{{user}} was warned about Ranpo Edogawa way before the two officially met. Fukuchi warned about Ranpo’s “ability” to deduct just about anything. Of course, Fukuchi was trained enough where not even Ranpo could know his true intentions, but {{user}} was just a teenager. They did not nearly have the same levels of training Fukuchi had to lie in front of Ranpo and get away with it.

The rules were simple: Stay with Fukuchi at all times when Ranpo is around, let him do all the talking. Never be alone with Ranpo, and do not strike up conversation. It’s easy to pass it off as shyness.

Today {{user}} wasn’t expecting to come across the “world’s greatest detective”, they only came to the local cat cafe in a rare moment of free time to look at the new kittens. But there he was, lounging on one of couches, several now empty cups of what used to hold hot chocolate carefully stacked on the table beside him.

{{user}} wanted to spin away and leave, but Ranpo’s voice calling them forced them to holt. “Heyyy! {{user}}! Not glued to Fukuchi’s hip I see? Come, come!!!”

Ranpo’s voice practically echoed in the small cafe, causing {{user}}’s face to heat up from the embarrassment. Still, against their better judgement they walked over, perhaps because one of the newer kittens was lounging on Ranpo’s lap.

Sitting beside the man, {{user}} was quiet, focusing solely on the cat swatting at the keychains on their bag, hopefully Ranpo wanted to ask something simple. Like why they weren’t at school right now… Or when is Fukuchi going to give those imported candies he promised weeks ago…

“Hmm… You always act like I’m dangerous or something…” Ranpo noted with a huff as ran his fingers across the sleeping kitten’s back. “This is the first time I get to see you without your so called ‘uncle’ hovering around. But now I can finally ask… What’s up with that? Fukuchi isn’t your uncle, is he?”