The New Year in Japan.
For a time, the number of foreigners in Yokohama noticeably declined.
The crime rate fell as well, and the city police no longer had to exhaust themselves daily, wishing they could split into multiple bodies just to keep up with the workload.
After staying for so long, Miss Catherine Potts—unable to tolerate the cold—finally found herself frozen to the bone. She decided to flee to a country in the Southern Hemisphere to spend the winter, with no plans to return to this small Far Eastern nation again. Before her departure, she made a special appointment to meet Randou one last time, asking whether any French compatriots he knew in Japan might be interested in traveling abroad.
Randou refused, giving the reason that he had already found work in Japan.
Catherine was deeply regretful. "Aside from the abundance of beautiful Asians, the rather good taste of seafood sashimi, and the generally polite temperaments of most people, I haven't found anything in Japan worth staying for."
As she spoke, she glanced at the full set of winter gear Randou was wearing—far more thorough than her own preparations.
This man was afraid of the cold to an extreme degree.
"There are countless reasons," Randou said calmly. "I truly would like to go abroad for a vacation, but not at this time. I will stay with the person I love and spend this winter together." He met Catherine for the last time in a French restaurant, lifting his glass in a small toast. His fingers were so pale they were nearly translucent, as though frost might crystallize at his fingertips.
The longer she had known Randou, the more she sensed that the aura emanating from him, from the inside out, was something no ordinary person could possess.
Catherine clinked her glass against his and chose not to dwell on it further. "I wish you happiness."
Randou raised his eyes. Within his melancholy expression bloomed a gentle smile. A man who ordinarily seemed untouched by anything in the world had, unexpectedly, been genuinely pleased by that simple blessing.
Catherine was momentarily dazzled by his smile.
"Mr. Randou, where is your hometown? Is there any message you would like me to bring back?"
"Hometown…"
A trace of wistfulness entered Randou's gaze. Being able to reclaim even his former name was already a stroke of luck; to desire more would be unworthy.
He tapped his forehead lightly. "I once lost part of my memory. I can no longer remember clearly." Rising to his feet, he picked up his round felt hat. "My compatriot, I wish you a smooth journey. And if possible, please do not speak of my affairs."
Catherine responded with a lady's graceful bow, understanding the hardship he carried.
"Yes, I understand."
With no further entanglements of interest and no other ties between them, she would naturally not investigate him any further. This was where it ended.
She only needed to know—
That in this small Far Eastern nation, she had met an elegant and noble gentleman.
That he was her compatriot, a man who had been willing to rescue her from an alley without asking for any reason.
Randou stepped out through the restaurant's wide doors, his head slightly lowered. His long hair was blown back by the wind and snow, only for part of it to be pressed down again beneath his black hat, shielding him from the falling flakes. The warmth from the heating dissipated quickly, and his figure resembled a plane tree leaf from France that had drifted down upon Japan—desolate, trembling, his body soaked through by the cold wind.
Passersby who glimpsed him could not help but feel a trace of pity.
A sedan bearing local plates drove up and stopped at his side, taking the French beauty away.
"Happy New Year."
After Randou got into the car, Asou Akiya placed a piece of candy—distributed by the Port Mafia—into the palm of his lover's hands, which were rubbing together for warmth.
"So it's this one. I received some at headquarters."
Randou peeled away the colorful wrapper and slipped the candy into his mouth, holding it there as he sucked on it slowly.
Then, without fastening his seatbelt, Randou turned in his seat, his upper body leaning over Asou Akiya as he kissed him, sharing a pocket of winter warmth. The orange-flavored candy rolled between their lips and teeth, threads of sweetness spreading gently. Asou Akiya removed Randou's hat, his fingers threading through the ebony waves of long, curling hair to cradle the back of his neck. Snowflakes melted amid the French beauty's dark locks, carrying a touch of chill and a touch of lingering body heat.
In the loneliest season of the year, feelings grew all the more intense.
Randou settled back into the passenger seat, hugging the hot-water bottle Akiya had prepared for him, its warmth radiating through his coat.
"We're on holiday now. Shall we go home?"
"Let's buy a few more ingredients first. There will be a few extra people joining us for New Year's dinner."
"Who?"
"In any case, they won't be outsiders."
In the slums of Suribachi City, Nakahara Chuuya encountered an unexpected woman and was dazedly pushed a step forward by Edogawa Ranpo.
