Assignment 20 : What Will Break Can Mend With Courage To Start Again

"Good ~ day, Kouyou-Aneesan!" Dazai cheerfully said, bebopping into Kouyou's detainment cell with a knock.

Kouyou had been serving herself some tea and she looked up, seeing Dazai in a sling. "Oh my, is that from a slighted ex?" Kouyou cheekily quipped at him.

"Ah, you could say that," Dazai countered, "But let's just say, 'The Guild' isn't exactly my type~" he dramatically dropped his voice in a comic manner as he cheekily responded.

Kouyou blinked. "They really are stepping up their attacks," she frowned, gazing with what sounded like actual concern at Dazai.

Dazai furrowed his brow. "My, my, is that a note of concern in your voice?" He teased, the door shut now. It was still unlocked. Not like Kouyou planned to run.

"...You were part of the Family once, you know," Kouyou said, sighing, looking away. "Perhaps some dregs do remain in this cold heart of mine."

Dazai was quiet.

Then he chuckled. "Oh? Don't tell me you're falling for me? That's a scary thought-!"

Kouyou comically threw her book at his head. It hit him in the side of his head and Dazai saw small stars. "Ow! Anee-san! That hurts you know!" he whined, rubbing his head with his uninjured hand.

"I wouldn't fall for a brat," Kouyou cheekily quipped. "I prefer a real man."

"Ah, ouch," Dazai smiled just putting the book from the ground and onto the dresser. "I'd say my thoughts on your taste in men but then I may actually die, ~lol~" He gazed at the dresser, his back to Kouyou.

She was pointing daggers at him if he mentioned anything in regards to Mori and Dazai actually had plans to live today, funnily enough. Dazai had been thinking about a lot of stuff. But now, he turned to Kouyou.

"So, a little birdy told me you had a chat with that interesting woman~" Actually, Dazai had just read the little blue notebook he'd snagged from Yosano when Yosano wasn't looking. Hopefully that girl, Alu, wouldn't be too upset as long as he returned it. He was used to dealing with angry librarians who chased you down for that overdue book …so that person couldn't be that much different….hehehe.

Kouyou blinked. Of course Dazai would come around. She'd been anticipating it. She tilted her head at him. "We did. We exchanged our girliest secrets and braided each other's hair!" she said brightly.

"Haha…really? I'm jealous. Invite me next time," he beamed.

"It's a girls only thing…who has a boy at a girl's slumber party?" Kouyou deadpanned, quirking a brow.

"Then broaden that horizon!" Dazai pouted.

Kouyou just rolled her eyes. "Having you at a slumber party with any women would only lead to little natural disasters," she mused out loud.

Dazai sweated comically. His expression was honestly hysterical. "Um…how exactly do you see me, Big sis Kouyou?" he simpered. "I am actually a careful and considerate young man, I'll have you know."

Kouyou just sat on the edge of her bed, sipping her tea. "It doesn't seem to me like it's my opinion you're actually interested in, at the moment," she humorously deflected. Dazai was amusing but she knew the real reason he was here. He wanted information. And Kouyou had something so juicy. Of course, she wouldn't just give it for free~ She'd make Dazai work for it. She smiled behind her tea, feeling mischievous.

"Is this gonna be another lecture on how a girls' slumber party is equivalent to spilling Port Mafia secrets or something?" Dazai whined, looking like he was gearing for a childish tantrum.

"Hm, not exactly," Kouyou smirked at Dazai. "But, you know, you did come up in conversation?" she hummed. ""That girl said some interesting…things….."

She glanced and saw Dazai's sparkly eyed anticipating expression. It was so bright it was blinding. To be honest, it was a bit turned up to a level that not even Kouyou imagined possible for someone who was normally cool, dark, and reserved like Dazai tended to be. Well, the way she remembered him, anyways. He was a bit goofier around those Armed Detective Agency members.

But it wasn't like him to just 'wear' his emotions on his sleeve. Kouyou could tell it was an act. But at the same time, the way he was looking at her like a puppy waiting for a juicy steak was a tad…unexpected.

"I don't know…do you have anything that is worth disclosing that information for?" Kouyou playfully teased, eyes glinting mischievously at Dazai.

