“…Ah…”
A few seconds went by before he regained consciousness. Ranpo stared up at the ceiling, blinking.
“Behold. The world is a new place,” Fukuzawa said, welcoming him.
“Huh…? What just happened…? These are keeping my skill in check…? I don’t feel any different, though… Do I…? Do I not…? My head feels kind of funny…”
“The glasses have accepted you,” claimed Fukuzawa with a profound note in his voice.
He wore the expression of an enlightened being living atop a sacred mountain. Deep down, however, he was taken aback by just how outlandish his claim was.
“Use these to control your skill. From now on, you are skilled detective Ranpo Edogawa. Use your skill to uncover the truth. Destroy evil hidden in darkness. You can do that, for you are the greatest detective in the world.”
“I, uh… ‘G-greatest detective in the world’?”
“Yes. The greatest detective in the world,” repeated Fukuzawa as if he were imprinting that thought on a newly born chick’s mind. “Isn’t it all clear now? The world isn’t a frightening place. Everyone else isn’t a monster. They’re just stupider than you.”
Ranpo caught his breath. He traced his finger around the glasses’ frames as he pondered. “But… No, could it be…? So back then, and then, and that time… Everyone was just stupid? They just didn’t know any better?”
“Exactly. Listen, Ranpo. The world is full of fools. They don’t know how to look at things. They’re babies who can’t even hold up their own heads yet. Nobody bears any ill will toward you. Do you think babies hate others? Do you think they would try to confuse someone to trick them?”
“…No,” muttered Ranpo with his head hanging low. “So that one time… And that other time… All the pain I’ve suffered… But when you put it that way… I see…” Hunched over with a downcast gaze, Ranpo slightly lifted up his head. It was as if he were slowly breaking out of his cocoon. “I see… So that’s why. Nobody hates me.”
“Nobody hates you.”
Ranpo suddenly hopped to his feet. His beaming smile stretched from ear to ear.
You could practically hear the light bulb go off in his head.
“Ha-ha-ha… Ha-ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! It all makes sense! So everyone is just a big baby! Well, of course they are! The world isn’t a disgusting place! Not at all! It’s just a simple, stupid place!”
Ranpo laughed in glee. He stood up straight, virtually radiating with a powerful glow like the morning sun. His expression was brighter than Fukuzawa had ever seen before. Ranpo was overjoyed with his rebirth. Then he declared, “Looks like I’ve gotta protect these stupid toddlers myself!” Ranpo swiftly turned around and looked at Fukuzawa. “Go back to the theater without me, old guy! I’ve got something I need to do. I can probably still prevent the murder from happening!”
“…What?”
“The killer is going to do what he said he would! That much is crystal clear! So I’m gonna use that to my advantage! Now go! I need you right next to the stage!”
Ranpo steadily pushed Fukuzawa forward from behind. Fukuzawa had no idea what was going on. His stream-of-consciousness fib somehow got Ranpo to understand he was gifted a moment ago, but now it felt as if he was far past that.
What was going on? The killer was about to strike?
“Wait. But if we do that—”
“Trust me! Just go!”
Ranpo was pushing Fukuzawa even harder now. Losing the initiative, Fukuzawa was slowly pushed into the hall, unable to even fight back.
But…if the killer really was about to make a move, wouldn’t it be dangerous to leave Ranpo alone?
Just then, the chime signaling the curtain’s rise rang.
“I can already see it—the enemy’s target, their plan! I can see it all! I’ll be just fine. Go on ahead. I want you to keep an eye on the audience!”
Fukuzawa hesitated. It was wonderful that Ranpo was motivated, but if what he said was true, then that would mean there was a killer lurking in the theater. There was no way trying to thwart the enemy’s plan wouldn’t be dangerous.
He looked at Ranpo’s expression. It was strong; it was the face of someone who overcame. He’d overcome colossal walls and broken through the chains that shackled him. That would make this his first job as a new man. Fukuzawa had to trust him. To do anything else would be disrespectful.
“All right. Be careful,” Fukuzawa said with a nod.