justonetruth | (no subject)

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[Toichi was not one to often seem like he was taken off guard. Even when he was, it was amazing how he kept most people from realizing it. This situation he's found himself in, however?

Well, even the great Kuroba Toichi has to have a bit of a 'bwuh' look at finding himself suddenly in a dining hall when he had been just walking into the kitchen. And quite the expansive dining hall at that with all the food prepared.

Sure, he could pull off a disappearing act, but he usually knew where he was going to end up.]

How...strange.

[Oh, and something to note? This Toichi looks...older then some people might know him as. At least eight years older than most Kaito's would remember him, in fact.]

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[He chuckled. Really, how could he help it when Kaito reacted like that.] Oh, trust me. We've tried everything. One time I knocked you out, handcuffed you to the stairwell and even used chains and padlocks.

And you were only two minutes late. And Chikage said that was just because it took you a while to wake up again.

You're a natural Kaito. With enough experience and training, you'd be truly unstoppable. Except for maybe that Edogawa boy.

[Now that made Kaito laugh.]

Y-you really did all that? [Have some more laughter.] I actually think I can believe that one. Can't say I've been through it quite like that, but I can definitely believe it.

[Aaand, promptly, a proud yet slightly blushing grin. He chooses to forego the comment that's on the top of his head about already being unstoppable - it'd break up the nice atmosphere.]

Heh, Edogawa? We've met~ Though I can't say that he's ever been able to stop me so far.

Drastic times call for drastic measure and being subtle hadn't worked, nor being subtle as a brick. [Chuckles.] When you decide to do something, it's quite hard to deter you.

Oh, he hasn't stopped me yet, but he certainly has potential and talent, like you do.

Oh, you can say that again~! Mind if I ask what I was being trussed up to be kept away from?

[There's a twinkle back in his eye, and he's eagerly lapping up every word said. It's an experience he's never really had before, being able to talk about being a Kaitou to someone who doesn't harbour even the slightest bit of resentment to that fact still.]

I'll be sure to pass on the message the next time I see him, shall I? [The grin is in full force, and it looks for some reason like Kaito's doing his best not to start laughing again.

The heists. As soon as you learned about it, you insisted on helping. You were afraid Jiichan 'might fall asleep or break a hip or whatever happens with old people,' during a heist. I think it's mostly that you like the excitement. [Mostly. Some of it was definitely worry.]

Oh? Tell him his 'little brother' said that. I'd be interested to hear if he knows what that means.

Ah... So, how old was I when I first figured it out, then? And... pff, Jii-chan's still around where I'm from. Hasn't done either so far, but still...

The excitement? Why, whatever gave you that idea? I've got absolutely no idea what you mean. [Said somewhat dryly, but with its own share of amusement as well as a raised eyebrow.]

Oh, I'll do that. 'Little brother', huh? Something tells me there's a story behind that.

Sixteen. You noticed I was out when Ginzo-kun was working and you put two and two together. After that, you just searched until you found actual proof since accusing me wouldn't work without it.

[Smirks.] It's hard not to spot when someone has the same reason as you. [At least that had been the start. It was for excitement. Until he found out about Pandora.]

Oh, quite the story. I'm quite curious if he ever figured it out.

Hm. Probably around the time I found the hidden room by accident, then. [Well, it was an accident. The fact that it'd been time-locked didn't mean as much as the fact that he'd not known what was going on when he'd fallen through.]

Of course. But knowing Tantei-kun like I do? It's quite likely. We're quite the match when it comes to wits, I've found.

[Much to the annoyance and distress of just about anyone near them when Kaito chooses to have one of these battles of wits, too.]

It is a proper age. Too young and you might still have too black and white view of the world. [And that would put Kaito in a far more difficult position than family relations did.]

Oh, I do hope so, but he was just a child when he was given the evidence. He might not have thought of it since then and connected the pieces.

Black and white? What kind of dull person sees things in only black and white? [Grin~] Even Hakubaka's not that boring any more. And Tantei-kun's not that bad either, though that might just be because of the position he's in at the moment.

[Snickers, and they're threatening to turn into real, out-loud laughter.]