They could pass for chaotic siblings at that moment. An older sister teasing her little brother about his crush's true feelings or something even. Maybe in some universe, they could actually be friends, possibly. Dazai caught Kouyou's playfulness and he pouted though he was inwardly honestly impressed with the impression Alu had left on Kouyou of all people. Kouyou was pretty jaded-even with Dazai's input- and yet she felt different somehow? It was clear she held Alu in some higher regard than even Dazai anticipated.

Man, this made Dazai really want to get closer to Alu even more now! And yet, she seemed to give him the cold shoulder and keep him at arm's length. This made Dazai pout heavily. It was like his charms weren't working on her! Not like he needed to flirt or anything with her, but forget romance. She didn't seem interested in being even just friends with him. And what was with caring about Akutagawa and Chuuya over him?

Dazai was frustrated.

Kouyou could tell Dazai was actually irritated. Mister Composure seemed to be slipping a little when it came to the mention of that girl, that was for certain. Kouyou thought that was actually incredibly adorable but also incredibly disadvantageous to someone like Dazai Osamu. Of course, if Mori did do anything to that girl now- that Dazai was clearly involved on some emotional level to her-Kouyou had no doubt that Mori may just end up in a body bag. It was a terrifying thought but not one Kouyou would sadly put past Dazai. Neither would the rest of the Port Mafia.

There was a reason that Dazai Osamu was feared and revered in the Port Mafia as being a legend. There was a reason Mori wanted to have Dazai come back to the Port Mafia Leadership. There was a reason he let him live even after defecting all those years ago. Why he defected was a mystery to Kouyou. The Boss didn't really talk much about his personal relationship with Dazai. But it was clear that the Boss coveted Dazai's attention to a somewhat borderline unhealthy level.

And yet, Kouyou couldn't help but wonder if even someone as detached and uncaring about attachments to anything like Dazai was capable of succumbing to a 'Tale as old as Time' as it would seem he was outwardly, in regards to his need to chase this young woman. How amusing.

The question was if he even realized the possibility that he may actually have a crush on her yet.

Kouyou wasn't sure if someone like Osamu Dazai was even capable of the emotion 'love' in any capacity or form. He may have a more caring and nurturing nature that he didn't possess prior to leaving the Port Mafia, but that in itself felt like something he was still struggling with deep inside of himself.

Kouyou's eyes flickered.

One's own worst enemy was always themself. Love from the outside? Sometimes it wasn't enough to reach the coldest recesses of a person's soul. It was even harder to love from within one's own heart if it was a cold place to begin with, a desert devoid of life itself. Love was something that not even Kouyou had quite figured out herself.

But that girl warmed the coldest of bones with her own ability-whatever that was. Kouyou gazed at her tea set for a moment, thoughtful. She had a feeling Dazai wouldn't tell her anything more about that person considering who Kouyou worked for. It was fine. Kouyou actually preferred to be in the dark on this matter. The less she knew about the girl, the less likely she would have to use it against her in battle when the time came for them to inevitably fight in the future.

Kouyou found the mystery of the girl's relationship with Dazai just so fascinating, regardless. Although, Kouyou mused on how that girl had made it clear that she had no interest in him in a romantic sense. But, his hope that she had talked -most likely positive- about him was…adorably misplaced, regardless.

"I may have something," Dazai said cheerfully. He held up a small blue book and grinned at Kouyou. "You're not the only one who wants to know what a girl is thinking about them~" he teased her back.

"Cute but I don't have a woman in my life," Kouyou rolled her eyes. "And that young woman and I are not even friends."

"Ooooh," Dazai's eyes widened. "Are you saying that you have been thinking about her and your relationship status?" He waggled his eyebrows at Kouyou.

"I wish I could stab you," Kouyou rolled her eyes with an almost annoyed 'sisterly' sigh. "No. You understand as well as I do. In the Port Mafia, all unnecessary attachments must be severed." But when she spoke, it had a resigned sad lilt to it.

