Assignment 18: Minding Morality & Old Faces

Fukuzawa's eyes widened as Kunikida gingerly carried Alu into their current hiding spot. Ranpo and Tanizaki came in tow as well. Yosano's instinct was to go to Ranpo but a look from him made her nod in silent agreement over something that went unspoken between them both.

Yosano immediately went to who looked more injured-Alu.

Fukuzawa immediately went to Ranpo whose clothes were covered in blood. "Ranpo!?" Fukuzawa's concern was not masked. He wanted to laugh, cry, and strangle his pseudo-son all at the same time. It was a tough thing, being a parent but Fukuzawa found it was moments like this where his kid returned to his side that made it impossible to not feel something along with relief for. "Are you hurt!?"

"No." Ranpo sounded normal and serious. He glanced to where Yosano instructed Kunikida to lay Alu on her non-injured side. Kenji grabbed a big white sheet-Yosano had stocked up on medical supplies in their hiding hole for cases where the members needed her to perform her doctorly duties. "...That person ensured not one hit made its intended mark."

Fukuzawa's eyes widened. He realized what Ranpo was saying. He looked now to the unconscious girl, as Yosano got to work on her. Fukuzawa's eyes watered a little. That person had gone out on a limb to ensure Ranpo was safe by using her own body as his shield? What kind of enemy was that supposed to even be, even? An enemy at all? She wasn't the enemy. Fukuzawa felt that revelation cemented into his very bones. Both Ranpo and Dazai weren't usually wrong but this most recent event just made it evidently clear that she was not on the side of The Guild or the Port Mafia.

Fukuzawa also noted that his adopted son was also talking normally. "Are you…feeling alright again?"

"I am," Ranpo turned away from Fukuzawa, taking off his bloodied jacket. His top had blood too, and some on his pants, but other than that, Ranpo looked alright. Although, his face looked like he'd gotten into a scuffle.

Fukuzawa took Ranpo's face in his hands, worried. "They managed to get a hit on you, it looks like," he commented, frowning. "I'll get ice for it."

"Oh that wasn't The Guild," Ranpo humorously remarked. "Just Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber from the Port Mafia," he shrugged. "I got away though, hehehe…"

Fukuzawa nearly broke the table he went over to mentally with his samurai 'ki'. He was going to murder Mori Ougai. He had warned that monster if he went for his agents he'd respond with a vengeance! And to target Ranpo Edogawa? Ha. Hahaha. Going for Ranpo Edogawa of all people was more than an instant death. It would be all Nine Rings of Hell on repeat. Fukuzawa grit his teeth, his bad temper apparent.

"No way…" Yosano's incredulous tone cut into their conversation. Naomi and Haruno-san were currently helping her with Alu. She had Kenji, Tanizaki and Kunikida comically facing a wall. Currently, Naomi and Haruno-san set up a pole with four sides so that Alu could be placed on a recovery bed and have her clothes taken off with privacy. Her upper clothes were in the process of being removed by Yosano.

Fukuzawa grabbed the first aid kit and trotted back over to Ranpo. "What is it?" he asked Yosano, as he tried to get Ranpo to stay still so he could at least fuss over Ranpo's face like a good Papa. Ranpo had his glasses removed. Probably for the best. Didn't want his brain to fry again looking at Alu directly.

"The nature of her ability…it's regeneration," Yosano declared. "I just managed to remove the two bullets-it's like her body just naturally pushes out anything that's not meant to be lodged in it…and by extension, heals after the fact!"

"Regeneration huh?" Fukuzawa actually felt a bit relieved to hear that. Atsushi-kun also had regenerative properties, courtesy of his tiger form. "So she's a bit like Atsushi-kun?"

"Not even close," Ranpo spoke quietly.

Yosano's and Fukuzawa's eyes both widened along with everyone else's. Naomi was hanging off of her brother now that Yosano didn't need her assistance anymore. She had been fussing over him, since he had been in mortal danger and all that. She had been in the process of stripping him as well to check for damage in the background ~lol~.

Kunikida frowned at Ranpo. "What did you deduce?" he asked sharply.

"Even with my glasses…my scope feels like a prescription. That person is on a whole different level than Atsushi-kun. A different sphere than any of us." Ranpo glanced at Fukuzawa but he stepped away, after Fukuzawa managed to dab on his face a little bit, some ointment for his bottom lip. Ranpo grimaced but let Fukuzawa apply it because he was a good boy for his Papi, haha.

