moonlit serenade

Chapter 2 ( part 1 )

A bang at the table woke up Atsushi who was sleeping. He looked at the thick files that had been put in his table at the person who was holding it.

Atsushi grimace "Kunikida-san is there something i can help you with ?"

Kunikida Doppo the armed detective egency's idealist look at Atsushi and squinted his eyes.

"You've been sleeping lately too much in the office Atsushi, is there something keeping you up late this past few days ?"

Atsushi's face redden a bit making the other member of the armed detective agency tease him

Atsushi's face grew hotter as the other agents snickered and whispered among themselves. "N-no, it's nothing like that, Kunikida-san!" he stammered, trying to maintain his composure.

Kunikida's piercing gaze didn't waver. "Atsushi, we've noticed a change in your behavior. You've been distant, preoccupied. Is everything alright?"

Atsushi shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. "I-I'm just... concerned about the recent cases, that's all."

Tanizaki, the agency's resident jokester, chimed in, " Who's the lucky girl who got our Atsushi's heart ?"

The room erupted in laughter, momentarily easing the tension. Atsushi's face relaxed, but Kunikida's expression remained serious.

"Alright, alright. Let's focus," Kunikida said, his voice firm but gentle. "Atsushi, I want you to take a look at these files. We've got a new case, and I think you're the right person for the job."

As Atsushi hesitantly took the files, his eyes met Ranpo Edogawa, the agency's greatest detective, who was sitting on his table, observing the exchange with interest. Atsushi doesn't know why but there is something meaningful in Ranpo's stare that giving him but before he can asked Kunikida put the files of the new case he was talking about

The files detailed a series of bizarre occurrences in the city's underground tunnels. Strange symbols etched into the walls, whispered rumors of ghostly apparitions, and an eerie feeling of being watched.

"This looks like a job for...?" Tanizaki started, grinning mischievously.

Atsushi finished, his voice firm, "The Armed Detective Agency."

Kunikida nodded, a small smile on his face. "That's the spirit, Atsushi. You're lead on this case. Tanizaki, will assist you.

Tanizaki let out a whoop of excitement, pumping his fist in the air. "Yes! I'm on the case!"

As the team began discussing strategy, Atsushi couldn't shake off the feeling that Ranpo's gaze had left on him. He glanced back, but Ranpo was now engrossed in his own notes, his expression unreadable.

Kunikida handed Atsushi a small notebook. "Ranpo's initial observations are in there. He's been studying the symbols, thinks they might be connected to an ancient myth."

Atsushi's eyes widened as he flipped through the pages, filled with Ranpo's cryptic notes and sketches. "This is... impressive."

Ranpo looked up, his eyes sparkling with intensity. "The truth is hidden in plain sight, Atsushi-kun. You just need to know where to look."

Atsushi felt a shiver run down his spine. There was something unsettling about Ranpo's words, he could be just talking about the case yet he couldn't deny the feeling that ranpo's word seem to point at something else.

With Tanizaki by his side, Atsushi set out to investigate the underground tunnels. The air grew thick with anticipation as they descended into the darkness.

Their flashlights cast eerie shadows on the walls, illuminating the strange symbols. Atsushi's skin crawled, but Tanizaki's banter kept him grounded.

Suddenly, Tanizaki's voice dropped to a whisper. "Atsushi, look at this."

A symbol unlike the others caught Atsushi's attention. It seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy.

Ranpo's words echoed in his mind: "The truth is hidden in plain sight..."

Atsushi's eyes locked onto the symbol, and he felt an unsettling connection, as if he was staring into the heart of mystery.

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Dazai is drinking at the bar Lupin when someone sat in his side and took the files in his hand.

"Is this our new case ?" Chuuya Nakahara, Dazai's work partner in every mission he did

Dazai's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking to Chuuya's reflection in the mirror behind the bar. "You're keen on this one, aren't you?"

Chuuya's grin was mischievous. "This one seems really interesting"

Dazai slid the files back, his expression unreadable. "The armed detective agency is already on this case"

Chuuya's eyes leave the files and look at the man beside him "i just notice something strange about you lately."

Dazai drink a sip on his drink and rolled his eyes "then get your eye check slug, there is nothing strange with me"

Chuuya felt a vein on his head snap but calm himself immediately "you've been avoiding troubling the armed detective agency this past few days and when a case are being brought and you found out that the armed detective agency will be the opponent on the case you will immediately withdraw"

Dazai's expression remained nonchalant, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. "I'm just choosing my battles wisely, slug. No need to get entangled in their affairs."

Chuuya's gaze persisted, his voice low and even. "You're hiding something, Mackarel. Something related to that agency, perhaps?"

Dazai's mask slipped for an instant, before he regained control. "Don't be ridiculous, slug."

Chuuya's smile was sarcastic. "I know you too well, Mackarel. You can't fool me."

The air was thick with tension as the two men locked eyes, their unspoken understanding hanging like a challenge.

Suddenly, Dazai's gaze shifted, his attention drawn to the entrance of the bar. "Looks like our conversation is interrupted."

Oda Sakunosuke and Ango Sakaguchi walked in, scanning the room.

Oda's eyes locked onto Dazai, a hint of curiosity in his gaze. "Dazai-kun, what brings you here tonight?"

Ango, ever the observer, took in the scene before him. "Looks like a tense conversation was interrupted."

Chuuya's eyes never left Dazai's face. "Just discussing the latest case, Sakaguchi-san."

Dazai's expression turned neutral. "The Armed Detective Agency's handling it. No need for us to intervene."

Oda's brow furrowed. "You're not interested in the case?"

Dazai shrugged. "Not particularly."

Ango's eyes narrowed. "I sense there's more to it, Dazai-kun."

Chuuya leaned back, his eyes still fixed on Dazai. "Let's just say... Mackarel has his reasons."

The air was thick with unspoken questions and suspicions. Oda and Ango exchanged a knowing glance, their interest piqued.