What If We Were More Than Just That?

Chapter 1

It was 2 pm in the middle of summer, and the sun was shining so fucking bright it burned literally everyone's eyes. And what came with sun? Heat. It was burning hot in Yokohama.

So every person with common sense staid at home, except for the unlucky people who had to work, and a few others that didn't stay at their place on their own will. One of them, a writer, Edgar Allan Poe, braved the heat and got out of his house.

It did take him some time to decide if he should go or not, but in the end, there he was, outside, when it was nearly 39°c. And, the fact he was wearing a heavy long-sleeved shirt with a cape on top, as well as a pair of  pants didn't help him feel less hot. Oh, also the outfit he wore was all black. Really helps with the heat, right?

He just left his house and he was already sweating. Poe reconsidered staying at his mansion one last time, before he left for good...God, why was he doing this again?

...Right, he had to show his rival the new novel he wrote especially for him. I mean, that's what all rivals do in their free time, of course. Poe really had to make him read this book he made, and he definitely wasn't going to give up so easily.

The writer took out his keys, locked his door and headed towards the path he usually took to go to the Armed Detective Agency, where his rival worked. Luckily for him, the ADA wasn't far away from where he was living, it would take him approximately 10 minutes to get there. He started walking slowly but after a few minutes, he realised that if he kept on walking at this pace, he was going to literally burn before arriving to his destination. So he started to go faster, almost running.

10 minutes later, he finally got in front of the building where the ADA was, all sweaty because of the walk—or dare I say run— he had to do from his home to the place his rival worked at. Once he regained his composure, he opened the door that leaded to the café below the ADA. Poe headed towards the elevator and pushed the button. While he waited, he started feeling nervous, because, does he even looks presentable? He literally ran under a 40°c weather, how could he look okay? Plus he probably stinks...or maybe not...? But before he could think further, the elevator's doors opening cut off his train of thoughts. So he went in it and pressed another button to go to the second floor.

Poe took a deep breath, then opened the door to the office and walked in the room.

He was greeted by silence, and for a second, he felt stupid, because what did he expect?  Everyone was exhausted by the heat.

He eyed the room and then, grey eyes met green ones.

Edogawa Ranpo...

That is how his rival was named.

Now that he thought about it, Ranpo's eyes were literally the most breath taking eyes he ever witnessed... They were a beautiful emerald green color...too bad his rival always kept them closed.

Ranpo got up from his chair and went to great him."Hey Ed." Ranpo spoke first."Hello, dear." Poe shifted nervously and gripped his novel tightly. And of course, that did not go unnoticed by his rival. "Pass me that" he said, pointing at the book in the writer's hands. "Ah.. here you go." He let go of his novel and gave it to his dearest. His dearest? Poe liked to call him that when he thought about him.

After only 5 minutes, Ranpo lifted his head and told Poe he found the murderer. "Hmm... Rose's the one who did it." The writer nodded. "Indeed, Rose was the murderer...your talent never fail to amaze me. I will do better next time" It took his rival a certain time to respond, and Ranpo told him that it was still well written even though he solved it quickly. At that comment, Poe couldn't help but smile ever so slightly.

They talked for a bit, but soon enough, Poe told him he was going. "Poe, are you sure? It's 4 pm... You're going to burn under the sunlight, you should stay until the heat gets more bearable. I'm just saying tho, do whatever you want, I don't care." Poe thought about it for a moment. It is true, the heat was unbearable, and he did NOT want to get a heat stroke or some type of shit like that. And it would certainly be better if he waited till it got colder, plus he wouldn't mind spending some more time with his rival, even though he would never admit it.

"I guess you're right, dear." Ranpo chuckled slightly and answered with an : I always am, remember?. Edgar smiled softly and nodded. Ranpo looked around and then set his eyes back on Poe. "Soooo... watcha wanna do?" what I wanna do? I wanna do y- "We can do whatever you want, Ranpo-kun, I do not mind."

When the time had come, they said their goodbyes and the novelist left. When Poe went outside, the breeze felt cool on his skin. Ranpo was right, it indeed got colder. He started walking home but this time, the actual walk he was taking was relaxing.

On the way back, he thought about his day, the moments he spend with Ranpo, his pretty face and his endearing laugh. He finally arrived, 15 minutes later. H took his time. Poe reached his door and then opened it. He was welcomed by his pet racoon, Karl.

He went up the stairs that leaded to a enormous corridor. He entered a room; his bedroom; it was HUGE, the walls were covered in an embossed black wallpaper and the ceiling was greyish. There was a small window, but Poe always kept the curtains closed so the only source of light was a white candle placed on his brown desk.

The novelist sat on his desk and thought about ideas for a new novel. Maybe if he finished it quick enough, he could invite Ranpo over to discuss about what could be improved in his book... But only to talk about that, of course. Nothing else. When he got enough concentration, he started writing down some ideas, before actually doing the first pages of his novel.

The sun began to set, but that did not stop him from writing more and more. He continued until it was 3 am. After that, he took a quick shower and went to sleep.

Weeks later, when he finished his book, he went to the armed detective agency to show Ranpo his work and eventually invite him somewhere to talk about it.

Ranpo was currently figuring out who was the murderer of his novel, sprawled out on his  seat while, Poe, was thinking of how to ask him about it and get a positive answer. Some time later, the latter finally found an idea on how to ask the other. He realised that if he asked Ranpo to come and chat with him somewhere, he should choose a place where they sold sweets and bakeries.

"Hah! I found who did it. It was the victim's mother, wasn't it?" Ranpo's talking startled him but he managed to regain his composure quickly. He cleared his throat and answered. "You're right as always, Ranpo-kun. Her mother did it." Ranpo flashed him a smile and flopped back into his seat

They went to a small bakery next to the ADA. They picked what they wanted and Poe paid for them. Ranpo had chosen a brownie, a cupcake, some macarons and a strawberry juice, while Poe only asked for a coffee, he didn't really like sweets.

They both sat down at one of the tables next to a window. Ranpo started eating whilst the other drank some coffee.

"So what should I improve in my novel, Ranpo? I'm open to any tips." Poe asked him. Ranpo cocked his head to the side before speaking. "well, it was pretty obvious. She was the only one we didn't suspect amongst all the people in this story. But why wouldn't anyone have a doubt on her? That gave out the answer. Also-" Ranpo then continued telling the other what could be changed in the plot but also the things he should keep in his next stories.

Once he was done, the latter glanced at the other up and down before clearing his throat."But I doubt you only brought me here to talk about that, did you?" His rival could always see right through him, and it fascinated Poe. "Mhm yes, that's right, I also brought you here to chat a little with you; not about anything in particular, just have a talk."

don't leave, I need you.

"Mhm, okay then"