American ADA Member

Chapter 1

Meeting the Tiger

I did some searching, but Edna Ferber is a American author from 1885-1968 that I grew a liking to, so it fits with the Bungo Stray Dogs theme.

I whistled to myself as I finished up my mission, it was a simple sole mission, one that I did not need a partner for. Just a scouting job the President needed information on and I was good at gathering information. I was passing by a river not far from the Agency when I heard screaming. Familiar screaming. I felt my lips curve up. I turned and walked in that direction, amused.

It was who I thought it was, Kunikida Doppo, a member of the agency and he was screaming at his partner, Dazai Osamu. It was weird going by last names first when I came here, but I got used to it. Even though I still introduce myself the western way with my first name. It is rare for someone to call me by my last name as I do not answer to it much. I shrugged my bag over my shoulder and walked behind a yelling Kunikida.

"Everything good, Kunikida?"

He spun around with his eyes wide. "Edna-san, you're back!"

I smirked. "Yup."

Kunikida straightened up. "I assume everything went well?"

I nodded. "Sure did, so where is that partner of yours?"

His calm expression soured into a angry one, his eyebrow twitching. "That fool! We were on a mission, to retrieve a tiger causing damage, but he decided to try to kill himself, ending up in the river back here."

I couldn't help the chuckle. "Sounds like Dazai." It was alarming at first, but it says a lot that I barely blink when one of Dazai's suicide attempts happen. I looked over to see him across the river standing up with a boy next to him with what looked like silver hair. I choked back a laugh when I heard Dazai offering to feed the boy with Kunikida's money.

I wave a hand. "Yo, Dazai."

He turned around, grinning. "Eddie-chan! You're back!"

I waved back. "It seems so." We usually didn't take solo missions, the President was not fond of it. I didn't have an official partner, but most of the time it was Ranpo. Helped steer him on track, the detective work he was fine with. Other times it was Yosano or Tanizaki. Not to say I have not taken a mission with Dazai or Kunikida. I was gone for over a week.

We were sitting in a simple restaurant with us on one side and the boy on the other, packing away bowls like no tomorrow. After he finished about the tenth one, I asked. "So, what's your name, kid?" I mean, he looked a couple of years younger than my 20 years.

He gulped and stopped eating, staring at me with wide eyes. He winced, bowing his head. "I'm sorry about that. I-I didn't-"

I waved it away. "It's fine, kid. You got a name?" His behavior was make a frown pull on my face. His very familiar behavior. So, this is who Dazai found.

He nodded. "Yes, I'm Nakajima Atsushi."

I grinned, pointing a thumb at myself. "Great, I'm Edna Ferber, though most call me Eddie."

Atsushi looked confused. (I mostly call people by their first names in my head until I learn what they prefer, considering the customs of Japan. Except for a few, most of the members of the agency prefer their last name). Dazai laughed at his look. "Dear Eddie-chan is a American. She says her name backwards."

I sent him a dry look. "I think you got that backwards."

Atsushi looked surprised. "America..."

I grinned, leaning back in my chair. "Yup, that's me." I ran a hand through my short dark hair, my dark eyes looking over at Kunikida as he watched Atsushi eat bowl after bowl. Knowing this was coming out of his wallet, he looked like he was going to explode.

I waved a hand, whistling slightly. "Excuse me."

I was nudged sharply by Kunikida as Dazai laughed. Kunikida hissed. "Don't do that, Edna!" I smirked, once he got frustrated with you enough, the honorific disappeared. I have known Kunikida enough to be familiar.

I ignored him as a waitress came over. "Can I get a bowl of that...uh..."

Atsushi stopped shoving food down his throat for a moment. "Chazuke." He went back to what he was doing.

I snapped my fingers. "That's right, chazuke."

"Would you like it with the green tea?"

I shook my head. "No, not a tea drinker. Just some hot broth?"

She left and I glanced at Kunikida, who was staring at me, frowning. "Is now the time to be eating?"

I looked around. "We are in a restaurant, I'm hungry and haven't eaten in a while."

"What is wrong with you!? Who forgets to eat, this is a big problem for you!"

I shrugged. "It is a plausible thing to happen."

"What's next, you forget to bathe too?"

I sent him a look. "...that's rare."

Kunikida smacked a hand to the table. "It is not ideal to forget these things!"

I glanced at Atsushi, who was still eating and Dazai who was watching with a grin. Probably because he wasn't being scolded for once. Have to fix that. "Hey, Kunikida, how did Dazai get in that river?"'

