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Ranpo, the great detective, has a dilemma.
With the recent addition of tiny Chuuya in the office, his treats have been becoming uncovered left and right. No matter where he hides them, the little one always finds them.
Under Fukuzawa's loose floorboard. Inside Yosano's plastic human body model. Even the ones in his own desk.
If it's within reach, he will find it.
It's strange. Chuuya never eats the treats, just brings them to Ranpo, asking with his best puppy eyes, if he can have some. When he gives him the same answer he always gives--a firm no --Chuuya is very sad, evident in the way his shoulders slump in disappointment and the twinkle in his eyes disappears. But, he understands and walks away to play somewhere else.
Ranpo isn't entirely evil. He always feels a tad bit bad, so he does consider giving him some, though by that time, the child is already off with Dazai, mood uplifted with the promise of the man buying him whatever he wants.
Ranpo only starts sharing his chips and candies because of one specific act of kindness.
It's after returning from a trip to the convenience store when Chuuya waddles his way over to Ranpo's desk, arms full of a variety of chips and candies galore. A few steps away, Dazai is following close behind him, carrying another bag of what he can see are drinks.
The surprising thing is that Chuuya dumps all of it on his desk, leaving a colorful array of packages that cover every inch of the oak surface, then scurries away to hide behind Dazai's legs.
"Mister fancy hat, it's rude to leave a mess on other people's desks," he scolds as if he doesn't sometimes do the same.
It irks him slightly when Dazai repeats the action, placing the bag of Ramune drinks in front of him, so he can crouch down to talk to Chuuya. It's frustrating that they're dangling treats that aren't his right there, in his line of vision.
Contemplating if he should snag a bag or two while they're not looking, he ultimately decides against it, instead shifting his attention to see Dazai carrying Chuuya. The redhead is hiding his face in the other's shirt, little hands using Dazai's coat to try to shield himself.
"He won't understand, if you don't tell him, Chibi."
Tell him what?
Chuuya cranes his neck up to pout at Dazai, the trick failing for once as he shakes his head. Sighing, Chuuya turns to Ranpo, eyes downcast, twiddling his fingers.
"Ranpo-san, you like sweets, right?"
Oh! Are these--
"Osamu said I could share mine with you, so I made sure to get your favorites," he explains, cheeks rosy. He points to the carbonated drinks next.
"I don't like the bubbly drinks, but I know you like them. You can have them if you want."
Chuuya has never been particularly 'cute' to Ranpo, but he will admit that his dedication to memorizing his favorite snacks and brands in that tiny brain of his is admirable. And yeah, okay, fine. Those big blue eyes are sorta endearing, too.
Wordlessly, Ranpo motions for Dazai to pass the child to him. When he has acquired said child, the detective leans back in his chair, propping his feet up on his desk, mindful of the bags of food. One hand stays hooked around a squirming Chuuya's midsection, while the other reaches for a bag of sweet potato chips. Letting go briefly to open the bag, the hand returns to make sure Chuuya doesn't clumsily fall off of his lap.
As if a sort of peace offering, he waves the bag in front of Chuuya, prompting him to take some. It takes one starry-eyed glance back and another shake of the bag for the child to finally accept the snack, happily munching along with the detective.
From that point onwards, if Chuuya is miraculously separated from Dazai, you have a good chance at finding him at Ranpo's desk, sharing a bag of treats or napping if their sugar highs crash.