Chapter Text
Akutagawa is the newest recruit to the Armed Detective Agency. Recently, he's been working the more tough cases that require a bit more force , and in other words, he's beating shit up.
He's quick to defend and intimidate just about anyone who walks through the doors of his workplace. However, he finds himself calmer after his time here at the Agency. He seeks comfort in the awkward silence of his coworkers typing their case reports. He guesses he's supposed to as well, but he would rather die.
So when he sees someone in his apartment, vaguely representing this guy he's supposed to watch over, he may have… Overreacted.
Akutagawa's determined facial expressions appeared angry as Rashomon cornered every aspect of the mysterious stranger sleeping on his floor. Akutagawa used Rashomon to slap Atsushi's cheek as if it were a gentle nudge.
The boy stirred as he rested again. Akutagawa turned the nudge into a flick, and this time, his eyes craned open. It took the weretiger a good 30 seconds to see the room-sized iron maiden that surrounded him. Rashomon grew restless as it had to pretend to be lifeless.
The boy turned his head with a confused tilt, “Wait… Akutagawa?”
The body has a built-in mechanism that uses anything to remove danger. This can be shown when a wasp flies towards you, and you strike it down from the air. It's fear - so when Akutagawa smacked Atsushi with a string of tendrils like some fly swatter, it was the same mindless reaction.
Atsushi used his ability to counter the attack. Rashomon strained as the tiger's limbs were of equal strength. The boy growled at any attempt to get out of it.
“What the hell is your deal? Stop .” Atsushi couldn't help but drag himself from under the tendril, like some cat that had escaped under the bed. Rashomon slammed into the ground once it could. “Akutagawa, stop it!”
The way Atsushi stood was far different than the beast currently in Mori's care. The one that hates him… Supposedly. However, Akutagawa does not need others to care about him, and those who don't even bother to give him a minute.
He lied.
He missed his sister.
Atsushi's appearance was similar to his own: button-up shirt, tie, suspenders, baggy pants, and ruffled hair. The difference was the obvious asymmetrical bangs to the right. Another difference is those eyes. They were less shell-shocked, less desperate, and less regretful.
Atsushi looked at him like a fleeting afternoon sky—sunsets that held all the weight of his heart, a slight gleam of hope. — This is not his universe’s Atsushi.
Rashomon retreated to his coat as he thought of what this could mean. He recalled the death of a man just a few months ago. This world is rewritten. A product of that wraith, himself. If this is correct, this must be the original version.
“Why are you staring at me like some character having a monologue?!” Atsushi barked. “Why do you look like that? Dressed like that?”
“You can be quite rude, you know?” Akutagawa scowled. “I mean, really.”
“You don't even talk the same.” Atsushi took a step back. “Who are you? Why are you in my apartment?”
“Your apartment?” Akutagawa chuckled. “No, I'm sure you're mistaken. This is my home, my territory.”
“What?” Atsushi looked around. “I can prove it.” He stormed to the small kitchen nook in the neighboring room. "In here should be bread, jam, and seasonings.”
He opened it to a large tin of tea. Atsushi stares as if it just called him a slur.
“No… Wait…” Atsushi pats around as he checks every crevice, only to find that all of his existence has been wiped away. He sat there in disbelief.
“This can't be right…” Atsushi stepped away. His fingers rubbed together as he thought, “Wait… Where's Kyouka?!”
“The demon girl?” Akutagawa asked.
That got a look, finally, an emotion that isn't a defenseless kitten.
“She's seeking reformation at an orphanage after leaving the mafia.” Akutagawa finally said.
Atsushi looked ill and cold, if not panicked.
“I need to get her. She can't be exposed to that, she—”
Before Atsushi grabbed the door, a tendril wrapped around his hand. He was lifted, and he dangled.
“What are you doing?! Let go!”
“If you used your brain, you would ask real questions. For example, how do I know if she's safe or if this place even has the same Kyouka? What if she hated you? And you just scared her?”
“She doesn't have to like me! She just needs to be safe.”
