Oda Sakunosuke's hand hesitated on the door, neither opening it nor staying still; after stepping one foot inside, his other foot paused hesitantly, as he thought that if he went in, he would disturb this rare scene.
These two people got along unexpectedly well.
He and Nakahara Chuuya met each other's bewildered gazes, both feeling that it was best not to disturb them.
Dazai Osamu suddenly stood up in anger and shouted, "Oda Sakunosuke, you tell me, should the Port Mafia have any sense of shame!"
Sawada Tsunayoshi followed up immediately: "Oda Sakunosuke, you must understand, even the Port Mafia should have a sense of shame!"
Facing two pairs of determined eyes, Oda Sakunosuke found himself in a dilemma, but ultimately answered seriously, "Since we're all Port Mafia, it's understandable to have no sense of shame. However, as a human, I feel that one should still have it."
It was as if he hadn't said it at all.
Dazai Osamu glared angrily: "What I said is correct."
Sawada Tsunayoshi also became furious as he thought of a comment he had seen online: "Fine, if you can defecate in the middle of the road in front of everyone, I'll admit your viewpoint is correct."
Once these words were spoken, all was silent; even Dazai Osamu could not say a word.
Having said those words, Sawada Tsunayoshi immediately covered his mouth. Oh no, he had blurted out the contents of his argument with Lambo; it was so embarrassing, he just wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
Dazai Osamu spent one second contemplating the meaning of those words, another second contemplating that image, finally spent one second distancing himself from Sawada Tsunayoshi, covering his collar: "I didn't expect you to be that kind of person."
Even Dazai Osamu, who considered himself abnormal, could not even imagine that scene. He only knew that if someone did that, he would certainly admire them; if he had to choose between living forever or defecating in the middle of the street, he would rather choose to live forever.
How terrifying!
How could something so terrifying exist? How could a person's mouth utter such disgusting words?
Are you a pervert?
Sawada Tsunayoshi bristled: "I'm not! This is a misunderstanding, no one would do that!"
Dazai Osamu wouldn't stop, patting his chest: "You're terrifying. I acknowledge your determination to win. Fine, you win."
He didn't really want to win like this; winning this way brought no sense of achievement at all. What was this feeling of discomfort lingering in his chest!
Sawada Tsunayoshi lay slumped on the bed, feeling that life was utterly hopeless.
After this interruption, all that talk of hanging oneself or trespassing on private property became completely irrelevant, Dazai Osamu left, clutching his fear of humanity.
Oda Sakunosuke thought for a long time, then kindly said to Sawada Tsunayoshi, "I suggest you're better off not trying such things lightly."
He actually believed him, even went so far as to kindly advise Sawada Tsunayoshi not to do such a thing.
I was obviously joking! How could any normal person do something like that? It's not even a matter of whether a human can do it, but rather a breakthrough of the very foundation of human nature; in a sense, it's already invincible!
Oda Sakunosuke realized the truth: "Ah, so you were joking."
You're the one who's clearly joking!
Even being natural should have its limits; you're being way too natural! This isn't some plot from a manga!
Facing Sawada Tsunayoshi's furious roar, Oda Sakunosuke said straightforwardly, "Sorry."
What are you apologizing for?
Oda Sakunosuke: "I don't know, I just feel like I should say I'm sorry to you right now."
Enough, enough, he is truly exhausted. Just how long is this farce going to last? The people here are all quite abnormal; the only normal one is the lovely Nakahara Chuuya. He is just a pure, natural baby; what could he possibly understand?
Sawada Tsunayoshi looked at the dazed youth standing to the side with relief. Good, quiet as always. He just wanted to go to a part-time job? That was too simple; compared to those two imposters just now, this was much better.
Under Tsunayoshi's gaze, Nakahara Chuuya seemed to say after a long moment of thought, "I learned something."
Learned what? Riddler, get out of Gotham!
Sorry for the excessive tangents.
Alright, that's enough complaining for today. His ability to rant is limited; he can't keep going forever. His energy for today is already depleted, he needs to rest and see some normal people.
In short, as long as they weren't a fake, anyone would do.
Then in the afternoon, he met a divine being—not a derogatory term for a psychiatric patient or a lunatic, but a divine being in terms of wisdom.
Sawada Tsunayoshi went down to do some shopping, leaving Nakahara Chuuya to study with the children, he took this opportunity to go out and try his luck to see if he could find the so-called nodes.
As he thought, the points where those worlds were destroyed were related to the people he came into contact with, so he should go out and meet more people.
As Sawada Tsunayoshi was passing by a small bridge, he was suddenly grabbed by the hair by someone.
Sawada Tsunayoshi:!
He turned his head and saw a youth wearing a detective hat; the youth had a pair of familiar green eyes, so clear and bright.
Stop right there, I have no interest in being your substitute, you playboy.
A playboy!
Him!
“What are you talking about? How could I possibly be a playboy?” He has never even held a girl's hand, so how could he be called a playboy!
Good heavens, I'm being framed!
The youth had a very youthful babyface, messy short hair, an arrogant expression, an outfit that looked very much like Sherlock Holmes.
What are you doing?
What kind of person stops a helpless young child?
The youth gave a haughty huff upon hearing that. "My name is Edogawa Ranpo, I am a detective. Right now, Edogawa Ranpo the Great wants to go to the Detective Agency. I'll give you a chance to send me back; if Edogawa Ranpo the Great is pleased, he might even help you solve the problem you're facing right now."
