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“Yoohoo! Good bye Atsushi! You’re lucky you get to leave here without Kunikida on your back!” Dazai sang as her chestnut brown messy bob haircut swang along with her head. She leaned back in the chair while waving to Atsushi, whose posture had changed since she arrived at the agency today.
”You, shut your mouth and start working. This is a time sensitive case!” Kunikida grumbled as she kicked the leg of the chair under the desk. Atsushi heard a loud crash and clatter but didn’t mind, the force of the ache on her body was her priority.
”Why not have Ranpo do it? She’s way smarter and time efficient!” Dazai argued back and stuck out her tongue, teasing Kunikida as the other pushed up the glasses up her nose bridge.
Chaos. Today was chaos. Atushi was reminded of the events of today. Kunikida had to wrangle Dazai around to doing a case that required the both of them, Ranpo just wandered around the train station (she was lost), and Yosano was grabbing materials for his doctor’s kit. He had too much on the shopping list, which caused Atushi to run into different shops in a hurry.
Not to mention, she had to find Ranpo somehow in the crowds of people who were all bustling and rushing towards the train doors. She found the other crouched over a raccoon, and shortly met along with a taller, pale, and intimidating girl named Poe.
Atsushi closed the door to the agency, hearing the chaos between Dazai and Kunikida continue behind the door. She walked out of the building where the agency was located, she just needed to get home. Maybe eat some microwaved ramen, since she was craving the sodium filled delight. Her stomach grumbled, “Maybe a box of fried chicken would suffice” she mumbled.
Her shoulders sagged as she had realized the droplets of water weren’t a sudden hallucination from her overworked brain. It was raining, pretty hard as well. No way Atsushi could get to the train station, unless she wanted her whole outfit to get wet. It was a pain to dry off as well, she couldn’t even imagine the stares she’d get in the train for being soaking wet.
Atsushi just made up her mind and made her way into the pouring rain. Ready for the rain to pummel her (possibly make her sick so she could take a sick day to rest), she blinked a bit before realizing there was no water that was seeping through her clothes. Where was the rain?
She looked above her to see a purple umbrella, who was this kind soul to have offered her an umbrella. Atsushi looked from the inside of the umbrella to the handle to see a pale hand. “Oh, thank you very much.” Atsushi’s cheeks squished as she gave a smile with her lips.
Until she saw who it was, Akutagawa. Akutagawa Ryuunosuke? What was she doing here? Not to mention in front of the Armed Detectives’ Agency! Atsushi’s smile dropped off of her face with the rain going into the gutter. “What are you doing here?!” She glared at the other as Akutagawa just raised a brow.
”Are you thankful or not?” Akutagawa stared at her with the ink black eyes that felt like Atsushi was being burned with eyes that would bore into her. Atsushi felt the need to shrink or make herself smaller in the taller’s grand presence.
But, nevermind that, she’s just an enemy, an enemy that was dangerously close to the agency building. “Yes I am, but not so much, seeing that the umbrella is coming from you.”
“Hmph.” Akutagawa took one last look at the shorter before she started to walk away from Atsushi.
“Wait!” Atsushi ran after her as the taller did not seem to stop. Why would she need that umbrella anyways? She has a long, slick, black coat.
After Atsushi rushed after her, Akutagawa paused suddenly, making the smaller’s face smash into Akutagawa’s back, whi did not waiver. “Ouch!” Atsushi yelped as she pushed herself off of the other’s back, a slight blush powdered her cheeks.
”What? Why are you running after me?” Akutagawa blankly spoke as Atsushi huffed.
”I need shelter from the rain! Also, you didn’t answer my question!” Atsushi complained as Akutagawa found it a bit charming, her puffed cheeks with daring pale yellow angry round eyes that make her look like a teddy bear.
”What was your question again?” Akutagawa asked as Atsushi just clicked her tongue and deadpanned.
”It was,” Atsushi heaved oxygen in her lungs “why are you at the Detectives’ Agency?” She looked up at Akutagawa with eyes that could kill.
“Oh.” Akutagawa hummed as she continued the walk as the umbrella above Atsushi moved and she was exposed to the rain.
“Hey!” She shouted as her white blouse started to get wet, running to Akutagawa’s side and pacing herself to walk. Her hair at this point was soaked, she hated that. Her silver locks clinging to her cheeks and scattered, like she was dipped in honey. “Can you warn me the next time you do that?” She panted as a strange smile appeared on her lips.
”Sure thing.” Akutagawa was curt, straight to the point, and never looked for small conversations. Atsushi remembered that from the multiple encounters they had with each other. Her black hair held white strands gathered near the ends of her hair. It was strange, but it was interesting. Atsushi also had a random black strand of hair come in from when she was stressed and it never left.
