Nikolai had always been captivated by birds. Their elegant wings, the way they soared effortlessly through the sky-it was a kind of beauty that never ceased to amaze him.
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He often watched them from his window, imagining what i...
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THREE
You rushed into the agency building, clutching your bag, feeling the weight of urgency. "I'm so late," you muttered, pressing the elevator button repeatedly, hoping it would speed up. After a few tense moments, you finally made it inside, quickly ascending to the office.
When the doors opened, you exhaled in relief, seeing the usual faces: Ranpo lounging at his desk, a lollipop in his mouth, eyes glued to his phone; Yosano attending to the medical room; Atsushi and Kyoka engaged in conversation; Kenji helping Kunikida with papers; and Junichiro, as usual, being extra odd with Naomi by his side. Dazai, however, was sprawled lazily on the couch, lost in his music with his headphones on.
Despite the chaos in your mind, the office seemed peaceful, everyone absorbed in their routine. They didn't seem bothered by your lateness, though that didn't ease your internal anxiety. You were now part of the Armed Detective Agency. Even though you'd made it through the tests and trials, this was your first real day — and you were already behind schedule.
As you stood there, catching your breath, Kunikida's eyes met yours. His gaze, though sharp, didn't seem as irritated as you feared. He gave a short nod, signaling it was okay, but you couldn't help but feel the pressure of making a good impression. This was your new life, and you needed to prove you belonged.
You approached Kunikida cautiously, your wings folded tightly as if trying to make yourself smaller. The embarrassment of being late gnawed at you, and you could feel the warmth of your cheeks flushing pink. "U-uhm, where's my desk again?" you asked, your voice soft.
Kunikida blinked behind his glasses before adjusting them. He pointed to a desk near the sofa where Dazai was lounging, headphones still on. You gave him a small, appreciative nod before making your way over to your new workspace.
Sitting down, you tried to calm yourself. The anxiety of the morning still clung to you, but at least you were here now. As you set your bag down and pulled out your laptop, you took a deep breath, hoping that the rest of the day would go smoother. The soft clatter of the keys under your fingertips was somewhat soothing, but you couldn't help but steal a glance at Dazai.
He grinned lazily, catching your eye for a brief moment, then winked before going back to his music. You smiled awkwardly, trying to focus on your work.
You sighed softly as you settled into your new desk, the hum of activity around you becoming a familiar backdrop. The initial jitters of starting your new job had begun to fade, and you were starting to feel more comfortable in your new environment. You were trying to focus on your work when you heard the familiar rustling of a chip bag.
Turning your head to your shoulder, you noticed a figure beside you. It was Ranpo, the renowned greatest detective of the agency. His reputation for being the most skilled and enigmatic detective preceded him, and you had heard many stories about his incredible abilities. He was now standing beside you, holding out the chip bag with a casual air.
