Chapter 45&46

Chapter 45: Playing Hard to Get

The detective agency and the infirmary were only separated by a single wall.

Although the wall was soundproofed well, so they usually couldn't hear the screams of patients, that didn't stop the detectives from empathizing with those in the infirmary. After all, everyone in the Armed Detective Agency had been "treated" by Akiko Yosano at some point.

A few members with softer skin and worse luck, who had received Yosano's "special attention," could barely focus on work now. Even Kunikida Doppo, unusually, didn't urge them to stop slacking off.

Ten minutes later, Yosano walked into the office, pushing Bandaged Girl, now covered in fresh bandages. Seeing her blank stare and lifeless eyes, the detectives couldn't help but look on sympathetically.

"That was refreshing!" Yosano said cheerfully, setting Bandaged Girl in the nearest chair. She seemed almost radiant with joy, an effect that only highlighted the stark contrast between her and the ashen Bandaged Girl.

In those short ten minutes, Bandaged Girl had learned one thing: joy in this world is finite. If someone is enjoying themselves, someone else is suffering. And if someone is having too much fun, someone else might suffer for a lifetime.

"Treatment's done. Here she is, all in one piece. Now, it's up to you all to take care of the rest." Yosano gave a casual wave, then grabbed a mop from the corner and returned to her infirmary, leaving without a second thought.

The detectives remained silent.

You call that all in one piece? She looks like her soul left her body!

Atsushi quietly leaned toward Dazai and asked, "If a patient ends up with mental trauma, do we have to compensate them?"

"If it comes to that, we could just blame the Port Mafia," Dazai replied easily.

"Does the Port Mafia compensate people?"

"No, but we could report it to the government as an expense from our battle with the Port Mafia and request reimbursement."

"Isn't that an abuse of public funds…?"

While Atsushi and Dazai murmured about shifting blame and reimbursement, Junichiro set a cup of warm tea in front of Bandaged Girl, and Kunikida was on the phone, reporting the warehouse incident at the harbor to the police.

No one spoke to Bandaged Girl immediately.

They all understood.

After suffering through something unbearable, everyone needed time to recover.

About an hour later, Bandaged Girl finally came back to her senses. Her eyes refocused, and her mind gradually cleared. Wiping away the drool at the corner of her mouth, she finally remembered why she'd come to the Armed Detective Agency.

Curse that main body!

Right now, Bandaged Girl felt a deep grudge toward her main body.

Of all places to get hit, she had to be struck in the leg, leaving her at the mercy of Akiko Yosano, that sadistic tormentor, who had pushed her to the brink of death without a chance of relief. Just thinking about the "treatment" sent shivers through her.

Doctor? More like a sadistic butcher with some twisted hobby!

"Miss, we sincerely apologize for all you've endured," Kunikida said, clearing his throat with slight awkwardness. "If our doctor caused any lasting psychological damage, we'll do everything we can to compensate."

Trying to put the ordeal out of her mind, Bandaged Girl massaged her temples, focusing her thoughts. Despite the setbacks, she had successfully infiltrated the Armed Detective Agency. She'd endured so much, so abandoning her mission now would mean all that pain was for nothing.

"Don't worry; pain tolerance is engraved in my very soul," Bandaged Girl replied, lightly touching the bandage over her eye. "That which does not kill me only makes me stronger. After this trial, my spirit has become as tough as stone."

"Uh… is that so? I'm glad to hear it." Kunikida let out a sigh of relief, thankful that she hadn't seized the chance to make unreasonable demands.

"Honestly, I'm starting to respect her ability to put on a brave face," Dazai whispered with a smirk.

"Now then, miss, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Kunikida Doppo, of the Armed Detective Agency the organization that saved you from the Port Mafia's nightmare." Without any small talk, Kunikida continued, "Currently, the Agency's President is out, so may I, as acting director, ask you a few questions?"

"No."

"…Alright, then wait, what?"

"I'm under no obligation to answer your questions," Bandaged Girl replied, giving him no leeway whatsoever.