Atsushi kicked his legs as he swung. Any attempts to escape were fruitless.
“She's seeking safety at an orphanage with a director designed for her… and you.” Akutagawa rests his expression before glaring at the weretiger, “You'd only trigger them both. It's best if you back away and let them heal.”
“D-Designed?” Atsushi was a little taken aback. “What are we talking about?”
Akutagawa chirped through his teeth and dropped him.
“I'm not entirely sure where to begin,” Akutagawa admitted.
“Let's find Dazai.” Atsushi went to stand up.
“He'll be of no help.” Akutagawa watched Atsushi pace.
“He can sense intention. I can already see him getting a kick out of this.” Atsushi adjusted his clothes.” Okay, we need to go to the agency and find him.”
“That will not be possible.”
“Why not? You're obviously in the agency; you can't have seriously—” The realization hit like a brick. “Wait, is he still in the Mafia?”
“He isn't anything, he's dead.” Akutagawa crossed his arms.
Atsushi blinked, “Nah, there is no fucking way.” He laughed, “Come on, it's Dazai.”
“Useless bastard jumped off the Port Mafia's headquarters and fell to his death. Right in front of me.” Akutagawa said that with such sass, like it was really that obvious.
Atsushi looked down to process, “Is… The agency—?”
“They're fine.” Akutagawa rested his expression. “Beyond fine, actually.”
“That's good.” Atsushi retreated his posture, which was similar to his own Atsushi. “I need to get back. I don't know how or why, but I can't stay here.”
“Are you suggesting I help you?” Akutagawa had a small smirk.
Atsushi looked into his eyes, “I am. Please.”
Akutagawa can't explain why his chest was constrained the way it was. He could tell this version had pride, but it was too much of it. His hypothesis may be entirely correct; this is the original Atsushi.
From the acknowledgment of who Dazai was, the outfit, speech patterns, the awareness of the apartment, and the soft-boiled entitlement of the ADA residue, this man is indeed a detective.
“I can help you with one request.” Akutagawa lifts his finger.
“Oh? Yeah, sure, anything.”
“Do not talk about the book.” Akutagawa's eyes tightened.
Atsushi reacted with a pale flush. His eyes dilated as soon as that device was reminded to him.
“Is that… That's why I'm here?” Atsushi looked away. “Dammit. I don't even know where it is.”
“Surely not important if you didn't have it before. Hell, there is only a page that the bastard had. We need another solution.”
“You have a plan?” Atsushi pivots on his heel as Akutagawa walks past him. “Hello?”
Akutagawa just opens the door and, with a turn, says, “You talk a lot.”
Atsushi’s face dropped to a moody glare. His arms knitted together as he just followed in his pout.
They stepped out, and Akutagawa turned to lock the door. Atsushi looked out.
“It's so similar… Yet different.” Atsushi had such a sad tone.
Akutagawa didn't respond as he stepped back to lead the way. Atsushi caught up, and of course, they seemed to take the same path.
“It's kind of cool… Seeing you like a detective.” Atsushi had been staring at Akutagawa with some amusement.
Grey eyes glared over, “Opposed to?”
“Uh, well… The Akutagawa I know is in the Mafia.”
Akutagawa's nose crinkled as he tried to imagine it. He just scuffed.
“I wouldn't be caught dead working with anything tainted by his hands.”
“You keep bringing up this guy? What's your deal?” Atsushi waited for a response but didn't get one. He grew annoyed and put a hand in front of his face. “Hello?”
“You do that again, and I will cut it off.”
“I know for a fact you like to yap. So, what's your problem with this guy?” Atsushi blinked fast, “Ex-lover?”
Akutagawa swatted the air to get him away. “Disgusting! No!” He harped, “I get that your cat brain can't think critically, so I'll just tell you.” In a soft exhale, he just stomped forward. “It… was Dazai.”
Atsushi listened to a very short version of the events. He seemed more confused than anything, but he was quiet regardless. Akutagawa told the intense story of how he ended up staying at the agency and his goal to become a better person. All just so his sister would come back into his life.
