Ranpo’s eyes are locked on Dazai as he takes the documents.
“So, newbie. Uh…Dazai, was it? Where did you work prior to coming here?”
“Hmm?”
Ranpo’s expression has faded, his eyes peering into Dazai’s as if he is searching for something.
“I didn’t really do anything after finishing school. Was just kinda around, you know?”
A few seconds go by as Ranpo silently stares at Dazai. Finally…
“Oh, that’s nice. Anyway, welcome to the agency.”
And that’s it. He begins laying out the documents across the desk as if nothing happened. What was that just now?
“Dazai, what was that about?”
“Don’t ask me… By the way, what kind of skill user is Ranpo?”
Oh, right, I still haven’t explained it to him yet.
“Ranpo’s Super Deduction gives him the incredible ability to deduce the truth about a case just by looking at it.”
“What?! Is there really a skill like that?!”
It seems even Dazai can hardly believe it.
“Yes, and there are a lot of important people in the police and government officials who come to Ranpo every time they need help with a difficult case. His skill is what keeps this detective agency in business.”
“I dunno, it’s just hard to believe a skill like that actually exists.” He doesn’t appear convinced.
“You’ll believe it when you see it.”
“Kunikida! Do you just need to know where the bomb is?”
“Yes. We’re almost out of time. Finding that bomb is our top priority. We’ll be able to disarm it if we know where it is.”
“So I don’t need to find this Alamta fellow, yes?”
“The bomb comes first.”
“Okay, then let’s get started! Ha-ha-ha! Sorry, everybody, it looks like your assistance won’t be needed anymore now that I’m on the case. Dazai, hand me those glasses.”
Ranpo puts on the black-framed glasses that Dazai hands him. Putting them on is apparently needed to activate his skill. His eyes sharpen into a radiant gaze that could pierce through all of nature, and his mind becomes an oracle of the gods.
Super Deduction.
“…………………………………………………I’ve got it.”
Ranpo sets his glasses down.
“Wait. Seriously?”
Dazai, standing behind Ranpo, holds his breath as he leans forward in curiosity.
“Map.”
Ranpo points. I get the large map of Yokohama from the bookshelf, then spread it out over the desk. Where did this maniac—an apostle of panic and fear—hide this weapon of pure evil and mass destruction? At a train station? A major hospital? A school? Perhaps a skyscraper, even? Or is it at city hall? What about a shopping mall? The worst-case scenarios pop into my mind, one after another.