Assignment 19: All Aboard The Nonsensical Nonsense Express
Kunikida gazed at Alu with the others. Alu rubbed her arm and she looked at president Fukuzawa directly. Fukuzawa just nodded and he turned to Kunikida. "She is an ally, so please, Kunikida, we've talked about this before but do not cause unnecessary tension."
Kunikida grit his teeth. But he looked away, backing down, knowing that in this at least, there was no point in beating the dead horse any further. Perhaps he was jaded, after all.
"How is Ranpo doing?" Alu asked, glancing at president Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa moved over to Alu and honestly what he did next startled even Dazai. Fukuzawa knelt before Alu, in an admission pose. It was a bit like an honor pose. It was him doing a formal bow. "Because of you, he is doing well. There are no words to express my deepest gratitude for what you did…in order to bring him back safely to me." Fukuzawa's voice trembled, uncharacteristically guilty and filled with remorse. It was easily detected by everyone in the room.
Alu wasn't so good with formal bowing samurais and she took a step back. "Ah, okay, you don't have to bow, really…besides, it was my fault he went on a loopy walk looking for me in the first place…"
Fukuzawa clenched his jaw. She refused to place blame on any of the ADA even though they were the ones who had mistreated her? "His mind was affected because of my own inability to heed the wise sensible words of another person," he looked at Alu. His gaze was fierce, guilty, and repentant.
Alu however met his gaze and she smiled, wistful. Her eyes were soft, her smile softer. Fukuzawa could tell, this person held no ill will, no grudge, towards the ADA or himself.
"I don't blame you for how you reacted. So don't blame yourself either, okay?" she reached out a hand to the bowing samurai. "From this point forth, I'm just glad to know that we're not enemies anymore."
Fukuzawa grit his teeth. This person was kind. He didn't deserve to be forgiven, he felt. He wanted to take responsibility but he didn't think forgiveness should feel this easy to obtain. Not one to cry easily, he still felt his eyes mist just a little.
Yosano and Dazai could tell Fukuzawa was having a moment and they honestly didn't want to interfere with his conversation with Alu.
Fukuzawa didn't know how to express what he was feeling. Ranpo could have taken those bullets so easily. Somehow, this person had risked themself just to ensure Ranpo could return safely. Not only that, but she had fixed whatever had happened to Ranpo. Suddenly, Fukuzawa felt arms around himself.
It was an unfamiliar, confusing feeling. No, he was used to it from Ranpo. But his eyes widened slightly, along with the other ADA members. Alu was hugging the president. Fukuzawa awkwardly felt himself being lifted to his feet by his arm, as Alu just kept smiling. "You're too serious, you know. It shows on your face, president!" she teased, with a grin. She patted him on the head like he was a cat, before stepping away.
Fukuzawa felt her let go of his arm as he stood now.
This person was a stranger but they didn't feel like a stranger. Fukuzawa wasn't good at expressing himself, at all. He had no idea what he could do to show how much Alu's assistance with keeping his members alive meant to him. So he didn't try to speak. He grabbed Alu by her arm wordlessly and hugged her to himself.
People need more than logic to grow. They need more than heart. They need connection. Fukuzawa understood what Dazai and Alu meant. He understood on some level, despite being just an older guy in his forties who ran an agency of detectives, better now how Alu had fixed Ranpo's brain. She had just taken his confusion and gave it an emotional anchor. Herself.
Ranpo himself cared about this person.
Fukuzawa had a better understanding as to why now.
Alu was surprised.
She'd never been hugged by the president before.
Seriously, not even once.
This was one of those 'a first time for everything' kind of moments.
It showed on her face. Even her small cowlick that parted her bangs quivered comically. She glanced at Yosano, comically. "What is happening right now?" she asked, completely floored. Yosano pursed her lips, because Alu's genuine confusion was comical.
"That is a hug, I believe," Dazai said with a grin. Boy, was he amused. He was so glad he tagged along for this. Not even he saw this coming. "In some cultures, they're an expression of endearment!"
Alu gave him one of those tired 'I know what a hug is' kind of looks that made Dazai just snicker as he grinned at her.