"What does that mean?" Tanizaki asked, confused. "Is that a good thing?"

"Depends on personal opinion I suppose," Ranpo replied, subdued and lost in thought, closing his eyes. He moved away from Fukuzawa and over to where the curtain was, keeping him separated from Yosano tending to Alu's upper body at the moment. Yosano was mostly just cleaning Alu up of the blood the best she could. Haruno-san was with her on the other side, helping Yosano.

Fukuzawa and the others could tell that Ranpo was being uncharacteristically serious. Just what sort of impression did this person leave on Ranpo Edogawa of all people? "But, this person…cannot die." His blunt accepting and yet subdued mannerism made everyone fall silent as the grave.

Except Kenji.

Kenji's eyes widened. "Eh? Really? So she's like a twinkie?" he asked, brightly.

Ranpo paused.

Then he pursed his lips.

He gave Kenji a thumbs up. "Yes, exactly so. Except eventually even Twinkies die…regrettably." Yes, between human life and a coveted snack food, it's obvious as to where Ranpo's lament would normally lie. In this case, he did value the lives of his colleagues and that person -to some extent- over a Twinkie. Now that is a compliment when it comes to someone as socially disconnected as Edogawa Ranpo.

"They do? I thought those things could survive even an apocalypse," Tanizaki commented, making a face.

"Everything natural is biodegradable to a degree," Ranpo said, wagging a finger at Kenji and Tanizaki. He put his hand on his hip. Ah, he was acting like normal Ranpo. "However, this person has the capability to cheat death itself."

Fukuzawa could honestly cry. Ranpo was able to deduce something and not go completely loopy immediately after. Of course, he wasn't wearing his glasses anymore and he had admitted himself that his own scope was limited. It wasn't advisable to have him use Super Deduction lest he 'trigger' whatever she did to him before. The stress of knowing Ranpo was out and about and in danger while also being incredibly loopy had just made Fukuzawa beside himself. He didn't have Dazai to turn to as Dazai had been taken to the hospital due to being in a car accident and wouldn't be released for a few days.

"Wow, that's uh… that explains a lot actually," Kunikida grimaced, running a hand through his hair with a sigh. "No one normal would be nearly as stupid. But wait…you said… she's immortal?" Not much could phase Kunikida that wasn't thrown at him by work or his annoying unreliable-at-times partner, Osamu Dazai. But, he was admittedly a little phased by this news. All of them were.

Even Ranpo.

"There are conditions to her immortality, however." Ranpo clarified. He scratched his head. "I don't know them all. She is not immune to pain, so despite having the ability to regenerate herself when injured, it doesn't mean she doesn't have her own bodily limits. That's all I could reliably deduce though."

Yosano nodded. "I agree with that somewhat conclusive summary," she said. "I'll keep her for observation but I suppose her other traits will reveal themselves over time. Right now, I'm cleaning her up. It looks like though, I won't have to perform my own usual tactics," she said and she sounded relieved.

Along with everyone else.

No one wanted to deal with one person's screaming at the hands of Yosano's terrifying ability, 'Thou Shalt Not Die'... where the conditions for being fully healed involved her basically tearing you apart and leaving you at death's literal door in order for it to work. The screaming alone would alert the entire Mafia to their hideout, haha.

"Huh, she said before that she didn't have an ability," Kunikida sighed. "I suppose she lied because otherwise-who would honestly believe something so absurd unless seen in action? Or worse, utilized for their own agenda…"

"It's…not an ability exactly," Ranpo said, and everyone stared at him. Ranpo shrugged. "Even I can't explain it. Trust me, I can figure out the logic of any matter placed in front of me…but this one has me admittedly stumped. It's not something my ability alone can solve because the answer itself is illogical. This is something beyond even my scope of comprehension." The tone of his voice as he said that made Ranpo actually sound like he'd aged to someone who was a lot older. That honest admission surprised everyone, even Fukuzawa.

"So what, she's like that creepy Lovecraft guy?" Kunikida made a face, disgruntled.

"Hm, yes and no?" Ranpo tilted his head, thoughtful.

"Do you wanna try to use 'Super Deduction?' again…?" Kenji asked helpfully, tilting his head at Ranpo.