Dazai pursed his lips. He understood those rules well. It was not following them however that had saved Dazai…to some degree. Perhaps not following them would help save Kouyou as well. Haha, Dazai never said he was a perfect role model. But teaching someone how to 'play hookie' when it came to the Port Mafia lifestyle? Could be fun.

"True," Dazai nodded. "But I think people are stronger when they hang onto all those attachments instead of giving up, don't you? After all, you could have cut ties to Kyouka-chan but you haven't. You have no reason to care so much about her but you do…" He smiled a small genuine well-meaning rare smile and Kouyou could tell without a doubt that being at the ADA had changed this man-to some scary degree. "Because you have a good heart that hasn't completely turned its back on the suffering of someone else."

He just trotted over, and pressed the book towards Kouyou. Kouyou took the blue notebook. She didn't know what was written inside it. And she wasn't quite sure what to make of this 'reformed' Dazai Osamu. He was actually more off-putting when he was being nice. But, it felt similar to that strange young lady. It wasn't actually a terrible feeling. But suddenly she made a distinct connection between these two.

The nature of their warmth.

Both felt like a flame that was burning despite all the cold air that threatened to snuff out that flickering fire's warmth.

They were both determined to stand for something.

"You are still up to your mind games of making no sense…" she chided Dazai, as she opened the blue notebook. Her voice caught in her throat. In her hands was Kyouka's writing. These were her words. Kouyou recognized the girl's penmanship. It wasn't even the fact that Kyouka's name was written in the top corner of the inside of the binding.

"I'll give you a moment," Dazai said, stepping back politely. His expression was uncharacteristically soft and yet still hard to discern.


Alu made sure her mouth was not hanging open.

Check.

Everyone was still staring at her.

Sadly, also check.

Alu was at a loss for words. She was usually pretty good at predicting people and while she expected Ranpo to 'pop the question' it had not been like this. At all. That phrasing as well, was still computing in her brain.

Kunikida wanted to say something but a look from the president was keeping him contained. Barely. His ponytail was twitching in a funny comical zigzag that indicated he wanted to speak and was sworn to silence.

The Tanizaki twins gazed at Alu while Yosano and Ranpo waited for her response.

"Ambassador…of the …what now?" Alu found herself finally saying, sweating comically, shoulders dropping. She felt her lower jaw twitching as her eyes were as she tried to wrap her mind around what it was Ranpo was proposing exactly. He may as well have gotten on one knee and asked her that way and Alu's reaction would have still been the same. Alu wondered if she must be in an alternate universe. Had she made a wrong turn somewhere? Ah, a serious Ranpo was truly something to behold.

Ranpo spoke. "You have implied before that you don't take 'sides'...but as you're also a foreigner, so…Ta~Da~!" Ranpo threw up his arms with a childish smirk, "I wanted to give you the option to still 'represent' the ADA without having to give up your claim as a free agent. " His excitement switched quickly as he continued to explain. "As a foreign ambassador, you could gain the same protections offered to the domestic members and it's more of a formal title than anything. It's there only to protect you from other organizations that may seek to exploit you."

It was patient, calm, actually serious and definitely disturbing Alu on so many levels because he actually sounded mature.

Alu crossed her arms, resting her chin on her index finger, as she processed this. "So what you're saying is… I'd get a formal title that grants me certain privileges and rites in this country, so to speak-despite being a foreigner- while at the same time being committed in a 'noncommittal' way to your organization in particular. By extension, that sends a message to others who may seek to claim me that I'm already under the protection of the ADA?" she clarified, blinking at Ranpo.

Kunikida looked like he was getting a headache trying to translate all that.

Junichirou Tanizaki just gave up.

Kenji smiled, just resting his head in his arms at the table he was sitting at.

Yosano and Fukuzawa exchanged glances. They were admittedly impressed. But not surprised. It was obvious that this girl was someone who was on a level that rivalled both Ranpo and Dazai after all. Even Ranpo seemed pleased that Alu got the gist without him having to explain it again.

"So what do you say?" Ranpo grinned, spreading his arms wide. "Pretty neat huh? I came up with it so that you could avoid being deported mostly," he said cheerfully.

