Kunikida flinches as he hears Ranpo impatiently bang his silverware. For once, Kunikida has decided to forgo all matters of propriety, so he drags his friends over to his apartment for dinner. It is nothing fancy, nothing that merits two friends becoming really eager and salivating in anticipation at his invitation.
However, they jump up at his offer and here they are now.
All of them look faintly fatigued, as if that week's troubles were weighing them down in a way that deprived them of acting...normal.
"Geeze, Kunikida. I knew you would go ballistic if something looked out of place or not ideal, but this!" Yosano gestures to the spread of food that Kunikida has prepared.
In Kunikida's opinion it's nothing to be proud of, but even he admits that the aroma alone would send people to their knees in anticipation, presentation withstanding.
Ranpo, on the other hand, clamors for food. He claims that he had been working nonstop for the last few days all because of 'Mr. Fancy Hat'.
As they dig in, Kunikida can't help but enquire about one of their more recent jobs.
"You don't have to tell me the specifics," he adds to pacify them. "I know how the government can get when it comes to confidentiality."
"One of the Port Mafia executives wanted us to investigate the death of Mori Ougai. Apparently, he thought there was foul play involved."
Kunikida can't help himself. He chokes on his food and as his eyes start to water from the sting, he notices he captures the attention of the detective.
"O-oh, really?" He questions weakly. "I thought the Agency and the Mafia were at odds with each other."
"We are. We merely had a truce that would end when we finished the investigation." Yosano answers. "Of course, seeing that we have Ranpo over here, the investigation took as long as my autopsy. We found nothing out of the ordinary."
Kunikida says nothing as he raises his chopsticks back to his lips, a contemplative look on his face. At his left, Ranpo looks only at him.
"I see…"
"Something on your mind, Kunikida? A few days ago, you looked like you had been chased by a ghost." Ranpo's eyes are bright, intentions no longer as benign as he usually appeared.
But Kunikida does not falter.
He can't afford to.
This is a normal. This is a normal dinner. This is a normal dinner.
A dinner with friends is an ideal concept that Kunikida agrees with.
This is ideal and Kunikida will not mess this up.
Decisively, Kunikida smiles at the detective and says, "Stress can do many terrible things to a person. I've heard of chronic headaches, back pain, and well...Yosano would probably know more about these medical afflictions."
"I see. Tell me, have you figured out your philosophical dilemma?"
This time, Kunikida's smile is genuine and not as forced.
"Yes, I have. Murder is murder, good intentions or not."
Ranpo nods more to himself before he gestures at his empty plate and asks for dessert.
The dinner is a success.