“That's spooky…” Atsushi commented.
Akutagawa was taken aback, “explain?”
“Nothing. I mean, Akutagawa and I were already super similar… But it's like Dazai wrote this world as if he wanted to see what would happen if you were saved instead.”
Akutagawa could tell that part of the weretiger didn't like that he and Kyouka were included in Dazai's expenses.
“Are you happy?” Atsushi asked.
“Happy is suggestive.” Akutagawa looked away.
“Okay, damn. Uh, do you feel safe? In the agency?”
“Safe?” Akutagawa echoed.
“I mean. I seek a lot of comfort in the agency. They're good people… I always wondered what Akutagawa would have been like if Dazai hadn't gotten his hands on him. I just wanted to know.”
That wording. Atsushi seemed uncomfortable with this fact as if coming to terms with something. So, the divergence started when Dazai met Akutagawa in that forest. Instead of leaving him there to wallow, he had taken him in.
“In terms of stages in my life, yes. This one has been the best part of my years. I don't have to worry about food, shelter, or my friends' lives. If it gets cold, I don't have to wake up to someone taken by the temperature.”
Atsushi's eyes could burn as he watched Akutagawa. He eventually did look away before sighing.
“So, it seems like the agency is the key…” Atsushi commented again.
Akutagawa's heart skipped a beat, and he stopped walking. “What did you say?”
“Ah… So…” Atsushi could tell that he had said something wrong. “Sorry. Before I was sent here, I had just recovered from the agency being accused of terrorism.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Wait, have you not fought Fyodor?” Atsushi blinked.
“I'm aware of his name through a letter.” Akutagawa rolled his finger.
“I'm not entirely sure either, but I noticed it with Kyouka. It's the hope of making it out… And more often than not, we do. Perhaps you got the same blessing.”
Akutagawa processed what was said to him.
“They saved me while I broke into the Port Mafia's headquarters. Tanizaki assisted me in it, and the others helped to counter the white tiger that guarded me from the top floor.” Akutagawa dug his hands into his pockets. “Suppose you are correct.”
The two walked in silence. Neither can say anything more. Akutagawa glanced from beyond his cheek.
“I'm not happy, nor am I sad. I guess the word I can use is, I'm content.” Akutagawa had softened his tone.
Something he didn't even know was possible. Atsushi took a deep breath and smiled.
“I'm happy to hear that. You deserve to rest.” Atsushi looked at him, “If only I could get my Akutagawa to leave the Mafia.”
“I'm sure he has his reasons.” Akutagawa looked away. “Anyway. We're here.”
Atsushi stopped to look at the Agency from across the street.
“It looks the same.” Atsushi seemed relieved.
“Did you expect it to be purple? Heh, moving on.” Akutagawa leads with his head.
The tiger followed shortly behind.
Atsushi had jogged to the elevator to open the doors. He stumbled inside, holding it open.
He was so full of life; it was exhausting. Akutagawa stepped inside, though. Resting his expression.
“I wonder what they'll do… I'd be mafia? Yeah?”
“You were fired.”
“Excuse me?” Atsushi snapped a look.
Akutagawa couldn't help but smile at the idea of being fired from the Mafia. Atsushi was still speechless.
The elevator door opened, and a tall man stood in the way.
“Ah good, Akutagawa you're here.” Oda looked at Atsushi.
Though both said nothing, Atsushi backed up to the wall. His eyes were as wide as if he had seen a ghost. Akutagawa couldn't figure out his deal.
“Isn't this the guy you fought?” Oda asked.
Atsushi looked away after he reminded himself of the current reality. He mumbled incoherently as he took note of things.
“Sorta.” Akutagawa crossed his arms, “Though I do believe that bastard was lying. 3 people, my ass.”
“You're gonna land with that? Really?” Oda lifted a brow. “You think it has something to do with the… Thing?”
Akutagawa nodded, “I do.”
