Mr. Do Nothing

Thinking Appropriately

June 16th, 8:35 AM

Yokohama, Yokohama Harbor

The Armed Detective Agency -- as formidable as always even in times of such profound and vague distress -- had snapped to attention almost immediately.

Within a day, they were packed and ready to go by morning. The speed and tenacity as which clothes were folded into suitcases, emergency medication sorted into Ziplocs, and sunscreen loaded into bags was as impressive as it was terrifying. However...Atsushi knew all too well that this had less to do with the prospect of a nice and peaceful vacation and more to do with...

...well...

The agency cut through the crowd clustered together on the sunbeaten docks. The pleasant weather from yesterday had become something much sharper, the heat so thick and air so humid it had its own scent.

Still, the people gathered there seemed to be enjoying it. Colorful fans waved at faces, cameras flashed, children hollered and waved excitedly at the gaggles of seagulls hovering nearby. It was the first real day of summer weather that year, and the excitement was as palatable as the heat.

"Okay, listen up." Kunikida came to a halt, turning to face the group. "Although the criminal Fakee Pearson and his gang Naut Reaal are based on the last island on this cruise's designated course, it won't hurt to keep an eye out. So stay alert."

Atsushi was sure to smile and nod as Kunikida went over this, plainly ignoring how terribly unconvincing those names were.

He and Tanizaki had been preoccupied with booking tickets so last minute (horrible experience, he was never talking to customer support ever again), so the President had been the one to give the fake mission to the rest of the agency. The President, ever honorable, clearly had trouble in this department.

Luckily, he was so well trusted by the agency, that they had all immediately accepted that Fakee Pearson and his gang Naut Real were both an actual person and very much real.

It was the only way -- Fukuzawa had sheepishly admitted as they went over the details. The agency otherwise would not have been able to get ready so quickly. Not in the state that they were in. If Atsushi were being honest though...he wasn't the biggest fan of the deception.

It just rubbed him the wrong way. Not to mention, he had doubts about how long it would even last. The detectives were usually pretty good at uncovering truths, being detectives and all.

However, considering that they had in fact prepared themselves so quickly, maybe Fukuzawa had been right about keeping the true nature of their trip a secret. Besides, this wasn't so much about cheering up as it was supposed to be about relaxing. About unwinding and getting out of the gloom of the office. About being able to clear their heads.

But still...

What would happen when they actually got to the island where the supposed criminals were? As far as Atsushi knew, unless Fukuzawa had something planned, they hadn't gotten that far yet.

It's okay. I'll figure it out somehow. I have to.

Atsushi waved away a buzzing fly as he watched Kunikida squint at his notebook, having to hold down the pages so they didn't flutter about in the ocean wind.