Ah, I've run into a fortune teller.
Not a fortune teller, but a detective, a great detective!
The youth frowned in dissatisfaction, hands on his hips, his voice mature, yet every movement revealed a childish air.
Sawada Tsunayoshi had the least resistance to this kind of person. He asked, "Where is your home? I'll take you back."
After saying that, he paused for a moment, wondering, compared to the height of the two, who should actually be the one saying this.
Chapter 87: The Seventh Day of Literary Stream
As everyone knows, Yokohama is not large, yet it creates myths. There are many imposters here, as well as many divine beings; in this place, you can encounter all kinds of people.
Sawada Tsunayoshi decided to see this big friend home after all. Based on the address the other person mentioned, he went to ask a passerby, who showed them the way and told them which bus to take.
And so, the child held the hand of the older child, setting off on the journey home.
After only a few steps, Edogawa Ranpo stopped. "Hey, are you really going to follow what he said? Be careful not to get sold abroad to work in a mine."
“Huh?”
The detective boy gave a smug huff. "Can't you even figure out something this simple? If you become a boss in the future, you'll definitely get cheated."
Sawada Tsunayoshi was shocked, truly stunned this time: "How did you know!"
“It was such a simple matter, I saw through it at a glance.”
There was too much to say in a conversation, Sawada Tsunayoshi didn't know what to say for a moment. Should he mention that the other person had seen through his identity as a boss, or should he say that they had been tricked and would have been sent abroad to work in a mine if they had followed the pedestrian route?
After holding it in for a long time, Sawada Tsunayoshi asked, "Then how do we get back?"
Follow me, I know the way.
Wait a minute." Sawada Tsunayoshi pointed at Edogawa Ranpo, looking like he had been tricked. "If you know the route, go back by yourself. Why do you need me to take you back?
Could he be a con artist too? Like those honey traps? Once he sends the person back, he'll see a dozen men in black suits, then he'll be sold abroad to have his kidneys harvested.
“You're questioning me again.” Edogawa Ranpo puffed out his cheeks. “You really are a playboy. Since you don't believe in Edogawa Ranpo the Great, then I'll prove it to you.”
As he spoke, he suddenly pulled out a pair of black-rimmed glasses and put them on with a very dashing gesture. Even without wind, his cloak began to flutter, he gave a low, serious shout: "Ability: Super Deduction."
Ranpo quickly scanned the people around him and casually pointed at a middle-aged man carrying a briefcase. "Construction industry. He has a son and a daughter at home. He became wealthy by marrying a rich wife, but he's currently cheating; he's pretending to be on a business trip, but he's actually here to see another woman."
He pointed to another little girl, "Her family is in the underworld, but she has run away from home."
He pointed to a young girl: "Truant, all to see her boyfriend outside of school. Actually, her boyfriend is a little thug who is going to take her to an abandoned construction site to sell her off."
He pointed at a middle-aged woman again, Sawada Tsunayoshi hurriedly grabbed his finger, asking anxiously, "Stop, stop, stop, I believe you. Let's go over the girl's situation in detail again. You said her boyfriend is about to sell her off, right?"
“Exactly, is there a problem?”
It was a massive problem. Setting aside whether Edogawa Ranpo's Ability was real or not, the issue he raised was extremely serious. Human trafficking to foreign countries—how could anyone tolerate a young girl's life being destroyed like that?
Regardless of whether it was true or false, he had to go and see for himself.
It would be best if it were fake, just a harmless prank that would only waste a bit of his time, but if it were real, they could save a life.
Sawada Tsunayoshi grabbed Edogawa Ranpo's hand: "Do you know where they are meeting? Can you tell me?"
Being looked at by a pair of sincere and kind eyes, Edogawa Ranpo turned his head away in confusion. "Why did you believe me? Aren't you afraid I'm lying to you?"
But you said it so sincerely, so I choose to believe you.
I don't think you're the type of person who would play pranks.
How should I put this? At a time like this, I have to bring out my ancestral skill again—Super Intuition. It's a cheating tool that you deserve to have.
Anyway, Sawada Tsunayoshi felt that Edogawa Ranpo was worth trusting.
"I-I get it! Don't look at me with those puppy-dog eyes, you playboy!" Edogawa Ranpo suddenly recoiled in annoyance, a suspicious flush creeping onto his face as he stammered.
Just stay right here and watch how the Great Detective Edogawa Ranpo solves this.
After Edogawa Ranpo finished speaking, he walked quickly to the girl's side as if escaping. He said something to her, her expression shifted several times before she finally followed Ranpo over to Sawada Tsunayoshi.
Let's go, she has already decided to give the Detective Agency a commission. Let's head back.
It was resolved so quickly!
Sawada Tsunayoshi said nothing, but his expression was indeed one of admiration. Naturally, Edogawa Ranpo's nose perked up instantly: "Hmph, when Edogawa Ranpo the Great makes an appearance, there is nothing he cannot do."
A personality just like Lambo's.
Edogawa Ranpo's proud expression collapsed instantly, he glared at Sawada Tsunayoshi: "You're using a substitute again; I've told you not to treat me like someone else."
Sawada Tsunayoshi was filled with suspicion and uncertainty; he had truly discovered that Edogawa Ranpo was a bit strange. Did an Ability similar to mind reading really exist?
That's absolutely insane.
Strangely enough, he didn't feel even a hint of anxiety or suspicion in his heart; this was likely because the other party's expression was so natural and matter-of-fact, which was why he wasn't worried.