Prey and Predator [Ranpo x Reader] + Bonus ✓

Bonus: Proud, childish, but...

I knew Ranpo to have an extension of three sides to his character: the first lived behind a pair of glasses and the infamous (self-claimed) name "Greatest Detective in the world", with an alluringly attractive pair of green eyes that saw reason beyond common sense to solve seemingly "perfect murders". In contrast to this, his second side -

'This is boring! [Y/N], you take this case!' he whined while sinking further into his chair where a pile of snacks on his lap threatened to swallow him whole.

On his desk, hidden between torn wrappers from empty packets, was a single slip of paper he'd scrunched up and left forsaken reading "I want to find the people who killed my parents" in rushed and inky handwriting; I couldn't recognise this to belong to any of the other detectives currently sat at their respective desks, which meant that this had been written by the woman Ranpo had left sitting alone on the couches behind the secluded area in the office bordered with stained-glass panels.

'She asked to see you, Ranpo Edogawa, not [Y/N] [L/N]. You can't just leave her there weeping alone!'

'Well, if you're so worried, why don't you just take on the case yourself?' he suggested as he lifted his empty lollipop stick from his mouth and waved it like a surrender flag. 'She came here to see the Greatest Detective in the World, but I wouldn't mind giving you a portion of that title and make you "Greatest Detective in Yokohama" - how does that sound? [Y/N] [L/N], the greatest detective in Yokohama!~'

Sighing, I persisted no longer and took myself to sit across the distressed female; my gentle knocking on the panels startled her (the sort of reaction which was expected from a victim of a recent traumatic event), and I excused myself in while offering her a glass of water which she took with a shy remark of gratitude.

'I'm so sorry I mistook you for the other detective earlier... I'm really sorry to trouble you, Detective...'

'[Y/N]. [Y/N] will do,' I assured. Despite her looks giving off the impression that she may be at least a couple of years younger than me, I was willing to sacrifice the use of honorifics to settle an acquaintance that I presumed would help me explore every nook and cranny of the vague "Who killed my parents" question. 'You seem young; have you made it to university?'

She nodded reluctantly, bringing the glass of water closer to her knees but refusing to drink. Her eyes were cast low.

Before I had the opportunity to show interest in the field she was majoring in, Ranpo showed up uninvited and sat himself down beside me while fiddling with the plastic packaging of another pack of biscuits, looking as though he was struggling to tear the adhesive strap away. Without a word, I snatched the packet from him and tore it open, handing it back to him with a light glare that warned him about unnecessary input, and to that, he stuck his tongue out in response without a single "thank you".

'You two seem close somehow,' the girl began quietly, watching the clear top layer of the water as Ranpo responded with a hum of confirmation. 'I wish I was able to tell strangers about who I'm dating... But I can trust you with that, right?'

'Of course,' I smiled back, adjusting my posture to paint manners into the Agency's name - that which the black-haired detective moulded with unprofessionalism as he slouched into his seat uninterested.

'His name's Chihara. We began dating back in school and met in private because my parents were never really fond of him...' she murmured, though her voice had lightened ever since his name had escaped her lips. 'He neglected his studies and, well - that's not important! But I'd rather be doing whatever he's doing right now rather than studying a subject I have no interest in... Plus, he's really kind and cares about me - and you, Detective [Y/N], you seem kind too, so you would understand me and not judge him the same way my parents did...'