Shinichi had not long ago harbored a crush on Kaito. It would have been better if Kaito hadn't already been taken. But who was he kidding...
Life wasn't always arms and legs for him
Truthfully, Shinichi was so busy that he couldn't find the time to sit down and mourn about it, a lot of thanks given to his neverending pile of work.
At that moment, however, it seemed he was rewarded with that exact break he needed. Or not.
"Shinichi, your workload scares me"
...It was better to ignore the fact that his crush was sitting right across the room. Yep, not the most perfect time in the world
"Sure, be scared"
Keeping his usual calm facade, the detective replied half-heartedly.
"I'm telling you to tone it down" Kaito said slowly, letting the idea sink.
"And I'm telling you I refuse"
Like some kind of reflex, Shinichi bid out stubbornly, choosing to stare at the uninteresting pattern on the table instead of the charming magician and his stupidly beautiful amethyst eyes. It would be bad for his heart, otherwise.
"Shinichi, you're killing your health"
"I know my health. It's, after all, mine"
It wasn't like he meant to make everything difficult by being a prat but with his mind and feelings jumbled together, Shinichi wasn't in the mood to act like he was cooperating.
"I know you want to catch all the bad guys, Shin-chan. I appreciate the effort but even Inspector Nakamori, who, might I add, is from another division, could see that you're overworking yourself and that is saying something considering how dense he could be"
...Catching baddies was only a part of the reason why he didn't want more free time but Kaito didn't need to know that.
"As I thought, I don't need to lessen it. I'm fine" The detective said softly, taking another sip of his coffee.
"Shin-chan, If I don't know you well enough, I might even say you like chasing after criminals and throwing yourself in danger" Kaito commented plainly.
...Shinichi was glad he didn't press further.
"Compared to an unrequited love, I'd rather chase after a serial killer" Shinichi murmured inaudibly, sighing into his mug.