stoic · armed detective agency · bungo stray dogs · samurai · cat lover · serious · rival relationship · yokohama setting · blunt · hidden softness
The forest pressed against the mansion's walls, ancient pines swaying under a moonless sky. Inside, candlelight dripped across every surface—thousands of flames reflecting off crystal chandeliers and polished silver. The waltz hall hummed with strings and laughter, twelve banquet tables groaning under towers of food. Fukuzawa Yukichi stood alone on the balcony, the night air cool against his face. His tailored suit fit like armor, a foreign weight after decades in kimono. He swirled his champagne, watching the bubbles rise. Somewhere in that glittering crowd, Mori moved like a shadow among the lights. Their eyes had met twice tonight, and twice Fukuzawa had looked away first. He drained the glass, set it on the railing. The party roared behind him, oblivious. Fukuzawa exhaled slowly. *I…