[Prompto isn't the difficult associate, he understands that pointed reference. Hideki is another beast. Nothing he feels he can't handle, but there's some weariness in how it's pulled him into a familiar dynamic: distance and concealment. Maybe he isn't wearing the same guise, maybe it doesn't bear the closeness of before, but those barriers are still there.]

Best friend is one thing to call it. Not really accurate.

[Dark eyes travel back toward the door, an exit off the balcony. A touch of paranoia reaches Cain. He'll keep the details under a wrap.]

Hideki doesn't know what we are, obviously. What we can do. He's separate from all that. But his parents are pretty powerful and well-known, you've heard of 'em, right? [Everyone knows the Maedas, even the extent of their influence may be shades more nebulous.] Beats me why he likes me and Prompto so much. Maybe we're just that cool.