Fukuzawa cleared his throat, gruffly, pulling away. He patted Alu awkwardly on the shoulder. Then he just turned and abruptly walked away out of the room. "Kunikida!" he barked, and Kunikida followed The president away, leaving just Alu, Yosano and Dazai standing there.
"...So, that just happened," Alu commented, glancing at the other two members.
"The president thinks very highly of you, it seems," Yosano remarked, gazing at Alu.
Alu could feel these two psycho-analyzing her but she had no idea what they were actually thinking which was twice as scary. It was one thing to be concerned about what was going on in the enigma burrito of Dazai's mind, but Yosano was also someone that Alu didn't always understand. But, Yosano beamed at Alu. "Um, can I get my clothes now?" Alu found herself awkwardly requesting.
"If we give them to you will you just run off on us?" Dazai humorously asked, just leaning against the wall near the door.
"It's not like I live with you guys," Alu pointed out.
"Even with your ability, there's no telling what would happen if either the Port Mafia or The Guild got their hands on you. The immunity we're experiencing doesn't extend to you, sadly," Yosano said sharply.
Alu raised her eyebrows. She wanted to make a cheeky remark that Mori would probably make any immunity extend to her if it meant a one on one conversation with his wayward 'son', Dazai but she didn't want to exactly make things any more complicated than they already were. Besides, this was the future. Even Alu didn't know if things had changed.
"Wait…I'm not going to be stuck in here am I?" Alu slowly asked, as it dawned on her what Yosano was implying.
Yosano pursed her lips. "Ranpo believes it would be best if you just stuck it out with us for the time being. He doesn't think operating solo will bode well for you going forwards."
"I'm not operating solo," Alu said, pointing at Dazai. "I have this guy."
That blunt admission admittedly made Yosano a bit confused. She glanced at Dazai for clarification. While Dazai himself didn't know the full extent of what Alu was up to, he understood enough. "Ah, it would seem we have an unspoken arrangement," he said, smiling at Yosano.
Yosano sighed. "Whatever 'arrangement' you have, just make sure it keeps you alive," she griped.
Alu got the sense that those words weren't directed at her-but rather, Dazai. Alu wondered what Ranpo had managed to deduce about her to the ADA while she'd been unconscious. She knew he was fixed but it wasn't like she was still an easy read. But, Alu couldn't shake the feeling that Yosano was gazing at her rather intently. Alu's eyes flickered. She didn't know if she wanted to know the answer to her question but she felt the need to ask anyway.
"Did…Ranpo deduce anything about me that you'd care to share with me?" She asked Yosano.
Dazai hadn't been informed of Ranpo's deductions as he'd only just been released from the hospital that morning. He only knew from the brief update the day before that Ranpo and the young woman were with the ADA. However, learning about the kiss had given him much to look forward to in today's conversation.
The fact it wasn't romantic in nature oddly pleased Dazai. Huh.
Anyhoo~ Yosano glanced at Dazai and then back to Alu. "Ranpo said he wasn't able to actually tell too much, in all honesty."
Alu frowned. "But he deduced something," she said, gazing at Yosano still.
"He did," Yosano sighed finally. "He deduced that you have the ability…to cheat death itself."
That admission hung in the air like laundry being aired out to dry. Dazai's expression was neutral but even he couldn't stop the features of momentary surprise. The ability to cheat death? The one thing that a mortal man's biggest lament was based on in literature, cinema, the arts in general? This girl right here? Could one do that? Leave it to a woman to do what a man cannot, Dazai thought, bemused. How poetic.
Although, if she could cheat death… "Are you saying she is immortal? Miss Yosano?" Dazai asked, tilting his head, contemplative.
"Are you?" Yosano asked, and Alu's expression answered that question. Her expression was tight and serious. Her features were also a bit depressed.
"...In a manner of speaking, I am immortal," Alu said finally. "But, sadly, I'm not immune to pain so I try to avoid physical damage as much as possible if I can help it," she sighed. "I'm more like a reverse uno card, if anything in a battle of strategy," she added, knowing that even if Dazai didn't say it out loud, he was probably already calculating her worth in the war down to a 'hand' to play.