"Auntie Kudo, I'll leave him to you!"
"What do you mean 'Auntie'? Call me big sister! I'm not that old!"
Kudo Yukiko replied with the smile of an angel, though behind it lurked the faintly menacing aura of a devil.
"Fine, fine—even a woman who's had a child insists on being called big sister." Ranpo let slip the truth without thinking. Fortunately, his small-animal survival instincts kicked in, and he hastily corrected himself. "Big sister, I'll leave Chuuya to you! I'm taking Shinichi out to look around Suribachi City. This is a special district of Yokohama, after all!"
Kudo Yukiko waved her hand. "Have fun. Be back in an hour. And don't lose Shinichi halfway through."
Kudo Shinichi had already run off after his "idol."
Nakahara Chuuya remained seated on the stool, still bewildered, growing restless. "Mrs. Kudo…?"
Kudo Yukiko opened a large bag of cosmetics and spread them out across the table. Gasps of amazement rose intermittently from the orphans of the Sheep organization. In their entire lives, they had never seen so many makeup products.
In Suribachi City, very few orphans knew Kudo Yukiko. Those who recognized her face were all adults.
"This little one has very fine features," Kudo Yukiko observed as she studied Nakahara Chuuya's face. Mixed-race children often produced exceptional beauties, especially Eurasian ones who combined the characteristics of both "parents." "I imagine you still don't know why Ranpo asked me to come see you. He hopes I can do your makeup—make some subtle adjustments to your appearance, reduce the sharpness and depth of your features, and make you look more like a purely Japanese boy."
Nakahara Chuuya abruptly lifted his head to look at the woman he had nearly overlooked. Could she really do that?
Kudo Yukiko declared proudly, "I studied under… ahem, let's just say I'm a star with many years of professional makeup experience."
Chuuya did not quite understand the implications, but he was thrilled to realize that this meant he might finally have a chance to see Randou.
"Thank you very much for your help!"
"No need to thank me. Before I start your makeup, let me ask you one more thing—do you have anyone you'd like to use as a reference? I mean, someone you'd like to look a little like. I can adjust your features as much as possible to match."
Nakahara Chuuya, completely unaware of how incredible that offer really was, immediately pulled out his phone and opened the photo.
"Oh, oh! Is it this foreign gentleman?"
"No! The Japanese man next to him! Mr. Akiya!"
"…You want to look like him?"
Kudo Yukiko assessed the situation and thought the styles were quite different. Chuuya's features were delicate, his youthful face already striking, hinting at a sharp, imposing presence as he grew older. In contrast, Asou Akiya's features were soft and refined, skin smooth, with slightly upturned, phoenix-like eyes. His dark pupils added a purity to the amber hue of his irises—an unforgettable masculine beauty, suited to quietly sitting in an office with a cup of tea all day.
Judging only by appearances, Chuuya had the potential to blend into the entertainment world, while Akiya was not suited for the spotlight. He was more suited to behind-the-scenes management and literary creation, carrying an aura of depth and inscrutability without trying.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure it works out for you!"
In her mind, Kudo Yukiko began sketching a blueprint, preparing to transform Chuuya's face.
Outside, Kudo Shinichi was treating Suribachi City like a labyrinth, marveling at its layout. He trailed behind Edogawa Ranpo like a little tail, bouncing ten thousand "whys" out of his mouth.
"Ranpo-oniichan, why doesn't the government manage these people? I see so many orphans!"
"Where are there ten thousand 'whys'? You're too noisy."
Edogawa Ranpo was a semi-familiar figure on Suribachi City. He had delivered messages, asked for directions, and could quickly build rapport with anyone he spoke to—so long as he didn't touch anyone's personal "landmines."
They arrived at a place handing out candy. Many children lined up, cheering as they received their sweets.
"A man in a black suit… black sunglasses… handing out candy?" Kudo Shinichi felt a strong sense of dissonance.
He was puzzled.
Shouldn't the people giving out candy supposed to dress cutely, like in a bear costume or something?
"Come on, let's go get some!" Edogawa Ranpo scooped up Kudo Shinichi, noticed the boy was a bit heavy, and walked a few steps before setting him down. "Shinichi, you're a big kid now—line up for me."
Shinichi wasn't stupid, despite his small size. "Ranpo-oniichan, your stamina is terrible, isn't it?"
Ranpo puffed up proudly. "I'm a brain-power type!"