Oh, I think he's been given more than enough chances... every fifth period. [He's trying to get that laughter under control, but he's failing spectacuarly. In the process, his clothes change back into Kaito, but the top hat (slightly see-through) remains on the table. He hardly notices, though.]

A young child who doesn't know the world yet. It's part of innocence.

Every fifth period? You're on a schedule Kaito? [A dramatic gasp.] I'm surprised you don't work to keep him on his toes more. [And a grin.]

[Sage nodding.] And then we grow out of it.

Oi, I do. But fifth period's when his lot have library time. I head off to get him a break from boredom absolute, and get myself out of Hakuba's hair for a while. [A shrug with a grin.] School's only for emergencies. And when classes have gotten too boring for everyone else.

Exactly. I wanted you to have enough time to be out of it.

Oh, is that it? The books are too below his level then?

Well, that makes sense.

You could say that. The books he wants to read, everyone says are above him. I can't blame them, but at least this way they don't get to hear him snoring.

I'd hate to shatter an innocent world view. It'd be disgraceful as someone who puts miracles into people's hearts.

Hm, has he tried the book jacket trick? Put a simpler book's jacket cover over the book he really wants to read?

I wouldn't ever dream of it...

[That unintentionally reminds him of the night he died. Despite the fact that sometimes it was actually fun to be around the blond now, and that Aoko was fine and probably would have gone a similar way if he'd been alive, he still felt like he was shattering them a little more each day. And, unintentionally, a flicker of it shows through on his face. He recovers quickly, though - or seems to.]

We've tried it. It only works for real if it's a book I'd been carrying with me, though - anything we got from there would have to go back onto the shelves, and that'd give the game away. Either that, or the chibi brings it in his schoolbag, and we hope no one searches him and looks in the book before he gets the chance to read it.

[Notices it and smiles gently.] If there was something they were upset with, Kaito, I'm sure they'd prefer it to the alternative.

Hm, it seems his ability to sneak has gone down since elementary.

[Smiles back, kicking his feet somewhat under the chair.] They do. Watson's even starting to trust me, y'know? And while Kudo's still mad at me, he'd probably go 'round the twist if... and Aoko'd probably be dating that jerk Fukuno by now... [last one grumbled, and trailed off with a bit of a clenched fist.]

Not exactly. But he has got nosier friends and teachers.

Still jealous when Aoko pays attention to another boy?

Hmm, that can do quite a bit. The boy usually staved off most other children. The 'shonen tantei' are a lot more determined.

[adflavsdf-!] Not jealousy. I'm looking out for her.

[Sooo not true. And you can hear the denial, too. But unlike most Kaitos, it's not exactly because he doesn't want to admit to liking her, but because at the moment, he wants her to have something better than a dead guy. It's... not exactly working.]

That they are~ I think he needed them, if you ask me.

[Chuckles.] Oh, is that what they're calling it these days?

It's probably good for him. He wasn't too detached as a child. And being a kid does seem to be doing wonders for his ego.

Hmph. [pouuty faace~] 'M serious. Number of times... she's a nice girl. A really nice girl. And none of that lot've been able to see me yet, so they all think she goes out on her own.

Hm, really? I'm left wondering what made him change, then. [a pause, a smile.] It is. And so am I. One of the few upsides to school - I get to ream him out for how much of his brain he's let go to mush.

She's an independent girl. Nothing wrong with her going out on her own.

How he became a child? I have been wondering that. As for attitude, it is a dramatic change.

Maybe you should give him mental puzzles if you're so worried. [Looks amused.]

Never said there was. And she does. But not when she goes out just to meet boys I don't know, she doesn't.

I... think it had something to do with a mistake in investigations. But that wasn't what I meant. D'you know anything that could've made him go from a kiddy version of now to a stuck up prat? [The tone is half pouting, half serious. Kaito's big brother instincts are acting up.]

I do. And so does Hakubaka~

She doesn't what?

[Raises an eyebrow at that.] Is there a Conan who has become a stuck up prat?

[Chuckles.] I see you had a similar relationship to Hakuba-kun as Kaito did in the beginning.