"So there is such a profession exist huh"
Itsuho put her two elbows on the table as she let her fingers intertwine with each other to support her head as she turned to them like she was looking at them.
"So you guys are all about finding missing things- cats, people and investigating infidelity?"
For some reason, Itsuho started to get excited as her mind went wild about the daily dose of drama they might be experiencing.
"Shut up"
Kunikida retorted sharply as he read the look on her face, then his gaze turned to Atsushi, who looked at them blankly as he paused eating. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and started to explain.
"We are not detectives who are just searching for cats and investigating infidelity!"
That earned a questioning look from Itsuho. Kunikida didn't react and kept explaining.
"We are usually sent to places where murders happen." He turned to Atsushi. "Have you ever heard of 'Armed Detectives'?"
Sensing Atsushi's realization, Itsuho raised an eyebrow as he gasped, indicating he knew.
"Are you guys that famous?"
"It said that dangerous requests that normal police can't be depended on to resolve end up in the hands of these specialized detectives, Itsuho-san"
"Sounds so luxurious to me"
she lazily said.
"Ummm...." Atsushi finished the last bowl while earning a glare from Kunikida when he patted his now full stomach.
"Luxurious?"
"Mm, you can say I am also a detective"
Itsuho gave a half smile to him, sensing his confusion.
"As I said, shinobi isn't all about assassinating; we are more like... jack-of-all-trades"
"Pffft"
Dazai burst into laughter.
"More like doing odd jobs, Itsuho-chan" He looked at her playfully.
"You can say that way. Not all ninja are able to do dangerous jobs. Hmm, no wonder I felt you guys were so special since I didn't feel much danger here. Besides, you guys talking to me like a normal being is enough to prove my point. But here, feels almost too peaceful"
She lazily stretched her limbs like a cat as Atsushi answered her question
"I heard that all armed detectives hold great power beyond that of humans as 'ability users'"
Hearing that, Itsuho paused as she turned her head to Atsushi, almost freaking him out before turning to Kunikida and Dazai as she leaned towards them with an expression that almost looked predatory.
"You are making me blush, Itsuho-chan." Dazai grinned as Kunikida started to look back at her, but the hint of red in his earlobe betrayed him.
"Really, how flattering Da.za.i- kun" she said with a suggestive pause after she understood something.
She felt their extraordinary way since the moment they met them, as she knew sooner or later they would reveal themselves to her since they were going to watch over her.
"Don't seduce people around!! That is indecent!!"
Kunikida flustered as he snapped and pushed her back to her chair while earning looks from other customers.
"Hah, that wasn't even an appetizer. Should I do it properly then?"
She turned her head to Kunikida with a playful smirk as Atsushi blushed; his face becoming beet red, while Kunikida looked at her with an exasperated, flustered look, and Dazai smirked as his gaze focused on her.
She leaned toward Kunikida as her slender fingers slowly started to climb up Kunikida's hand.
"Stop!!" Kunikida took a deep breath as he put his hands on her shoulders and forcefully sat her down.
"Oh my! What a gentleman!" She said flirtatiously.
"Listen here, Itsuho!!" He took a deep breath again. "That is not how things work here. Do. Not. Try. To. Seduce. Anyone."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it" She smirked, clearly enjoying his reactions, even if she couldn't see it, while partly listening to him, as it is very doubtful that she took his advice seriously.
"I think you would be wonderful for the job I have for you, Itsuho-chan", Dazai smirked, earning a boop from Kunikida.
"Really?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Is it involved seducing people, Dazai?" She turned her head to him. "Then I have to consider it. Even if it is just seducing, I still have standards"
"Oh, what a pity then" His smirk widened.
"There is no such requirement!" Kunikida snapped. "Anyway, because of this brat's chazuke, we are too far behind schedule!!!"
He almost shouted in frustration, but the look on Atsushi's face stopped him from doing that as he paused and looked at him.
"You really saved me!"
He paused for a moment to find the right words to say.
"After leaving there, I haven't had anything to eat and no place to sleep...I would have fallen dead in no time"
Itsuho sensed his genuine gratitude that was filled with helplessness.
"Atsushi-kun, what happened to you? Why were you so starved in the first place? Were you kidnapped? Or was your family abusing you?"
A dangerous thought appeared in her mind.
"I was from an orphanage, Itsuho-san"
A smile that looked uglier than crying appeared on his face. Even though she couldn't see it, she already sensed his emotions.
"I am... sorry"
For the first time in once it took a while for her to find words to say.
"It is OK, Itsuho-san. I..I don't feel much about it now." He shook his head, not knowing what to say.
"Hmph, so you left the orphanage", Dazai said while contemplating.
A helpless smile appeared on Atsushi's lips as he said.
"Rather than leaving..... I was chased out like being laid off from a company."
Dazai showed no expression as he just played with his own fingers.
"That's a rather heartless orphanage"
Kunikida gave a warning to Dazai with his eyes, not wanting to get involved further.
"Hey Dazai"
"Heartless, hehe", Itsuho smirked cynically.
"Not all those orphanage staff are goody-two-shoes. Corruption is everywhere, so it is quite common to find some orphanages that living conditions are so poor"
She crossed her legs as she placed one hand on her cheek while drawing circles on the table lazily with the other.
"Well, that's not all. Once in a while, you can find beasts that look like humans who were perverted to the point of doing many unspeakable things to the children."
She chuckled darkly as she sensed the emotions of Atsushi; she was able to figure out what was going on with him.
"That's...." Kunikida looked at her speechlessly; aside from her mood swing, he was dumbfounded at what he was hearing.
"No matter which world, the nature of humans will never change anyway", she chuckled nonchalantly, as the darkness earlier was just an illusion.
"You seem to know many things about orphanages, Itsuho-chan" Dazai leaned forward while mirroring her sitting position.
"Did you also grow up in an orphanage, Itsuho-chan?" Dazai smirked darkly.
"Me? No, I wasn't an orphan," she lazily smirked. "I also wonder how I have known that much, not like I have been to those places that much"