Once she got to regular breathing, she had decided to ask, once again, “What are you doing so close to the agency?” Atsushi saw Akutagawa’s blank look with her long hair trailing to her shoulder blades. Her hair was smooth as ink, no signs of getting tangled in this rain. The taller didn’t seem to answer as she rushed to hold the handle of the umbrella, which also meant holding Akutagawa’s hand.
Her hand felt so cold, cold as the rain that was beating down the streets of Yokohama. “Don’t go until you answer my question!” Atsushi let out her breath that was hiding in her lungs. Her eyes gazed up at the taller, who had a face of annoyance. Her brows scrunched as her eyes were indescribable, usually they were angry, but Atsushi couldn’t tell how she felt at the moment.
“Who told you that you have the right to order me around?” Akutagawa sneered as Atsushi’s ears perked up, biting her lip to think about it until the other spoke again. “I might give the answer if you come to my place.”
That was very suspicious, coming to an enemy’s home base? An eye for an eye, Atsushi shrugged as she nodded. “Okay, but this is only so you can answer me! Be sure it’s quick, I have to catch the last train.”
Akutagawa just stared at her again, she wondered what the other was thinking, the ombre mix of black and white eyes that looked at her (primarily with anger). She had started to walk again, exposing the other to the rain once more as her hand was being dragged off. Atsushi gathered herself and matched Akutagawa’s pace.
”Woah. This is your place?” Atsushi left her shoes at the door as her blouse (that was connected with her suspenders and slacks) was drying off. She pulled off the hair tie that was holding her locks of hair together. Her hair trailed at her shoulder, her uneven bangs stayed the same.
“It’s not much—”
”Oh it’s great! At least yours is a bit decorated.” Atsushi looked at the contents in Akutagawa’s bookshelf to see mangas of Junji Ito. She could take the other for being a horror fan, she looks the part.
”Ah, that’s my brother’s collection, I read it once in a while.”
”This isn’t yours?” She looked up at the tall girl next to her with confused eyes.
”Yeah, Gin really likes horror, I don’t need more terror in my life.” Akutagawa mutters as she covered her mouth to cough.
Ah, Atsushi was wondering about that. Why does Akutagawa cough a lot, it seemed like a serious thing, more serious than a cold. She decided to ask at a later time as her wet hair was dripping onto her shoulders and she shuddered. “I’m sorry to ask this, but do you have extra clothes? It’s a bit cold here.”
Akutagawa just glanced at her with a nod as she disappeared into one of the rooms. Now, it was time for Atsushi to peep around. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, right? She knew it was wrong to snoop around, but it was fun, wasn’t it?
She scanned the bookshelf to see a bunch of Junji Ito’s works along with another book, a romance novel. Was this Akutagawa’s? She pulled out the book from the spine of it and started to read it. I’m in In Love with a Villainess? Does Akutagawa like that kind of stuff? Atsushi flipped through the pages as she blushed, a warmth on her cheeks. Maybe she shouldn’t be doing this. She put up the book neatly back to where it was to turn around and see the other.
Atsushi jolted as she saw Akutagawa holding a change of clothes that looked like pajamas. Her face was in shock, eyes big, and she was frozen. “Oh, sorry. I was wondering what that book was. Do you like romance novels?” Atsushi sheepishly smiled and scratched the back of her head.
”Thank you very much for the clothes, I’ll return them somehow.” Atsushi quickly got changed in the bathroom of the apartment. The clothes were a but big on her, but it was warm, she felt the cold from the rain clinging to her. She didn’t really want to get sick, she was just saying that. Getting sick meant that she had to deal with being groggily and snotty.
She got back to seeing Akutagawa in the kitchen, she was cooking something. Something that looked and smelt amazing, like a gourmet dish of something of the sort. Atsushi sniffed in the air as she sat on the couch. Digging her phone from the pocket in her slacks to turn it on. Was it damaged from the rain? She sighed and turned her head to the taller.
”Do you have a charger I can borrow? My phone’s dead.” Atsushi asked as Akutagawa’s brow lifted.
“Sure, I never knew that my enemy was so high maintenance of a person.” She scoffed as Atsushi took offense to that, nevertheless, she got to charge her phone.
”Anyways, can you answer my question? Of what you were doing near the agency building?” Atsushi leaned on the kitchen island behind the other.
“I can’t answer that.”
”Why not? You told me you would answer if I came to your place—” Akutagawa suddenly shoved something into Atsushi’s mouth. She was alarmed, until her tastebuds started to work, the taste of chicken! It was delicious, she crunched on the chicken as Akutagawa smirked.
