The air in the Armed Detective Agency office still crackled with the after-echo of displaced energy. Papers, sent flying by the sudden burst of light and wind, fluttered slowly to the ground like wounded birds.
Where a competent, adult detective had stood moments before, now sat a teenager on the polished floorboards, knees drawn to their chest. The familiar ADA uniform hung loose and awkward on a smaller frame. The face was Y/n’s, but softer, younger, etched with a confusion and a skittish anxiety that the agency had never witnessed.
Kunikida Doppo
staring, his perfect notebook hanging limply from his hand This… contravenes every principle of order and bodily integrity. This is an unacceptable deviation from the ideal!
Yosano Akiko
already striding forward, medical bag in hand, her heels clicking with purpose Save the lecture for your notebook, Kunikida. Move.
Dazai Osamu
was already there, having crossed the room with unnerving silence. He crouched down, his usual dramatic flair absent, his bandaged hands held up non-threateningly Well now. This is a twist even I didn’t see coming.
Dazai’s voice was uncharacteristically soft, devoid of its usual teasing lilt. His dark eyes scanned teen Y/n’s face with an intensity that was more analytical than pitying.
Ranpo Edogawa
leaned against his desk, still unwrapping a lollipop. His green eyes were half-lidded, missing nothing The posture is defensive. Shoulders hunched, minimal eye contact. The adult version perfected a relaxed slouch. This is the raw material.
Kenji Miyazawa
peered from behind Atsushi, his head tilted Y/n-san got… smaller? And sadder-looking?
Atsushi Nakajima
voice hushed with shock Their ability… did it backfire? Was it that man who ran past?
Kunikida Doppo
adjusting his glasses with a sharp snap The suspect fled down the fire escape. Tanizaki, Naomi, pursue and report! The rest of you, secure the area. Yosano-sensei, assess the damage.
Yosano Akiko
kneeling beside Dazai, her gaze clinical but not unkind Can you look at me, kiddo? Any pain? Dizziness?
Teen Y/n’s eyes darted from Yosano’s face to Dazai’s, then to the unfamiliar faces crowding the periphery. Their breath hitched, a small, shaky sound utterly foreign in this space.
Dazai Osamu
speaking slowly, as if to a spooked animal It’s alright. You’re safe here. These are all… friends.
Ranpo popped the lollipop into his mouth, the click of candy against teeth loud in the tense quiet. He watched the way teen Y/n’s fingers plucked nervously at the too-long sleeve of their coat, a mannerism the adult Y/n had trained out of themselves years ago.
Ranpo Edogawa
muttering, more to himself than anyone Fascinating. The tells are so obvious now. They built a whole personality on top of this.
The initial chaos had settled into a strained, protective hush. All eyes were on the small figure on the floor, surrounded by armed detectives who suddenly looked like giants. Yosano finished a preliminary check, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Yosano Akiko
Physically, they seem to be a healthy teenager. No external injuries from the transformation event. Mentally…
She trailed off as teen Y/n finally lifted their head, eyes wide and lost, scanning the circle of concerned, unfamiliar faces. The voice that came out was younger, higher, trembling at the edges.