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People are dumb. Wait, scratch that. Normal people? Whatever you call them—are dumb.
Ranpo knows it. Actually, he's known it for 12 years.
And that's why he avoids too much interaction, especially when he's pissed and too tired. Like right now.
"Oh. My. Fucking. Gosh." He mutters, hissing in disappointment at the rookie officer who didn't believe what he said, setting off the trap their alleged suspect had set up to alert themselves of intruders. He could not deal with this now, especially because he's had enough of being irritated, and it's finally the last case of the day. "Are you—no, you definitely are stupid."
The detective points out to the young man, tone sharp like a blade. The rookie nearly faints from the cold, emerald irises aiming at his head, hiding behind Atsushi, his assistant for today—who in fact, is also scared.
Ranpo then redirects his attention to the senior officer beside him, "Chase after the suspect, won't you? He's at the bridge by now, you have enough time to call backup from the other side of the city." He swirls his lollipop to the other side of his mouth, pausing for a second. "And, side note; get better subordinates." But apparently, the officer didn't take the comment well, and responded. With the worst possible response. Ever! "Did your parents not raise you well? I'd expect a 'master detective' to respect your elders."
Huh.
He strides away, hands heavy in his pockets, ignoring how the others call out to him. Their voices are just too..irritating right now. "I apolo—huh—Ranpo-san!" Atsushi cried. Ranpo paused, looking back at the frantic boy, hair sticking up like a cat—no, a tiger. The master detective can only sigh, responding. "Atsushi-kun, our job here is done. Come on, they can do the paperwork." The weretiger hunches over, only being able to stare worriedly at Ranpo till they reached the train station.
As they enter the detective agency, some—not all—notice Ranpo's silence and slightly hurried pace, getting his stuff, almost shoving everything he brought from morning into his pockets, and glancing at the clock in the agency every few seconds. He dashes out the door after clocking out his shift, as his hat almost flies from his speed. He opens his phone when he stops at a bus stop, and the faint clicks of texting effects can be heard.
He taps his foot, and even almost covers his ears, but after a minute, a sleek, black car appears in front of the bus stop, tires screeching—Ranpo squints his eyes, but the tinted window rolls down, and reveals a stunning fiery red-haired man.
"What's up, detective?" The man says.
"Good afternoon, executive." He smiles.
Ranpo chuckles as he gets inside the passenger seat, closing the door beside him. He lets out a small "Oomph", as his seat is adjusted by Nakahara. It's calmer in the car, compared to earlier. It's much more refreshing too, probably because it's colder inside. The ride is awfully silent, and it seems Chuuya notices.
They finally reach the executive's apartment, and Chuuya notes Ranpo's distinct attitude. A bit hunched, looks irritated, and a bit more closed off. Not many would see a difference, but Chuuya's seen enough of the man that he'd know.
"Detective, you alright?"
He sees Ranpo immediately fix whatever Chuuya had noticed, straightening himself.
"Of course I am!" The ravenette smiles.
Of course he's not. Oh well. A few moments pass, and they're getting in bed, Ranpo fiddling with his fingers. The springs of the bed squeak as Ranpo feels the empty side of the bed getting weighed down, as the redhead asks a question. "What happened? Tell me."
"I told you, it's nothing."
"Ranpo."
The detective sighs. He reclines onto the headboard, finally explaining the events, eventually leading up to the officer's comment earlier.
"He said that?" Nakahara asks.
"Yeah."
"What was his name again?"
"Don't bother. I don't care anyways." He folds his arms together.
"It doesn't seem like it."
"Well, it's the truth. I don't care—"
The detective gets cut off, a warm embrace meeting his chest. "At all.." he mumbles, staring at the redhead's shoulder. The hug breaks, and they exchange only stares afterward. There's an awkward silence for a bit, but it gets broken afterwards.
"You don't need to act so tough." Chuuya says, holding on to Ranpo's arms. The only thing he gets in response is silence, but that's to be expected. Ranpo can only stare at him, bewildered like it's the first time he's gotten to a point like this. (Infact, it's not. There was that specific time 12 years ago.) He gets some time to think about his parents, and he realizes he can't even remember their faces anymore. All he sees are faceless...strangers. Did he really forget them? What if that old guy was right? Did he forget their teachings too? Having an amazing memory, yet forgetting the ones he considered the most important. He furrows his eyebrows, all the while the man beside him leaving him space. After a while he speaks up;
"Could we go somewhere tomorrow?"
"Sure, where to?"
"Somewhere in the mie prefecture. I'll just direct you to it."
"Alright." The executive sighs in relief, seeing how the other isn't as spaced out anymore. They carry on with their routine for the night, and finally get to sleeping.
The next day, they coincidentally stop to buy flowers, and coincidentally get the ones Ranpo's parents' just adored.