"Let's not!" Kunikida said immediately, shooting Kenji a look.

Naomi and Tanizaki had to nod with agreement.

Everyone collectively screamed 'no!' in their minds except Kenji, lol.

Ranpo comically shuddered, sweating. "If I use my special skill my brain will turn to mush again," He shook his head profusely.

Fukuzawa had to also nod in agreement. Ranpo's recoiling at the thought of using his ability again on her…understandable considering his own brain only just got fixed.

Yosano pursed her lips.

She gazed at the young woman that had caused quite a stir in the ADA now lying before her, unconscious, looking almost asleep. This person…stumped even Ranpo? To a point where he was afraid to even use his own 'Super Deduction' on her? He admitted it so calmly though. No usual tantruming. It was like he just accepted it. And Ranpo Edogawa was not one to 'accept' things. So this person was someone truly remarkable. Yosano brushed some hair out of Alu's eyes. "If only I could dissect you…" she murmured, almost tenderly.

Haruno-san was admittedly a little disturbed, haha. Thank goodness she'd be going somewhere safe tomorrow to hide out with Naomi…until The Guild stuff was resolved.

Fukuzawa took a deep breath finally. "You made it back alright, with this girl. For that, I am grateful. I suppose all we can do is wait until she wakes up, and we will continue with our plan to lay low against The Guild for the time being, until Dazai is released from the hospital. He said not to do anything until he was released."

"Hmph, he's probably chasing the skirts of the nurses," Kunikida rolled his eyes, huffing.

"Speaking of 'chasing,'" Tanizaki remarked, as Naomi had him in another compromising position somewhere in the back of the room. No one questioned it anymore. Honestly, what was the point even? They were just two siblings that were in ~love~. "...Hey, what happened between you and that woman, Alu…back when we went to rescue you, Ranpo?"

Ranpo blinked. "Huh?"

"Yeah, true," Kunikida stroked his chin. "We got to the area and there was a bright beam of purple and white light. Was that you two?"

"Ah, that?" Ranpo scratched his head and furrowed his brow. "She just kissed me in order to 'fix' my head, that's all."

Fukuzawa nearly dropped his own brain from his skull, comically tripping majestically on his way to put the first aid kit away.

Everyone else just stared at how nonplussed Ranpo was as he admitted that. Yosano gazed at the young woman in front of her. Ho, ho, ho…someone was after her sweet naive baby big brother? Yosano's eyes glinted maniacally in a way that screamed, 'I need to see just what makes you tick'...

A few days passed.

The mysterious girl, who revealed her name to be Alu, was still unconscious. Dazai himself had been released from the hospital with a cast on his right arm in a sling. Dazai's luck was better than the other guy's. The government agent was touch and go as it were at the moment.

However, that wasn't Dazai's problem unless of course, he lived from the car accident. In which case, Dazai planned to get that person to help with what was going on with Kyouka. Dazai already knew Kyouka had been picked up by the police.

Alu had mentioned being with a young girl and while at the time, Dazai hadn't mentioned anything, he knew immediately who it was she was referring to. However, after being informed by the president and Kunikida about what transpired that day following Dazai's own interaction with her, it was clear to Dazai that this person was proving to be only more fascinating.

And…able to cheat death, according to Ranpo's limited deduction? For a limited deduction, that was some hell of interesting news. Someone that could cheat death and self-heal? Dazai was liking the ADA's odds against the Port Mafia and The Guild now with that knowledge about the girl's mysterious 'not' ability.

Dazai and Ranpo didn't know why she kept referring to it as a 'not' ability, but that was something Ranpo had decided to leave to Dazai to deduce. Ranpo preferred facts and clues, but when it came to gathering information on the weird crap, everyone agreed Dazai was optimal for gathering intel. However, Dazai had to wait until he was discharged and she was awake.

He was discharged already, and just stood on top of a building, leaning on a rail, just staring at the ground below. Hilariously enough, he wasn't thinking about suicide.

Dazai Osamu had been thinking about the state of things recently, quite a bit.

"Boss has a message for you," Higuchi said, her gun still pointing at Dazai.

Dazai just shrugged, indifferent, smiling. "Oh? Is it a lecture? Threats on my life? Honestly I could go on with the endless possibilities…"

"He asks if you have any interest in returning to the Mafia Leadership," Higuchi asked, coldly.

