Just as...? [There's a quiet, hopeful tone to his voice as he repeats those two words, probably belaying how he's felt about the two of them this whole time, or confirming what his previous statement implied. The fact that he felt he and Shuichi would probably never get terribly close.

But the detective just implied - no, outright stated - that he could be a best friend too. That he could grow just as close to him as Kaito...and then Shuichi continues, telling him that he thinks he's charismatic too, in his own way! The leader has to glance away, stare at the oh so interesting floor, while he tries to find a way to change the conversation. Or at least steer it away from himself.]

W-well...honestly, I can't see you keeping up with a plastic bag being blown around in the wind, Saihara-chan~ So it's not like I doubted he could be annoying and tiring, or anything!

[He's just moreso, that's all.]