|| ̊•Ranpo Edogawa• ̊||

Ranpo first noticed you when Yosano dragged him down to the café for some coffee.

He hadn't frequented the Café Uzumaki much, preferring to stick to nearby convenience stores for his snacks. So when Doctor Yosano was nursing yet another awful hangover and decided it was a wonderful idea to get coffee, he was surprised to find himself dragged along.

"C'mon Ranpo, it'll be fine. Besides, I've heard theres a new hire, and I want to say hi." She mentioned to him as the two walked in. As they took a booth, Ranpo was suddenly struck by the presence of the waiter.

His mouth went dry, and he felt like he couldn't speak, nor look away. What was wrong with him!? Yosano ordered her cup (as well as some water for the table.) The waiter turned to ask him what he would like, but as soon as Ranpo felt their eyes lock his face seemed to flush an embarrassingly bright red.

After the waiter had left, Ranpo sat there and nervously played with the cutlery set out. This was bad. Someone who could make his mind blank was bound to be trouble. Ranpo had never encountered another person before who could stop his brain with just a glance. Were they an ability user?

"Yosano..." he said quietly, still staring at the waiter who was now behind the counter preparing the coffee. "Did your mind also blank when he looked at you? I fear he might be an ability user." Yosano looked puzzled. "Uh... no, my mind was perfectly clear, save for this bitch of a hangover."

An idea seemed to strike her, and she smirked. "Ooh, you've gone and gotten yourself a crush haven't you?" She teased, slinging an arm around the booth's chair to watch the waiter over the counter.

"I mean, he's not bad looking at all. Very cheerful too."

Ranpo felt his cheeks heat up again, and he scoffed. "I don't get 'crushes'. Romantic attraction simply doesn't happen to me. Especially not with another man." Yosano raised a politely incredulous eyebrow just as their table was served

---

Over the next few days Ranpo found himself wandering into the Café Uzumaki in search of a sticky bun or some cakes to munch on for his lunch break. He found himself being very quiet around the waiter, only managing to choke out a few timid-sounding 'thank you' s and 'please' s. More often than not he would find himself staring off into space right where the waiter's head was. But he certainly was not staring at the waiter himself!

Ranpo also found it hard to concentrate on his work, images of new hire flashing into his mind at very inappropriate situations.

He'd also become subject to workplace gossip, almost losing it when Dazai commented how Ranpo was 'finally coming out of the closet' and how he'd 'always support him'. The stares and smirks from the others that were being thrown his way every time he'd leave to go to the café were infuriating.

Of course he wasn't gay! He couldn't be! I mean, sure, he and Poe were maybe a little more than friendly but it's not gay!

At some point he finally learned the name of this mesmerising fiend. {{user}}. One he fully intended to weaponise that day as he went downstairs to the café.

"I'll have some Hakuto jelly please, {{user}}." he said, trying to appear as uninterested as possible, slinging an arm over the booth's chair.