Dazai sent me a look, but I grinned smugly. Kunikida let out a frustrated yell. "If it is not you, it's him." Kunikida turned to Dazai. "You're unreliable and a fool, Dazai. Who says, 'wow, that's a nice river' and then jumps into it in the middle of a job! Now we're late! I have to revise our whole schedule! Edna-san being here does change things.¨

I waved a hand, beaming when my food arrived. "Thank you very much. I can leave after this, it doesn't bother me." I stared eating with gusto (not as much as Atsushi was).

Dazai made a long suffering gesture. "Your obsessed with your schedule, Kunikida."

I smiled as Kunikida's face twitched, slamming his Ideal Book down on the table. I heard this speech plenty of times before. It was so easy to rile Kunikida up. "This book isn't just some day planner. This is an ideal! This is my sole guide in life." I continued to eat my chazuke like it was popcorn during a movie and I watched as Kunikida scolded Dazai. It was a regular occurrence.

"And no where is it in this book that my coworkers should be a suicidal maniac!" He turned toward me. "Or be forgetful enough to forgo basic needs like eating and bathing!"

I raised my hands. "I did say the bathing thing was one time, right?"

He pointed at me. "That's no excuse!" It wasn't that I was unclean, but at times, basic needs slipped my mind.

Mouth full of rice, Atsushi mumbled something around his rice about Dazai killing himself in the past as a question.

Kunikida snapped. "Be quiet! And no where in my projected expenses is there a line item for a million bowls of tea on rice for a snot nosed kid!"

Atsushi mumbled another question.

I said after finishing my own bowl. "Technically, he only ate 13."

Kunikida snapped. "Quiet, Edna! And look at this, now he has questions."

After another mumbled question (I could only tell by his tone of voice), Kunikida said. "Fine, I'll tell you. It involves the military."

I felt my eyebrows furrow. How does he understand exactly what he's saying?

Dazai looked just as lost. "How are you two communicating with each other?"

I shared a look with him and gave a shrug, no doubt looking as equally as confused. "Beats me."

They looked at the both of us and didn't reply. Atsushi let out a happy sigh. "I'm so full! I think I've had enough rice to last me a full ten years."

That just pissed off Kunikida more. "I strongly suggest you show a little gratitude after you ate this on my dime!"

I looked over the kid. "It's fine, Atsushi. You look like you needed it badly." It was true, the food helped bring color into his cheeks and he looked more lively, but sunken cheeks or the shadows under his eyes or haggard appearance doesn't go away with one meal. Starvation is horrible way to live with and an even worse way to die. The gnawing feeling eating away at your stomach was unbearable. I always kept at least an apple on me, but someone I forgot to eat, ignoring the pains like they were common. Atsushi sent me a surprised look which made me frown.

Kunikida sent me a glare. "Don't be so easy with my money, Edna!"

I went to reply, but Atsushi said, seriously. "Ferber-san is right. You're a real lifesaver." Kunikida calmed down, his expression smoothing out. Atsushi continued. "I came to Yokohama straight from the orphanage. I've had nothing to eat and nowhere to eat since. I thought I'd starve to death."

I nodded to myself. Just like I suspected.

Dazai clasped his bandaged hands over his face. "You're from an orphanage?"

"I was, yes. But, they kicked me out."

I jerked back. "What, aren't you still a kid?"

Atsushi shook his head. "No, I'm 18, but they kicked me out right away."

Dazai was sarcastic. "Sounds like a real philanthropic organization."

Kunikida said. "Look, Dazai, Enda, were not a couple of do-gooders going around helping hard luck cases. We've got a job to do."

I rolled my eyes a little, giving a small shrug. "Meh, who say we can't do both?"

Kunikida sent me a stern look. "Enda, the mission is very important. We took it with the resolve to complete it."

I waved a hand to stop him. When he was in the scolding mood, Kunikida could go on for hours, long enough to make my ears ring or making me space out in boredom. "Fine, fine. I get it, your a pragmatic guy with a important schedule."

Kunikida's look narrowed. "Are you mocking me?"

I smiled slightly. "I wouldn't dare."

Kunikida sent me a suspicious glare, but Atsushi said. "That reminds me. You said your current job involves the military. What kind of work do you do?"

Dazai has his bandaged hands laced in front of him with his eyes closed. "We're private investigators."

Atsushi looked lost. "Investigators."

I smirked with a nod, placing my bowl on top of all of his. "Yeah and some of the best."

His eyes widened. "The best?"