Alu pursed her lips. Actually, he did bring up a valid point. Alu was technically here illegally although she couldn't exactly tell them that she wasn't from this world, itself. She technically had no citizenship, anywhere. Clearly Ranpo thought she was from the 'America' of this world. Considering his brain was only just fixed, Alu didn't want it to melt again, haha.

"Ah, but don't your members have to pass some entrance exam or something?" she asked, furrowing her brow.

"Protecting Ranpo's life from The Head of the Guild itself counts as an automatic pass," Fukuzawa deadpanned immediately.

Ah, well, Alu could understand that logic but she scratched her head. "It wasn't a test at the time," she said, "I don't feel right taking something I haven't earned."

The other members knew at that moment that she was a perfect candidate for their agency. It showed on all of their faces. Ranpo spoke up, hilariously a bit impatient. "You've been helping us out without asking for anything in return. Besides, at this organization, we don't ask just anyone to join! We want you not for your ability but for who you are as a person! Just say yes already!" He puffed out his cheeks, indignant.

Alu pursed her lips.

Fukuzawa casually facepalmed along with Yosano. Ah, Ranpo, it was his idea and yet it was crashing about as well as they thought it would with him being the one to propose it. Haha. He had insisted on being the one to bring it up. Maybe that hadn't been such a smart call considering Ranpo was getting worked up and it didn't take a lot for him to find something to tantrum about on a good day.

The hardest part about a proposal was always waiting for the answer. Alu gazed at Ranpo, trying to determine the most polite way to respond to his offer. It wasn't a bad offer. A part of Alu could consider it beneficial.

She bowed. "I must decline, but thank you for the consideration," she finally said.

Ranpo's expression twisted into disbelief and comical horror. "Huh!? Why?! It is 'proofed' against any enemy that may seek you out, takes care of immunity on foreign soil and we won't ask you to limit your scope to just us, or are you having trouble understanding that part?" he flapped his arms, bouncing around Alu now, incredulous and scoffing. He reminded Alu of a deranged turkey about to have its head cut off.

She wanted to make a quip about 'not losing one's head' but kept it internalized.

Alu gazed at Ranpo who was beginning to tantrum. There he was. Good old Ranpo. Alu straightened up and she stepped towards Ranpo, stopping a few feet away, clasping her hands behind her back. "I don't help in order to put you all in a position of responsibility for my own sake. I appreciate it, but if I accept this, then I will no longer be impartial no matter how you try to discern it," she said, apologetic.

Kunikida growled. "So that's it then? Just 'no'? We get you're noncommittal to any one side being an outside party to begin with, but in this city if you're an ability user, you need a proper licence in order to operate. Why do you think that presumptuous foreigner, Fitzgerald, came to our president when he first arrived?"

Alu knew pointing out what she could do wasn't an ability exactly would just make everyones' heads implode so she opted to minimise the brain damage in favour of having operational agents. Instead, she steered the conversation like a captain on a ship. She was good at that.

"I take it he tried to buy you out, huh? He said as much when we crossed paths," Alu said, remembering what Fitzgerald had disclosed to her and Ranpo the other day.

"He did try," Fukuzawa sighed. "Naturally, I rejected his money," Fukuzawa said, gazing at Alu.

Alu smiled. She knew Fukuzawa used to be an assassin samurai for the government. Most likely everyone in the ADA knew. But, she tilted her head. "I know, considering you're not someone who thinks a life is worth less than financial incentive," she said gazing at Fukuzawa. "If you were still like you were in the past, an assassin of the government killing and just following orders… you wouldn't have ever become head of the ADA, right?" She didn't mention his reason for changing had actually been because of Ranpo, but she didn't have to. She knew the ADA wasn't perfect, no agency was. But they didn't put human lives below financial gain to the best of their ability.

Everyones' eyes widened. Alu spoke so directly and yet, she touched on Fukuzawa's past like they were just discussing the weather. Though in this case, it felt more like she had just casually kicked the topic of 'Global Warming' into the president's face.

Fukuzawa was quiet. He looked away. This person knew about his past and just casually mentioned it? Ranpo had already mentioned to the others that she knew about them all to a certain degree but beyond that, even he didn't know the extent. Fukuzawa felt both uncomfortable and yet at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to be completely put off by the fact she knew about his past.

