Chapter Text
One year ago…
(Y/N) looked up at the building, debating whether what she was about to do was a good idea or not. She had been invited to become a detective at the Armed Detective Agency. An honor, to be sure, but (Y/N) remained hesitant. She was indeed in need of a new job, but she was still unsure about being a detective. This was her last day to back out from even trying for a position at the Agency. Today was her interview. There had been no instructions. She had no clue what to expect. Taking a deep breath, the young woman steeled herself and walked inside. (Y/N) walked up the stairs and knocked on the door of the Agency’s office.
The blonde, Kunikida, opened it and ushered her in. “Good, you’re on time. Come inside.”
“Hey! You came,” said Dazai. “That’s great. Otherwise, I would’ve had to track you down again.” He gave her a smile.
“I guessed I didn’t really have a choice on coming to the interview,” said (Y/N). “So, what exactly—.”
“We will be with you in a moment. Currently, I am taking the statement of the young woman over there,” said Kunikida, nodding to a woman with short black hair and a butterfly barrette.
“What is she here for?” asked (Y/N) curiously.
“Do you see that man over there?” Dazai pointed to a man with brown hair and cloak on.
“Yes?”
“She has accused him of stealing her hairpin. They were friends, went out, got drunk, and when she woke up the next morning, he and the barrette were gone,” explained Kunikida, “We managed to locate the hairpin hidden in his house, but he insists he is innocent and she’s trying to frame him for some reason.”
“We have to determine who is telling the truth. Afterwards, we’ll be free to interview you,” said Dazai. He smirked at her, a strange glint in his eyes.
(Y/N) narrowed her eyes, sensing some sort of ulterior motive hidden beneath his pleasantries. However, since she couldn’t identify anything specific, she just nodded. “Okay. Should I move away so I don’t overhear details of your case?”
“That would be helpful. There is a meeting room where—,” said Kunikida.
“Nonsense!” Dazai waved a hand dismissively. “I’m sure you’ll end up an agent, so it doesn’t matter.”
“If you say so,” said (Y/N). She was definitely interested in who was lying, so it was nice to be allowed to stay.
“Very well. Just don’t cause problems for our investigation,” said Kunikida. He huffed and then walked over to the woman and accused man.
“Businesslike as usual, Kunikida,” teased Dazai.
“Excuse me, but while you two are joking around, this man is getting away with theft!” cried the client.
“I didn’t take anything,” complained the man.
“Dr. Yosano, Mr. Edogawa, please remain calm. We are trying to solve this case,” said Kunikida.
“Solve it?!” cried Yosano, “Your culprit is sitting right there!” She pointed furiously at the man next to her. “Ranpo did it!”
“You’re lying,” said Ranpo defensively, “I didn’t do anything!”
“If you could both repeat your version of the night’s events, we will try to determine the truth. We aren’t accusing anyone of lying or stealing until we make sure we have all the facts,” said Kunikida.
“Fine,” said Yosano. “Ranpo and I went out a couple drinks last night. We had a little much too drink. I blacked out for most of the night. I went home, apparently got myself ready for bed, and when I got up the next morning, my gold hairpin was gone. Ranpo was, too.”
“That’s because I woke up at my own house. And even if the barrette was with me, you probably lost it at the bar, and I had to pick it up,” said Ranpo.
“Excuse me, may I ask a question?” said (Y/N).
“Go ahead,” said Dazai, curious to see what she was thinking.
“Dr. Yosano, neither of you drove your own cars while drunk, correct?” asked (Y/N).
“Of course not,” said the raven-haired woman, “We took taxis.”
“I guess we must have. Neither of us took cars to the bar,” said Ranpo.
“ ‘Taxis?’ As in, more than one?” clarified (Y/N).
Yosano’s eyes widened.
(Y/N) continued, “You said you woke up and Ranpo was gone, but if he had already taken a separate taxi, then of course he wasn’t with you.”
“W-well, I—,” stammered Yosano.
“And Ranpo over here is drinking water and wincing from what I’m guessing is a headache because of his hangover while you seem completely fine,” said (Y/N).
“I have a high tolerance,” Yosano tried to defend herself.
“You said you were blackout drunk. Yet you conveniently remember moments of going home in a taxi so you can say you didn’t drink and drive,” said (Y/N).
Kunikida and Dazai watched her. Dazai was smirking, pleased at her logic.
“What are you trying to say?” said Yosano angrily.
“That you’re lying. You obviously dislike Ranpo for some reason and were trying to frame him for theft,” said (Y/N).
“She’s right, Kunikida,” said Dazai to his partner.
“Yes, I see it, too,” said the blonde, nodding.
Upset, Yosano suddenly reached into her purse and pulled out a gun. “You! You just butted in and ruined everything!” She pointed the weapon at (Y/N) and pulled the trigger.
(Y/N) raised one hand, stopping the rubber bullet in midair, and flicked her other wrist to the side. Yosano’s gun was wrenched from her hands and skidded across the ground.
“Good job,” said Dazai.
“Thank you, but aren’t you going to arrest her?” (Y/N) was confused at Dazai and Kunikida’s lack of action.
“Finally! We’re done!” cheered Ranpo in a childish voice, his demeanor changing entirely. He pulled out a bag of chips and began eating.
“My, you are talented. Dazai was right,” said Yosano, her anger fading into calm sophistication.
“What’s going on?” asked (Y/N).
“Congratulations, you passed the entrance exam,” said the bandaged brunette, smiling at her.
“This was a test?”
