Conundrum | Ranpo Edogawa ✓

VI

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As Ranpo and you stepped onto the train that was heading back to Yokohama, you were instantly met with the familiar chaos of a crowded commute. People jostled and pushed past you, but this time, both of you were able to find a seat together. You both instantly sunk into the cushioned bench, grateful that you didn't have to stand the entire train ride this time with zero personal space, internally thankful for the momentary respite from the throng of bodies surrounding you.

For a while, the two of you sat in silence, both lost in your own thoughts. The rhythmic clacking of the train on the tracks was the only sound that filled the air. Ranpo stared out the window, watching the scenery outside the train as it whizzed by in a blur of colours and shapes, the city's neon lights giving way to the darkness of the countryside. He muttered a comment under his breath about the contrast, remarking on the beauty of the scenery despite the late hour—other than that, it was fairly silent for the most part between you, which wasn't too surprising, because it seemed like when the two of you weren't bickering, then there wasn't really much to say.

Except there was. You let out a long sigh before you eventually decided to break the silence. "So...that case...it was intense, wasn't it?"

Ranpo nodded his head, his voice quiet and firm as he responded, "it was."

"I'm going to be honest and tell you that I didn't really understand what was going on."

This time, it was Ranpo who sighed as if you were genuinely the stupidest person in the entire world. It wasn't hard to feel like that when you were in his presence. Honestly, it wasn't even because you weren't paying attention—your brain genuinely just couldn't comprehend what was going on. The very moment the two of you had entered the police station, there was no formal greeting, no introduction from any of the municipal police, just a few comments regarding how you of all people, a wanted gifted criminal, ended up working with the World's Greatest Detective, followed by a "we have a problem, but first, read this," and the next thing you knew, the two of you were reading about a bizarre and unsolved case from years ago.

Ranpo swivelled his neck to meet your gaze, "you've never heard of the Tokyo Zodiac Murders?"

"Well...no," you admitted, even though admitting that you didn't know something would have probably boosted this man's ego, which meant that you were going to suffer with his overinflated sense of self importance for the next however long you had left of this train journey. Kill me now. "I just—"

Ranpo interrupted you with a scoff, expressing a scornful derision. Perhaps you had made an accidental blunder by misreading the situation by assuming he'd be more than happy to explain what was going on without making any snarky remarks—maybe this wasn't going to boost his ego after all, and in turn, would make him look down on you even more than he already did. Judging by his condemnatory countenance, he didn't seem quite as ecstatic to mansplain the situation to you as you had originally thought. You would have rather that than this. Yes, mansplaining would have meant that you were stuck hearing his condescension-sprinkled words while also radiating the smugness of an all-time champion who was unable to be beat, but at least you wouldn't have felt as inadequate as you did now.

"And you're expected to work with me," you heard him whisper to himself, clearly loud and audible enough for you to hear, causing you to immediately furrow your eyebrows in response. "Stick to the hot chocolate runs, I'll ask Dazai to accompany me next time."

His words were a sudden slap in the face, leaving your cheek urticating. The train continued to barrel down the tracks, the rhythmic chug of the wheels dominating the air. You leaned back in your seat, fuming. You couldn't believe the nerve of Ranpo. After forcing you to go to Tokyo with him today by breaking into your room and then spraying water on your face while you were trying to sleep in since it was the one day off work you had that wasn't plagued by ridiculous responsibilities—he now had the audacity to tell you that you should stick to doing hot chocolate—not even coffee but hot-fucking-chocolate runs?

This man-child needed to be strangled to death.

Your blood boiled with anger, and you turned to Ranpo, your voice low and fierce. "You know damn well I'm capable of handling this case."

Ranpo's dark brow arched in wretched amusement, which set your teeth on edge. "I don't think you are," he gave you a half shrug; Ranpo's half shrug spoke volumes, a fleeting gesture that conveyed more than words ever could. "How can you be? You've spent your entire life doing everything in your power to try and eliminate the country. You aided in launching the Cannibalism virus that almost plunged the Armed Detective Agency and Port Mafia into a blood battle with the President and the Port Mafia's own boss. Just because you get treated like you're a member of the ADA, doesn't sully the fact that at the end of the day, you're still our prisoner, and you're still one of them. You'll do nothing but get in my way and I am not particularly interested in making things harder for myself than they need to be."

Ouch. He didn't trust you—that much was clear.

You narrowed your eyes at Ranpo, clenching your fists at your sides. "You have no right to judge me based on my past actions. I've made mistakes, but that doesn't mean I'm not capable of redemption."

Ranpo let out a derisive snort, "redemption? Please, spare me. The first chance to run back to the DOA and you'd take it in a heartbeat, I know you would. You can't erase what you've done, and I don't trust you to suddenly turn over a new leaf."

You supposed that at the end of the day, Ranpo was perceptive enough to be right. You didn't think you truly belonged to the ADA, the anklet locked around your ankle was proof of that, but one thing that you hated was being underestimated, especially by this insufferable prick of all people.

You felt your patience wearing thin, and you couldn't help but fire back. "Are you sure it's not just because you're threatened by me?"

Ranpo's eyes widened in surprise.

"Threatened by you?" He repeated incredulously. "Don't flatter yourself. The only thing you're capable of doing is holding me back."

You gritted your teeth so hard you were surprised they hadn't ground to dust, feeling a surge of anger and frustration racing through your veins. "You're just afraid that I'll prove you wrong, that I'll be able to contribute to this case in ways that you can't even imagine."

Ranpo scoffed for what felt like the umpteenth time. "You really think that? Fine, if you want to prove me wrong, go ahead and try."

The rest of the train ride passed in tense silence. As you approached Yokohama, you couldn't help but wonder how the two of you were going to work together on this case, with Ranpo's lack of trust and your own determination to prove yourself. It was going to be a difficult journey, but you were determined to see it through.

Once the train had finally reached its stop, Ranpo stood up from his seat. You begrudgingly stood up after him, but as Ranpo made his way towards the train doors, you suddenly had the urge to do something petty. You quickly caught up to him, shoving him in the back so that he stumbled and fell back into his seat.

He looked up at you, levelling you with a scorching glare. "What was that for?"

You smiled superciliously, "for being a dick."

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A/N - I have no 🍃 so I'm currently having a mental breakdown but clearly it's working in my favour because I've just managed to write this in under three hours :')