"So, this may seem out of ordinary… but how's the other guy?"
After some thought, I allegedly asked them about that jacked man, who gave us a ride and was stabbed by Akutagawa.
He seems like a nice guy and I also owe him a debt too, so this is the least I can do to pay my respects. After all, it's rude to ignore those who care about you…
"Don't worry, he's fine."
Yosano casually answered my question, it doesn't seem like she had any thought to this matter. It's not that surprising to see her being normal about all of this, considering her job as the only and most efficient nurse in the Agency.
Without her power, I doubt anyone can live for more than a month without losing a limb or two…
"Fortunately, it seems like the shock from being attacked makes him lose memory of that specific scenario, so we don't really need to explain much to him."
Yosano finished the quick summary, and I let out a sigh of relief.
Thank god he's alright… Seems like his luck doesn't run out at all…
But still, I have to pay more attention to not asking people for assistance recklessly like this anymore.
"Well then, if everyone has no question, then allow me to leave. I'll return tomorrow for the job, if you don't mind."
With that, I slowly stood up and sneaked past Fukuzawa toward the door, as everyone's gaze still locked on me the whole time.
"Heya, how ya doin'?"
"I'm fine, Ranpo-san."
Immediately stepping out of the infirmary, Ranpo greeted me with a cheerful attitude. Seems like the Akutagawa attack didn't falter him one bit eh…?
"I've heard it all, welcome to the Agency!"
"Thanks Ranpo-san, seems like I have to rely on my seniors in the future."
"Don't mention it~"
We chatted cheerfully as we walked through the main office, where everyone was still busy with the paperwork, toward the exit.
I did have a peek at the table belonging to Atsushi in the manga, but there's no one at the table. Huh, where the guy could've gone…?
Am I failing to save him…? Then my effort and being closer to death than ever are in vain…?
"Nah, the tiger boy's just fine. He's been outside the whole time for quite some time now."
Like knowing my intention, Ranpo casually answered my concern. Hearing that, I then breath out full of relief, but some odd feeling still lingering inside me.
"Ranpo-san… Have you told him about me…?"
"That's the reason he went outside in the first place. Probably feel guilty or something, no idea though…"
[Sigh.]
Hearing Ranpo's confirmation, I frowned. No wonder…
In the core, that boy is still a scared little cat, unable to move on from the painful truth of his mentor, so it's no wonder that the guy must've impacted him heavily.
Who knows, maybe he could let loose on the tiger due to his fragile heart, despite being under Fukuzawa's ability…
Also, thinking about this a bit more, I did a lot more than just ruining Atsushi char dev.
Kyoka, who's supposed to be saved by Atsushi and have her own freedom, although just temporarily in the beginning of the Guild arc, are probably still within the Mafia.
Akutagawa, who's supposed to be gravely injured after the cargo battle, are now relatively fine albeit with some minor injury.
I basically just turn the whole thing down with my interference, which means half of my knowledge has become obsolete over-night.
Oh well, I already accepted that the moment I asked that guy for the bike. It's not like I didnt even think about this before.
"So what? What will happen in your verison?"
With a faint smile, Ranpo questioned my opinion, and certainly my own history of their world, with a mysterious voice.
"Judging by how I screwed things up… Things are probably still the same."
Beside Ranpo, I shrugged my shoulders casually.
That's the truth, all he did was hinder Atsushi's progress a bit. Not that the little incident has faltered those who wanted Atsushi head out there.
Judging by the manga time, I would say the first batch will arrive in around two to three days, and their actual attack will begin a few days later.
Not much time for me to prepare, but I could still make up something during the time…
"I see…"
Ranpo frowns before my words and falls silent, seems like he re-consider the situation as of this moment.
Since this is Ranpo we're talking about, he'll surely figure something out from just my hint…
"~"
When we finally reached the bottom floor, a certain guy wearing a boring brown coat with a handsome face and bandage on both his wrists, humming some undeciphered melody bumped into us.
"My bad, didn't see you there."
"It's okay…"
The man turns around and apologizes to us, and I casually wave it off while continuing walking downstairs with a still thinking Ranpo.
As I walked down the stairs, I faintly realized his gaze that locked in on me. He just kept looking at me until my figure totally went out of his side, and his face slightly lifted up to make a sly smile.
He's definitely still in touch with his exceptional mindset… What a relief.
"Well then, see you tomorrow, Ranpo-senpai."
"Oh yeah…"
With a slight bow, I then ran off into the street leaving Ranpo behind, who slightly widened his eyes with my sudden respect.
[Jouno Tsukami: I'm out now, wanna meet up?]
[Aya Koda: Okay… where did you want to meet up?]
[Jouno Tsukami: Well then, let's meet up at…]
On the other side, with a sigh of relief from Jouno's message, skimming through his recent message and immediately took off.
Ever since that guy took off, she has been worried sick about him. Although they only know each other for a short time, she couldn't bear to ignore the guy completely on his own.
Such a childish mindset, she knows that, but it's hurt no one to care for another despite her young age. If she doesn't even care about him, then what's the point of becoming a hero?
Arriving at the coffee shop near the park they met this morning, she saw Jouno wave his hand on the balcony. She immediately sat beside him, looking up to him with a slightly urging look.
"What happened back then?! Why are you absent the whole day?! Wh–"
"Be patient, Aya. Call something first."
"… Do you even have money?"
Aya, recalled that the guy in front of her doesn't have anything beside his clothes, furrows her brown eyes in doubt.
In response, he showed her a stack of money and waved, seemingly to taunt her, which received a frown of confusion from her.
"You have money the whole time…?"
"Nope, just some gratitude from someone~"
He responded to her doubting question with a sly smile, as she decided not to dig further into this matter. She has enough weird things on her hand now, and she certainly doesn't want to bear another one.
"Never mind…"
With a grumpy look, she picked up the menu and called the most expensive drink, which slightly startled me. After the waiter picks up the order and leaves, she concentrates her grumpy look on me.
"Well… may I ask about your schedule after leaving me alone for hours?"
She asks with a recognizable angry voice, and almost makes laughing out loud out of ridicule. I mean, she's trying so hard right now, to the point of being cuter than normal instead of being threatening.
"… Sorry for that, I was busy dying from getting ripped in half."
I accidentally slip up to her while still trying to hold my laugh back, and her face immediately blackens with my words.
"WHAT?!"
Aya suddenly screamed out of terror, making a fuss all over the coffee shop and attracting all the eyes around our table…