madimpossibledreamer

( sometimes, the truth is heartbreaking )

( caring for those in pain )

         Flying a drone for a race is...well, it's weird and nostalgic all at the same time.  Because it's hardly the only time he's done it; any time Syndicate work or shakedowns weren't paying the bills, he'd hit up an old arcade or drone race, anything with any kind of prize money.  Sometimes he'd practice, too, spill some blood money on a game here and there, but it wasn't the same and he definitely excelled in the spotlight.
         He didn't win.  Not all the time, because that's hardly realistic.  But he won more than he lost, and he definitely made up for entry fees.  He was good.
         That being said, most of his drone-work was for less than altruistic purposes.  He frowns.  That word's not right, either.  Sure, it's a contest, with prizes and everything.  Rules and all.  But he's viciously competitive, and he's made kids cry before.  They gotta learn how the world works sometime, and he’s totally cool with playing teach, if they ask.  And it's not like getting money for himself is selfless.  Nor is getting money to keep Kaito-san happy.  Sure, this is only supposed to be a temporary arrangement, and maybe it's getting to be time to move on, but he finds he'll miss it, which sours his mood.  Because that was the main rule--don't get attached.  And here he was, breaking it.
         Benign.  That's the word he was looking for.  If he can take out his bad mood here, so much the better.  Sure, he's not using it to recon rival headquarters or shoot down targets, which is more his jam.  But he can't get money for that line of work anymore, and he'd happened to see Kaito-san's precious drone on his way out, and really, he's just sick of it.  Of not being able to explain himself, of having that impulse in the first place.  Here, well.  He doesn't have to explain himself, but at least he can make one person happy, today.

        Kaito does a double take as he approaches the little place Tak had purchased as his office.  Because his eyes are telling him that’s his friend, outside, dressed and lugging what looks like an old-fashioned record player.  He’d suspect he’s hallucinating, but the image doesn’t shift at all when he looks back.  He’s still there, and he still looks remarkably lively and cheerful for a man who had seemingly been determined to waste away not twenty-four hours ago.  His heart jumps into his throat, because he’s happy, absolutely, but also can’t poke it too hard.  The moment’s fragile.  “Where’d you get this hunk of junk?”
        The younger man pouts, as if on cue, but it’s a playful pout.  He’s obviously feeling a lot better.  “Ebisu Pawn, where else?  Help me get it upstairs.”
        “Are you sure you’ve got the money to spend on stuff like this?” Kaito asks, trying not to obviously fret as he steps in to help, and Yagami shrugs, utterly nonchalant.
        “Eh, it’ll help set the right atmosphere for my customers.”
        It’s worrying, that the ex-lawyer thinks just adding the trappings of a detective agency will make customers magically appear.  It’s also the most enthusiasm Kaito’s seen out of Ta-bo in months, so he does the right thing and shuts his mouth.

          “I got you day old Christmas cake.”
          *Tak throws it on Kaito’s face*
          “Mmm.”
          “…You realize I can still eat it off your face.  You still have to share.”
          “You see me complaining, Ta-bo?”