Kunikida gave a sharp nod. "Edna-san is correct. We handle more than lost pets and cheating spouses. Our office has uniquely gifted investigators. We're the Armed Detective Agency."

Atsushi jerked back with a gasp. It's interesting to see how far the rumors go surrounding the Agency, considering the cases we take. Then again, without Ranpo, many of them wouldn't be solved or not as quickly.

I adjusted in my seat, on one end of the table, next to Kunikida. He was staring at Kunikida aggressively scribbling in his notebook and Dazai 'innocently' staring off into space. I wave him a short wave with a grin as he stared at the three of us in disbelief. I suppose we don't look that threatening.

Dazai let out a sound of amazement, looking above Atsushi's head. Knowing Dazai, it must of been something related to suicide. "Check out that support beam up there!"

Kunikida's voice was dry as he replied, not looking away from his notebook. "Don't even think about hanging yourself in this tea house."

I smirked to myself. Knew it.

Dazai looked at him, giving a whine. "I'm not. I'm thinking of the hanging health technique."

I darted an upward eyebrow. Another way to trick Kunikida; the man could be quiet gullible at times.

Kunikida shared a look with me and I shrugged, pressing my lips together so I wouldn't grin and ruin the joke. He looked back at Dazai, sounding exasperated. "What are you going on about?"

Dazai said in 'shock'. "What?! You don't know? It's so good for releasing muscle tension and shoulder cramps."

Kunikida bought it. "Woah, that would be perfect for me. Edna-san, have you heard of this technique?"

I nodded my head, amused. "Yup." Well, just now.

Dazai's eyes were bright with mischief. "It would! You should write this down."

Kunikida talked aloud as he wrote it down. "This effective technique is the hanging health method." I was more amused as Atsushi's face showed he knew we were screwing with our co-worker as he started on in disbelief.

Dazai looked away with his chin in his hand. "I'm messing with you."

I snorted, chuckling as Kunikida's grip made his pen snap. He started strangling him. I grinned at Atsushi's expression. Kunikida was berating Dazai, snapping about dealing with Dazai's suicide, Atsushi hunger, running into me and how his schedule was ruined.

Atsushi asked. "So, about the job you three are working on?"

Kunikida turned and snarled. "What?!"

"Sorry, sorry, sorry! I really shouldn't have asked!"

I waved a hand. "Aw, don't worry about it. Kunikida gets angry about a lot of things. He's harmless." Unless, you got on the other side of his martial arts, the former teacher could fight.

"Oh, shut up, Edna. Why did you involve yourself in Dazai's scheme. You knew it wasn't true!"

I nodded my head knowingly. "Of course it's not true. All you asked was if I heard of it and I just did."

Kunikida growled. "Why you-"

I just grinned. I might not be as bad as Dazai, but messing with the older man was amusing.

Atsushi said quickly. "I'm really sorry about that, I shouldn't of asked. Please don't fight, I should've have known the job would be classified. Please forgive me and don't hurt me."

I sent him a smile, feeling myself soften a bit without thinking about it, he reminded me too much of kids I've known growing up on the streets and in the orphanages back home. "Don't worry, it's not because of you and we won't hurt you."

Kunikida said, calming down. He usually did, once he got his anger out, he calmed down. "Now that you mention it, today's job doesn't require any secrecy. It's for the government, we're looking for a tiger." Well, they are. This is their mission, not mine. I should leave after this and give the President my report.

Atsushi stared. "A tiger?"

Dazai replied. "Yes, a ferocious man eater who has recently appeared in the city. Well, not that we know for sure that it's devoured anyone, but it's ransacked warehouses, eaten farm animals and caused general chaos. The authorties has received all kinds of scary reports about it." Dazai's voice mellowed out, losing the teasing edge it had.

I watched Atsushi eyes get wider and wider, until he fell back and onto the ground, a couple of the empty bowls following him. I asked, frowning in confusion. "What's wrong, Atsushi?" A tiger was worrying, but not to the degree he was acting.

Dazai looked at him. "Did something happen, Atsushi?"

Atsushi got to his hands and feet. "Uh, I'll be leaving now. Goodbye."

He went to crawl away, but Kunikida grabbed the back of his collar. "Not so fast. Do you know something you're not sharing with us?" He tried running, but Kunikida was a strong guy, though he may not look it. He held him up in the air.

Atsushi slumped over. "Don't try. There's no way you can stop that animal." He turned to look at him, scared.

Kunikida narrowed his eyes. "Really now? Tell us what you know about the tiger?"