Dazai's eyes widened.

Then he merely laughed.

Higuchi's affronted reaction made it even better. "You! Don't laugh!"

"I'm just tickled," Dazai hummed. "You surely must be joking."

"I am not," Higuchi said curtly. "You know you don't belong running around with the rabble from that joke of an agency! Out of anyone in the Mafia your heart is the blackest. Mafia black!"

"Ah, that type of work bores me. Besides, you know, everyone changes over time, Even cute little Gin here!" He brightly said, patting the air showing off Gin's original height. "She was so cute as a little girl, once!"

"Please, don't change the subject," Gin shyly said, blushing at Dazai.

Higuchi was comically floored. Gin's a girl? And her voice is so cute…

Dazai's expression was mixed as he looked away. But he kept smiling. He was good at that. You're never fully dressed for another shitty day in reality without one, after all~ "I have no interest. Although," He put a finger to his lips. "I do have to wonder why he sent you all the way out here to just discuss that little detail."

"It wasn't just for that," Higuchi admitted. She glared at him. "This is war, after all, and Boss is utilizing any means necessary to win. Especially since you have that woman helping you. Tell me this at least, where did you pick that one up? "

"Oh? I don't kiss and tell," Dazai said cheekily with a debonair smirk. "I have no interest in discussing the details of my more intimate relationships with someone distasteful like Mori-San! However, if he does try to pull anything even I can't promise what will happen~"

Higuchi shuddered.

Gin's eyebrows knit together.

They both knew what Dazai was capable of. His cunning was terrifying. There was a reason Mori wanted to recruit him back instead of just killing him off. "I would not have taken you for someone to be so desperate that you'd ask a foreigner to help," Higuchi snapped, the type of ballsy girl to run her mouth.

Dazai knew her grit was why she lasted so long in the Mafia. Ah, but her hands had yet to be stained as much as his own. It was a shame she followed Akutagawa around like a puppy. She had so much more potential but she spent her time instead pining for that guy. So sad. Dazai almost felt sorry for her.

But not really.

"Certainly, normally I wouldn't. But this isn't exactly 'normal' circumstances, is it?" Dazai grinned at them, with a dismissive shrug. "So you're not here for my head…but why would he send you two out here… if he wanted to message me he could have just done it at any time…" Dazai's voice trailed off. "Wait…" His expression turned serious.

"We were sent here to protect you," Gin spoke up quietly.

"Protect me? From what?" Dazai scoffed.

"There is someone not even you can defeat," Higuchi said darkly. "Boss has released the one called 'Q' from his cell…."

Dazai's eyes widened. "No…that kid…I sealed him away years ago-and it took many lives to do so! Why is he using that kid?! He doesn't discern friend from foe!"

Higuchi looked at Dazai grimly. "If it means tipping the scales in our favor, Boss will use whatever he has at his disposal! But, he ordered us to keep you safe."

Dazai grit his teeth. What the hell was Mori Ougai thinking? Releasing something like Q who couldn't discern between friend or foe? Even if he did make logical sense to use against the ADA or even The Guild- it wasn't rational sense! And protect Dazai? What a joke. Dazai didn't want that bastard's protection! He had cut off ties four years ago for a reason!

"That means….Damn it!" Dazai whirled on his heel, actually distraught.

Was this partly why Dazai hadn't been hunted down by the Port Mafia all this time in a much more serious manner? Did Mori seriously think that he would return to his side? What a delusion. Just like the coat Dazai had burned four years ago, so had he too burned the bridge linking him to that distasteful organization, and that man in particular.

And it was at that time that Dazai managed to realize the true terrible scope of Mori's plan. Dazai had managed to find the cursed doll that Q's ability uses in order to inflict his mind-break ability on his opponent. If someone hurts Q, a mark appears on their body. Using this mark, the person is afflicted with the mental break curse. One can break free but more often than not they will end up killing themselves or those around them first. The mental mind break works on one's deepest fear, regret, guilt, or whatever torments that individual the most. Dazai had managed to get Atsushi to snap out of it barely before he could kill Haruno-San and Naomi.

Q had gotten on to the train at the time.

