no trouble then I suppose you can study ‘til I’m done.”
Saguru briefly wondered with concern what they had just agreed to that Shinichi would be so smug about their agreement, but was distracted by the arm thrown across his shoulders by Kaito, who very obviously had his feet in his clouds and looking deliriously happy as he guided his friends back to their seats. It’s probably a good thing Kaito doesn’t actually need to study much for his courses, because he definitely didn’t get anything done between when the plans were made and when the librarian taking over for the rest of the day arrived. He was too busy daydreaming and staring at the paper cup Shinichi had filled with water and put the rose in absently.
As Shinichi began packing up, a pair of girls entered the library. Suzuki Sonoko marched determinedly in the detective’s direction, with Mouri Ran following her- looking equally as determined, but much more controlled than her friend. Shinichi looked puzzled over what to do with the rose when the two reached him, which quickly made his expression turn a little panicked. Saguru could hardly blame him, Suzuki-san looked downright manic. When the brunet nervously glanced their way, Saguru took that as his cue for them to save him.
Kaito looked curiously pensive when Saguru turned back towards his friends to suggest they do just that. Apparently the lovestruck moron could pay attention outside of his swooning after all. Color Saguru not terribly impressed.
“What!?” Sonoko’s indignant cry thundered in the near-silence, drawing the eyes of the whole library as Shinichi flinched. Ran’s eyes darted to the other patrons and she bowed apologetically before she turned to try and quiet her friend.
“Sonoko!” She whispered critically. “This is a library, it’s rude to be too loud while people are reading.”
“What’s rude is this no-good mystery otaku thinking he can just-” Her sentence got cut off suddenly as she was startled by a puff of pink smoke that cleared to reveal a grinning Kaito. He gallantly offered her the yellow rose in his outstretched arm.
“Now, now, Miss Suzuki, we don’t want to scene a scene here now do we? The lighting’s all wrong!”
“It…. is?” She asks, clearly confused by her tirade’s abrupt derailment, which is exactly what he’d intended, no doubt. The magician launched into a lecture about the importance of lighting in dramatic outrage and the nuances of intimidation for efficient confrontations as he gently began to guide her out the door. He paused briefly on the way to glance back at Saguru impatiently.
Snorting, the blond shook his head. Mouri, he noticed, was torn between looking at Shinichi with tight-lipped concern, and glancing back to make sure her friend wasn’t being kidnapped or something. “It would probably be best if we went after those two before Kaito forcibly imparts too much of his obsessive breakdowns of theatrics on her,” he breaks in to diffuse the obvious tension.
Forcing a smirk, Shinichi eyed Ran warily. “The last thing Sonoko needs is more advice on drama.”
Aoko took over from that, introducing herself to the other girl with a friendly smile and “I’m sorry for these idiots,” walking alongside the other brunette to where Kaito held the doors while he waited for them. Glancing back to Shinichi, who was making a cursory scan of the library while he grabbed his things, Saguru noted the other detective looks not unlike an uncomfortable bug under a scope. The Beikan frowned at the flower on his desk again, before grabbing the whole cup and falling into step with the blond detective behind the girls. The tension emanating from him only lessening once they escaped the blatantly curious gazes.
By the time they were all outside Aoko wasted no time turning on Kaito to scold him about his behavior, and apologizing about his idiocy again to Sonoko. For whatever reason, the light-haired girl had been eying the magician suspiciously. Saguru couldn't help but wonder what the moron did to warrant that. “We tried keeping him on a leash. It’s nice to meet you, though.”
The light-haired girl smiled back. “It’s all right, he’s nowhere near as bad as Shinichi when he won’t shut up about Holmes and mysteries.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime!”
“Hey! I’m not that bad,” said detective tried objecting, petulantly. He made a face at the twin annoyed stares turned on him by both Sonoko and Ran before amending, “... anymore.”
And that, unfortuntately, only wound the barely-settled rage right back up. “No,” Sonoko snapped in annoyance, “now you just hide secret love notes in mystery novels, and refuse to talk about things!”
“Not love notes,” Kudou asserts firmly, sounding like he was tired of repeating it. “Just because I’m keeping something private doesn’t mean I have some sort of secret lover!”
With a haughty snort, Sonoko opened her mouth to ream Shinichi on the topic further. But then, that was when Ran caught on to the defensive tightening of Shinichi’s posture and glanced at the Ekodan trio. It was a bad time, and she knew it. With a sigh she gently waves Sonoko down before she could get started and gave Shinichi a long, concerned look. ”We’re just worried. Things have been different since… That case. We’re your friends, Shinichi. Just promise us you’ll talk about it sometime? Please.”
A strange, sad look passed over the Beikan detective’s face when he nods. Saguru couldn’t help but get the feeling that it wasn’t agreeing to the promise at all though, instead just a placating the girls in hopes they would drop it. Then, straighteing with an almost-believable smile, if you hadn’t been paying attention to the last few minutes or to the fact his gaze avoided everyone’s eyes, he took the matter of changing the subject into his own hands. “Well, anyways, I thought we were going out to a cafe today, unless everyone’s changed their minds?”
Sometimes Aoko still showed some of her more childish personality traits, like earlier when she’d asked for a comparison of the detectives’ skills, but really, after all the years of dealing with various brands of social blunders and ineptitude from both the boys and even a few of her own, she was honestly something of a godsend. “I know a nice place nearby, actually. I think they’d be perfect, they have these cute heart and polka-dotted cake rolls.”
“Mmmm, I love cake rolls!”
Thankfully, the girls fell into an easy discussion of their favorite kinds of cake and cute designs on the way like the conflict never happened, save for Ran tossing a look back at Shinichi every now and then, as if checking that he was still there.
Looking pleased for whatever reason, Kaito oh-so-casually fell in beside Shinichi where he blatantly ignored Saguru’s amused looks and attempted to start a conversation of his own with the object of his affections. Judging by how they were still deeply embroiled in discussion - or debate, Saguru couldn’t tell if they knew the difference - over cheap mystery novels and the difference between magic parlor tricks and a legitimate mystery when the girls and Saguru had excused themselves to other engagements, the half-brit figures it went well enough. He only hardly managed to break in long enough to offer Kaito a sly “Good luck” before he left.
The dirty look Kaito gave him for that and Shinichi’s questioning look was absolutely worth it.