His voice trembled. "It's after me. It almost killed me. If it's been seen around here I have to go now."

I stared at him, crossing my arms over my chest. "And why is a ferocious tiger looking for some kid?"

He still hung in Kunikida's grip. "I don't know! I really don't! Please just let me go."

I said, the kid was terrified and something made me want to help him. "Kunikida, let him go."

"Edna-"

I waved a hand, watching him, voice calm. "It's fine, let him go."

Kunikida sent me a glare, dropping him. "Fine." I glanced at Dazai and saw that calculating look on his face. He sees something weird about this too. Not that I doubted he would. He then grabbed the kid by the arm and twisted it behind his back. I grimaced a little, that must hurt. I've been there. I didn't want him to hurt Atsushi, I did tell him we wouldn't. And I was many things, a liar, I usually wasn't.

"Look kid, you'll either pay for the food with your arm or tell us everything!"

I said. "Kunikida, let him go fully, yeah? That has to hurt, especially on someone who hasn't eaten in days. Asking him, don't assault him. " I know Kunikida didn't mean too badly by it, but he was stuck in his Ideals that the mission comes first no matter what, but I was protective of this stranger for some reason. He reminded me too much of something...

Dazai laid his arm on my shoulder, the bandages scratching against my black coat and the tips of his fingers touching my neck. I twitched. I was instantly calmer. "Now, now, Kunikida, Eddie-chan here has a point. Whenever you ask questions, it quickly deteriorates into a interrogation. You've been talked to about this." Dazai let go of my shoulder, and the slight anxious feeling was back. Was it because of my Ability? Of course Dazai noticed without me say anything. He walked over to them, where Kunikida finally lost his grip. Dazai said. "Let me try." He knelt down. I fought a part of me who wanted to help him off the floor. It was nonsense, I've seen others in worse positions and done nothing, what was it about him?

"Okay, now, what do you know about the tiger?"

Atsushi slowly got up off the floor, sitting up and grabbing his shoulder. I glanced at Kunikida and his face was focused on the kid. Kunikida glanced my way and frowned. I huffed and focused on the two of them on the floor.

"That tiger kept on attacking my orphanage. It ruined our vegetable garden. It decimated our chicken coop and emptied out our food warehouse. I mean, no one died, but the orphanage was already on a tight budget. I got kicked out so they would have one less mouth to feet. I have no home because of that tiger."

Dazai said lightly. "Well, that's a tragic tale."

I scratched my cheek with a sigh. "Yeah and sounded like this tiger hated the orphanage." I was getting confused at his story. They just kicked out one kid out of who knows how many to conserve food. That made no sense.

Dazai at this time, got up and sat backwards in a chair. I walked over and sat in the other one, turning it around and sitting in it the proper way.

Kunikida said, his voice calm. "But back to the tiger. You said it almost killed you."

Atsushi looked down. "It shows up everywhere I go, like it's tracking me, hunting me down so it can pounce and tear me to shreds. Recently, when I was walking around the Tsurumi Neighboorhood. I started seeing it two weeks before the orphanage expelled me, but I've caught glimpses of it many times since then. My instinct is telling me it's coming to the city hunting me."

I frowned in thought, his story was a strange one, that's for sure. Most animals don't spend time hunting down humans, unless steered by humans. And it sounds like it's been following him to different areas. I also followed my instincts, but this was strange. Very strange. He wasn't lying, but it didn't add up.

Dazai kept his gaze on Atsushi. "When was the last time you felt the Tiger stalking you?"

"Uh, I think I saw it in Tsurumi four days ago. Yeah, that sounds about right."

I looked over at Kunikida. "Kunikida?" My voice had a questioning tone, if anyone, he would know. He writes everything down in those notebooks.

Kunikida nodded. "Yes, that makes sense, reports of a wild tiger started coming in two weeks ago and then it was sighted in Tsurumi only four days ago."

I narrowed my eyes as I stared at the kid. "Hm?"

He jumped back. ""h-huh? W-what is it?" I pushed the worried twinge in the back of my head. I had the control over my ability. What the tiger was, Atsushi was involved.

I just waved a hand with a smile. "It's nothing." I continued to think. If he didn't eat until today, it couldn't of been long since he was kicked out, maybe a little longer if he was used to starving...

My head popped up. "Wait, I have a question." I raised a finger.

Atsushi jumped with a yelp and Dazai chuckled, smiling at me. Kunikida snapped. "Stop doing that, Edna!"

Dazai smirked. "And what is your question, Eddie-chan?"