Amid the chaos of war and economic instability, Yokohama's wealth gap had become extreme. Not only on Suribachi City but also in the rundown slums, the same scene of children lining up for candy unfolded. Men in suits, claiming to be members of the Port Mafia, arrived in trucks, armed and with weapons at their belts, to maintain order and hand out New Year's sweets—presented as gifts from the city's local crime bosses.
Of course, only those within the Port Mafia knew that it was truly the kindness and effort of Mr. Asou behind it all.
This "Analyst" had convinced the boss to give out welfare!
Nearby, a pair of young siblings hid, the older brother shielding the younger one. The little sister whispered, "I want some candy."
The brother, alert as a wary puppy, said, "Gin, these people don't look like good people."
The sister clutched his hand, gazing at the candy in the others' hands with longing. Their family had been torn apart during the war, left to wander the slums, and they hadn't had sweets in a long time.
"You stay here. I'll get it for you. I won't eat it—this one's yours."
"You're the best, big brother!"
Akutagawa Gin smiled sweetly at Akutagawa Ryunosuke.
Separated from her brother, she shivered from the cold, huddling against a wall with the little fabric she had to cover herself.
The Port Mafia members handing out candy looked at the thin, fragile boy and whispered among themselves.
"Mr. Asou mentioned this, right?"
"Yes, that's what he requested."
"He said to give clothes to children under ten in the slums, especially those wearing too little, as a way to earn merit for the coming year."
By having the organization provide the goods, he could perform this charitable act without spending his own money, earning praise for both his generosity and clever planning.
The supposedly intimidating men in black suits, their eyes hidden behind sunglasses, now looked far kinder, no longer viewing the pitiful orphans with the hardened gaze forged by a life of darkness and cruelty. Some were single, some had families and children, and if this act could atone for a little of their own sins and help their loved ones, they fully supported it.
A few minutes later, Ryunosuke returned to his sister. He coughed lightly—his cold still lingering—but wrapped the clothing around his small sister. The pockets were stuffed full of candy, a small winter miracle for them.
Akutagawa Gin's eyes lit up as she felt the clothes. Seeing that her brother had none, she quickly wriggled free.
"Big brother, I'll get yours too!"
"Gin!"
Ryunosuke could only chase after her. Under the watchful eyes of the Port Mafia members, he begrudgingly helped his sister collect a second set of supplies. He hated doing it—his upbringing had taught him that this was nothing more than begging.
But Gin didn't see it that way.
She buried her little face in the oversized clothing, eyes glistening with tears, and spoke softly to her brother.
"Big brother, please don't get sick, okay?"
Their parents had fallen ill—and died. Now Ryunosuke himself was sick, coughing without medicine, forced to endure it on his own. This was life for children in the slums—harsh and unforgiving, far worse than the orphans of Suribachi City.
Ryunosuke felt a little better hearing her words. Pale-faced, he nodded at his sister.
He couldn't die. He had to protect Gin.
After witnessing the surprising kindness of the black-suited men, the residents of Yokohama began to view the Port Mafia in a subtly different light. From once being untouchable and feared, these members now seemed almost… interesting. They handed out candy and supplies to strangers and orphans alike. A local organization performing acts of charity like this was enough to make outsiders' low-tier gangs seem insignificant.
Sometimes, so-called "good deeds" were a show of the strength of a large organization.
This was usually something only the government would do.
For a moment, the Port Mafia's reputation soared above other groups, pushing the ever-active Takase-kai into second-tier status. Members walking the streets now carried an inexplicable air of confidence.
Look!
They weren't just some worthless thugs.
For this city, they had done their small part—they weren't merely fighting and killing for the sake of it.
The "Analyst," Asou Akiya, saw his reputation rise once more. Within the Port Mafia, both elders and newcomers praised him, saying this was a man with vision, someone suited to handle great affairs.
A calico cat crouched in the corner of the city, tilting its head as it watched the mobsters weaving through the crowd.
"Meow~."
A faint thought stirred in the heart of Natsume Soseki.
Light and Darkness, intermingled with Dawn. If the leaders of the forces controlling this city could unite, keep public and private matters distinct, and not constantly vie for profit… then why should the day of peace not come?
It had to be said—the Analyst saw far.
The calico suddenly leapt aside, evading a black-suited Port Mafia thug who had come over to tease it.
—Even those who look fierce on the outside sometimes harbor a soft spot for a tiny cat.
