Detective Conan and Magic Kaito characters, settings, and ideas do not belong to me but to Aoyama Gōshō.
TMPD Antics
By Taliya
LVIII: Kuroba and Hakuba
From: Hakuba Saguru
To: Kuroba Kaito
Subject: A Word…
Kuroba-kun,
Hattori-kun has requested that I inform you to let Kudou-kun off the hook, so to speak, regarding your declared-but-yet-to-begin prank war, as he has been somewhat skittish as of late.
On a side note, might I suggest switching the target of your ire to Hattori-kun? Kudou-kun has seen what you are capable of—as have I—but I'm quite sure Hattori-kun has yet to experience having the full force of your attention in prank mode…
Hakuba Saguru
P.S. – If you decide to go through with this, please let me know so that I may record it for posterity.
"So what is this really about, Hakuba?" Kaito asked as he slid into the desk seat next to Saguru's. "It's not like you to be this… vindictive."
The blond sighed, shoving his paperwork away. The Osakan's "lame" comment had stung more than he had anticipated—but to be fair, Heiji had not lived in Tokyo for as long as either Saguru or Shinichi had. Plus, he had never been the target of Kaito's particular brand of insanity. Shinichi, Saguru knew, had been heavily involved in most of KID's heists after his reappearance in his late teens—and therefore knew what to expect. Heiji was, by comparison, a newcomer into the game.
"It's nothing," he finally said, rubbing his eyes. "I'm just… overreacting."
Kaito watched his friend with careful, concerned eyes. "Are you sure? I mean—I know the two of you don't like each other and don't get along, but this is the first time you've essentially decided to—ah, sic me on anybody." He leaned forwards on the desk, angling towards the blond. "It's obviously not nothing, Hakuba. Talk to me."
At Kaito's continued, expectant silence, Saguru relented. "My pride's smarting a bit, that's all," he murmured, almost ashamed to admit it. He was sure Kaito would laugh himself to death.
Surprisingly, the Division Three officer did not. "What happened?"
Instead of speaking, Saguru pulled up the email conversation and allowed the brunet to read it through. "I see," Kaito said thoughtfully after reaching the bottom. "Would you like me to?" he asked, eyes kindling and mouth curling at the prospect of a pranking spree.
"No," Saguru answered softly but firmly. "My apologies. I shouldn't have emailed you about that. I can't—I won't stoop that low."
"But then I won't have the chance to avenge the fair Hakuba!" Kaito lamented with a faux-mournful face and a mischievous wink. "Whatever shall I do to right the slight against my lovely blond lady?"
"Oh, do shut up, Kuroba-kun," Saguru groused with flushed cheeks as he gave the melodramatic theft detective a shove, but a tiny smile lurked about his lips.
Kaito, the sharp young man that he was, noticed it and felt satisfaction coil warm in his chest for bringing his friend at least a little out of his mood.
Author's Note: Bet you didn't see that coming, did you? Kaito can be sweet and sensitive when he wants to be. It's just… it doesn't happen very often. And Saguru's such a mature lad. I'd be worried about Heiji right about now… I hope you enjoyed it.
Completed: 26.01.2016