Chapter Text
The agency office is awfully quiet despite their recent battle with Fyodor. Only one thought is on everyone’s mind…Who will be transferred to the Port Mafia? They all waited in anticipation when a phone sounded in Fukuzawa’s office.
Ranpo already knew how it would turn out, which is why he had already packed a week before. Dazai was the only one in the agency who noticed, but he also knew what Ranpo had predicted and said nothing.
It only took Dazai and Ranpo a split second after learning about the deal to figure out who Mori wanted for the transfer. And in that second, they both knew quite well that Mori really wanted Yosano, but she was excluded from the deal. Dazai wouldn’t be chosen since he had deserted the Mafia before, and Mori wouldn’t want to risk losing a valuable asset. Mori knew Kunikida had an unwavering sense of justice and would be hard to control. Tanizaki would also be hard to contain, mainly because of his loyalty to his sister. Kyouka would probably try to kill herself again if he forced her to transfer, and Kenji believed in too much good to corrupt properly. Atsushi’s ability would be useful except for the fact that he can’t manage it without Fukuzawa’s ability, which leaves Mori one choice…Ranpo. He has no combat ability, so the Port Mafia could easily overwhelm him with force if he ever tried to escape. Yet Ranpo’s mind was an invaluable asset; he could deduce anything with almost zero information, and he could anticipate and predict events so well that some could say he could see the future.
Sure enough, when the President stepped out of his office, he walked towards Ranpo with an apologetic expression. He opened his mouth to speak before getting cut off by Ranpo.
“Save it, President; I already know it would be me,” Ranpo stated and started to clear his desk. The look on Fukuzawa’s face suggested that he wanted to say something else, but he only hugged Ranpo.
“Mori will send someone here in an hour to pick you up. You don’t have to pack anything; Mori already set up a room for you at the Port Mafia. And we won’t have anyone else move into your room. I’m sorry this has to happen. We’ll try to figure out a way to get you back.”
Ranpo could smell the soft scent of tea on Fukuzawa as he hugged back and knew that this may be the last time he would be this close to the person who first saved him off the streets all those years ago. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Yosano. She was like a sister to him. They grew close after Ranpo saved her from Mori, and he knew that he would miss her.
After Fukuzawa let go, the rest of the agency members piled onto Ranpo except Kunikida and Dazai.
Kunikida was frozen in shock; Ranpo was the pillar of the agency. He wouldn’t be able to fill Ranpo’s spot even if he was the President’s apprentice. Not only that, but with Ranpo gone, the crime rates in Yokohama would rise once again. The very reputation of the great detective was enough to keep small-time criminals and organizations in line.
Dazai only gave Ranpo a knowing look. He would never be on par with Ranpo’s abilities, but he would try his best. Both of them were brilliant, yet almost no one could understand them. They shared an understanding and trust that no one else could replicate. Ranpo trusted Dazai enough to know that the agency would survive. Dazai would have to be the new protector of the agency so that nothing could ever break them apart again.
After Ranpo finally broke free of the sea of bodies hugging him, he smiled at all of them.
“Don’t worry, the World’s Greatest Detective is only on a temporary hiatus. I’ll be back; until then… keep this place running. And don’t get killed. Especially you, Dazai,” Ranpo said, shooting Dazai a look. This made Dazai stick out his tongue at him; it also gave the other agency members a small sliver of hope. If Ranpo said he would return, he would. They just have to keep the place running, awaiting his return. Then, without another word, Ranpo grabbed the stuff on his desk and walked out, heading to the agency dorms. Dazai followed shortly, and after Kunikida finally snapped out of the shock and turned to Fukuzawa. Fukuzawa understood what he wanted and signaled him to enter his office for a chat.