Night fell.
The Asou family's New Year's Eve dinner was unlike any other.
Fukuzawa Yukichi had arrived, sitting stiffly beside Edogawa Ranpo, rigid and anxious, observing the formal etiquette of a great household.
He had been invited by Asou Akiya as a gesture of gratitude for looking after Ranpo—he could not bear to have him alone for the New Year. But there was someone even ten times more nervous than Fukuzawa Yukichi.
Nakahara Chuuya sat stiffly beside Asou Akiya, frozen in posture, while Edogawa Ranpo quietly smirked at the sight.
"Randou, this is a child I've been taking care of on Suribachi City. He's friends with Ranpo and often looks after him. I invited him to join tonight—he'll stay in Ranpo's room for the night."
Asou Akiya placed a hand gently on the boy's orange hair and cheerfully introduced him to Randou. Knowing that a few extra people would be joining the dinner, Randou scanned Chuuya's face with a subtle, meaningful glance—no surprise, but a quiet acknowledgment.
"This child… looks quite like you."
Tonight, Nakahara Chuuya appeared delicate and petite, with bright orange hair and striking green eyes, his features exquisitely refined.
In other words, the boy, with his mixed-race features subtly softened, looked remarkably like a young Asou Akiya.
Top-tier disguise skills.jpg
At first glance, Asou Akiya nearly burst out laughing.
The makeup had gone way too far!
If it weren't for that shock of vivid orange hair, he might not have recognized his own little protégé at all!
Asou Akiya, under Randou's curious gaze, silently thanked Kudo Yukiko for her masterful handiwork. At least thanks to her, Nakahara Chuuya could now step through the front door of the house.
In Bungou Stray Dogs, twenty-two-year-old Chuuya had never had a family.
He was no god.
He was a gravitational force yearning to become human.
"I think he's more like you," Asou Akiya said breezily, ignoring all such questions. "Trust my judgment, Randou. Beyond the resemblance of appearance, don't you feel a closeness of the soul?"
Randou had initially intended to avert his gaze, but at that remark, he glanced once more at the obedient, quiet Chuuya.
Chuuya's green eyes were bright, luminous, and full of life.
Unlike his own.
"No."
With one word, the mother denied her child.
Chuuya felt deeply wounded and turned to Akiya for support. Asou Akiya comforted him:
"It's not obvious when you're a child. As you grow, it will show. I think Chuuya has a passionate soul, much like yours, Randou."
The future Nakahara Chuuya would have an appearance as striking as Verlaine's, paired with the stubborn intensity of Rimbaud's personality.
Once at the house, all of that intensity was neatly restrained.
Asou Akiya gently diffused the initial awkwardness, letting go of Chuuya and pouring drinks for the two children while the adults sipped wine and chatted.
The dinner spread was lavish: Japanese, Chinese, French, and one particularly eccentric English dish—
—Mackerel Stargazing Pie.
However, given Asou Akiya's enthusiastic, yet fussy, approach to cooking, the dishes ultimately served more as decorations than sustenance. Not a single person showed curiosity about the English dish—not even Edogawa Ranpo.
"I'm definitely not eating that weird thing!" Ranpo declared.
Nakahara Chuuya quietly agreed.
Randou covered his mouth to suppress a laugh. "Akiya, I told you not to make English food."
Fukuzawa Yukichi bluntly added, "It's a bit wasteful and not exactly appetizing to normal people."
Asou Akiya responded nonchalantly, "We only waste food once a year!"
Thanks to Akiya's heartfelt hospitality, this New Year's feast was joyful and brimming with meaning. In the living room, the fireplace crackled warmly, enhancing the homey atmosphere.
Crossing over from the cold, deadly tension of the original story, the French big cat and the little orange kitten now shared a meal together!
Under the table, he squeezed Chuuya's tiny soft hand and felt Randou's long legs pressed nearby.
Ah—mother-and-child duo, the whole cat family bucket is here!
Pure happiness~.
…
Meanwhile, in the police station's holding cell, Oda Sakunosuke finished his own New Year's feast:
Special Edition—Sweet and Spicy Curry Rice.
The murderous thoughts vanished.
The red-haired boy felt completely at peace, embracing a calm, almost Buddhist detachment.
As long as there was curry rice, everything else could wait; life, in its modest way, could go on.
Outside, the city celebrated the New Year.