"Well, this is quite a card for us to have in our hand," Dazai mused, gazing at Alu, as though confirming her suspicion.
Alu felt a shiver. Why did his eyes locked on her feel like cold ice being dumped down her back? There were times when he honestly did share some mannerisms with Mori Ougai. Ironically even if he refused to see it. But, she sensed something else. She just couldn't place it.
"Oh…I should probably say," she said, holding her hands up. "I'm a neutral party…I'm not going to fight anyone."
Yosano blinked. "That's not possible at this point. You've alienated the Port Mafia, and The Guild seemed keen to get their hands on you according to Ranpo."
"Oh yeah, I may have had a chat with a few of their members," Alu said brightly. "Yeah, two of their members got into it with the Port Mafia and I stepped in to stop Akutagawa from turning them into Sashimi," she said brightly.
Dazai's eyes widened. "You… got involved with Akutagawa?"
The surprise was there and apparent.
Yosano herself looked baffled. "When was this?"
"This was the other day when Fukuzawa was marked," Alu recapped. "I happened upon him actually by chance on my way from my scuffle with Akutagawa."
"So when you were beat up the other day, that was Akutagawa's doing?" Dazai asked, lightly.
Alu pursed her lips. She could tell what was going on in that guy's brain. It was pretty obvious. He didn't seem to have a very high opinion of Akutagawa and for some reason was irritated that Alu got into a scuffle with him? "That little ring leader is named Scott Fitzgerald," Alu continued, to Yosano, ignoring Dazai. "He probably heard about me from those two."
Dazai pouted.
"Considering Akutagawa's ability, I do have to wonder how you came out alright, even with your own unique skill," Yosano agreed, frowning at Alu. "Dazai warned every one of us at the agency about Akutagawa's skill, Rashomon. And you stated yourself that your healing capability still takes time."
Alu sighed. "Akutagawa was not my enemy."
Dazai's eyes flickered. "He isn't…huh? Then what is he?"
Alu gazed at Dazai. "What does that matter to you, not like you care?"
Well, Dazai should have expected the unexpected especially when it came to this person. But caring about Akutagawa? Dazai was quiet. It was obvious that Alu had directed that question at him in order to determine his own honest feelings in this matter. She sounded disapproving of Dazai's inquiry? Dazai could read people pretty well and it felt like she didn't seem to particularly like Dazai? Huh… True, Dazai didn't particularly care about Akutagawa, but this person did care and that's where Dazai's own rub was coming in on the mental traintracks of the Sensical Station.
He was just silent. Uncharacteristically so. Even Yosano sensed something was up. Yosano gazed at Dazai. "Your healing ability is pretty remarkable. You may be hunted for it once word spreads."
She frowned but Alu popped up into Yosano's face like a whack-a-mole. "So, my clothes?" She asked brightly.
Yosano blinked and just nodded. She and Dazai could tell this young woman wasn't born yesterday. She knew the danger of revealing such an ability but she did it in order to save Ranpo's life. Even they couldn't deny that she was an enigma wrapped in a cosmic burrito. That was how Ranpo had described her.
Ranpo liked food and it looked like perhaps a cosmic burrito had just made it into his favorites list, but Yosano and Dazai would tease Ranpo about that later. He had actually been pretty neutral about discussing anything further on Alu since a few days ago. The plot was only thickening.
Alu was given the chance to actually take a shower and boy, was Alu's body so ready for that!
Alu got changed in the bathroom that she was shown by Yosano. It was an actual bathroom too. She had the chance to actually bathe which was awesome. Alu came out dressed now in a black long sleeved turtleneck top, comfortable dark blue jeans, sturdy boots like the ones she had before, and a long grey coat. Braiding her hair in the mirror, Alu hummed.
While things were still tense with the Port Mafia and The Guild, at least she finally had the ADA no longer assuming she was out to hurt them. The hug however from Fukuzawa…. had been completely unexpected. Alu giggled to herself though, thinking about it now, bemused. Ranpo's huggy nature must have rubbed off on the president, she inwardly thought, good-naturedly. She could tell that the 'steel samurai' had trouble expressing himself as it was, but it meant something that he had apologized for how he had been behaving in his own way.