A small boy dressed like a Lolita. Smiling, even though Dazai had thwarted the plan, it was to be expected. This boy who smiled emptily at Dazai now, spoke gleefully. "Dazai-San, your new friends are so easy to break! But that's fine!~ There's still the pleasure of breaking you left for me to savor when that time comes!" Kyuusaku Yumeno, the real name of that little monster. Monster was putting it lightly. Even 'demon' didn't fit what this kid was.

Dazai turned to glare at Q, his eyes swirling with the infinite cold black flame that burned inside himself. "I suppose…you could try it." It was a challenge.

"You imprisoned me~ I haven't forgiven you so I'm going to just make you suffer and break instead!" Q smiled, beaming at Dazai.

"But I won't seal you next time," Dazai took a step, a hand in his pockets, as he gazed at Q with the eyes of a fellow creature from the darkest depths of Hell's Fury. "I will pluck your heart out."

Q gazed at Dazai. His right eye had a star in it, and his left had a circle. His odd eyes gazed at Dazai, but he shivered—was it fear? Or Thrill? Hard to say. He chuckled. "We'll play again later! That's a promise!"

The train pulled out of the station, leaving Dazai standing there.

He had talked Atsushi off a ledge. But there was no one to talk Dazai down off of his own. Even now, he wondered to himself, that question he'd asked himself at the train station. Is now really the time to be questioning the morality of our own decisions in this war?

Dazai took a deep breath.

Had Mori utilized Q because he felt threatened by that woman, Alu? Or was it something else. No, it felt like Q had been pre-planned. So that meant, a wrench must have been thrown into just one of Mori's existing plans. That woman…did she know Mori's plans and pick which one to get involved with? Dazai had a suspicion that her real goal this entire time, had been Chuuya Nakahara of all things. Which reminded Dazai… ugh, she complimented that guy.

Dazai pulled a funny disgruntled expression.

He had a good few questions for her. The most important having to do with why? Why praise Chuuya of all people?

Edogawa Ranpo was not someone easily at a loss for words.

He didn't appear concerned about the young woman's ability to recover either. He just casually asked for updates every single hour. Both Fukuzawa and Yosano so wanted to pry into that head of his. But Ranpo had adamantly already stated the nature of the kiss was not Romantic.

Now, Ranpo sat in a different room with everyone, as the ADA had moved locations actually because Dazai secured another location that had realistic better exits if The Guild or The Port Mafia came knocking.

Dazai was discharged today.

He was on his way over.

Kenji was napping.

Tanizaki and Naomi were sharing a chair somewhere at one of the work desks. Kunikida had gone to fetch Dazai just in case the Guild would try to attack.

For now, Ranpo gazed at the pen in his hand. It was the same pen that girl had handed him a few days ago before she had been shot protecting his life. Fukuzawa, who was in the room with him, just reading a book while sitting at his own small desk on a floor cushion, glanced at the rather despondent detective.

Fukuzawa was certainly glad that Ranpo was normal again. But he was more subdued.

Yosano didn't even tease Ranpo. Both of them knew that Ranpo was withdrawn for some inexplicable reason that ironically wasn't romantic in nature.

Ranpo continued to fiddle with the pen.

Ranpo's green eyes opened and flickered. He just gripped the pen tightly. His expression was thoughtful. Then he smiled. "Ah, I'm hungry! President! I want snacks!"

Fukuzawa blinked.

But he smiled warmly.

At least his son was back and safe.


What is memory?

Is it a cruel way for nature to trap humanity in a mental prison of their own past? Or did humanity evolve to gain the ability to sense 'time' for a reason beyond just purely existing in the moment? Though it's painful, is there a deeper meaning to remembering the past. Or is there no meaning at all?

Soft voices.

Childrens' laughter.

Alu moved up the steps to that second story of the shop. She knocked on the door, a 'code' knock so to speak. The sound of giggling and excited clambering greeted her ears. Kousuke was the one who opened the door. He gave her a bright grin that illuminated the entire vicinity. Behind him, the other kids piled up.

Yu had put down his video game to get off the bunk bed.

Shinji and Sakura hung back, just smiling.

'Boy! It's about time you got here! We were wondering if you forgot about us!' Katsumi grabbed Alu's sleeve with a mischievous grin. He and Kousuke tugged Alu into the room. The door shut behind her.

'Come play with us!' The five children tugged Alu by her sleeve. They stood in a small room, on the second story of a small curry shop. Alu knelt and the children ran into her arms. 'You've been gone so long,' They pleaded. 'Seems he's busy again today! But you're here to play! Stay a while!'