Odd as it might seem, refusing to cooperate with the Armed Detective Agency was actually part of her strategy to gain their trust. Acting cold and aloof was a more believable reaction. If she'd enthusiastically cooperated and answered their questions without hesitation, they would have grown suspicious.

To earn the trust of the Armed Detective Agency, taking the initiative was a foolish move. Forget about dealing with Ranpo Edogawa; Dazai Osamu alone could easily see through her real motives.

To get past someone like Dazai, there was only one way: play hard to get.

"Mortals, I won't forget the assistance you provided, but I don't have time to stay here," Bandaged Girl declared, rising to her feet. She downed the now-cold tea in one gulp. "The wheels of fate are turning again. The shadow of nightmares still looms over Yokohama. I must set out once more, to become the blade that will cut through this darkness."

With that, she placed the cup on the table with a flourish and strode toward the door of the office.

But the detectives had no intention of letting someone with such a connection to the Nightmare leave so easily.

Three days ago, after Dazai and Atsushi encountered Nightmare, Dazai had notified the entire agency, urging everyone to gather information about it. But Nightmare had appeared suddenly and vanished just as mysteriously, leaving even the Armed Detective Agency, known for their resourcefulness and bravery, with no leads on where to start.

Now, with someone who clearly knew about Nightmare standing before them, they weren't about to let this opportunity slip away.

Besides the information they might gain, they couldn't possibly let a potentially dangerous gifted wander around Yokohama without understanding her background.

The recent battle between Bandaged Girl and Nightmare had taken place at the relatively secluded Yokohama Harbor. But if they were to fight again, next time might be in a crowded district. And who knew what kind of chaos or panic that would cause?

As key protectors of the city's peace, the Armed Detective Agency couldn't just let her walk out the door.

Whether for intel on Nightmare or for the safety of Yokohama, they were determined to keep her in the office.

Chapter 46: Fooling a Fool

Dazai Osamu, Kunikida Doppo, Atsushi Nakajima, and Junichiro Tanizaki exchanged glances, silently confirming their shared thoughts.

Dazai moved first, blocking the door, while the other three spread out to close in on Bandaged Girl from different directions.

"Sorry, miss, we can't let you leave," Kunikida said firmly. "At least not until we confirm you're not a threat."

"Arrogant insects, do you truly believe you can bind my wings?" Bandaged Girl narrowed her eyes, assuming a defensive stance.

"We don't intend to restrict your freedom," Dazai shrugged, "but if you insist on leaving, we'll have to send you to the Special Abilities Department. And once you're there… well, it wouldn't be easy to get out."

"We don't want to antagonize you, but this is a serious matter, so we hope you understand our responsibility here," Junichiro added. "We just want a peaceful conversation. But if you try to force your way out, maybe consider what 'Armed Detective Agency' means."

"Right, exactly!" Atsushi chimed in, though he looked a bit tense.

The atmosphere in the office was thick with tension.

The four men watched Bandaged Girl warily. They appeared calm, but every muscle was tense, ready to move. Dazai and Atsushi were especially alert, having witnessed her fight with Nightmare and knowing just how dangerous she could be.

While they were her rescuers, they couldn't ignore the unpredictable, volatile nature of her chuunibyou-like tendencies.

Bandaged Girl's brow furrowed and relaxed, her expressions shifting rapidly. The detectives didn't dare let down their guard.

Finally, after a few moments of silence, she let out a small sigh. "I am not one to repay kindness with betrayal. As a gesture of gratitude for your assistance, I am willing to answer one question."

"Your enemy is Nightmare, isn't it? Helping us would also help you," Kunikida said. "With the information you provide, we might even become temporary allies against Nightmare."

"My path is one of solitude, accompanied only by shadows. Weaklings lack the qualifications to become my allies." Bandaged Girl's tone was aloof. "The more you know, the more despair you'll endure. This is my mercy to you don't overestimate yourselves!"

"Alright, alright," Dazai interjected, trying to ease the tension. "One question, just one, and we'll let you go. But could we have a moment to decide on what to ask?"

"A reasonable request."