Now though, things were only heating up with the Guild front. Alu took a deep breath. She didn't know exactly to what level Ranpo had been able to analyze her still. She made a note to go pay him a little visit. As for the notebooks, Alu wondered if Dazai had snagged both of them. He was pretty nosy and honestly, she wouldn't put it past him.
Not that he would find much in the red notebook, but Alu knew she wanted the blue one returned. Stepping outside of the bathroom now, she saw Yosano, casually leaning against the opposite wall. "Oh, were you waiting long?" Alu asked, furrowing her brow. "I didn't realize…"
"It's cool," Yosano said, holding up a hand with a friendly smile. "After everything the least you were owed was time to T.L.C. right?"
"Appreciated," Alu said, with a small chuckle. "Ah, that reminds me…did you happen to be in possession of two small notebooks I had on my person?"
"I had them both," Yosano said, gesturing. "Don't worry, I didn't pry…much."
Alu smiled with a bemused sigh. "So naturally, you read them both?"
"Naturally," Yosano humorously nodded. "I kept your red notebook but it would seem, Dazai snuck off with the blue one…my apologies." She brandished the little red notebook now, and trotted over, to hand it to Alu. Alu took the notebook, pocketing it. She sounded actually a little guilty confessing that but Alu just blinked.
Oh? That guy made off with Kyouka's notebook?
Alu sighed a mushroom cloud. She had plans actually regarding that notebook but of course Dazai would find some way to stick mud to it. "It's fine. He strikes me as the kind of guy to steal other peoples' things," she deadpanned.
She followed Yosano as Yosano walked with her down the hall. They went down the flight of stairs for a few levels as they talked. "What was in that blue notebook…" Yosano was quiet but she tapped her heel, pausing on the stairs. She looked at Alu. Alu blinked. Yosano's expression was hard to discern. "Did you put that girl up to writing all of that?" she asked, and it was hard to say what tone Yosano was taking on. It was subdued and wry.
Alu frowned. "Put her up to writing? Well, yeah, I told her to put down her honest thoughts…because I find when your mind is a sea of unexpressed emotions it can get a bit overwhelming…why?"
"Nothing," Yosano said, and continued to walk, turning her back to Alu. Alu was confused at Yosano's odd behavior. "I just have to wonder…how you know so much about the Port Mafia."
Alu appreciated the blunt directness. It would seem even though she had earned the trust of the president, Ranpo, and on some level Dazai, that she hadn't blindly won the trust of the other members. Maybe Kenji, but he was a good kid anyhow. Of course, he may trust an axe murderer with a heart of fool's gold so honestly, probably not the best example to be referencing. "Did Ranpo or Dazai put you up to this interrogation?" Alu couldn't help but ask, bemused.
"No," Yosano stopped at a particular door and put her hand on the handle, where the stairwell would lead to an exit into another hallway of this particular building. "I am asking of my own volition."
"To be honest, there's a lot I don't know about the Port Mafia," Alu furrowed her brow. She sighed, stopping on the bottom step of the current stairwell she was on. She ran her hand down the side rail, as she spoke, subdued. "I don't know a lot about this city, in all honesty. I just know that there are people that hurt. It doesn't matter the side they're on. Good or Bad…people…are sometimes just people…"
"How do you know their leader?" Yosano's question was quiet.
Alu paused.
She gazed at Yosano's head. Yosano had her back to Alu, but Alu could see she was gripping the handle of the door fiercely in her gloved hand. Alu's eyes flickered. She didn't know how much she should divulge in all honesty. But, she could sense that Yosano was struggling with something. An internal conflict of guilt and something that Alu couldn't actually quite discern. Her soul felt like it was burning with unaddressed feelings regarding the Port Mafia, that man Mori Ougai…and Alu?
Alu tilted her head. Ah. So that was it.
"You…worried about me going up against that guy, huh, Miss Yosano?" she said softly.
Yosano grit her teeth, and finally she turned to glare at Alu. "Of course I-!" Her eyes widened. Alu was smiling apologetically at her, leaning on the rail of the staircase with both hands.