”You looked cuter when you’re quiet.” Akutagawa slipped out as her eyes widened as her face was flushed pink. Atsushi was surprised as she gasped a little. The taller attempted to hide her blush by looking away to the side. Atsushi looked down at her aching feet as she felt a blush burning on her cheeks.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She questioned as Akutagawa took in a deep breath.
”Nothing. That was nothing, maybe you forced me to say that.” Akutagawa made up a nonsense excuse as Atsushi could easily see through it.
“But, you told me you would answer my question.”
”I said that I might.” She grabbed the plates from behind Atsushi and the shorter could smell her perfume. It was the scent of cherry blossom, a smell she could never get enough of.
”That’s not fair!” Atsushi was going to bore holes into the other’s back as she plated the friend chicken.
“Come here.”
”Who told you that you have the right to order me around? You order me around more than I order you—”
”Come sit.” Akutagawa interjected the other’s frustration, while pointing at a seat across from her.
Atsushi gave in and pulled out the seat to sit in as she was dazzled. The fried chicken was on the plate, the grease dripping off of it. She could already feel her mouth salivating as she licked her beyond dry lips.
“W—Wow. Why aren’t you eating any?” Atsushi gave a look of concern as she saw that Akutagawa just had a bowl of ramen.
“The grease isn’t good for my throat.” Oh. Figures.
”But ramen can’t surely be good for you either.” Atsushi pointed out as she tilted her head.
“Just shut up and eat.” Akutagawa spat as Atsushi shook her head. Rude. Where is her manners?
After the long dinner (that was quick due to Akutagawa not willing to make any conversation), Atsushi looked at the time, she had to go soon. “How far is the station from here? I have to go, the last train is coming soon.”
Atsushi grabbed her phone from the charger and wet clothes. Starting to make her way out of the apartment, “I’ll see you soon!” She waved at the table where she’d assume that Akutagawa was sitting at as she walked to the door.
Thump!
Atsushi all of a sudden had her back to the door as Akutagawa was over her, crowding her. The shorter felt a blush as Akutagawa was so close. “Can you just, not go?” Her eyes were soft as Atsushi just examined the other’s face.
“But I have to—”
”I really enjoyed your company! Now can you stay?” Akutagawa shouted as she squeezed her eyes shut and Atsushi was astonished. Feelings? She could see feelings from Akutagawa.
”If you liked me, you could’ve just said so.” Atsushi chuckled as Akutagawa had glitter in her eyes as she leaned closer.
She kept leaning while her eyes were glued onto Atsushi’s lips. The silver haired woman was frozen as she felt her whole body was blazing hot. “Can I?” The taller mumbled as Atsushi felt like dying on the spot.
”Yes, go ahead—” As soon as Atsushi gave permission, Akutagawa’s lips were all over her. She couldn’t complain, the other’s lips were cold, but gentle. Nipping at her lips as she held onto the other’s nape.
Akutagawa always wore that long black coat, she pondered why as she intertwined herself more within the taller. She soon enough felt warmth from the other, tangling herself with the other the more the kiss turned into a passionate makeout session.
Atsushi’s hands were wrapped in the taller’s hair as they hadn’t moved an inch from the wall. She felt hot. Pulsating heat as she pulled away to grasp air. The cold air pulling into her lungs that kept her alive. Akutagawa’s breath was fanning on her face as she blushed.
“That.. That was amazing.” Atsushi felt a grin working up her face as the taller hummed, her face was redder than Atsushi. The shorter felt the need to hold the other, she suddenly cupped Aku’s cheeks as she held her face in her hands. Since when did she give Akutagawa a nickname? Embarrassing.
The other looked dazed as Atsushi observed her features, pressing a kiss to her nose. “What are we?—” Akutagawa’s question was cut off by a ringtone from a phone.
Atsushi found her phone was on the floor with her clothes, she had forgot that she was holding things. Seeing it was Dazai, she swiped the calling button. “Hello? Yes. You are what?!”
”I said I’m at your place! But only Kyouka’s here. Where did you go?”
”Uhh..” Atsushi was out of breath as she slightly panted “I’m at the station, I’ll board the train in a bit.”
”The station’s awfully quiet then. Wait, are you doing something naughty?” Dazai sing-songed as Atsushi could just see Dazai wiggling her eyebrows from the tone in her voice.
”Wh—What? No! I’m not doing anything naughty!” She exclaimed as she hung up. Her breath slowing as Akutagawa was looking at her with those changed eyes.
”Who was it?”
“Dazai.”
”Dazai? Let me talk to her!” Akutagawa’s eyes flashed with sparkles as she tried to grab at the other’s phone.
”No! I just said I’m at the station. At that thought, I have to go.” Atsushi said as she picked up her used clothes from the floor.
”But can’t you stay?” Akutagawa asked, she looked like a puppy who was abandoned, those puppy eyes luring Atsushi in to convince her.