“We needed to see if you had what it took to actually be a detective,” said Kunikida.
“You did very well,” said Dazai, “It took you very little time to catch on. You’ll do well at the Agency.”
So that’s what his motive was, thought (Y/N), He was part of this ruse.
“Welcome to the team,” said Dazai. “Let’s get started on a real case.”
“Uphold the good name of the Agency,” said Kunikida.
She smiled. “I can do that.” I’ve found a place I can belong. I won’t mess this up.
Nine months ago…
“Which way did he go?” said (Y/N), skidding to a stop. She was out on a case, trying to catch a robber who made a run for it. Unfortunately, he had disappeared into a crowd.
“Down that street, likely into one of the restaurants where he can blend in as a customer,” said Dazai.
“We’ll each take one,” said Kunikida. His partners nodded and quickly went into the cafes.
(Y/N) glanced up at the sign above the door. It read “The Painted Glass.” She went inside and was met with a view of a bar. Calm lighting and soft music created a nice atmosphere. Looking around, (Y/N) couldn’t see the robber. She knew that if he was here, he would try to avoid attention and just sit and drink. She went up to the bar counter since the bartender might have seen something.
“Hello, I was wondering if—.”
“No drink, no information,” teased the black-haired woman.
She is running a business, conceded (Y/N). Pulling out some money, she said, “Give me a glass of whatever, I won’t be here long.”
“That’s a downer,” said the bartender, pouring a drink, “Can I at least get the name of the investigator in my bar?”
“How’d you guess I was investigating something?” asked (Y/N) curiously.
“You instantly asked for information, and you didn’t look like you were asking for my number.” The woman shrugged and smirked devilishly.
“Fair enough,” said (Y/N), “You’re right. My name is (Y/N) (L/N). What’s yours?”
“Buy another drink for information.”
“You never even gave me anything for the first drink,” pointed out (Y/N).
“You’re good. I’m Akira Mori,” said the woman.
“Nice to meet you.” (Y/N) handed over more money. “Is this enough for more information?”
“It is indeed.” Akira leaned over the counter, sliding a second drink to (Y/N) (who hadn’t even touched her first). “What do you want to know?”
(Y/N) handed her a photograph of the robber. “Has this man entered your bar?”
“What did he do?”
“He stole some documents from a businesswoman and tried to blackmail her,” said (Y/N).
“He’s in the corner, watching you,” said Akira. “As soon as you turn, he’s going to bolt out the backdoor.”
(Y/N) contacted Dazai and Kunikida, telling them to guard the back exit. “Thank you.”
She stood up and made eye-contact with the robber. His eye’s widened while she smirked. The man ran for the door. (Y/N) moved to follow him.
“What about your drinks?” commented Akira as the detective ran away.
(Y/N) paused for a moment and grinned at the bartender. “I’ll come by later for a drink” With that, she ran out after the man.
Akira smirked to herself. Entertaining. She began to serve her other customers. I have a feeling we’re going to get along.
Six months ago…
“This is a dumb idea, Dazai. I can’t believe you talked me into this,” grumbled (Y/N).
“We need to confront the killer. She currently performing, but she was planning on sabotaging her partner and causing their death,” said Dazai, using the earpiece to communicate with her.
“There has got to be a better way to catch an acrobat,” said (Y/N), looking down from the platform she was standing on. A trapeze was next to her, ready for her to grab. She, Kunikida, and Dazai were at a circus to catch a killer. The trapeze artist murdered her partner in an attempt to move up the ranks but was replaced instead, so she was planning to kill again. That’s why (Y/N) was disguised as the partner and was going to perform. She had the strength and appearance, so it was obvious that she should be the bait.
“Don’t tell me you can’t do it!” teased Dazai.
“I can, but I really don’t think this is a good idea,” said (Y/N).
“Well,” Dazai dismissed her worries, “Time for the show! Have fun!”
This is ridiculous. (Y/N) sighed and grasped the trapeze tightly. She looked across to the second platform where the killer was doing the same.
Taking a deep breath, (Y/N) swung down, as did her “partner.” The killer flipped in the air and landed on (Y/N)’s bar, attempting to stomp on her hand with the poisoned barbs in her shoes. The detective barely had time to move her hand. Summoning her strength, (Y/N) swung over and kicked the acrobat off. She then lost her grip and fell into the safety net below as well. The pair rolled off the net to the ground. Angry at her plan failing, the murderer pulled out a hidden pocketknife and went to stab (Y/N). The detective pushed the acrobat away with her ability but got cut first. Before the killer could try again, Kunikida appeared to pin her down.
“Good job,” said Dazai, walking to (Y/N). He noticed her injury on her arm. “Are you okay?”
“It’s not too bad,” said (Y/N), shrugging.
“Let me help,” said Dazai. From his pocket, he pulled out spare bandages. Holding her arm gently, he wound the gauze around it.
(Y/N) watched him, her cheeks tinted pink. Soft… This was the first time she’d seen him be so kind. Yes, there were hints here and there, but usually Dazai just employed false pleasantries. Seeing him be so good and so…domestic was nice. She wished she could see this soft, gentle side of him more. See him smile, see him laugh, see him be him without his mask. (Y/N) paused for a moment and blinked. She had just realized she had feelings for Dazai. (Y/N) was completely, totally, utterly in love with Dazai Osamu.
Oh, boy. What am I going to do with these feelings? thought (Y/N), sighing as he walked away from her. Dazai…If it means I can stay by your side, I’ll hide my feelings forever.