Kazuto was beginning to expect running into Hayato these days. It was a rare occurrence to run into those he spoke with on a whim before. Even more so again and again. He wondered if they were tied together somehow. With fate playing with their encounters. It wasn't something he particularly believed in, but it also wasn't something he could just brush aside.

Besides, the more he could spend time with the other boy, the more likely he could disprove his own theory about the college student being similar to that pesky phantom thief. He still had his doubts and believed it would be too good to be true if that were the case.

"Thanks for agreeing to come with me today," Kazuto hums. "I know it was sudden, but my friend really insists on getting out more."

"It's fine." Hayato replies with a shrug. "Nice excuse to get away from doing homework."

"Hm." He glances to the other as they walk side by side. "You don't seem the type to shriek away from it though…Midterms?"

Hayato lets out a sigh. He'd gotten that right.

"One more. Then I can catch a break for a couple of weeks."

"Well, I hope you'll do well! And hopefully you can catch some much-needed sleep to."

Hayato looks over to him with a glare in his eyes before easing up. He disliked when the other pointed that out. It was his own fault for not covering the bags underneath his eyes.

"Only if you do too," he mutters.

That doesn't go unheard from the detective, but he doesn't comment against it. He stays quiet, letting himself take in the sight of the local park.

Once again, it had been Jinichirou's suggestion to come out to a place like this. He claimed that the detective could get sun and be able to observe others if he wished while here. He was grateful that it was a nice day with the sun's rays beaming down upon them. It wasn't too hot, and the breeze was just right. Part of him thought he should drag Jinichirou out here next time. Even he needed a break too, right?

"Do you come here often, Hayato?"

"Used to," he shrugs. "Mostly when I was younger."

"Don't use it to escape homework problems too often?"

Hayato rolls his eyes. He regretted using that as an excuse to be with him.

Kazuto keeps up a smile, as usual, finding the other boy intriguing. It always seemed like he wished to speak more, but never did. He hardly seemed shy and would utter the occasional surprising thing. So, what was that was holding him back? Reluctance to speak to an acquaintance?

As he's caught up in his thoughts about Hayato, the student steps away from him. He finds a bench to sit on, easily relaxing into it and shutting his eyes. He doesn't even move when Kazuto takes the seat beside him.

"So, why a detective?" Hayato asks, suddenly.

"Hm? A curious question from Hayato." He hums playfully. Kazuto takes a moment to answer, eyes focusing on the fountain in the park. "My father was a detective. The best one out there. I admired him and you could say that I had a bit of an obsession with wanting to follow in his footsteps."

"And you became one just like him, huh?" There was an odd hint of bitterness in his tone, one that would go unnoticed by most. Even he seems aware of it, trying to cover it up with another comment. "I'm sure he's proud of you.

"I think he might be." Kazuto chuckles before looking to the clouds. "I can only hope that I'm doing well in his place."

Hayato shifts in his seat, head turning to the detective, brows raised. "In his place? What do you…?"

Kazuto had gone quiet, which was almost unsettling. All that could be heard was the distant chatter, the coos of birds, and water splashing from the fountain. He tilted his head down and that casual smile looked sad, if only for a moment.

"My father passed away when I was a child."

"Oh…I'm sorry."

"Thank you, but no need to apologize. It's been so long already. And I think as long as I can really follow in his work, then I can make him proud."

"By being the best detective out there?"

"Yes. But there's also something else I have to do." A pause. "Have you ever heard of phantom thieves?"

"Somewhat…" Hayato's gaze drifts elsewhere. "Not much info on them and the media likes to keep them covered up. Things still leak out though."

"Ah, I'm surprised you know about them! They are fairly interesting in their work. Not many thieves would announce what they're about to steal. It's a little counterintuitive if you ask me."

"Maybe they just want to have an honorable duel?"

Kazuto chuckles. "It's not that honorable if they're still stealing."

"I guess. But, what's your interest in them? Aren't thieves supposed to be caught by the police?"

"Normally, yes. But, when it's a serious case, they will call in for help. Like me and my father, for example."

"Hmph. You sure you should be telling me all this?"

"You're the curious one here. Besides, I won't indulge in current matters too much. There isn't much a bystander can do- as long as you're not planning on trying to catch one in action, are you?"

"What?" Hayato turns his head, taken aback. "Of course not."

"I'm glad." Kazuto breathes out, taking a moment to stretch. His gaze lingers on some wandering pigeons and he wished that he had something to give them. "They can be dangerous to encounter. Like any task on the force, there's the chance of death."

"So, they're not only thieves but murders too? Sounds kinda weird for them to resort to that after going through the trouble of announcing their plans."

"It's a possibility. I haven't seen one resort to it, but…I know. They're human to. When pushed into a corner, they can fight back. It's only natural, right? Even if they are a special type of thieves, I can't leave that out. Especially since it happened to my father."

"O-Oh…"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make the conversation turn that way."

"It's fine." Is what he says. But when Kazuto catches his gaze, he can see the sadness and hurt in his eyes. Perhaps he was more emotional than he originally let on. "Do you want revenge?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know if I could even capture the one who went after my father. I would like to at least capture a few. To finish what he started, you know?"

He'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought of revenge before. He knew it was silly to let his anger be aimed towards someone wrapped in mystery. But as he grew older, that feeling of anger and frustration had died out. His father wouldn't have wanted him to be blinded by hatred.

"Ah…" Hayato falls quiet. When he speaks, his voice dry. "Say…I hear that they usually go by fancy names. Do you remember that phantom thief's name? What he called himself?"

Kazuto stares at the other. It was as if he was forcing himself to talk. But regardless, he answered.

"I'm not sure if there are any records of him publicly. There might be a few things, but the name he went by was Hakutouwashi."

Hayato can't get a response out. And the moment he had uttered that name, he'd seen all the color drain from his face. As much as he tried to hide little things from him, this was something he couldn't do.

"Are you all right, Hayato?"

An "m'fine," just barely manages to get past his lips. He was definitely anything but that. And before Kazuto could reach out and put a hand onto him, he'd already jumped to his feet.

"Sorry. Gotta go."

Without further explanation, Hayato runs off. He doesn't look back and just keeps on running as if his life depended on it.

Kazuto remains on the bench, worried about his sudden reaction to what he had said. Perhaps he shouldn't have continued that conversation so nonchalantly. If only he'd focused on him a little more than be reminded of his own duties.

"I hope he's all right…"