"You're an incredibly sweet person," Alu said softly. "You're a good person who values the lives of others…I appreciate your concern but you don't need to worry about me. I'm used to it-with being on my own." She gave Yosano a reassuring smile. It was light and airy, dismissive.
Yosano felt her heart twist. "Don't…say that."
She was upset.
Alu just moved and hugged Yosano. Yosano's eyes widened. Alu just hugged Yosano around her arms, her own hands patting Yosano's back. They were around the same height. Yosano's breath hitched. She grit her teeth, and Alu just pulled back after a moment. "I know that person because of Atsushi-kun, actually," Alu confessed brightly. "Back when that girl, Montgomery attacked, it was actually that old pervy man who assisted Atsushi-kun and gave Atsushi-kun the strength he needed to thwart her plan."
Yosano's brow furrowed. "You told the president the same story," she sighed finally, after searching Alu's face-no doubt for more clues.
Alu nodded.
The less they knew about the actual truth, the better it was for their brains to not fry like Ranpo's, lol.
"It's true," Alu said cheerfully. "I thought he was just a creepy old weirdo, but there's no way someone with the K.I. that guy possessed was a mere small doctor running his own 'little outfit' as he put it," she crossed her arms, gazing at Yosano. "I mean, thinking he ran the Port Mafia fits a saturday morning cartoon villain like him," she added.
Yosano pursed her lips.
Her face tightened a little. She almost wanted to laugh. This person was confident. This person was an enigma. Somehow, this person had managed to help keep the balance so far in this war against both the Port Mafia and The Guild. Ranpo was back in commission however, and Yosano knew this person could self-heal which would be incredibly beneficial for what they were up against.
"By any chance…did Dazai say what he was going to do with that Blue Notebook?" Alu sighed, furrowing her brow at Yosano, frowning.
Yosano blinked. "I have no idea," she admitted. She noted how Alu changed topics as naturally as the tide pulled back to sea. But, it was refreshing and Yosano was grateful for the conversation shift.
Alu inwardly groaned. That meant only one thing. She'd have to ask the devil himself the next time they crossed paths. Although Alu had a hunch. Yosano opened the door finally and Alu and her exited the stairwell, heading instead for a room.
Alu stepped inside it. She looked around. Gathered were the members of the ADA, the president, and Ranpo. They were doing their own thing, but looked up when Alu stepped in with Yosano. Alu noted that Dazai was not present. Huh, he must have run off to read that blue notebook. Oh well.
Kenji brightened up, smiling at Alu. "Alu-chan! You look great!"
Alu waved at him. "Kenji-chan! You're still alive!" she cheerfully countered, joking.
Kenji laughed at her morbid sense of humor.
Tanizaki and Naomi sighed comically. That sense of humor was something else. They could tell immediately that she was definitely someone unpredictable. Kunikida held a manila folder in his hand, as he was with the president who was sitting right now at a desk. Ranpo had been leaning against the desk, discussing something but when Alu and Yosano entered, he looked up.
He wasn't wearing his glasses.
But it looked like he got his hat replaced to complete his little 'Sherley Holmeez' look that he had going on. Ranpo's expression was unreadable. But his eyes opened, as they gazed at Alu. Alu wondered why he was being so serious. It didn't feel like Ranpo. No he was supposed to be annoying and whiny. Not, whatever this brooding serious thing was. Alu wanted to kill it. Kill it with fire. She scratched her head, glancing at Yosano.
"So…this is her, huh?" Naomi was the one to speak up first, gazing at Alu from where she was hugging her brother like she was a scarf and he was the victim.
What a warm greeting, Alu smiled at her, not quite sure what to make of her either, honestly. She knew the siblings were cuddly. "You're Naomi-chan, I take it?"
"Yes," Naomi said, tilting her head. "You're the one who saved my life, so thanks for that, I guess." She didn't sound rude, just awkward.
Alu glanced at the ginger Tanizaki who was gazing at her now. It was hard to discern what he was thinking. But, he got up from his chair, and Naomi blinked, letting her brother go. Tanizaki came over to where Alu stood with Yosano. Then, he gazed at Alu with a sincerity in his gaze. "You saved my sister's life. Thank you."