Oda took a deep, long breath. “It's true. If the Guild and the Rats were coming, they'd also know about it.”
The two took off, and Atsushi had to jump out as the doors closed. He trots behind like some puppy wanting treats.
“What I don't understand is why he said it?” Akutagawa groaned.
“My guess. He doesn't want more hands to be attracted to the book. He made you and the white reaper the guardians, right?”
“Yeah?” Akutagawa glanced up.
“So what if he said that so you'll stop anyone else from knowing, hence only a controlled group chasing the book.” Oda stopped Akutagawa, “His logic has too many holes.”
“You're suggesting?” Akutagawa lifted a brow.
“We talk about the book, just not the origin of our world. That question, where we come from, has been a dilemma to scholars for years.”
“What if you're wrong?” Akutagawa's voice threatens.
“Do you think I'm wrong?” Oda answered.
“How do we explain cat boy?” Akutagawa nudged his head.
“You came here with him willingly. What were you going to say?”
“The weretiger hit his head and now is a detective,” Akutagawa responded with the most serious tone.
“You planned to gaslight… literal detectives?” Oda repeated.
“You're right. Weretiger: come here. I need to give you blunt-force trauma.” Akutagawa turned to see no one behind him. “Goddammit.”
“Where did he go?” Oda looked behind him.
“I don't know, Oda,” Akutagawa had so much sass, “I would have found him already if I did.”
“You didn't sleep again. You're moody, or you need to eat something.” Oda just pushed his face as he walked further into the agency.
Atsushi met up with Kunikida, who was very tense. Brown eyes snapped at the duo that entered. Sweat started to pearl from his forehead as he saw Atsushi surrender.
“Why the hell is he here?” Kunikida's fingers touched the handle of his gun.
“Don't be stupid. That gun won't do damage against the tiger. Two, he has brain damage.” Akutagawa walked closer to the scene. His expression rested closed.
“I have what now?” Atsushi glared back at Akutagawa.
Oda could be heard smacking his face into his palm. Kunikida did not believe shit, he just groaned.
“Can you stop messing around and give me an answer?” Kunikida’s eyes didn’t move from Atsushi.
Suppose everyone figured it out. This isn't the same boy who lurked in the shadows of the Mafia. He's soft and gentle, more… Stupid.
Akutagawa panicked but said, with such a flat face, “It's the white reaper’s twin, uh, Atsu..mi?”
Kunikida just seemed disappointed. “You’re not even trying, are you?” Obvious sarcasm.
That same sarcasm flew right over his head: “That is correct.”
“Oda-san.” Kunikida called out.
Oda lifted his eyebrows.
“What the hell?” Kunikida shrugged.
Akutagawa glared at Oda as he walked close. Though it seemed the eldest wasn't worried.
“An ability has taken this guy from a different timeline and accidentally plonked him here.”
“Plonked?” Kunikida echoed.
“This is Atsushi Nakajima. In his words, he would be working here at the Agency.”
“No way in hell we would hire Mafia— Wait, is that my shirt?!” Kunikida pointed.
“Uh…” Atsushi looked down at it, “Yeah. At the time, I didn't have clothes.”
Kunikida blinked, “stay still. Let me see something.”
Atsushi remained still as Kunikida checked the shirt tag.
“I'll be damned,” Kunikida said under his breath.
“Why do you mark your clothes if you live alone?” Oda asked.
“You don't?” Kunikida turned but realized who he was barking at and rolled his eyes. “I believe you, but what now?”
“Send him back,” Oda replied easily.
“ How ?” Kunikida asked a bit more aggressively.
“I don't know. That's why he's here.” Oda replied, a bit distant.
Kunikida sucks his teeth in before lecturing about sarcasm and not thinking before acting.
Atsushi's focus pans between them. They had an entirely muted conversation, but Kunikida surrendered.
“Fine.” Kunikida sighed. “I suggest you just go straight to Ranpo.”
