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Caught on Camera

Photograph: Incessant

"So what did you lot's twisted sense of humor find so amusing about me talking on the phone?" Shinichi asked dryly, earning himself a smack from his mother.

"You shouldn't talk to your elders like that," she admonished. "It's rude."

"It would probably help to think about it as a set with this other one," Chikage explained, gesturing to the photo on the opposite page—which was—surprise, surprise—Kaito on the phone. This one however had what appeared to be the Eifel Tower in the background glittering bright against a night sky…

. . . . . . . . .

Ensconced in one of the armchairs in the Kudo Manor's living room, Shinichi flipped idly through the pages of the novel he'd chosen to write his book report on. It was slightly irritating that it was the summer before his first year of high school and he already had homework, but at least there wasn't much of it. And he liked reading so technically he was doing something he would have done anyway. The only problem was that the variety of books they had been given to choose from left much to be desired. Well, the sooner he got it done, the sooner he could forget about it and go read something else.

He'd just picked up his pen to make a few notes when the phone on the desk beside his notebook began to ring. Letting out a short sigh, he switched targets and picked up the phone.

"Mo—"

"Shin-chan!" an exuberant voice exclaimed, cutting him off before he could complete the traditional greeting. "How are you?"

Shinichi glanced at the clock on the wall. "Kaito…you called me one hour ago. What do you think could have changed?"

"Dunno, isn't that why people call? So they can find out?"

"I…guess so…"

"So? What are you doing?"

"I'm still working on the book report I was working on the last two times you called."

"Still?"

Shinichi rolled his eyes despite the fact that he knew Kaito couldn't see him. "It's kind of hard to finish when I keep getting interrupted. Aren't you supposed to be helping your dad prepare for his next show?"

"Oh, we finished that ages ago. He's just calling the performance hall now to hash out a few details. It's not all that fun to listen in on, to be honest, but the show's going to be awesome."

"Are they ever not?"

"Nope." Kaito laughed. "We should really come here together some time. The view at night is great. I can see the Eifel Tower from my window right now in fact. It's all glittering lights and everything—shorter than I thought it'd be though."

"Did you go up it?" Shinichi asked curiously.

"Not yet. I'm thinking about going later tonight—or tomorrow night. Depends on if Tou-ssan needs me to do anything else first I guess."

They chatted idly for a few more minutes before Toichi-san's voice sounded in the background on Kaito's end and he excused himself with a reluctant farewell. Shinichi set the phone back in its holder and let out a quiet breath.

His mom chose that moment to come breezing into the room (he wondered whether her timing was coincidence or if she'd been waiting in the hall for just the right moment—he wouldn't put it past her). "Was that Kaito-kun again?"

He picked up his pen and started writing the notes he'd put on hold when he'd answered the phone. "Yes, it was."

"That makes it, what, four times today?"

Shinichi nodded, eyeing his mother warily. There was something about her smile that was putting him on edge. Kaito had been gone on the trip to France with his father for only three days but he'd called nearly five times as many times as he'd been gone days.

"It's making it hard to finish writing this," he muttered, turning another page of his book. "It'd be nice if he waited a little longer between calls. I might actually be able to finish reading this then."

"Aw Shin-chan, it just means he misses you," his mother admonished, hiding a giggle behind her hand.

"Or he's bored and doesn't have anything else to do."

"You know that can't be it. Kaito-kun's very good at finding ways to amuse himself."

That, Shinichi had to admit, was true. Kaito was a showman by nature, but the person he was actually best at entertaining was himself.

"But that just means he really shouldn't be calling at all. Even if Toichi-san gets a discount for long distance calls they're going to wrack up one terrifying bill if Kai keeps this up."

"Oh come on, give him a break, I know you miss him too. You can't hide it from Mommy! You've been waiting for him to call."

"What? No I haven't," Shinichi objected, flushing under his mother's twinkling gaze.

"Oh really?" She sauntered over to peer down at him. "So if you're not waiting, why have you been doing all your homework and reading next to the phone?"

He frowned at her. "There is a chair and a table here you know."

"True, but I know you usually work in your room or in the library. Go on, admit it!" She laughed at the look on his face as she turned back towards the hallway door. "Tell Kaito-kun I said hi~!"

. . . . . . . . .

…"Aw, I didn't know you were waiting." Kaito grinned and wrapped an arm around the detective in question.

"I wasn't," Shinichi protested, but he could see that none of them believed him. And damnit he was blushing again.

TBC

A.N: Well, hope you all enjoyed it. Anyhow, I'm really tired today so I'm going to get going. See ya!