Kaito winced, but wisely didn't act this time to the provoking. He needed to conserve his energy for that chance for freedom. Now was not yet the time.

Initial hysteria over, Kaito was calming down. Now he just needed the opportunity to escape, just one. Until then, keep Absinthe talking. That other Shinichi suggested fooling Absinthe, right? Maybe it could work here where he remembered the advice.

"I will assume you don't, Absinthe-san... you seem like a very independent man."