I turned toward Atsushi. "Sorry to pry and all that, but has the tiger followed you everywhere?"

Atsushi flinched, his face falling. "Uh, yes." He looked fearful.

...And if it started at the orphanage and then everywhere else he's been...

My eyes widened as I looked at him. So, that's how it is, then. That explains my ability's reaction then. What a pain.

Dazai let out a chuckle, his gaze meeting mine. I nodded slightly.

Kunikida asked. "What is it?"

I shrugged. "Nothing." I stretched my shoulder. "Well, I have a report to give. You guys got this?" But, I was looking at Dazai and he just sent me a secretive smile.

Kunikida nodded firmly. "Of course we do, it's our mission and we will complete it."

I grinned at Atsushi. "Nice meeting you, Atsushi, can I call you that?"

He nodded. "Uh, yes, that's fine."

I grinned wider, walked over and patting his shoulder (ignoring the jump his shoulder gave). "Cool. I hate dealing with horoifics. Until next time, Atsushi. See you later, Dazai, Kunikida."

"Bye, bye, Eddie-chan."

"We'll see you when we complete the mission, Edna-san."

I gave a backwards wave as I walked out.

It was late as I walked back into the Agency. It was strange not to see Kunikida hurriedly scribbling away at reports, Yosano working on things or Dazai. Kenji, Naomi and Junichiro usually didn't stay late because the siblings were students and Kenji was only fifteen. Ranpo was sometimes in the office late, it depended on how many snacks he had, if he wanted to or if had a case or not. I was here a decent amount at night and the president was always here, unless he was away on business.

Yosano looked up from a stack of papers. "Eddie, you're back." She sent me a smile. "Are you hurt?"

I felt a nervous smile twitch on my face and shook my head, knowing my face was paling. "Uh, no-clean bill of health." Yosano's Ability was very useful for healing, but tramatizing to go through.

Yosano made a face. "Damn."

I ignored that as I always did. "Is Ranpo here?"

Yosano said. "No, but I think he's supposed to be on a job tomorrow."

I chuckled."Good thing I came back. Well, I'm off to see the president."

Yosano nodded, going back to filing whatever she needed

I walked to the door and knocking, hearing Fukuzawa's voice. "Come in."

I opened the door and bowed my head to him in respect. "Mr. President." That was said in English. It was what I usually called him.

He nodded in my direction with a slight smile. "Eddie, it's nice to see you back."

I smiled back. "Good to be back." I reached in my bag and gave him the report I filed out on the train. "Here you go." I placed it on his desk. He glanced through it. "Anything I need to be concerned about?"

I thought about my mission and shook my head and said after making sure we were alone."No, boss. The Port Mafia, while being the same criminal organization, is still the same. But, they may have a new member that's not a simple underling. That's all I know about it. Age, gender, occupation unknown."

Fukuzawa nodded. "Alright, that could be concerning, we'll kept an eye on it. Thank you, Eddie."

I nodded back, seeing the dismissal as it was along with the pause as him waiting to see if I had nothing to add. "It's no problem, glad to help."

After all, he allowed me into the Agency after knowing my past.

I was sleeping in my dorm room, when my phone started ringing. I shoved my face in my pillow for a second, grimacing as I eyed the alarm clock on my desk and saw it was only an hour after I fell asleep. I flicked it open and pressed it to my ear. I grumbled. "Hello?"

"Edna-sa-were you sleeping?"

I groaned at Kunikida's voice. "Yeah, it is late. What is it?"

"You need to wake up. Dazai left a note saying it was urgent about the tiger! It could put people in danger. Meet me at the warehouse by the port." I sighed. I was just there. There were many warehouses by the Port, but I knew what he was talking about.

I sat up with a yawn. "You do know it's most likely not that serious, I mean, it's Dazai."

It was quiet for a moment and then I heard a choked sound I named, 'Kunikida pissed at Dazai voice'. "That suicidal maniac! It may be serious, you must come, Edna!"

I nodded, shuffling around for some black pants and a simple black button down shirt, none of my usual work clothes on. They're lucky I don't show up in a bathrope. I smiled to myself at the reaction of Kunikida if I did that. I wonder what Dazai did with Atsushi, considering he was the tiger. It wasn't that hard to figure out if you had all the facts. Also, it explained why he had a hard time at the orphanage if they figured out his Ability. Cruel and nonsense, but it does make sense. I hope nothing happen to him, because he seemed like a good kid and my Ability was pushing me to protect him at the thought of him being in danger.

