Chapter Text
Ranpo was living the good life. As the class president he was expected to keep his grades up, but that part of school always came easily to him. What didn’t come so easily was the socializing part. Ranpo never really fully understood human interaction. That was until he met Yosano. Yosano is the prettiest girl in Ranpo’s class as well as his best friend. Everyone seems to think the pair are a couple, that’s how much time they spend with each other. With Yosano by his side, nothing could stop him. Nothing except being paired with…him.
There was always one kid in Ranpo’s class he found strange. A quiet boy with bangs long enough to cover his eyes sat at the back corner, quietly writing away to himself. Ranpo tried to talk to him once but he got up and fled.
One day, while Ranpo was chatting away with Yosano as usual, the teacher came into the room. They announced that the class will be doing a group project in which two people will be paired up at random. Those two people will then be in charge of taking care of a ‘baby.’ (Said baby was just a toy doll)
Ranpo crossed his fingers and prayed for a good partner as the teacher called his name…and Edgar Allen Poe.
Ranpo frantically looked around the room. He didn’t know anyone by that name. It couldn’t be- his thoughts stopped as the quiet kid walked up to his desk.
“Excuse me…I’m Edgar Allen Poe, but you can just call me Poe. I believe I’m your partner?”
Ranpo stared at the kid standing directly in front of him. The boy was staring down at his feet while speaking, and Ranpo could barely see his face through his bangs.
“Uh yeah, I guess so. I’m Edogawa Ranpo, but you can just call me Ranpo. It’s nice to meet you.”
Poe fiddled with his hands for a moment before raising his gaze to meet Ranpo’s.
“Yes, it’s nice meeting you.”
Ranpo and Poe stared at each other in silence for a moment before Yosano butts in, “Why don’t you two exchange numbers?”
Both boys turn and stare at her, “What?!”
Yosano rolls her eyes at the display, “For the project, duh. How are you going to co-parent if you can’t even contact each other?”
“Oh, I guess you’re right.” Ranpo hands Poe his phone. “Here, you can put your number in it.”
Poe awkwardly takes the phone and presses his number in. Ranpo then goes to call the number before Poe stops him, “Wait, why don’t you text me instead.”
“Okay…” Ranpo texts Poe’s phone and Poe replies on his own. After the exchange of numbers, Poe walks back to his own desk.
“That guys weird huh?” Ranpo says as he turns to Yosano.
“I don’t know, I think he’s kinda cute. Besides, he might be better than he seems.”
Ranpo pouts. “Sure. At least you got to work with someone you know. You’re so lucky you got Kouyou.”
Kouyou is Yosano’s friend who she met this year. Honestly, Ranpo is starting to feel jealous of her as Yosano continues to choose her over him.
“Oh whatever. We’re going to meet up at the library after school to plan for the project. You should bring Poe.”
“Why though? He’s so weird.”
Yosano rolls her eyes, “I expect to see you there.”
“Fineee. Geez, the things I do for you…”