There's a new dog at the park.

Shinichi keeps half his attention on Conan, who is leading a small park of younger dogs through the piles of leaves nearby, and the other half on the Dalmatian that he's never seen before.

His owner lets him off the lead and picks his way down the fenceline where he sets up a dish and a gallon of water. The Dalmatian follows, lapping at the water before bounding off to greet some of the other dogs.

Conan perks up at the new dog, and the opportunity for water, and Shinichi hurries to meet up with his dog, whistling to get his attention.

"Conan!"

The Border Collie stops, laying in place, and Shinichi smiles down at him.

"Walk up," he says, and Conan creeps forward slowly, the pack at his back momentarily forgotten. "Good, Conan."

"He's so polite," the stranger says, as Conan delicately walks forward to lap at the water dish. His little pack joins him once he's had some, jostling each other for a spot around the dish. Conan looks back at him and he reaches down to scratch his ears.

"He's getting some good training in. Conan, come-by," Shinichi says, and like that's he's off in a wide circle, moving fast to lead his little pack away from the water and out into the rest of the park. The Dalmatian Shinichi noticed earlier starts to chase after him.

"A sheepdog, right?"

"Border Collie. He's four," Shinichi says, "Thanks for the water."

"My usual park didn't have a fountain close, so I got used to bringing a big dish to share," the stranger says, offering out a hand, "I'm Kaito. That's Kid."

The Dalmatian, Kid, has slipped into the pack like he's always been there, but he's purposefully dancing at the edges of Conan's little pack, necessitating Conan makes tighter circles to keep him closer to the pack. Kid seems to take that as a challenge to be wily.

"Shinichi," he says, shaking his hand, "Would you be the Kaito that moved in down the road? I think my friend Agasa saw you moving in."

"That's correct!" Kaito smiles even wider. "That would make you Kudou Shinichi, the detective."

"Yeah. I guess he told you about me?"

"No. That would be several of our other neighbors, a few older ladies who would not stop insisting that I meet the other young bachelor on the street."

Shinichi duck his face to hide his warm cheeks, because that sounds exactly like Yamazakura-san and her tea friends.

"You are very cute, I would have to agree with her," Kaito says, and Shinichi realizes he's still holding his hand.

"Um!" He looks back for Conan, spotting him circling Kid and trying to herd him back to the pack as the Dalmatian just trots back and sideways. It's obviously a very fun game, judging by Conan's 'thinking tail waggle' that he's never really stopped doing.

"Sorry if that was too strong," Kaito apologizes, releasing Shinichi's hand and using it to push back his hair. "Yamazakura-san just suggested you'd be better to ask about the area considering you also had an energetic dog."

"Oh, yeah that makes sense," Shinichi says, calming himself a little, "I work as a private detective and Conan works with me."

"That's impressive."

"It mostly means that I know all of the pet-friendly areas to shop, eat, and play."

"Very useful knowledge to have. Would you mind maybe showing us a few of the cafes? That would give us a chance to socialize, too."

"S-sure," he says, faltering a little at Kaito's confidence.

"Great!"