"Thank you."

With her temporarily pacified, Dazai pulled the other detectives aside to discuss their options quietly.

"Dazai, are you really planning to let her go?" Kunikida asked in a low voice. "She's connected to Nightmare directly; she might even be part of the Port Mafia. We should hand her over to the government."

Dazai gave a wry smile. "We'd need to actually be able to take her to the government first, and I don't think the four of us can restrain her."

"She's really that strong?"

"She can fly."

That statement left Kunikida speechless.

Though each detective present was powerful, they all shared one common limitation.

None of them could fly.

Dazai's No Longer Human could nullify any ability he touched; Kunikida's Lone Poet could materialize things he wrote in his notebook; Atsushi's Beast Beneath the Moonlight could transform him into a white tiger; and Junichiro's Light Snow could create illusions by distorting vision.

But none of them had the ability to fly.

Even indoors, where Bandaged Girl would have limited space, they knew that if she really wanted to escape, they wouldn't be able to stop her.

"So what do we do?" Kunikida asked, frustrated. "We can't just let her walk away. If Nightmare is after her and they clash somewhere crowded, the consequences could be catastrophic."

"Of course not. Our best bet is to make her want to stay here voluntarily," Dazai replied.

"Voluntarily?" Atsushi's mouth twitched. "Is that even possible?"

"It is," Dazai assured him, giving a thumbs-up. "I have a plan. Just trust me."

The others exchanged doubtful looks.

However, with no other ideas on how to keep her here, they could only hope that Dazai's plan would work.

Their discussion finished, the detectives returned to Bandaged Girl.

"One question, then our paths won't cross again. Have you decided on what to ask?" she asked nonchalantly. "If you're ready, then ask away."

"Yes, miss, after our careful discussion, we have one crucial question to ask you."

Clearing his throat and under the watchful eyes of his comrades, Dazai solemnly asked, "Where do you plan to go next?"

"Huh?" Atsushi's eyes widened, baffled as to why Dazai would waste such a valuable question on something so trivial.

"Uh…" Junichiro scratched his head, confused by the question's point.

"Dazai, you" Kunikida started to voice his anger but then stopped mid sentence, an expression of realization dawning on him.

It didn't take long for Kunikida to understand Dazai's thinking.

In their eyes, Bandaged Girl had defected from Nightmare, thus becoming its target.

Though they didn't know if she was associated with the Port Mafia, being hunted by Nightmare wasn't much different.

As Yokohama's underground ruler, the Port Mafia held immense influence, making it impossible for her to find refuge in the city.

So, the question remained.

"If you've betrayed Nightmare and leave the Armed Detective Agency, where do you intend to go next?" Dazai continued, pressing her further. He acted as though he'd forgotten the one-question limit, bombarding her with a steady stream of questions. "Nightmare is stronger than you; the Port Mafia has more people. Do you think you'll find a safe haven in Yokohama?"

"If I try hard enough…"

"The Port Mafia is Yokohama's kingpin. They'd have no trouble finding you with their spies everywhere. Do you think your efforts alone can outmatch hundreds, if not thousands, of people?"

"If I hide where no one goes…"

"The only deserted place in Yokohama is the sewers. Are you planning to live down there? Eating rotten food and bathing in dirty water?"

Before she could finish a single sentence, Dazai's relentless, flawless logic left her at a complete loss for words.

Bandaged Girl stammered, looking a bit flustered.

Seeing her inner struggle, Dazai's smile widened.

Just as he suspected.

This fool had absolutely no plan for what to do once she left the Agency.

Yes, a fool.

That was the simplest way Dazai could sum her up.

Everything about her, from her chuunibyou behavior to the way she spoke, radiated an odd kind of foolishness.

Dazai finally understood why Nightmare had said, "That kid has a difficult personality." After all, caring for a fool would be nothing but trouble.

But fools weren't entirely without their redeeming qualities. They had at least one merit.

They were easy to fool.

Dazai's smile grew even brighter.

"Miss, what do you think of free room and board at the Armed Detective Agency?"