âDo you think me a fool?â had been on his mind; but he knew that was a silly question to consider asking when he himself had called himself a fool along with everyone else around Ranpo - adult or child. None could be wiser. Except for all his skill and wisdom in the detective department, the child-turned-man (but was still a child) was terrible with almost everything else.Â
He closes his eyes and sighs, though it is only brief. He is of course quite impressed he chooses not to tell a lie - but he supposes even Ranpo knows there are things Yukichi can see through. And that is something tenfold when it comes to the Ranpo he has known for so long. It works in reverse too, of course. Ranpo, deduction or no, can often still guess what may be on his mind - and that is due merely to the time they have spent together. âRanpo.âÂ
Eyes open so that he might stare directly at the boy once again. âWe are going shopping.â The words actually feel somewhat foreign - he usually hears that kind of statement from Yosano, in a room not far from his office. Usually he makes his shopping trips without warning, after work has already been completed for the day - of course the suddenness doesnât stop Ranpo from occasionally accompanying him either.Â
But in this instance, he wants to get a good meal into Ranpo first and foremost - having him tag along ensures that can be done as fast as possible. Until he has a proper meal, Yukichi plans to deny him any sweet purchases in order to keep his apetite and stomach empty enough he will not neglect to eat appropriate food in order to get what he wants.Â
Ranpo may be twenty-five years of age, but to Yukichi he will always be a child - and one easily handled, at that.
Nevertheless, it seemed Ranpo was better off than himself. âIf you are treated so well, I hope that you treat your apartment with the respect it deserves as well, Ranpo.â Yukichiâs mind actually fills with rather terrifying images of what has become of Ranpoâs home, depending on the time he has spent here. Ranpoâs guard being up says it hasnât been a long time, but that is a speculation. âNow,â he continues to look ahead, walking in a direction he hopes will lead them toward the shops, âwhat food do you fancy eating? The word candy is forbidden, in every variation.â
Oh, crap. He thought heâd be able to trick the Director by distracting him with another topic, but clearly this was one of those things that Ranpo wouldnât be able to talk his way out of, not with the way his boss was reading his actions like a book. It was times like these that he wondered if the older man had deductive powers like himself, if he was able to see through the great detective so easily! Although he was being sarcastic, of course. Mostly.
Ranpo flinched when he heard his name in the other manâs stern voice, then heaving a sigh as he continued. He knew exactly what he meant by âshoppingâ. They were going to store to buy fruits, vegetables, meats, anything that absolutely did not include sugar. He was going to try and force him into a sugar-deprived state that no other candy addict has ever recovered from.
He was reluctant, obviously, but he couldnât say no to Fukuzawa. Besides, it was worth spending time with him after having been separated from each other for both so long and so suddenly. After quickly shrugging away his initial discomfort to the topic, he flashed a bright and eager smile while nodding his head. âOkay! Iâll go with you. You know, I memorized the names of every street so I can never got lost. So if you need my help, just ask, âkay?â Knowing the Director, he could easily convince him for something sweet while they were there, so he didnât feel too concerned. In this case, he speculated it would end in a win-win situation.
... And instead of being told âgood jobâ or âthank youâ for such an admirable feat, he was only received more concerns about his life and eating habits since he arrived here. Though, now was not the time to falter. With just enough quick thinking, he brushed the comment aside. âDonât worry, itâs all juuuuust fine! Iâve been keeping everything spick and span. You can be proud of me, by the way.â Not really, his apartment was a mess. Fukuzawa didnât know that yet, though, and heâd much rather keep it a secret for as long as possible. Keeping the secret also meant quickly diverting the subject, which the Director quite thankfully did for him.
Unfortunately, his boss just shot down thousands worth of potential foods with a single phrase. However, a great detective can never be outwitted by the likes of the Director. âDoughnuts! I want doughnuts!â He spoke up, chasing after the other man. It was perfect; doughnuts were pastries, not candy, after all.