Special

Unfamiliar Feelings

Get ready for some angst 😩😩

Ranpo forced a satisfactory smirk as he and Yosano exited the book. There they stood, side by side, looking at the author who had trapped them in the book.

"Impressive," the tall man said in awe, his long bangs hanging over his eyes. "You got out so quickly!"

"Of course I did, Poe-kun. After all, my Ultra Deduction ability never lies!" The detective kept up his arrogant expression, though on the inside, he felt various emotions that he didn't recognize bouncing around him. The word 'ability' made those feelings stronger, and he didn't even notice they were outside, heading back to the agency, until he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Ranpo-kun!!!" The dark haired doctor spoke loudly, looking annoyed.

"Whaaaaaat?" Ranpo turned with an equally annoyed expression, looking over at his colleague despite his eyes being shut tightly.

"I called your name like five times!" Yosano scowled, her tall heels making it so she appeared slightly taller than the detective. "We're almost back at the agency."

"Huh," Ranpo replied nonchalantly, stuffing his hand in his pocket and pulling out a lollipop and sticking it in his mouth. Yosano just rolled her eyes and opened the door to the agency with a sigh.

Time skip

As the day went on, Ranpo's mind was filled with worry. He couldn't stop thinking about what he had found out- he didn't have an ability. That meant Fukuzawa lied to him- no- everyone lied to him! The detective let out a shaky breath, unconsciously gripping his pants as he held his head downwards.

"H-hey, Ranpo-San? Are you ok?" Atsushi looked over at the visibly distressed detective with a worried gaze.

Ranpo snapped out of his thoughts and looked up (which doesn't matter since his eyes are always closed) at his younger co-worker. "Hm? Oh, yeah, I was just thinking. Nothing the great detective can't handle!" the short male smirked and fixed his hat as Atsushi let out a tiny sigh.

Excusing himself to go use the bathroom, Ranpo just sat inside the stall, opening his eyes and staring at the wall with blank expression. He just didn't understand why he felt the way he did, or what it was he was feeling. The only time he had ever felt anything similar was after...his parents...

Ranpo felt something drip down his face, and soon realized he was quietly sobbing. His breath was shaky, and Ranpo realized that he himself was shaking too. The memories of his parents' death wasn't something he had expected to think about at that moment, and he couldn't stop thinking about the terror he had felt when he got that call from the police telling him his parents had died in an accident. Panicking, the detective's shaking wouldn't stop, which just scared him more. For the first time he had no idea what was happening, and that thought alone made him panic more. Now shaking like a leaf, tears streaming down his face, Ranpo ran out of the bathroom stall. He didn't know what to do- he didn't want his co-workers seeing him like this, but he also didn't know how to deal with it alone. The terrified male felt his legs give in, and eventually collapsed. (Poe come get yo man) his consciousness fading, the detective closed his eyes and let himself fall unconscious.

Fluttering his emerald green eyes open, the black haired detective stared up at the worried gaze of Yosano. Glancing around, he realized he was in the infirmary with Kunikida, Fukuzawa, and Yosano having a conversation that he didn't bother to listen to.

"W-what happened...?" Ranpo asked tiredly, slowly sitting up. The three others looked over, relief visible in all of their eyes.

"I found you on the floor of the bathroom," the tall blonde haired man explained. He had noticed the dried tears on Ranpo's cheeks but knew better than to mention it.

"Ah..." the detective scratched the back of his neck nervously. "I wonder what I was doing there." Although Ranpo did remember the things that happened, he decided not to tell them about it. After all, there's no way the great detective would show any kind of weakness!

"Well, if you feel ok now, you can leave. You have no visible injuries as far as I can tell," Yosano informed him, adding a quiet "Unfortunately" to the end of her sentence. Ranpo nodded and hopped off the bed, brushing past an obviously worried Fukuzawa before leaving the room.

"Hey Kunikida," the president turned to him. "What do you think happened in the bathroom?"

"W-well sir, I did notice he looked like he had been crying," Kunikida admitted quietly, followed by a concerned nod from Fukuzawa and a surprised glance from Yosano.

"I'll talk to him later..." the gray haired assassin muttered, before leaving the room. Kunikida bowed to his boss slightly before following the man outside of the room.