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Once you and Ranpo had finally arrived at the address in Tokyo, the two of you stood outside the nondescript apartment building, your anticipation building as you both wondered if this was the right place. After a few moments of hesitation, Ranpo confidently knocked on the door.
As the door creaked open, a mysterious man's face came into view, lit up with excitement, his dark eyes widening in disbelief. There, standing before him, was none other than his idol, the brilliant detective, Ranpo Edogawa. But as his gaze flickered past Ranpo, he suddenly realised that he wasn't alone. His eyes widened a fraction more as they settled on the figure beside Ranpo—you, with your striking features and an easy smile.
You had never seen him before—but you thought he was rather handsome. He was tall and lean, and a man with a certain air of mystery about him, his long brown mullet and tousled bangs lending him an almost feral appearance. He wore a pristine white mandarin collar button-up shirt, the perfect canvas to accentuate the sharp contours of his face. A loosely tied white ribbon adorned his neck, adding a touch of elegance to his outfit. But what really made him stand out was the raccoon perched on his shoulder, as if it were an extension of his being. The creature, with its round eyes and soft, fluffy fur, added an unexpected charm to the already captivating man. The raccoon seemed to have a mischievous glint in its eye, as if it was in on some secret that no one else knew.
"Hi," you greeted with a charming smile. "My name's [Y/N]. It's nice to meet you."
The man with the raccoon felt his heart stutter in his chest at the sound of your melodic voice. Your beauty left him momentarily speechless as he took in the soft curves of your face, the beguiling [E/C] of your eyes, and the luxurious flow of your [H/C] hair in the wind. His gaze lingered on you for a moment too long, which Ranpo had taken definite notice of, and he cleared his throat, causing the man's cheeks to flush with embarrassment. Honestly, you found it kind of cute.
"U-Um, hello. My name's Poe." He stammered, suddenly aware of his unkempt appearance. He smoothed down his cream-coloured tailcoat and ran a hand through his brown mullet, trying to regain his composure. But as he looked back up at you, his heart raced once more. He didn't quite understand what this feeling was—but it was similar to what he felt whenever he was around Ranpo. "It's very nice to meet you too...are you Ranpo's girlfriend?"
Ranpo almost choked on air. "Absolutely not."
You just chuckled, waving your hand in the air dismissively. "No, just colleagues. We're working on this case together." You looked at Ranpo with a sickly sweet smile on your face, especially since he tried to pull a fast one and come to Tokyo without you. "Right Ranpo?"
He rolled his eyes.
Poe let out a relieved breath, his blush deepening. "Oh, I see. Sorry, I didn't mean to assume." He glanced back at Ranpo, whose eyes were suddenly thinned on Poe and his raccoon. Poe didn't quite know what to make of that. "Well, come on in!" He stepped aside to let the two of you enter the apartment, the raccoon on his shoulder seemingly eyeing you up and down with curiosity.
As you followed Poe into the apartment, you couldn't help but sense Ranpo's shift in demeanour. He was quiet...almost too quiet for his own good. You were suspicious by his sudden reaction—you wondered, for a fleeting moment, if he was upset by Poe's apparent attraction to you, but you figured that would have been ridiculous and dispelled even the thought like a puff of smoke.
Poe, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to the tension between the two detectives. He eagerly showed you around his apartment, pointing out various pieces of detective memorabilia and explaining their significance. You learnt that he was part of the Guild with an ability to transport readers into the setting of any mystery novel, specifically any murder mystery novel, which was very interesting. His raccoon was called Karl. You found yourself enjoying his enthusiasm, but you couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Ranpo.
As you stepped into the small foyer of the Tokyo apartment and looked around, you couldn't help but notice that Ranpo kept a polite distance from you and Poe, but his eyes followed your every move. You wondered what was going through his mind, but you knew better than to pry. Immediately, you were impressed by the apartment, and you could tell by the look on Ranpo's face that he was, too. You were greeted by a cosy yet functional space that embodied the essence of Japanese minimalism. The walls were adorned with delicate paintings and prints, carefully arranged to create a sense of balance and harmony. The soft glow of a paper lantern cast a warm light throughout the area, highlighting the subtle beauty of the decor.
