Chapter Text
Fukuzawa watched his client return to his residence safely. It was late, so all he could see was a shadowy blur cross the street and head up the driveway to the luxury villa in the distance. Ever the diligent bodyguard he was, he refused to take his eyes away until the mahogany doors shut with a satisfied click. It was a simple escort mission for the day. His client was an influential businessman who needed to attend to some urgent meetings, and he hired Fukuzawa to accompany him for additional protection. Fortunately, nothing out of the ordinary ever occurred.
His client lived near the edge of Yokohama in a large estate shouldered by rows of primly pruned trees. If it was day, Fukuzawa was certain he’d be able to appreciate the country backdrop. But that view was currently swathed in darkness. Unfortunately, being so far out also meant there were no taxis in this area. The night was so quiet even the evening air seemed to hold its breath. He’d have to walk back to the main road to hail a cab and head home.
Fukuzawa glanced down at his watch. Its silver hands winked back under the streetlight. It was well past 11pm. He needed to retire for the night and rest in preparation for the mission he had the following day. A local theatre had received a mysterious note promising death upon one of their actors. The manager had hired him to apprehend the criminal before any tragedy could take place.
Fukuzawa turned back and began to head into the inner parts of Yokohama city.
The sky was a vast expanse of black velvet, soft with pinpricks of stars sewn into its surface. Little light illuminated the streets as the moon’s silver face was hidden behind plumes of black clouds. Ranpo sat on the sidewalk under a streetlamp’s sickly yellow light with his elbows propped on his knees and his head resting in the palm of his hands.
Today marked the third night since he was kicked out of the police academy with nothing but the clothes on his back and a bag with the few possessions he had. He was lucky the first night since a sympathetic passerby let him stay at their place after he was thrown out so suddenly. The second night, he found refuge in an abandoned car. Ranpo wasn’t so lucky tonight.
Footsteps approached him. Ranpo hoped whoever it was would walk right past him and leave him alone. But his streak of bad luck showed no signs of letting up.
“Hey kid, what’re you doing out here all by yourself?”
Ranpo looked up to see a man looking down at him with a smile that was far too wide to be genuine. It boasted a bright cheeriness as if to overcompensate for the sinister glint in his eyes. His gaze wandered up and down the stranger to absorb every detail. Ranpo estimated the stranger to be in his mid-forties, wearing a grey suit with a tie incorrectly worn around his neck, black shoes scuffed and worn. Today was Friday. There’s a bar a few streets across but it closes around this time. Overall, his observations led him to one conclusion. This man was pretending to be an innocent office worker heading home after a late night out drinking. Ranpo scowled and looked away.
“Go away, leave me alone.”
“There’s no need to be so hostile, I’m just trying to help. Come with me and I’ll get you something nice to eat.”
Ranpo huffed in annoyance as he stood up to face the man. “Are you stupid or something? This is literally the oldest trick in the book that kidnappers use to lure their victims away. The only thing you’re missing is a white van and free candy.”
The smile on the man’s face twitched. “My, you’ve got a vivid imagination! I won’t take you far, I know a good restaurant not too far down the road.”
“It doesn’t matter what you say I’m not going anywhere with an old geezer who can’t even wear a tie properly.”
The man’s face flushed with rage. Despite the dangerous situation, Ranpo couldn’t help the smirk that crept to his lips. “There it is.”
As the stranger reached out to grab him, Ranpo ducked nimbly under his grasp. He swiped at the boy again but Ranpo slid out of his reach.
“You adults are so predictable. It was so obvious that you were a kidnapper how did you think this would work?”
The darkness behind Ranpo quivered. A hand reached out of the shadows and gripped Ranpo’s arm, as if it belonged to some monster in a children’s book. Ranpo jerked his arm back but it was too late. Like a rabbit trapped in a snare, he’d been caught.
“Don’t worry I got him,” the newcomer said triumphantly.
The fake office worker glared. Although his scowl hadn’t been directed at Ranpo, the boy shivered all the same. “Fucking finally. You sure took your sweet ass time,” he snapped.
Ranpo’s breath quickened. He tugged again at his arm, but it may as well have been clasped to an iron clamp. The grip didn’t budge.
