𐌌𐌉𐌔𐌕𐌋𐌄𐌕Ꝋ𐌄, 𐌌𐌉𐌔𐌕𐌋𐌄𐌕Ꝋ𐌄, 𐌌𐌉𐌔𐌕𐌋𐌄𐌕Ꝋ𐌄

The Weather Outside Is Frightful

"...and that is why we will be exercising extreme caution in all matters conducted outside this building, " 

Kunikida Doppo said, stern eyes sweeping over the members of the Armed Detective Agency as he paced back and forth.

He had marched into the office about an hour and a half ago for the very purpose of giving them all this lecture. Miraculously, not only had everyone actually shut up, but had also started giving him their utmost attention. 

It was nothing short of a miracle. 

Even Ranpo had put down his snacks to give his associate a curious tilt of the head. Even Naomi stopped toying with the front of her brother's shirt to watch with a guarded expression. Even Dazai freaking can't sit still to save his life  Osamu set down his suicide handbook to prop up his chin with his hand and listen. 

"As a matter of fact, unless we are needed for an especially important job, we should remain inside tonight until this all blows over."

Kunikida hesitated. He surveyed the group once more, taking note of their attentive faces and straight postures. He frowned, knowing very well that his next words would break the beautiful spell cast over the eccentric detectives. But if he truly were a man of his ideals, he had no choice but to finish.

Kunikida let out wary sigh, then very carefully asked:

"Are there any questions?"

Chaos erupted at once.

There were shouts and gasps as detectives babbled over each other and to themselves. Somehow a paper airplane ended up flying across the room and the paper wastebasket fell on its side and rolled over Kenji.

"One at a time!" Kunikida shouted over them, "One at a time -- godammit!"

The craziness settled at the same time Dazai leapt from his chair, face glowing in a way that made Kunikida want to send it six feet under.

"Oh my!" Dazai gasped in a far too melodramatic tone of voice. A giggle bubbled to the forefront of his lips as he placed a delicate hand over his mouth, "Oh my, Kunikida-kun. How could you keep such a thing a secret?"

"It wasn't a secret, the President only notified me a minute before this announcement. " Kunikida said flatly, folding his arms in attempt to restrain himself from strangling the bandage wasting man. His anger had less to do with what Dazai had said, and more to do with what he already knew his fellow detective was going to say.

Dazai grinned and opened his mouth, but by some saving grace Atsushi spoke first.

"Wait, so does that mean we're all going to be staying here over night?" the boy asked, "I'm not so sure if I have much stuff here..."

"There are extra necessities in Yosano's office, " Kunikida said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "And yes, it would be safest for us to remain here."

"Oh oh!" Kenji said excitedly, shoving the wastebasket off of himself, "Like a sleepover! That's popular with city folk, isn't it?"

"Er," Kunikida said, "I wouldn't exactly say a sleep over-"

"What's a sleepover?" Kyoka asked Ranpo, tugging on his sleeve. Ranpo scowled, looking uncharacteristically cross as he shot a poisonous look at Kunikida, "It means I have to share my snacks."

"Yes," Yosano said, leaning over the back of his chair with a psychotic smirk, "And while you children occupy yourselves with that, I'm going to finally take those drinks out from the cabinet."

"H-hey." Tanizaki said, fiddling nervously with his hands. His eyes kept on darting to Naomi, who was the only member of the group to still be as silent as before.