Moving deeper into the apartment, you noticed the clever use of space-saving techniques. A compact kitchenette occupied one corner, complete with sleek appliances and an efficient layout that maximised functionality without sacrificing style. A small dining table sat nearby, its smooth wooden surface inviting you to sit down and enjoy a meal or a warm cup of tea.
Further down the hallway, you came across the main living area, where a comfortable sofa and a low table invited you to relax and unwind. A large window offered a breathtaking view of the bustling city below, reminding you of just how close you were to the heart of Tokyo.
As you explored the rest of the apartment, you couldn't help but appreciate the meticulous attention to detail that had gone into its design. From the elegant sliding doors that led to the bedrooms to the compact bathrooms with their state-of-the-art fixtures, every inch of the space had been carefully crafted to create a harmonious and inviting atmosphere that perfectly captured the essence of modern Japanese living.
Poe clapped his hands together excitedly, "I didn't realise I'd be offering this apartment to both of you," at this, you immediately grinned, because you didn't even have to look at Ranpo's expression right now to know that he was probably seething, since you and him sharing an apartment together in a completely different city was certainly not part of his plan. "So you're lucky that there's a spare bedroom!"
Even better.
"No, no, no," Ranpo shook his head from side to side as he walked up to Poe and slyly threw his arm around him. "I think you've got this all wrong, buddy. [Y/N] isn't living with me here."
You scoffed.
Poe appeared visibly confused.
"I think, Poe..." you walked over to him, standing to his right while Ranpo was on his left, "what Ranpo means to say is that he appreciates you letting both of us stay at this amazing apartment." You fluttered your lashes at him, causing his heart to leap in his chest. Ranpo noticed this, and he immediately shot you an icy glare, clearly displeased with your actions.
"Do not let this woman manipulate you," Ranpo warned, and Poe immediately swivelled his neck to meet Ranpo's serious gaze. "I know she's very pretty, but don't let her get into your head—"
Ranpo paused as soon as he realised what he had just said.
Your own eyes widened like saucers.
He just called you...pretty?
No...he said VERY pretty.
You couldn't help but feel a tinge of excitement at the unexpected compliment from Ranpo. You were sure to tease him about this later—by later you meant the next time he pissed you off. You had always known that he found you attractive, even though he'd probably deny it to your face, but he had never outright said it like this before.
Poe, on the other hand, seemed to be oblivious to whatever was going on between you. "Uh, right. Well, I'm just glad that you both like the place. And if there's anything you need, just let me know. But—as payment for letting you guys stay here, I demand to know the details of the case! I've heard there's three separate murders, Hiroshi's murder, Hiroshi's eldest daughter Akari's murder, and the Azoth murders. I know about Hiroshi's murder—but I'm dying to know the details of the rest! This could serve as inspiration for my next mystery murder novel!"
"I would be more than happy to tell you!" You smiled widely, Ranpo remained quiet. Again, an unusual occurrence. "Let's all get coffee! There just has to be some cute places in Tokyo."
"There is! I'll take you." Poe said delightedly.
• • •
As Ranpo, you, and Poe stepped into the quaint café in the heart of Tokyo, the intoxicating aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods instantly entered your nostrils with an open invitation. The warm and cosy atmosphere of the place welcomed the three of you as you made your way to a small, wooden table in the corner. The sound of soft jazz music in the background added to the peaceful ambiance.
As you all settled into your chairs, Ranpo couldn't help but take in the charming decor of the café. The walls were adorned with vintage posters and paintings, while small potted plants hung from the ceiling, adding a touch of greenery to the space. The tables were topped with dainty floral arrangements and rustic candles, giving off a soft glow.
Poe couldn't contain his excitement as he perused the menu, eagerly anticipating the delicious treats that awaited him. Ranpo, on the other hand, observed the patrons around him, taking in the serene environment.