“Hey! Let go you -”
A strong hand clamped to his mouth and stifled any cries he made. Icy panic chilled his blood. Ranpo renewed his struggles, scrabbling at the hand clasped over his face whilst twisting his body furiously to try and wrench himself out of his captor’s grasp. But he was firmly ensnared in this monster’s clutch.
“Stop wiggling, brat!” His captor spat.
“Just hurry up and bring him to the car before anyone notices,” the other man hissed.
Ranpo felt himself get dragged across the street towards a parked car on the other side of the road. He dug his heels into the paved tiles. His boots scraped against hard cement, desperately catching onto any ledge that would delay his inevitable kidnapping. A harsh yank made all his efforts null. The pit in his stomach grew and an iron lump of dread settled inside.
No one was around at this time of night. No one would be coming to save him.
The thought made Ranpo’s vision blur with fear, his heart hammering so hard against his chest that it hurt. He could only pray for someone else’s intervention, as slim as those chances were.
Fukuzawa halted. For a moment, he thought he’d heard a shout. Yet when he paused to listen more intently, the silent night air brought no more unusual sounds to his waiting ears. Just the buzz of pale streetlights and chirping crickets. It may have been a trick his tired mind was playing on him. Still, he had to check just in case his ears had not deceived him. Fukuzawa began to hurry towards the source of the noise.
As he approached, he caught the sound of two older men speaking. He was nearing his destination. Fukuzawa slowed down to prevent his clattering footsteps from giving away his presence. He peered around the corner and his heart sank at the scene.
His gaze immediately drew to a young boy who looked to be no older than 15 grappling with a man who was dragging him away. A second person stood nearby hissing at his partner to speed up. An accomplice to the crime. Fukuzawa’s nostrils flared as a deep frown settled on his face.
He kept himself cloaked in darkness as he crept closer. Hawk-like eyes closely observed the two criminals to watch for any signs that they’ve detected him. However, their focus was solely preoccupied by their current endeavour. Fukuzawa didn’t even need to draw his sword for these crooks.
His first target was the kidnapper with the young boy in his grasp. Fukuzawa bolted with the speed of a flying arrow shot from a bow. To his prey, he was merely a ripple in the shadows.
“What the –”
Fukuzawa struck his victim by the side of his head. The man grip on the boy loosened and he toppled over like a limp ragdoll, unconscious. The young teenager squirmed free of his captor’s grasp.
His companion let out a strangled gasp as he scrambled to get away. He wasn’t fast enough.
Fukuzawa was upon him in an instant. A sharp punch delivered to the gut sent the man sprawling into a heap. He too joined his partner in crime as a lifeless heap on the floor. Fukuzawa quickly surveyed his surroundings to ensure there were no more threats around. Once satisfied, he rushed to the boy who was standing a few feet away with a wide-eyed expression of fear and shock.
“Are you alright?”
Green eyes looked up to meet his gaze. “Yes… thank you mister bodyguard.” The child’s voice was quiet.
“Are you injured anywhere?”
The boy shook his head. His complexion was as pale as a ghost but fortunately he was mostly unharmed.
“I’ll contact the police to get these criminals arrested. Stay here for now.”
The child nodded silently. Fukuzawa pulled out his phone to contact Yokohama police. Although it was late, there should still be a couple of officers at the station for the night shift. He exchanged a few sentences with the policeman on the phone who assured him they’ll be on their way shortly. With that matter taken care of, Fukuzawa turned his attention back to the young boy standing beside him.
“What were you doing outside so late? Where are your parents?” Fukuzawa questioned.
“Dead,” the child replied flatly.
Fukuzawa stiffened. Young orphans were prime targets for kidnappers and other twisted individuals who prowl the streets at night. If they went missing, their absence wouldn’t be noticed. The thought of this young boy being murdered and becoming next morning’s news headlines or getting abducted by human traffickers made Fukuzawa’s gut twist with revulsion.
Fukuzawa sighed deeply. “What’s your name?”
“Ranpo. Edogawa Ranpo.
“Ranpo, come with me. I’ll let you stay at my place for the night.”
Ranpo’s face brightened. “Really?”
“Of course. Once the police arrive to take these criminals away, I’ll take you back to my apartment.”