[ Okay, Kaito has the feeling that he just stepped on some sort of landmine here. ]

Well, yeah. Why wouldn't we talk about people we know?

[ He hesitates to say 'friend'. Not that he hasn't thought it, in very rare and trying times, but to acknowledge it? That seems like a line that he's not ready to cross yet. ]

You know how Aoko is, she's very attached to those she considers her friends.

[ Or he could just roundabout admit to it? ]