Chapter Text
Ranpo and Fukuzawa always had a pretty good relationship, that much was obvious, nor was it a secret. Truth be told, Fukuzawa saw Ranpo as a son.
So when Ranpo began acting strangely, Fukuzawa was, of course, the first to notice.
Now, he wasn’t acting strangely in his personality. Ranpo was still Ranpo: brilliant, blunt, snack-obsessed, and autistic in his own amazing way. By strange, Fukuzawa was referring to his movement.
More often than usual, he bumped into doorframes, knocked over things on the table, tripped, his handwriting worsened, and overall acted like a klutz. He didn’t seem to care at all, but Fukuzawa felt deeply concerned, so he called Ranpo in for a meeting.
“Hello, Ranpo,” said Fukuzawa. Ranpo was smiling and eating a lollipop, though his cheek was sticky from missing his mouth over and over. “I’ve noticed your... motor skills seem to be off...”
“Yeah,” said Ranpo, finally getting the treat into his mouth. “What about it?” he said, muffled.
“It’s not normal for you.”
“I know. So?”
Fukuzawa facepalmed.
“Because it could mean that you have a serious medical issue! Did you hit your head?”
“Yeah, a lot. I keep bumping into stuff.”
“I mean before these issues started.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Fukuzawa leaned forward and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“What do you think the issue could be?” Fukuzawa asked.
“I dunno. I’m a detective, not a doctor,” Ranpo replied, casually leaning back in the chair. Wobbly, of course.
Now Fukuzawa was mad.
“This is your own health, Ranpo! Try to be a little more concerned!”
Ranpo dropped his smile and opened his eyes a little in guilt. Immediately, Fukuzawa felt horrible.
“I’m sorry if I was too harsh — it’s just — what if it’s something serious?”
“Like what?” Ranpo asked, much to Fukuzawa’s surprise. He looked into Ranpo’s eyes, solemn and confused. Despite all his genius, Ranpo had no clue at all of what was wrong with him. Seeing Fukuzawa concerned scared him. Maybe it was more serious than he’d been treating it? But he had no idea how to treat it seriously, and now he was worried that he could actually get hurt.
“I’m not certain,” said Fukuzawa. “And I don’t want to scare you when I say things, but the first thing that comes to mind with my limited medical knowledge is a brain tumour.”
Ranpo’s eyes widened in shock, and some of his hair stood on end. “Am I gonna go bald?”
At that, Fukuzawa couldn’t not laugh. Of all the consequences to be concerned about, of course he chose baldness. Classic Ranpo.
“No, Ranpo. As I said, I don’t know much of medicine. I could be very wrong.”
“I hope so! I wanna keep my beautiful hair...” he paused. “Could it be cancer?” he asked with a low voice. Uncomfortable, Fukuzawa mumbled:
“If it’s a tumour, that would depend on whether it’s benign or malignant.” The silence was deafening. “Why not speak to Yosano? You’re good friends, and she’s the expert.”
Ranpo nodded. “Alright, I’ll go see her...”
Ranpo got up and stumbled to Yosano’s office (more like her own personal torture ring!). For Ranpo’s sake, Fukuzawa prayed it wasn’t a malignant tumour and if it was that Yosano could treat it with her ability. He’d never seen the treatment up close before, let alone on someone important to him, and he hoped that he never would.