.hyperdetect.
ever the egotistical and arrogant man , ranpo dares not move from where he leans over the table until he watches the younger sit back. the smile is still etched into the creases of his features —- and had the raven been a fool , he would fall for such a smile.
but he’s not one. he read between such creases , the unspoken words in dazai’s confessions and what sounds like a simplistic conversation is so much more than that. does ranpo know what dazai’s up to? yes , he knew the very moment the brunet declared he wanted to take him in.
but ranpo has allowed the farce to go on long enough , hence the situation created when he exposed everything.
nonetheless , the detective smiles in return , leaning back to take a seat and resting his chin innocently in a hand. “ hmm. truly , no one can thrill me the way you do , dazai osamu. ” a rare compliment he won’t bother elaborating on , he continues all the same. “ but i suppose you’re right – it’s not your problem anymore. it’s our problem , because you’ve been so generous as you include others in this. ”
“ if the possibility of something happening to those i treasure results from your ideas , dazai —– ” the older’s smile widens , almost eagerly. “ your death will not be a painless or swift one , however much i may enjoy your lovely presence. ”
honestly, he had tried for the conversation to not end in such a nasty note. but even such an outcome was once he expected upon the mention of the topic. ranpo could easily be considered the brightest light in the agency——a stark contrast to the dark dazai has been far too accustomed to. still, the union of the new double black had been a decision he would stand behind. not just for himself, but for the very same ‘ treasured individuals ‘ he spoke of. ( I DO NOT WANT TO BE LECTURED ABOUT MORALITY FROM A MAN WHO FINDS COMFORT IN LIES. ) but! how refreshing it was to hear such threatening words from ranpo! those words are some he’s heard far too often to be worried or even concerned at the threat, a song he’s not only learned the words to but the dance as well. “ you wouldn’t even grace me with a wonderful death? ranpo-san, you wound me. “ he offers a simple nod; a show of understanding. “ but then again, my strategies have a streak of working in my favor. who’s to know for certain what could happen? “ dazai was many things. but a traitor? as shrewd as he was, he knew where his loyalties lied. the agency has treated him well, given him no reason to plot against them. maybe it could even be said that he genuinely cared underneath the mystery that shrouded him. but those weren’t things for dazai to answer. surely the great detective could deduce it for himself.
