“What kid?”
“The homeless one you took in yesterday,” Kunikida replied as he placed his cup on the table. “You mentioned you wanted to employ him at the agency. Were you being serious? Because that’s not something any sane person would do. Not only is he a total stranger, the boy’s also a dangerous skill user and designated beastly threat within the local ward. And you w
ant the agency to hire him?”
“Heh-heh-heh. I’m more than serious about it. In fact, that’s why I came here today. Ah, I can’t wait.”
“Oh, I heard about that,” said Tanizaki, leaning forward in his chair. “This is the case where you had to catch a man-eating tiger that ended up actually being a street urchin boy with the ability to transform into a tiger, right? I can’t believe you guys were able both to solve such a bizarre case in under a day and take a skill user into custody without issue. You aren’t known as the best duo in the agency for nothing.”
“Oh, stop. You’re embarrassing me.”
“We’re not a ‘duo.’”
Dazai and Kunikida spoke at the exact same time.
However, the fact of the matter was that they were the most talented duo in the agency when it came to solving tough cases, and they had boasted a record of solving the most difficult cases ever since Dazai joined the company two years ago. Outsiders who didn’t know their personalities or how much they didn’t get along often thought they were the perfect pair. Ignorance is bliss.
“At any rate…,” Kunikida said while glaring at Dazai. “I’m against the idea, but if you’re serious about this, then you need to go talk it over with the president. If he agrees, then I won’t say another word about the matter.”
“Already done,” Dazai replied, beaming. “He told me to come up with an entrance exam.”
“Seriously? So you’re saying he gave you permission?” asked Tanizaki.
“Yep. Just one thing, though…” Dazai placed his thumb to his lips as if deep in thought. “I still haven’t thought of what I’m gonna get Atsushi to do for his entrance exam. Such a serious matter shouldn’t be left to me to decide alone. Right, partner?”
Dazai sent Kunikida a sly smirk after he finished.
“Of course.” Kunikida crossed his arms grumpily. “The entrance exam is an important rite of passage, a test of one’s compatibility with the agency and the authenticity of their very soul. Furthermore, this newcomer is a designated threat to the local ward. One wrong move, and the agency itself could fall under suspicion for illegally harboring a dangerous beast. I can’t argue with you if the president has given you permission, but we must be more thorough than usual with this exam. No way I’m letting you pull some idea out of your ass to test him.”
“Then it’s settled.” Dazai tossed back the rest of his tea with mirth before standing. “Let’s go. I’ve already called everyone to the agency’s conference room.”
“…For what?” Kunikida asked flatly.
“To get started on what you just said.” Dazai stuck out his index finger to get everyone’s attention and smirked. “Boss’s orders. We need everyone’s wisdom in order to determine what this newcomer—our new rising star—can do for the agency.”
Dazai took in a deep breath, then declared:
“Let the first entrance exam trial meeting begin!”
The Armed Detective Agency was a private organization made up of skill users. There were the investigators who solved client cases, and office staff in charge of gathering intel, handling client relations, and seeing to accounting matters. Although the agency didn’t have a set number of employees, the usual staff totaled a dozen or so, including the president.
Almost all the investigators had some sort of skill.
Skill User: Junichiro Tanizaki
Skill: Light Snow
Skill User: Doppo Kunikida
Skill: The Matchless Poet
Skill User: Osamu Dazai
Skill: No Longer Human
Others had their own unique skills as well, which they used for their work. The Armed Detective Agency was a band of skill users who oversaw the twilight between the worlds of day—where the governmental authority of the police reigned—and night, ruled by the dark underbelly of society.
The agency was founded over a decade ago by the president after a chance encounter with a certain skill user. But that is a story for a later time.