The Cat and the Crow

Tested

"Talk to me, Kei," Tetsuro said after a long time of just staring at each other. "Say something, anything. Just talk to me."

"It's not just me he's after, is it?"

"No. It's me, too. But then, I have always been his favorite test subject."

"Why did you let him?" Kei sounded more exasperated than angry, but it made Tetsuro wince anyway. "Why is he even doing this?"

"I didn't always catch on to his tests, so I couldn't stop him until after I did. Even so, by then, he was satisfied by whatever result he achieved," he tried to explain. "As for the why of it, I don't know. It's like you said earlier, neither of you really know each other, so maybe that's part of his reasoning. Maybe he really is jealous, and doing this to see how long before you become jealous and break up with me."

Kei was quiet again, but it was a thoughtful silence. Tetsuro watched his beautiful face as he thought. Those golden brown eyes were slightly unfocused, almost clouded over, blocking everything out, and his eyebrows were slightly scrunched up. He could only imagine Kei had also stopped hearing anything, as well. He remembered that his mom had said something about Kei not being so expressive at one time in his life, but Tetsuro couldn't imagine it. Just watching his face, he could almost tell what Kei was thinking. So, he knew Kei had worked out a possible answer when his expression cleared.

"I can almost see your answer," he said with a grin. "Welcome back."

"Yeah, thanks," Kei replied with a smirk. "Do you think it could be that he hasn't seen, or experienced, love like ours?"

Tetsuro blinked. "You mean love at first sight?" He hadn't thought of it that way, and it might explain everything.

"Part of it, yeah. Also, just how we are around each other, and how we've worked through stuff together, even when we're apart." He focused sharply on Tetsuro. "You've been friends with him for years, and even had a relationship with him. But, did you ever love him like you love me?"

This time, Tetsuro was the one to withdraw inwardly to think. He sifted through emotions and memories, everything he'd experienced since meeting Kenma when he was eight years old. And through it all, he couldn't remember ever loving Kenma like he loved Kei. It was different, platonic. Nothing deeper than the kind of love one has for a best friend.

"I can almost see your answer," he heard Kei say, repeating his words from earlier.

"I think, somewhere along the years, I confused platonic love for something deeper." He huffed. "To think it took me this long to see it."

"Maybe he's just realizing it, too," Kei added quietly. "And he doesn't like it."

"Maybe," Tetsuro agreed. "But this is all just speculation. I'm hoping Hinata can get something out of him."

"Yeah, same," Kei replied. "If anyone can do it, Hinata can."

They fell into silence again, just staring at each other.

"Why didn't we think of doing video chats before?"

"Easier just to call or text, I think. And we aren't always alone when we call or text."

"Maybe we can make this a habit?"

"I like that idea. But maybe not until after we get past this thing with Kenma."

"Yeah. We need to make it as believable as possible. But, I will keep in touch, okay?"

"Okay. I miss you."

"I miss you, too. So, so much."

"I gotta go. Mom made sukiyaki, and Tadashi is coming over to study."