Chapter Text
Ranpo stared outside his apartment window, the city looking as beautiful as ever. The window had to be his favorite part of the place, watching people walking throughout the city. Seeing the moonlight shine. It was something he never thought he could achieve.
His very own apartment! It might’ve taken him longer than most people, but he was still proud of himself, one step closer to being fully independent. (However, Fukuzawa always calls him twice daily to ensure he does his daily tasks.)
“Once again, the world's greatest detective has solved another mystery!” He hummed, closing the book in his hand. He stood up, hearing some noise outside of his apartment. With curiosity getting the best of him he looked through the porthole, noticing a bunch of people with moving boxes going into the apartment across from his.
“No way… a new person!” He spoke aloud to himself, not even realizing he did so. He watched through the porthole as the movers went in and out of the apartment. Jealous of the fact that only Fukazawa was the only one who actually helped out.
After watching them for a few moments, he got bored and walked over to his desk, staring at his phone and ignoring the text messages being sent. Crazy how the same day he moves in, someone else does as well. Maybe it was a sign that they would be friends! The idea of being friends with someone outside of the ADA sounded amazing yet overwhelming.
There was no way that Ranpo would go out and talk to the stranger at this hour; he was already in bedtime mode. But he still wanted to give them a warm welcome. Oh- a letter could do the trick!
He grabbed his favorite pen from his pencil case and started writing, fixating on this letter. It took some time and maybe a few new sheets of paper, but he could finally write down what he wanted to say.
Good evening neighbor,
I saw that you moved into this complex the same day as me. In fact, I’m the apartment in front of yours! Crazy, isn’t it? I was going to talk to you, but it’s awfully late, and I didn’t want to overwhelm you. I would love to talk once you’re all settled in. Just knock on my door four times in a row, and I’ll know it’s you!
Sincerely Yours, Edogawa Ranpo!!
After placing the letter in an envelope, he slid it under the apartment door. He didn’t realize how creepy that was until he made it to his bed, internally cringing. He couldn’t help but stay up thinking about how weird the new person might think he was.
Ranpo’s phone was blowing up; of course, it was Fukuzawa. It was the same old routine every day. His father figure would call him around 7 am on weekdays and 10 am on weekends to ensure he wasn’t wasting his days away.
Ranpo answered the phone with a soft groan, explaining to his father figure the plan for the day. It was a ‘chill’ day the type of day where he could do whatever with no goal.
The detective wobbled out of bed as he and Fukazawa discussed ideas for his apartment-warming party. Ranpo didn’t really want a party. The concept of everyone in his private space was… uncomfortable, but the A.D.A genuinely wanted to check out his place, and how could he say no to them?
“Yes, Fukuzawa, I promise I’ll talk to you tonight, okay?” Ranpo said goodbye as he hung up, fidgeting with his phone as he noticed something white by his door. His eyes widened as it said his name on it (though the Japanese was barely understandable his humble opinion)
Good morning Ranpo,
I apologize if my Japanese isn’t the best, but I was flattered by your letter even if I struggled reading it. I just moved here from the United States so please excuse the grammatical errors. I would love to chat when you’re free. I plan to go to the grocery store this morning, but I’ll knock four times when I’m back.
Sincerely Yours, Edgar Allen Poe
“Now there’s a name to you~” Ranpo chuckled, staring at the boxes he needed to put away though Kenji and Fukuzawa were planning to come over on Sunday to do that with him. He placed the letter on the kitchen table under the fruit bowl Atsushi gave him as a gift.
Ranpo made his way to his couch, plopping himself on it as he stared at the ceiling. So many things were going through his mind. How he finally had his apartment? When will he get a car? Or, more importantly, how will he get his license? Why was being an Adult so hard?
Who was Edgar Allen Poe?
He spent the morning thinking, coming up with an image of what this guy looked like. This “Poe” guy sounded like an old man, but old people are cool, so that's OK with him. A friend is a friend, and he needed more friends.
As the moring turned afternoon, Ranpo was wondering if the Edgar Allen Poe guy was actually going to knock on his door, though maybe Poe was still busy right? Ranpo continued to over think until he hear a knock on the door.
That knock became two knocks, then three, then four.
The detective’s eyes lit up as he rubbed his hands together. So his over-thinking was for nothing. Taking a deep breath, he skipped over to the door and opened it.
He looked up at this Poe person, his eyes widening as he realized that he wasn’t some old guy like he thought. Ranpo’s eyes darted up and down the new person, seeing if he can read him.
“You’re Ranpo, correct?”
Poe’s Japanese sounded off though it was still better than most American’s who want to speak Japanese so that they can understand anime. The detetivce stared at the ground, struggling with making eye contact with this stranger.
“It is I Edogawa Ranpo! The greatest detective in all of Yokohama!” He chuckled, crossing his arms with a bit of pride. Poe cocked his head to the side in confusion, but smiled softly at the shorter male.
“Uhh, pleasure to finally meet you in person Ranpo. You caught my eye by your hand writing. It was very pretty.” Poe rubbed the back of his neck as he spoke, both parties not really sure how to respond to each other.
“But you said you couldn’t read it?” Ranpo narrowed his gazed at the confusing remark, as he looked up, he noticing Poe’s face turn a light shade of pink, “Uhh Poe, is everything okay?” the detetivce smiled weirdly, almost as if it was forced.
“Yes I’m fine! D-Don’t worry about me. Look at the time… I should get going.” Poe bowed as he started to back away from Ranpo’s apartment door. Trying to get inside his apartment without facing his back towards the shorter male.
Ranpo frowned, realizing he most likely fucked up once again with trying to make a new friend. What did he do this time to cause this to happened? With a sign of defeat, he laid down on the floor, rubbing his hands together as he tried to relax.
“Why do I care so much about this? I don’t know him.” Ranpo groaned, looking over to his desk. His favorite pen was out, oh how could he forget to put it back in his pencil case! However, it gave him an amazing idea.
He got up, tip toeing to his desk as he began writing another letter. He slowly wrote out the words, making them as neat as possible. If only his words were as power as his letters
Hey, Neighbor!
I’m sorry if today’s interaction was awkward, I didn’t realize you were actually going to go through with talking to me! You look and seem really cool, can we try a reintroduction to each other? I promise I’m not too weird! Just let me know okay? I’m free all the time, just give me a set time and I can do that!!
Sincerely Yours, Ranpo!!
Ranpo placed this letter in a white envelope and once again slid it under Poe’s door. Though he didn’t really believe in a god, he prayed a small prayer, hoping that Poe would give him a second chance for friendship.