Actually, it gave him a small sense of relief. It meant that who she was addressing in the present was his true self, not just 'president' Fukuzawa, but Yukichi Fukuzawa himself. "You give me too much credit. There are times when our organization has to turn away certain cases due to lack of funding and resources in our own department." He closed his eyes, his emotions mixed on this person, despite knowing she was not an enemy. He knew about his past as an assassin for hire. He wondered if she knew about Ranpo's past too. And who else's past by extension.

"True, you can't take on every case that comes your way… but you don't put money above the life of another person. You can't always save everyone and there are times you have to pick and choose those cases just like your own battles..." Alu acknowledged. Fukuzawa actually didn't know if that made him feel any better, to be honest. But she spoke with a maturity that went beyond her physical years. They most certainly went beyond his own and he wasn't too prideful to admit that to himself.

Fukuzawa and the others gazed at her. "Whoa, so profound," Kenji commented, gazing at Tanizaki and Naomi. "I like her! Can we keep her?"

"That's up to her, you know," Tanizaki sighed, but he found himself staring a bit too at her. Naomi was not thrilled about this, and her eyes narrowed. She sat on her brother's lap. Tanizaki made a small noise of blushing bewilderment.

"I can be profound too!" she declared, huffing. But she had to admit inwardly that Alu certainly was a remarkable enigma of a woman. Naomi felt a little inferior compared to her. With Yosano, she and Naomi had their own strengths and weaknesses but Yosano had natural seniority. With this person just waltzing into the mix, it felt like that status quo was being shaken up.

And Tanizaki was clearly interested in talking more with that person. Naomi pouted. That wouldn't do.

"You hold the ADA in high regard, so that's more reason for you to want and join, isn't it?" Kunikida found himself gruffly asking. "Especially since you understand the nature of our work isn't always about 'fixing' what's broken."

"True, something that is broken …can't always be fixed," Alu admitted. Her eyes flickered.

She looked contemplative and wistful. However, she tilted her head at Kunikida, with a tiny meek smile. "But I think 'mend' is a better term, to describe this place and what it has the capability of becoming."

"That's…your idealistic vision for the ADA," Kunikida huffed, despite himself. "We're not always going to match up to that ideal of yours…I'm telling you that right now." He was blunt and direct. There was no sugar-coating.

Fukuzawa grimaced.

Ranpo didn't exactly help matters. "This place isn't about fixing the messed up lives of other people! We're a detective agency that solves cases that law enforcement can't take on themselves because they're pretty useless without us!" Ranpo huffed and pouted, putting his hands on his hips and squinting at Alu, like a 5'7 man-child. Alu didn't know if she was relieved or irritated to see him back to his normal self, honestly. Maybe she fixed him too soon…just kidding.

Alu ignored him, lmao.

"What does 'mend' mean to you, Kunikida?" Alu asked, gazing directly at the jaded blonde of the ADA. A man with a lot of heart even if it was a little bit bruised.

Ranpo felt jilted but when he opened his mouth, he caught the stare that Fukuzawa was giving him. Ranpo's mouth comically shut again.

"Mend…?" Kunikida frowned, like he wasn't quite registering Alu's analogy.

"Fixing implies that the problem is resolved and won't happen again," Alu clarified to Kunikida. "But life…isn't about the 'quick fix'," she smiled at Kunikida. "I think you get what I'm saying, to some degree."

Kunikida gazed at her. She stepped over to him now, hands clasped behind her back, just smiling at him. Kunikida could feel a battle of philosophies coming and yet, his ideals were being challenged in a non-hostile manner by this person.

Kunikida's expression tightened.

"Our agency has its limits, just like people do. Sometimes, an assignment doesn't turn out as planned. Say what you like about trying to mend something. Even I learned the hard way that one can't fix something once it's lost for good." Kunikida's own mind flashed to a dark haired woman.

One that died from a bullet. A gun that may not have been Kunikida's gun to fire but had none-the-less been fired by someone Kunikida had once thought he could help. This was back during the Azure Apostle Case.