In the next ten minutes, your orders had been taken and your drinks had been served. Now, the three of you were having an intense discussion about the Tokyo Zodiac Murders case.
"On the evening of March 23rd, between 7 p.m and 9 p.m, Akari, the first daughter of Yumeko, was tragically killed in her home located in Kaminoge. The cause of death was believed to be from blunt force trauma caused by a glass vase, although it was difficult to confirm as the blood on the vase had been wiped clean. Unlike the circumstances surrounding Hiroshi's death, Akari's appeared to be a more typical case of murder, likely committed by a burglar. Her living space had been ransacked by him, and various items of value, as well as cash, had been stolen from her drawers. The perpetrator did not seem to pay much attention to details, but did take the time to wipe the blood from the vase using a cloth or paper. Interestingly, the vase was left behind in the adjacent room to where Akari's body was discovered, despite the opportunity to dispose of it as evidence." You explained, taking a sip of your coffee. Poe listened intently, his hand resting on his cheek.
"I see. And what was the response from the police and all the amateur detectives?" Poe asked.
"They thought he tried to wipe off his fingerprints." Ranpo answered, putting a spoonful of cake into his mouth.
"Have you guys thought of the possibility that perhaps the vase might not have been used as a weapon?" Poe suggested.
"That's not feasible. The mark on Akari's head matches the exact shape of the vase." You responded.
Ranpo arched a brow at this, "I just noticed that you suggested it was a man, [Y/N]." This was the first thing he had said to you since the three of you had entered the café. "However, it's possible that the culprit was female. Women tend to clean up messes unconsciously, so it's not unlikely that she would have wiped away the blood and put the vase back in its original spot."
"Except there's strong evidence against that, Ranpo." You countered. "The perpetrator was undoubtedly male, because Akari had been raped. After analysing the evidence, it appears that Akari was sexually assaulted postmortem. The semen discovered in her vagina matched the blood type of a man with blood type O. Of the individuals with close ties to the case, only two were male: Arima with blood type A, and Heichi with blood type O. However, Heichi had a solid alibi from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 23rd."
Ranpo didn't look too convinced, but he didn't say anything to counter you.
Meanwhile, Poe seemed nonplussed and intrigued at the same time. "And when was Akari's body found?"
"At approximately 8 p.m. on March 24th, a housewife from the neighborhood paid a visit to Akari with an information board about upcoming community events. Upon entering the vestibule, she called out Akari's name but received no answer. Assuming Akari had gone out shopping, the housewife left the information board and departed. Later that day, the housewife discovered that the information board had not been passed on to the next house, prompting her to return to Akari's house at dusk. Upon finding the house dark, she left and waited until her husband arrived home. Together, they returned to Akari's house, where they discovered her body. It's worth noting that Kaminoge is a remote town located along the banks of the Tama River." You took another sip of your coffee. "She was divorced and had been previously married to a Chinese man. She lived alone. For some reason, people thought she could have been a Chinese spy. It doesn't make sense, really."
Poe inquired, "do you believe all the murders are connected?"
"Yes." Ranpo nodded his head with certainty. "They have to be. It has to be someone inside the family—I don't believe an outsider could have done it. A burglar is definitely out of the question."
The case appeared to be straightforward. Akari's body was discovered lying on the floor, dressed in a kimono, but without any underwear. The room was in disarray with drawers pulled out and personal belongings scattered all over. If Akari had kept any money in the house, it was missing. Strangely, her three-mirror dresser was left untouched. The vase, which was determined to be the murder weapon, was found on the floor in the adjacent room, beyond the sliding doors. It was possible that Akari was killed somewhere else and her body was moved to the current location for rape. Despite the severity of the injuries, there were no bloodstains in the house, suggesting that the killer may have relocated the body. Interestingly, the police were unable to pinpoint the exact location where Akari was murdered. However, they concluded that it must have taken place inside the house as no traces of blood were found outside. The only blood discovered during the investigation was a small amount on the mirror, which was confirmed to be Akari's. According to the report, she was hit on the back of her head while she was seated with her back to the killer. It was very similar to the way Hiroshi was murdered.
