Try To Call You Every Day (I'm Rehearsing What To Say) \\ON HIATUS\\

chp 1

Okay, so this is my attempt at something even remotely funny. Enjoy, I suppose! I just love BSD and wanted to something for it.

Ah, yes. Malls. A harmonious place to shop and relax. You can find anything in those fuckers. All the way from toys for the kids, to an expensive watch for your spouse. Christmas or birthday, or perhaps just shopping for yourself. Whatever the cause, malls have what you're looking for. Period.

And they're practically everywhere, especially in Yokohama, a bustling city with millions residing there and living their daily lives.

And, well, one could say most malls are a peaceful place.

"Sir, step away from the child!"

"He stole my fucking wallet!"

The security guard let out a weary sigh. He did not go through rigorous training for this. "I encourage you to not use that language in front of children."

The man looked at him like he was crazy. "That's not a child! This thing stole my fucking wallet! He's a thief, a criminal that deserves time in prison!"

"Excuse me!" The child called back. "My pronouns are they/them, old man!"

The man turned around and sincerely said, "I apologize." However, "They stole my fucking wallet!"

Yukichi ignored this. "Sir, the only one that's going to prison is you. Yokohama does not tolerate pedophilia."

"Pedophilia?! What did I do?!" He screeched.

Yukichi sighed again. He didn't always want to point a tazer at some middle aged guy in a dirty mall. Of course he joined the force for a reason. This was not one of them.

"Um, sir, we have security cameras. We have evidence of you. . . crying in the food court. . . and talking to a little girl," Yukichi started slowly and patiently.

"That's my daughter!" He shouted and ran his hands through his hair. He quickly turned around and looked behind him. "Great! Now that little brat is getting away with my money!"

Yukichi seriously doubted it was much money to begin with.

Standing next to a (fake) plant, on the other side of the spectacle, was another man. He had his eyes closed and a lollipop in his mouth. A smirk appeared on his face.

He called out: "Fukuzawa. This man is telling the truth."

Yukichi turned his attention to the new guest. He narrowed his eyes. "I thought I told you to stay out of my own matters, detective," he growled.

The detective opened his eyes. "Detective. . . That reminds me. . . I quit my job."

"Ranpo, you WHAT?!"

¤¤¤¤

"Kyoka-chan, are you sure?"

"Yes. This is the place."

Atsushi was currently standing in the entryway to the local Hot Topic. It looks. . . dangerous. He was also eyeing the employees. Piercings, dyed hair, makeup. And of course, Atsushi wasn't judging him by his appearance (he was), he's just worried about his sister. (But everyone knows that Kyoka is stronger than Atsushi, even on a bad day.)

"Are you sure there's no where else to get the shirt you want?" Atsushi asked nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

She stared at him, daring him to oppose her.

He swallowed. "Okay, Hot Topic it is."

They entered. The man at the cashier looked up sharply.

He didn't even feign cheerfulness when he said, "Welcome. How may I help you?" He was glaring at Atsushi and he immediately felt threatened.