A young man, Rokuzo Taguchi, a hacker that worked for the agency, died protecting Kunikida from a woman named Sasaki Nobuko. Kunikida and Dazai were on the case, trying to track down the one responsible for bombings and the murders of innocent victims. Kunikida failed to save some gas chamber victims. But even more so, he was only alive because of sheer luck. He had been saved by Rokuzo who ended up shooting the true culprit-Sasaki herself.

That woman, Sasaki Nobuko had been revealed to be the lover of the Azure King, and she was getting revenge against a cruel world that was unjust. In an ideal world, perhaps Kunikida could have helped her heal from the loss she struggled with, losing the Azure King. But…life is grim and Kunikida couldn't save her in the end. He also couldn't save the boy. Those deaths still weighed heavy on his heart.

But Kunikida internalized them. He had to accept that life isn't fair and roll with the punches.

His steely blue gaze peered at Alu now, past his frames. His slanted frown was clear as the disapproving creases in his brow as he just gazed at Alu. He was admittedly a little frustrated with her cheerful optimistic view. It wasn't that he wanted to dislike her. It was just that she reminded him a bit too much about how he used to be back when he was still naive and a bit blind to the way things worked in the real world.

Ranpo stepped back, watching Alu's conversation with Kunikida unfold. Fukuzawa and Yosano observed as well. Their expressions were both reserved. Fukuzawa didn't want Kunikida to rub the young lady the wrong way but Ranpo actually gave him a look and small head shake that made Fukuzawa's intent to break up the tension between Kunikida and Alu less prominent.

Kunikida had failed to save not one life but two that fateful day. And it still haunted him. This person was too bright. She was someone who clearly didn't understand what true loss actually felt like otherwise, she too would understand that certain things just couldn't be 'mended.' "It's not a bad…sentiment, the thought of being able to mend what's broken," Kunikida admitted, gruffly. "

"I know that as well, but…whatever assignments you do take on," Alu gazed at Kunikida as she spoke. "Exhibit that you still rely on your own strength and trust in your fellow agents to try to strive for a better outcome no matter how futile it feels," she turned away, and Kunikida looked down. "You displayed that when you placed your faith in Atsushi back then on that mafia transport vessel!"

Kunikida remembered that time. Atsushi had wanted to make a difference no matter what the consequences would be. In a way, he had helped Kunikida remember a little bit why he'd joined the ADA in the first place. Kunikida's stern cerulean gaze felt like looking at the top of a running current in a fast-paced stream. A few shades of blue mixed with something murky underneath.

He found he couldn't look her in the face. She was too bright. It was a conversation originally directed at Fukuzawa but now it was targeting Kunikida? This person had a scary way with words and controlling the flow of a conversation naturally like breathing air.

Kunikida wondered just what kind of foreigner this person even was to get involved with a city like Yokohama in the first place. She may not be a threat anymore to the ADA but he just couldn't shake this jaded little naggy voice in the back of his mind. She was still a foreigner. What if she was just trying to lure them all into a false sense of security? He had failed to save lives in the past because he had been too trusting, naive, and under-experienced.

The difference between becoming wiser and more jaded?

Kunikida honestly felt like he'd just become a mix of both.

It was true, he acknowledged to himself that it had been Atsushi who had managed to save Kyouka then from Akutagawa despite the odds. Atsushi rocked that boat that Kunikida himself had been too scared to. But now Kyouka was back in government hands.

In the formal meeting between Kunikida, Dazai, and Fukuzawa that had been held prior to greeting Alu when she woke up, Dazai theorised as much since Alu was alone and Ranpo had helped Alu escape from Fitzgerald the other day. Dazai also theorised that Atsushi was missing and no doubt captured by The Guild. At this point, having this woman on their side was an asset they couldn't afford to lose.

Kunikida just grit his teeth. "Things won't go the way you want them to, just because you wish for it!" he said finally in an outburst that bubbled deep back into his throat. He knew he wasn't helping the situation but this person was reckless. If it hadn't been for her ability, she would have easily died from those bullets even before Yosano would have gotten to her. "It's fine to believe what you want, but don't you think it's a bit much, trying to push your own point of view on someone with more worldly first-hand experience than yourself?"

Alu's eyes widened.