'I will stay.' Alu's voice softly wavered, her expression misty. 'I won't…leave you, I promise..."

Alu's eyes fluttered open, feeling something dabbing her face. Her honey eyes widened slightly with alarm, and she jolted instinctively upright, nearly falling out of the hospital bed she found herself in. "Whargh!?" She looked with wide eyes at the dark haired woman with a butterfly clip in her hair, who just gazed at her calmly.

Alu felt her face suddenly warm from embarrassment. "Oh lord, how much of that did I say out loud?" she grimaced.

"You just started to mumble towards the end," The other woman said, just gazing at her. Alu didn't sense any judgement. Just some concern.

Alu breathed with relief. Then she realized she was in a nurse's office? She looked around, confused. Her clothes had been removed and replaced with a simple hospital gown and pants. Alu looked down at herself. "Not to sound completely stupid but…where am I?"

Yosano quirked a brow. "You're in an infirmary. President Fukuzawa secured a better building for us to inhabit as we are at a current 'ceasefire' with the Port Mafia."

Alu blinked. "Whoa, seriously…those guys actually agreed to lay off…?" she asked, finding that hard to believe, considering who their stubborn leader was, lol. It showed on her face because Yosano just nodded, standing up.

"Actually, it's because of you that the ceasefire was possible."

Alu stared at Yosano. "Eh, me? I didn't really do that much," Alu said quickly.

"You spoke reason," another voice joined them in the room. Alu's eyes widened as the president of the ADA stepped into the room. He had Kunikida with him, along with Dazai, whose arm was in a sling.

Alu suddenly felt sorely underdressed. She gazed at the president though as he stepped into the room. Should she bow? She suddenly felt sorely outnumbered. "Uh…"

Yosano walked over to Alu and she put an arm around Alu's shoulder. They were about the same height. "Relax, we don't bite…much!" she teased, grinning at Alu with a mischievous glint in her eye. "But you already know that, don't you?"

Alu chuckled, though mostly from nervousness. She didn't know what the impression was that these people had of her. She felt a little on edge, just waking up, in some strange building, and being blocked by four ability users at once…not to mention, she didn't have her clothes. Her eyes flickered.

"Ah! My clothes! Where are they?" she asked, looking at Yosano.

Yosano blinked. "Oh? Your clothes…"

"They were covered in blood, we had to get rid of them, my apologies," President Fukuzawa was the one to speak up. "However, Miss Yosano has procured you some clothes in their place. It's the least we could do."

Alu sweated. "Oh, uh…okay. Thanks, I mean…" Alu could feel Kunikida boring holes into her. She couldn't look at him. Jeez, that guy was too intense. And not to mention that Dazai had been quiet this whole time, just observing her. Alu almost wished he'd make a quip, flirt, something that would register some average brain activity for a guy like him.

Yosano stepped back and gazed at Alu. "How are you feeling? You got up quickly, so I take it you are healed?"

Alu blinked. "Oh yeah, I guess I am."

Yosano nodded. "You were asleep for a few days, so we were just a little worried something more may have been going on as a result of your encounter with The Guild," she continued.

Alu furrowed her brow. The way Yosano was talking, it didn't sound like she'd used her own ability on Alu. No, Alu would have sensed it. And it was obvious she'd taken a few bullets for Ranpo, which meant… Alu groaned inwardly. These people now knew she could self-heal. Great. Alu crossed her arms, looking around now.

Finally, she looked back at the president.

"Sometimes when my body is overstressed I just sleep, it's a thing," she admitted. "Sorry, for causing any concern…" She sounded a bit guilty and Yosano blinked before she patted Alu's head with a genuine smile.

"Don't apologize," she said before she armlocked Alu into a headlock in front of the boys.

"Ack!?" Alu yelped, wriggling comically in Yosano's 'tender' embrace.

"I would like to know your relationship with Ranpo, however," Yosano grinned darkly.

Alu sweated comically. "M-My relationship?" she squinted at Yosano like she wasn't quite understanding the hostility.

Yosano as well as the others actually sensed this and bemused, Yosano released Alu from her grasp. She still smiled. "Well, yes, considering according to Ranpo himself, you kissed him the other day!" She smiled as she made this declaration but Alu was sensing some serious 'sister' protectiveness vibes coming off of Yosano.