Atsushi's eyes lit up. “I know how to bribe him!! "Adjusting the bag on his hip opened to reveal a ramune in his hand. “Tada! Ranpo currency!”
They stare.
“I believe you now.” Kunikida raised his glasses, “As long as you don't blow up another building, I don't care what you do. I'd rather not have to deal with all that.”
“We won't.” Oda lifted his hand to surrender. “Blowing up Port Mafia buildings is boring anyway.”
Atsushi hiccuped.
“I prefer my leisure hunting to be alive and running,” Akutagawa added.
Atsushi alternates between them.
“You're so weird.” Kunikida rolled his eyes. “As long as you're not getting me involved, have fun.”
Kunikida waved softly as he focused on his work.
“Wow… He's less…”
“Uptight?” Oda finished, “I can assure you he's as wound up as you can get ‘em. He's just grown used to me and Akutagawa's… Habits.”
Akutagawa snickered. “Come on.”
He led them to the agency's workplace. Atsushi immediately saw the difference in the setup. His eyes lingered on four desks that cornered each other. However, his attention switched to Ranpo, who just looked up.
His expression didn't even change as he stared and looked towards Atsushi. The white detective made a noise as if he had just missed his cue. He presented the soda like a butler. Ranpo looked at the soda, Atsushi, then clicked his tongue.
“Oh,” Ranpo said with a bit of song in his voice. He grins as he takes his soda.
“How did you know to do that?” Oda asked Atsushi.
“Because getting Ranpo to do anything is impossible. It's easier to bribe him with food and drinks,” Atsushi shrugged.
“I bet you three idiots want to know if he being here is going to cause further issues.” Ranpo prepares his drink, pushing the marble in. “Look, I get nervous messing with reality stuff.”
“So we should be wary?” Oda asked.
“He cannot be seen simultaneously with this world's Atsushi. Not even in that butterfly effect type of way — in an easy access to stopping him from leaving. Things will hunt him. My theory, and I know I'm right, he'll have to wait till the next full moon.”
“The… moon?” Akutagawa muttered, “What the hell does that have to do with anything?”
“I think I know the answer to this. Something about my ability becomes rogue if exposed to the moon. However, I'm under the President's ability. Why is it acting up now?”
Ranpo just thought, “Dunno.”
The room went quiet.
“What now?” Oda looked at Akutagawa.
“Uh, enjoy your newfound friendship or whatever you flower sniffers do now.” Ranpo reclines. “You're stuck here for a bit.”
Atsushi frowns and just turns, “I have responsibilities back at home. Kyouka needs me.”
The group was quiet, but Ranpo looked between them and said, “I'm sure you'll be fine.”
“A whole month… Where will I live— Work?” Atsushi looked at Akutagawa. “I can't stay on the streets; I'll get myself in trouble.”
“Why not stay with Akutagawa?” Oda suggested.
The hellhound looked at his mentor with the blaze of a thousand suns. Did he just volunteer for Akutagawa to open his house?
“Uh, I don't know. I know Akutagawa. He prefers to do things on his own if he can.” Atsushi crossed his arms. “I'll figure it out.”
Akutagawa didn't even get to speak.
“He can work at the agency. Though he'll mostly get pocket cash.” Ranpo sighed, “You can talk to the president and work something out. I'm bored with this.”
Atsushi smiles, “Ah, good ol’ Ranpo.”
“I got this. Akutagawa, just sit here with him.” Oda took the cue.
Akutagawa directed them to the two desks. Kunikida looked up from under his brow to see the hellhound directing him to the empty seat beside him.
“What are you doing?” Kunikida asked calmly.
“Cat sitting,” Akutagawa said so seriously.
“I'M NOT A CAT!!” Atsushi barked.
“That's not what I meant.”
Akutagawa answered no more. It seemed like Kunikida was close to lecturing, but he gave up immediately. His eyes rested in his palm, and he shook his head in defeat.
“What am I to do with you?” Kunikida just sighed.
Akutagawa smiled to himself. Briefly, he saw Atsushi’s eyes on him, then flicked away.