Bsd meets beast Bsd

Chapter 18 (Chapter 2 part 1 in the novel)

A privately managed café called Uzumaki was located on the first floor of the multipurpose building where the detective agency had an office. The interior was old-fashioned; the walls, tables, and chairs were discolored with age. The fragrance of coffee filled the air as classic jazz played in the background.

"The best cafe in the entire Yokohama." Yosano said and all the detectives agreed. Not only was it there break place but the owner was also very kind and understanding. 

Akutagawa sat at the counter with a cup of roasted green tea in one hand while glaring at some documents. However, no matter how long he stared, the documents did not back down. It was a stack of procedural reports. He had finally gotten to the point where he couldn't ignore them any longer. They had become a powerful foe that stood in his way and had the upper hand. Sweat dripped down Akutagawa's cheeks as the paperwork beat him helpless into a corner.

"If it was me I wouldn't do it at all." Ranpo said who was then glared by Kunikida.

"You should do paperwork no matter what! And also organize your schedule properly." Kunikida said, fixing his glasses. 

"It's not like you ever manage to be on time in your schedule." Ranpo mumbled 

"That's because of a certain suicidal maniac!" he shouted back.  

There were no other customers in the café, and the owner was busy wiping coffee mugs in front of the cupboard. It was raining outside. A café. Rain. Jazz. The smell of coffee. Akutagawa had those four things necessary to slow the flow of time, but he whipped out his cell phone as if he couldn't bear the silence. 

"It's me. Would it be possible to exempt me from filling out paper work this year?" 

"Of course not, you idiot," barked Kunikida on the other side of the line. 

Akutagawa replied with a scowl, "Imagine this was a field that would yield twice much if I was to allow it to lie fallow. Wouldn't taking down twice as many fiendish criminals be better?"

"Guess spending all those time with Kenji rubbed of on you." Yosano said while kenji gave a thumbs up to Beast Akutagawa. 

"You've been using a lot of farming metaphors lately." 

All of a sudden, the door to the café chimed. It was a fateful sound—one that would change everything.

"Oooh is that so?" Beast Atsushi whispered to Beast Akutagawa who was beet red. 

In walked a boy wearing a black overcoat drenched from the rain. Droplets of water dully shined on his nearly pure-white hair. He wore a gentle expression that seemed almost apologetic to this world, yet his overall appearance could only be described as nothingness itself. He didn't have a presence. A tiny spider on a rooftop stood out more than he did. The boy took his coat off at the entrance, then briefly brushed off some of the water droplets before noiselessly strolling over to the counter and taking a seat next to Akutagawa. The boy walked even more silently than a cat. Akutagawa didn't turn his head, but he followed him with his eyes the entire time. 

"Wow can't believe you noticed that much about me." Beast Atsushi said. 

"Of course. You caught my eye the first time I met you after all." Beast Akutagawa said earning a slight chuckle. 

"...He's strong," muttered Akutagawa quietly.

"Seriously? Is that all you think about the first time you meet someone?" Chuuya asked.

"Ugh......Yes?" Beast Akutagawa answered in an uncertain tone. 

Chuuya facepalmed at that. 

"What?" replied Kunikida. Akutagawa, however, simply hung upwithout explaining.