"Oh…that." Alu deadpanned, and sighed, running a hand through her long hair which was currently down. It wasn't in a ponytail like it usually was just due to the fact she'd been unconscious a few days in a hospital bed. She glanced at the men. They all had the same face-in different ways comically masked- all waiting for her explanation with baited breath. Alu sighed loudly. "It was the only way to fix his brain, unfortunately."

"Was there tongue?" Dazai found himself asking, finally unable to contain himself.

Ah, there he was. He was still in there somewhere, Alu thought dryly as she put her hands on her hips, to address his cheeky immature question. "No. Sorry to disappoint, it wasn't a romantic kiss," she said flatly.

"But…you two…kissed…?" Kunikida was having some trouble processing a 'non-romantic' kiss.

"Kunikida, you are a man who is actually quite innocent, aren't you?" Alu quirked a brow at him. "There is more than one form of 'love'. In Ranpo's case, I just kissed him on his forehead."

Kunikida's face turned beet red. "What? No! I am aware there are many forms of affection!" he spluttered. "Wait-love? Do you love him?"

Alu felt like he was missing the point but she just sighed comically, turning back to Yosano, ignoring the men who were off in their own fantasies about her relationship with Ranpo, apparently~lol. "Okay, let me explain," she said finally, holding up her hands before anyone's brains could get any more excited. "Ranpo is a man of logic, reason, probability, can we all agree on that?"

Everyone blinked. They looked at each other but nodded, like they were in class and the teacher was Alu, haha.

"That being said, the reason Ranpo 'broke' before, was because I'm not something that can exactly be understood through logic alone," Alu said, waving her index finger, as she explained. "As a result, Ranpo's attempt to make sense of me made him go loopy instead. But let me ask you this, what does a mind need in order to grow?"

"Broccoli?" Kunikida answered immediately.

Everyone just looked at the tall blonde with no words to express what any of them were thinking.

Alu pursed her lips and then burst out giggling. "Okay…you my dude, are hilarious sometimes."

Kunikida's face burned. "Y-You asked!" he steamed.

Dazai just patted Kunikida with his good hand, "Let the lady talk, trust me…it's better for you if you don't." His own bemusement wasn't even masked and Kunikida wanted to strangle him to feel better.

"What does a mind need to grow?" Yosano repeated. She put a finger to her lips. "Well, you physically kissed him so I'm going to go out on a limb and say… affection? …"

Alu chuckled. "Eh, it's kinda like that but surprisingly, that's not the answer."

"Really?" Dazai blinked, genuinely bemused and surprised. "It would make the most sense. Thinking of it like a riddle, you're stating that the mind needs the heart in order to function. While that's true in the physical biological sense, it is also a truth that can be accepted in the symbolic emotional sense. You say there are many forms of 'love' and the one you expressed with Ranpo was not of the 'romantic' nature. But, it still worked as it was a form of 'emotional' connection to another person. It's not about 'love' but rather, 'connection'...Am I getting warmer?" He smirked cheekily at Alu.

Alu blinked.

Then she sighed.

Dazai's smirk was replaced with a pout. Was he wrong? No, that couldn't be it. He had figured out her little complicated riddle the moment she'd started talking as it were.

"Point to Dazai," Alu said with a shrug turning away.

Dazai's eyes sparkled. Yay, praise! That sounded like praise! He patted Kunikida on the shoulder. "Better luck on the next one," he said teasingly. He was like the one kid in class who got the gold star in a sea of silver ones.

Kunikida huffed, crossing his arms, shaking off Dazai's teasing. "Connection, huh? That still doesn't explain why you're here in Yokohama, getting caught up with the war!"

President Fukuzawa and Dazai's expressions switched to a bit more disapproving as Kunikida had his hot outburst. Even Yosano glanced at Kunikida. Kunikida stepped back from everyone though and he held up his hands. But Alu spoke up, before anyone could start to scold Kunikida. "I already gave my reason. I love this city." There was nothing but raw emotion behind those words.

Not even Kunikida could deny that she was not lying.

A/N: Tune in next time. Will Alu live or will the Lady Doctor murder her for kissing her psuedo-brother? :D *Tap dances. I made this chapter meaty because I do not do skim chapters well, apparently... Hope that's fine though. I like meaty chapters myself XD I hate when something ends too quick... LOL.