”Fine. Only if you answer my question! What were you really doing at the Agency?”
Akutagawa’s cheeks seem to redden, she hadn’t even said anything yet. Why was she blushing like a maiden?
”I was watching you. Not in a creepy way! I was wondering how you were doing. So I paid a visit!” Akutagawa spat out as she covered her face in burning embarrassment.
“Is that why you made fried chicken? Because you heard me? Wait. Was this your master plan all along?” Atsushi made the revelation as Akutagawa shook her head.
”I did hear you talk sbout fried chicken, but this wasn’t my plan. My plan was to get you off my back, not fall for you” Akutagawa was weirdly honest.
“You sure are honest. But what would I do here? Kyouka’s probably waiting for me at the apartment.” Atsushi worried about her roommate, who was probably being bothered by Dazai.
”Kyouka? You live with him?” Akutagawa was appalled as Atsushi nodded.
“He’s my roommate from the Agency.”
”Wouldn’t he do anything, creepy?” Akutagawa questioned in concern as Atsushi looked at her and started to giggle.
”No! He’s not like that, he’s like a brother to me. I feel bad for him, Dazai’s probably bothering him about me.”
Akutagawa turned her head as she got off of the wall and sat on the couch. Atsushi was puzzled by her actions as she placed the wet clothes on the table, heading towards Akutagawa’s spot on the couch. “What happened?”
Akutagawa scoffed as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Nothing.”
Atsushi was dumbfounded for a bit until she realized, “Wait. Are you jealous?” She teased as Akutagawa’s face turned red again as she covered her face with a throw pillow. “Cute.” She mumbled as she felt warm.
The night was pretty much Atsushi being exhausted and cuddling with her ex-enemy(?), as they watched cliche romance movies. Romance was surprisingly Akutagawa’s favorite genre. She never took the other as a hopeless romantic.
She nuzzled into the other as her head rested on the other’s lap. Her hair being stroked by Akutagawa’s thin fingers. Atsushi found comfort in that as she soon fell into a deep sleep.
The noisy alarm of her phone rang, blaring as it woke the both of them. Atsushi’s eyes widened as she woke up on Akutagawa’s lap and sat up, panicked. She had to get to the Agency! She couldn’t be late again. Or she’ll have to pull extra hours.
She saw a groggily Akutagawa, whose hair was tangled with her eyes that dared fall back asleep. Adorable, she found the sight heart-squeezing.
After Atsushi had rushed her way to get ready, she pulled her hair into a quick ponytail. “Wait.” Akutagawa was groaning as she stopped the other. “Have this, it’s cold outside.” Akutagawa handed her a black coat. The black coat? Atsushi’s eyes realized it was the coat that the taller girl wore all the time.
She felt a warmth within the coat that wrapped around her shoulders. Atsushi put on the coat as she was flustered on what to say. “Thanks, Aku.” Atsushi blurted out the nickname as she felt the sting of embarrassment. She needs to distract the other woman so she won’t remember the nickname. She brushed her lips against Akutagawa’s lips quickly before waving goodbye.
She left Akutagawa with a lot of questions, and a huge crush on the shorter.
She had made it to the Armed Detectives Agency. On time too! Atsushi opened the door to the office, seeing everyone there, sitting in their office desks. Dazai looked at her with a look, a knowing look. Atsushi pushed the thought aside as she sat down to do her work for the day.
”So, where were you? And isn’t this Akutagawa’s jacket?” Dazai noted out loud as she lifted up the jacket sleeve and let it fall to Atsushi’s side.
Atsushi just ignored her as Kunikida glanced and her eyes almost popped out of her head. “Why are you wearing Akutagawa’s jacket?! Don’t tell me you are—”
”Isn’t it obvious? She came in early, she has Akutagawa’s jacket, and she’s ignoring the question.” Ranpo pointed out as she put a lollipop into her mouth.
Sometimes, she wished that Ranpo wasn’t so smart. She felt her body burn with embarrassment as Dazai cooed. “Ooh, so are you guys together? Were you guys doing naughty things yesterday?!” She poked into Atsushi’s cubicle as Atsushi blushed and shoved her out.
”No! We just kissed!” Atsushi shook her head and shouted as the Agency stared at her.
“You what?!” Kunikida screamed as her glasses fell off of her nose, holding the pen which had broken in half.
Atsushi just her the jacket close as she faced a scolding from Kunikia and snickering from Dazai. She hated the sly woman, Dazai.
She just thought of what Aku was doing. Maybe she was with the Port Mafia, doing something bad, or thinking of her like she was.
”Why do you not have your coat on?” Chuuya raised a suspicion as Akutagawa walked in with a ruffle white blouse. She shot a glare at the short older ginger as Chuuya didn’t question it again.