Chapter Text
Waiting outside the farmers market for Gin, Akutagawa sees Atsushi next to this new mysterious person. Who is this? A new member of the Armed Detective Agency? Atsushi doesn't have any 'friends'. Akutagawa continues to watch the two through his sunglasses in silence. "Hey I'm ready." the voice knocks Akutagawa back into reality.
"Hey Gin, did you finish all your shopping?"
"I did."
"Let's go home."
Akutagawa gives one final glance at the two before disappearing onto the busy sidewalk with everyone else. "Who is that with the weretiger?"
Meanwhile, back at the detective agency
"OH KUNIKIDDDAAAAAA" The suicidal detective lay on the couch with a magazine in hand and headphones around his neck.
"What, Dazai?"
"Where is Atsushi?"
"He's picking up THAT friend of his from the Yokohama train station."
"Awwwweee Kunikida don't be like that. That's very rude of you. It's not healthy for your skin." Dazai whispers the last part.
"Shut up Dazai. Aren't you supposed to be doing reports right now? It's unlikely you have finished all 72 papers I put on your desk this morning and I don't know who he is bringing into the agency, or how he convinced Fukuzawa to take on yet another ability user. We just took in Kyouka, and she already bunks with Atsushi. Where are they going to stay? I don't even know what their ability even is?? Fukuzawa keeps everything so hush hush surrounding this new figure.. How am I supposed to run AN IDEAL AGENCY WITH THIS" Kunikida slams a pile of paperwork on the coffee table in front of Dazai. "Kunikida. Fukuzawa doesn't just take in anyone. You have to trust him plus Atsushi vouched for them plus plus plus they can ALWAYS bunk with me. We could share a bed too." Dazai winks at Kunikida. "36 more reports right here." Kunikida pats the paperwork he put on the coffee table. "Get.It.Done" "Will do!!!" Dazai sits up and smiles. Kunikida leaves the room and slams his office door shut. "Hmmm..." Dazai leans back into the couch and starts listening to his music again "You can't do a double suicide alone......"
"I feel like I have eyes on me"
"Well, Caverns. You do stick out quite a bit from Yokohama."
"What? In a bad way?"
Atsushi lifts his hand to scratch the back of his head. He nervously laughed. "I think you look pretty cool, Caverns. It's just we're more traditional... We don't see a lot of tattoos and piercings and all that, you know?"
"Ah." She lifts her head, taking a bite out of the pork bun Atsushi bought her back at the station. "I'm used to it. Honestly, like I was telling you in our letters, I'm from a very small and very conservative town. They weren't used to me either."
Atsushi stops and gives a sad smile "Hey Caverns." Caverns looks back at him confused "What's up, man?" "I'm glad you're here." Atsushi continues walking. "They're going to love you! Fukuzawa already said he was impressed on how mature and professional you sounded on the phone! He said "She reminds me of another Yosano but not as aggressive! " Caverns laughed. "Well, that's good! I really wanted him to like me. I'm glad to get away from it all. Thank you, Atsushi. You didn't have to do any of this for me..... You haven't even known me for a year but you chose to help me start anew. I may not be able to repay you. Can I ask why?" Atsushi shrugs his shoulders "I mean I told you everything that happened to me...." Caverns eyes darken "You're just so sweet and you deserve way better than what was happening back at your home and even though we met each other less than a year ago I felt such a strong connection to you like..." "We're platonic soulmates" Atsushi and Caverns say at the same time. "EXACTLY!!!" Atsushi exclaims excitedly. Caverns laughs as she playfully punches Atsushi in the shoulder.
"I feel the same way, plus you owe me a coke."
Atsushi stops "I'm sorry?"
"I said... You.Owe.Me.A.Coke."
"I don't understand, Caverns. Are you thirsty?"
Realization dawns on Caverns face "Ah I'm sorry! Let me explain. Owe me a coke is an idiom. Which an idiom is uhhhh Sorry I'm trying to find my words." Atsushi stares at Caverns patiently.
"It's like a phrase that contains a figurative meaning that differs from the literal phrase Like We said We're platonic soulmates at the same time so If we say something at the same time we say like "Jinx! You owe me a coke. It's just something silly." Caverns laughs. "I'm not sure if I explained that well. Sorry Atsushi." Atsushi grins "No I think I get it! Like when people say, "The ball is in your court", like there is no ball and no court. It just means it's your turn... Right?" Atsushi scratches the back of his head. "Yes!" You got it bro!" Atsushi laughed and they fist bumped.
"Hey, we made it here!"
"So this is it....." Caverns steps back and looks at the building
"Who's inside?"
"Uhh probably Dazai and Kunik..."
Caverns interrupts Atsushi "Hey... You walk in first, I'm gonna uhhh follow behind you."
Atsushi puts his hand on the door "Sure! but Hey like I said they are going to love you." Atsushi enters the room followed by Caverns.
Akutagawa looks down, standing on the roof of the building across the way. He watches as the weretiger walks into the building followed by that girl.
"Who is that you're with weretiger........"