"Do you really think she was raped after she was murdered?" Ranpo asked you.
"I mean...that's what I heard. I couldn't say for sure."
"I don't know if I believe that." Ranpo shrugged absently. "If the killer was just a burglar, it's unlikely he would have bothered to dress Akari in a kimono again after raping and killing her, especially considering that he didn't care about leaving his semen as evidence. It cannot be a burglar at all. The assailant was likely an acquaintance or someone familiar to Akari. Instead of trying to defend herself, she simply sat there, facing the mirror and allowed the attacker to approach her. This indicates that the killer was someone she knew very well. Therefore, it is unlikely that the perpetrator was a random burglar. Moreover, a thief wouldn't bother to clean the bloodstains off the mirror. It appears that the killer meticulously wiped away the bloodstains to conceal any link between them and their victim."
"That's such a good point, Ranpo!" Poe's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Ranpo merely brushed him off.
"Them? You're still not convinced the killer's a man?" You raised the question.
Ranpo shook his head from side to side. You didn't quite understand why he wouldn't think so, but you supposed he knew more than you did in this department. Poe ended up asking the burning question on your tongue.
"Why do you think the killer's not a man?"
"Well—" Ranpo turned to you. "Was she wearing a lot of makeup before she was killed?"
"She was wearing very little makeup."
"There you have it," Ranpo explained, maintaining eye contact with you the entire time, even though Poe was the one who asked the question. "The scenario would be more plausible if the perpetrator was a woman. It's possible that Akari was facing the mirror, exposing her back to a woman she knew well. Additionally, if the killer was female, Akari wouldn't be concerned about having only a minimal amount of makeup on. The female assailant may have approached Akari with a smile before striking her, and then—wack! The fatal blow was delivered."
You grimaced at this. This entire case was not easy to stomach, truly. "Then how would you explain the semen?"
"Maybe the female killer brought a supply of semen along with her."
You still didn't think this was tenable, and it was obvious by the unconvinced look on your face.
After a few seconds, Poe got up, excusing himself from the table because he needed to use the restroom. As soon as he left, you noticed how deafening the silence was between you and Ranpo. Almost...you would say...awkward.
You cleared your throat, "why are you suddenly so quiet? You don't have a single scathing retort, and you've barely spoken a word to me prior to detailing the case."
"I'm just tired." He lied.
"Or are you embarrassed that you called me pretty and I heard it?" You teased.
Ranpo almost spat out his iced mocha in surprise.
Ranpo quickly composed himself and raised an eyebrow. He decided that he was going to play your little game. He knew exactly how you worked by now and what you were trying to do. Your plan was to fluster him. "Actually," he clarified in a nonchalant tone, "I called you very pretty."
This time—it was you who almost choked on air. Your cheeks immediately grew heated, and your mouth kept opening and closing like a carp. Your brain stuttered to a halt and your lips refused to cooperate.
Ranpo's lips curved into a tantalising grin, clearly amused by your reaction. He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper, "have I managed to fluster you, [Y/N]?"
Was your theory about Ranpo secretly being a womaniser plausible after all? Either way, flustered wasn't even the word to describe exactly how you were feeling right now. You were far beyond that point. This kind of attitude always came from the people you least expected.
"Do you use that line on all the ladies?" You cocked your head to the side a fraction of an inch, smiling wryly.
Ranpo's grin widened, "No, just the ones who catch my eye." He leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his iced mocha. "But don't worry, [Y/N], I won't let my personal feelings get in the way of our work." He said sarcastically.
You decided to play along. "That's a shame, detective," you fluttered your lashes. "I was hoping for the distraction." You mirrored his sarcasm.
Before he could respond, Poe had returned from the restroom.
"What have I missed?" Poe asked, taking his seat.
"Nothing." You and Ranpo stated in perfect unison.
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A/N - LANA'S NEW ALBUM OMG