Justitia

I’ll buy you new chocolate so stop eating melted ones.

Why are you so concerned with how I eat my chocolate?

Someone crazy for sugar.

True. But I still know how to separate work and pleasure.

Okay, but please don’t touch the paperwork before washing your hands.

Yamato... What are you taking me for?

Hands you a tissue????? Art stop.

Don’t worry, my hand are clean. I wouldn’t put them near my mouth otherwise.

We don’t know what you’re talking about.

You answer to the whip now. Good luck getting disciplined out there.

“I do want the box. I wish I brought you a souvenir too, but… yanno. I didn’t expect you to come back and I was sleeping. Thanks for the coffee.”

“Go wash your face, Kudou-kun.” He threw the box right at Shinichi’s head. I hope it hits you with a corner and sends you back to sleep. “Do try and make it last longer than two days.”

“Either way… welcome back. Kinda awkward, actually. I put Miyako Hotsuin in charge of your position while you were gone.” She actually did a better job at it too. Eh, details.

“Well it’s not like you can go wrong with Hotsuin’s to begin with.” Especially now they were a set of hot twins. “So, do you want the box or not? I only used the colombian beans.”

“Where did you get that coffee?”

“I helped myself.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Well, isn’t that surprisingly uninformed of you as a self proclaimed meitantei, Kudou-kun. I’ve been here for a while.”

She opted to keep quiet about the sudden change in Shinichi as well– he wasn’t around much which was the main reason why it’d been so peaceful as of late.

“I hope she’s still... sane alright.” Art prayed silently. Then again, if work was slow, she must’ve been doing a good job. It was unlikely someone related to Yamato would be overwhelmed as easily as Art. “It’s eerie how silent Kudou-kun seems to be though. Feels like the calm before the storm.”

“I do not think there’s anything to be sorry for, Art.  You did what you believed to be the most viable option at the time.  Had you remained behind or taken a different path, would you be riddled with regret and self-doubt?”

“But enough about me.” Art laced his fingers. He finally felt relaxed enough to face the detective again and this conversation needed a cheerier topic. “How has everyone been doing while I was away? From how calm everything seems, my replacement must be doing a good job. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the HQ this silent back then.”

“I’m here at least.” Hibiki announced his presence, taking a seat opposite Art. “How long have you been waiting? I didn’t hurry, but I didn’t take my time either. I hope it hasn’t been too long.”

The waiter passed on the menus as Art drained last of his tea. He wasn’t one for gossip but there was a lot to catch up on. “So, how has everyone been while I was gone.”