Ah, how quickly this one can take a mask on and off. Wonderful things, masks, they are present the world over, serving numerous purposes from theatrical performance to spiritual rituals. Now... which of the faces he's encountered today is Kokichi's real face? Or has Korekiyo yet to meet this one's real face? He has such a shine to his eyes when he performs the role of a cheeky, playful youth-- but there's an underlying darkness and brilliance that Kiyo finds himself both drawn to and respecting.
He'll just have to stay close until he can see behind those masks and uncover the face beneath them all. It will take time... perhaps even more so now that he's admitted that he's keeping careful note of Kokichi's behavior. Those who know they are being watched put up a wall around their truest selves... and someone already behind such a wall will take measures to reinforce it... drastic measures if necessary.
Over 9,000, hm? That's hardly exact, that's-- oh. He's heard that phrasing before. It's one of those jokes that has circulated around the world, but is only funny to the select few who know its origin. Korekiyo can hardly say he understands such jokes. Still, he has found an appreciation for them, enough to cut his gaze sharply to his companion and narrow his eyes to signify that he understands.
"Kehehehe~ I think I will take you up on that offer."
Though such an offer begs the question... why would Kokichi make such an invitation? Does he wish to keep the anthropologist close because he's as intrigued by Kiyo as Kiyo is to him? Does he enjoy Kiyo's company as much as he appears to? Or... is he fully aware of what Korekiyo is capable of? A keep your friends close and your enemies closer philosophy?
Kokichi did bring attention to Maki's ability to kill before she was forced to admit it.
... Ah, this is exciting~ So often, Korekiyo is an observer; rarely is someone observing him back. It's almost like playing three games of chess at once as he attempts to crack Kokichi's mask without revealing what's behind his own.
... The latter being in a figurative and literal sense.
He slowly raises his arms and crosses them over his chest, clutching his nails into his uniform as a way to ground himself. It's been quite some time since he found something that made his heart beat into his ear. If he doesn't settle quickly, his companion might just hear it as well...
As he lowers them, his head tilts in a curious manner. "I'm obedient, am I?"
Indeed, that's the part that got his attention and brought him back to Earth: The word obedient (rather than the implication that he'll have a sniper trained on his head if they manage to escape this cage.)
Oh? This is not where he thought his companion would lead their little talk. Is this a test of trust? To see if Korekiyo will remain obedient if asked to choose between their leader and another of their companions?
"Do you like tea?" He asks, his own eyes now aglow with excitement-- though not nearly to the degree Kokichi could manage. "Don't fret, I'm not trying to avoid your question. I'll answer while I prepare a kettle."
They have been stagnant for some time. Any number of their fellow ultimates could be eavesdropping by now-- plus, he actually did want tea.
"Now..." he begins as he slides into the kitchen. "Were I lying helplessly on the ground, I would trust Kaede not to finish me off... however, I find her too sheltered to be someone I could depend on for anything else." He opens one of the cabinets to search for the kettle. "There is a line between optimism and foolishness."
Will Kokichi go to Kaede and tell her what he's spouting? He doesn't mind. Kokichi himself has said as much to her... using much harsher words.
"Shuichi..." He hums as he picks up the kettle and begins filling it with water. He needs to choose his words carefully with this one. "You can trust a wicked man to do wicked things. You cannot trust a just man to always be just."
That's not a lie-- though it isn't the entire truth, either. Shuichi is a detective so gifted that he seemingly stumbled into uncovering a murderer. If he lets that one get too close...
... Were he to be forced to choose between their fearless detective and their leader, he would stand at Kokichi's side. He has an idea of what to expect if and when Kokichi sees through him. He cannot say the same for Shuichi.
"I can't say I've spent enough time with Maki to make a proper judgement," he goes on as he sets the kettle on the stove. "I don't care for the company she keeps."
It's not that Maki is an assassin; It's not that Maki could likely figure him out with a glance the same way Kokichi figured her out; It's not even that she could very easily feel as though she needed to kill him before he killed her.
It's Kaito. Despite her attitude towards him, he swarms around her like flies to a corpse.
"Does he not realize how loud he is, or does he think my hair deafens me to his remarks?"