Yosano stares dumbly at her dining room table.

She's in her apartment that's only a few minutes walk from the Agency. While it was customary for Ranpo to follow her home like a helpless puppy, less can be said for her other visitor.

Kunikida barges in her apartment mere minutes ago and Yosano can already tell that he has had a trying evening.

His face, normally stoic and unsmiling, is now flushed with a thin sheen of sweat, his eyes are wild and terrified. Like any other inhabitant of Yokohama, her thoughts immediately went to the obvious conclusion that perhaps the Port Mafia or some other illicit organization had terrorized her friend. However, those thoughts are dashed away when Ranpo informs her in no uncertain terms that it had nothing to do with that.

Upon questioning—discreet, of course—Ranpo merely shrugs and says, "It's far more likely that this is more of a personal issue rather than an external force. If you can see, his clothes are comfortable daywear instead of his customary outfit. Also, his martial arts training would have been more sufficient to throw off his attackers."

"Even executives?"

Ranpo has no answer, but he turns to their blond friend.

"So…. care to share with the rest of the class?"

Ranpo's tone, while light with jesting, does little to betray his tensed shoulders and worrying look in his eyes. Yosano is shocked to see that Ranpo is wearing his glasses, a true sign that the detective is trying to deduce what might have happened to Kunikida.

At once, there is a rush of embarrassment and fear as Kunikida finally processes what he has done.

He had been followed by a mysterious entity, which he later found out to be a Shinigami. He had then provoked aforementioned Shinigami and left his apartment with that creature inside. What should he say? Could he even say anything? What happens if the Shinigami were to track him here and threaten his friends?

"I just…" Kunikida's voice trails off. Even when he was a young child, he had found it hard to lie to someone. After all, the blond always pictured his ideals to be truthful and transparent. Utilizing underhanded manners and subterfuge went against his core personality traits.

How could he lie against those he trusted?

Yosano sighs before placing a bowl of food in front Kunikida. Unlike Ranpo, who has been merely analytical and frankly, full of himself, Yosano merely observes Kunikida's behavior and instantly knows that he doesn't want to talk. What she can do now is offer comfort. She might not be the greatest at bedside manners, but she knows how to simultaneously shut Ranpo up and bring some peace to Kunikida.

"You have every right to ignore Ranpo. He's not even on duty, but he's still trying to solve mysteries." Yosano rolls her eyes while Ranpo splutters in the background, already adopting his childish persona. "If you feel uncomfortable telling us, that's fine. You can, however, compliment me on how well I can cook."

Kunikida smiles weakly.