With another tired sigh, I went to the warehouse where all the action had to be.

I saw Kenji and Ranpo coming toward the warehouse. I waved. "Yo."

Ranpo nodded. "Hello, Edna. I suspected you'd be back today." I chuckled, that's Ranpo for you.

Kenji gave me a wide grin, waving widely. "Hey, Eddie-chan." I grinned back at him.

We walked inside and I heard Kunikida say. "-thanks to you, I brought it agents who weren't even on call. First rounds on you."

I waved, stiffling a yawn. "Like me, did you find out Atsushi is the tiger or no?"

Kunikida sputtered. "You knew, Edna?"

I grinned, shoving my hands in my pockets. "But, of course I did." I could see the vein ticking in his forehead.

"Why did you tell me?!"

I shrugged. "Wanted to see if you would figure it out."

He grit his teeth, walking forward to no doubt show me a piece of his mind. "You-"

I glanced away, frowning at Atsushi laying on the ground. I purposely walked forward. "Dazai, he okay?" I crouched down and tilted my head. He seemed okay. I hated that my ability was making me worry like this.

Dazai sent me a knowing look. "He's fine, just sleeping."

Kunikida calmed down, if not for the situation, I knew he would've strangled me.

Kenji skipped forward. "Hey!"

Yosano came forward. "Please don't tell me there are no casualties. Talk about boring."

I poked Atsushi a bit, but he snoozed on. I felt a shiver run down my spine. He sure was lucky he was just sleeping.

Kenji crouched next to me, eyeing him curiously.

Ranpo came forward. "You've gotten better at solving cases, Dazai, Edna, but my logical skills will solve the big ones."

I smirked at him. "Of course."

Kenji said. "He's not dead. What are we gonna do with him when he wakes up? He didn't know he could do this, did he?"

I stiffened my spine, fighting against my instinct to protect the boy. "Do with him?"

Kunikida answered Kenji first. "Apparently, or so it seems." Kunikida turned to me and my serious look. "He has been designed a security threat." He turned to Dazai, opening his notebook. What now, Dazai. It was your plan, wasn't it?"

I moved from my crouch and stood up. Dazai chuckled, smiling. I glanced over at him. Yosano even look interested. Dazai said. "I already made my decision." I glanced at Dazai and saw a serious look aimed at Atsushi, his expression unreadable. I was curious. What did Atsushi say to get such a look from Dazai?

Kenji looked lost. I absentmindedly patted him head, earning a grin in return. Dazai's look disappeared as he smiled, his eyes closed. "We're going to make him one of us."

Kenji was awed. "Cool."

My Ability was pleased at the information and so was I. He was a good kid who needed it and with a Ability like his...I definately help with the protective feelings I was getting.

Yosano sounded annoyed. "Seriously?"

Ranpo looked away with his arms crossed. "Dazai, you are a idiot."

I laughed, scratching the back of my head. "Aw, come on, Ranpo, it'll be great."

He glanced at me, rolling his eyes. "Edna, let me rephrase, you and Dazai are idiots." I just laughed some more, good ole Ranpo.

Kunikida was in disbelief, yelling at Dazai and telling me not to agree without asking the President. I nodded along, barely listening and heard Kenji try to wake up Atsushi.

Dazai looked over at Atsushi and said. "Up, Atsushi!"

My tone was dry. "Well, that worked."

"Be patient, dear Eddie-chan."

A moment later, Atsushi groaned and sat up. "Hello?"

Atsushi looked over at Kenji, squinting. "Who are you?" I was standing, so he didn't see me.

Dazai gave him a innocent look. "Atsushi, do you remember anything from when you were transformed?"

I glanced over and chuckled lowly. One of his hands was still a paw.

Atsushi looked lost. "What are you talking about?"

He glanced over at me. "Uh-Ferber-san?!"

I smiled at him. "Edna is fine and look down."

Atsushi blinked. "What?"

Dazai tone was easy going. "Oh look, your right hand didn't change back." I walked over so I was standing next to Ranpo and Kunikida.

"My right hand?" He held up the paw, freaking out. "What the-what is this?! Get it off! Get it off!" He shook it and I burst into laughter with my hands on my hips.

Yosano sighed. "Real mature." I beamed at her.

Dazai's voice was serious as he called out. "Nakajima Atsushi." He gasped, stiffening. "From this day forward, you're going to be one of us. You're the new member of the Armed Detective Agency."

Atsushi looked lost for words. "Uh?" He then looked annoyed.

I guess being chosen out of the blue like that would freak anyone out.