Alu sweated. Okay, she actually wasn't great with praise or recognition. "Ah, don't mention it," she said, feeling every single pair of eyes on her and it was more disconcerting than walking into a pitch-black cave with nothing but bats staring at you….
"Let's not crowd her," Fukuzawa said, crossly.
The other members heeded his command, and Tanizaki just nodded, returning to his chair where Naomi glomped back onto him. Alu thought they were very cuddly. Yeah, we're going with just that. Okay.
Yosano herself stepped over to where Kunikida and Ranpo were hovering near the president.
Alu could tell Ranpo was still observing her. But he wasn't wearing his glasses. So he wasn't analyzing her necessarily using his powers of deduction. Probably for the best if he didn't do it again. Alu's eyes just searched Ranpo for any signs of injury but there were none so she was relieved. "You're really alright," She breathed out, smiling at Ranpo. "I'm glad!"
Ranpo's expression was a bit tight with her words. He just gazed at her, before he moved away from Fukuzawa, stepping closer to her. He still kept space between them, but Alu could tell he was contemplating something. The others as well were just eyeing her, waiting for something to happen, so it would appear.
"You as well, you're not dead, so that's good," Ranpo said awkwardly.
Alu blinked. Was that his attempt at acknowledging he had been worried about her? Alu pursed her lips and then she giggled. "I think it's a good day when we can both state we're both not dead, don't you agree?" she humorously grinned at him.
Ranpo huffed, fiddling with his hat. "...You took those bullets on my behalf…a normal person, would have been gravely injured, and quite possibly, died."
Ah, that was rather direct. The others thought so too, and Fukuzawa was seriously wondering if he should interject into this awkward turn of conversation. But Alu just scratched her head. Then she spoke. "But knowing you, you already deduced that I'm not normal. Oh! How's your head? I wouldn't recommend trying to use your Super Deduction on me again unless you want yourself over computing again…" she replied cheerfully. "Even I can't guarantee my previous method will be enough…"
Only Kenji seemed to share her positive energy right now, them both smiling though for different reasons.
The others had to agree with her suggestion this time around. Ranpo's eyes flickered. Ranpo just nodded at Alu. "You want to know what I shared with everyone, from what I was able to deduce?"
Alu nodded. She didn't know what Ranpo had been able to deduce actually. A part of her was concerned but she could tell without saying anything, despite the tense air between Ranpo and herself that momentarily whipped up, that he was actually considering her feelings. How odd.
"I told them about your immortality," Ranpo bluntly stated. "We are aware of your special skill, though beyond that," he scratched his head, disgruntled, taking off his hat. "Admittedly, if I did try to deduce anything further…my brain really will fry." he deadpanned, disgruntled. He actually sagged, shoulders slumping as he sweated a bit comically. "I thought my brain was jello… and I like jello!" He complained, whining.
Alu pursed her lips. If she laughed, would she get in trouble? "That is…unfortunate," she said politely. She didn't mention that his brain could be made from jello to begin with.
He shook his head. He put the hat back on his head. He put his hands on his hips with a huff, gazing at Alu. "But don't think this means I plan to back down from your curious case! I'm Edogawa Ranpo, this world's #1 Detective!"
Alu smiled at Ranpo. "Yeah, I know," she said with a small chuckle, finding Ranpo's heated declaration a relief because it meant that he was his usual self. Ranpo was not someone to give up on a case that was of interest to him. A lot of cases were solved a bit too quickly for Ranpo's unique mind but this person was different. Someone with a real case to crack had just crossed Ranpo Edogawa's path. Ranpo pouted heavily. The others thought he was actually blushing. No, it must be a trick of the light. But then again…
"I have a question for you," Ranpo said suddenly, demeanor uncharacteristically serious.
Everyone gazed at him. Even Kunikida knew not to interrupt and he was a man who valued putting in his two cents all the time.
Alu gazed at Ranpo. "Yeah?" she asked, tilting her head.
"...Would you consider becoming the first official Foreign Ambassador of the Armed Detective Agency?" Ranpo's eyes glinted an Emerald hue and the gaze he gave her was fierce.
Alu's eyes widened. "Huh?!" She deadpanned, because honestly, was that even a thing? That was news to her. It showed comically all over her face.
