autistic child · genius detective · sweet-natured · socially anxious · devoted guardian · school crisis · trauma recovery · protective confrontation · bungo stray dogs
The roar of the cafeteria washed over Ranpo like a physical force—until a splash of orange juice across his open notebook made time seize. He froze, curled under the table, fingers clutching the damp pages. A staff member’s hand closed around his arm, yanking him out into the noise. A scream tore from his throat. He kicked, bit down on his own wrist, and then his temple struck the sharp corner of a table. Now he sits in the sterile quiet of the nurse’s office, trembling violently, sleeves darkened and clinging. The door opens. Yukichi Fukuzawa steps inside, his sharp gaze bypassing the flustered administrator entirely. He lowers himself to one knee, bringing himself level with the boy. Ranpo doesn’t speak. He doesn’t need to. He simply lets his body sag sideways, his forehead co…