Fukuzawa wondered if now was a bad time to want to start drinking.

Naomi and Tanizaki were just quietly watching Kunikida steam. Even Kenji was wearing a concerned frown. Yosano pursed her lips. "Kunikida…" she began but Kunikida shook his head.

"I'm going to patrol," he said stiffly. "Please, just…I need some space." His voice shook with a deep rumble. Fukuzawa just nodded. Kunikida left the room, brushing past Alu like a cold winter wind.

Alu was a bit at a loss for words. Usually, she could help people with her words. But Kunikida was…thick. She sensed it too. His soul was shut tight. Alu's words simply weren't enough for someone as stoic and bull-headed as Kunikida. Alu watched the door just shut along with everyone else.

She didn't have time to dwell, because Ranpo was pleased to have the floor again.

"Leave Kunikida to wallow! He'll get over it! You probably shouldn't try to have an ideals battle with him though-he's really touchy about those ideals of his! Instead, let's get back on track! What will it take to get you to join! You talk a lot but I'm not hearing anything I actually want to!" Ranpo complained, flapping his arms at Alu again. He bombarded her with conversation and Alu could feel the speech bubble from his mouth crushing her comically like a boulder.

Fukuzawa was not a man of prayer but well, he supposed he could start now. Ranpo was ironically going to drive away this person all by himself even without Kunikida's assistance. Yosano just watched with a bemused expression at Ranpo's hyper childishness. It meant that he was back to his usual self. Also, Ranpo wasn't used to having people not follow his stream of logic so Alu was comically shaking that up.

"Well, I suppose I could accept, but there's a condition," Alu mused loudly, with a sigh, turning back to Ranpo.

Ranpo frowned but he tilted his head, brow furrowed. "Name it."

Succinct and direct. Not whining. Huh, he was tolerable if he acted more like this, Alu mused to herself. She tapped a finger to her chin. "Make it temporary, just for while I'm in Japan helping with The Guild War," she said finally. "I won't be staying forever, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have some sort of 'blanket'."

Alu knew that despite everything, Ranpo had a good point. She'd been avoiding the law because she knew she had no identity, no legal claim, and honestly nothing to her name was she to get into a scuffle with the government.

Ranpo's green eyes flickered.

But, he grinned, holding out his hand, to shake Alu's. "Done."

Alu made a fist with her own hand. "So formal! C'mon, we're just agreeing to be allies, not shaking at a ribbon cutting ceremony!" she teased, with a grin of her own.

She took Ranpo's hand comically and turned it into a fist before fistbumping it with her own.

Fukuzawa smiled smally, his chin resting on his hands. His thoughts wandered to Kunikida however. He was worried. He could tell that Kunikida still had a lot of unspoken doubts and was hurting-more so than Fukuzawa had even realised. He'd talk to Kunikida later and see if Dazai couldn't maybe help. Fukuzawa was once again reminded that if it wasn't for this young woman, maybe he wouldn't have even noticed just how much Kunikida was actually going through at the moment. He always felt the need to be stiff, formal, and professional. While that was great for work, it was clear that Kunikida's behaviour towards Alu was something else.

For now, he just spoke, his voice actually in a good mood despite everything. "Welcome, to the ADA, Alu-san," he said formally.

"Oh, uh, just call me Alu," Alu said, holding up a hand quickly. "Or Alu-chan, or something less stiff and formal!"

"Yay!" Kenji exclaimed, bounding from his desk and he glomped onto Alu. "Alu-chan! Welcome!" he beamed at her with a huge smile.

Alu just grinned and took Kenji by the hands, spinning around with him and giggling. Yosano smiled at Fukuzawa. "...I think the tide of this war is finally going to turn, in our favor," she said quietly.

Ranpo found himself tugged into the funny circle of spinning and he yelped. "Ack! Why am I spinning with you both?" he complained as Kenji and Alu just laughed in unison, not letting his arms go.

Fukuzawa was convinced.

More than just the tide of the war would be shifted with the presence of that young enigmatic woman. There was something else stirring on the wind, brought in by this charismatic outspoken foreigner who clearly loved this city.

Fukuzawa could feel it in his bones.