Chapter Three: Music and Mischief The next morning, Raven walked into the Agency wearing her usual oversized hoodie and headphones. She dropped into her chair. Kunikida looked over. “Good morning.” Raven didn't answer. “Raven?” Nothing. Kunikida waved a hand in front of her face. Still nothing. Dazai leaned over. “She can't hear you.” “Why?” “Headphones.” Kunikida sighed. Raven suddenly looked up. “What?” “I said good morning.” “Oh.” She put one headphone aside. “Morning.” “What are you listening to?” “Beabadoobee.” Atsushi looked curious. “Who's that?” Raven stared at him. “You don't know Beabadoobee?” “No.” Raven slowly removed her headphones. “You have a lot to learn.” Dazai leaned closer. “Is she your favorite singer?” “Yep.” “What's your favorite song?” Raven thought for a moment. “Depends on my mood.” Kunikida shook his head. “We are not having a music discussion during work.” Raven put her headphones back on. “Too late.” Kunikida sighed. Dazai smiled. “I think she likes music more than she likes us.” “She definitely does,” Atsushi said. Raven pointed at him without looking up. “Correct.” A few minutes later, Fukuzawa entered the room. “We have another assignment.” Raven immediately lowered her headphones. “What kind?” “Investigation.” “Okay.” Kunikida looked surprised. “That was easy.” Raven shrugged. “I don't mind investigations.” They were given a simple task: find a missing package that was supposed to be delivered to the Agency. Nothing unusual. At least, that was what they thought. They searched the nearby streets. Nothing. They checked the delivery office. Nothing. They asked around. Still nothing. Raven leaned against a wall. “This is boring.” Kunikida looked at her. “Try to be patient.” “I am being patient.” “You've complained six times.” “That's my version of patience.” Atsushi tried not to laugh. Raven suddenly looked toward a nearby alley. “Wait.” Everyone stopped. “What?” Kunikida asked. “I heard something.” She walked toward the alley. “Raven, stay with the group.” She stopped. Slowly turned around. “No.” Kunikida closed his eyes. “Of course.” Raven smiled. She stepped into the alley. Then her body changed. In seconds, she became a small bird. Atsushi stared. “She can fly too?” Dazai smiled. “Apparently.” Raven flew over the buildings. From above, she spotted a small box sitting on a balcony. She flew down. Changed back. Picked up the box. Then walked back toward the group. “Found it.” Kunikida stared at her. “You turned into a bird.” “Yep.” “You flew over the buildings.” “Yep.” “You found the package.” “Yep.” Kunikida paused. “...Good work.” Raven smiled. “Thanks.” Dazai looked impressed. “Look at that. She's learning how to cooperate.” “Don't push it.” On the way back to the Agency, Raven put her headphones back on. Atsushi walked beside her. “So, what do you like about winter so much?” Raven thought about it. “It's cold. Snowy. Quiet.” She smiled. “And the music sounds better when you're walking outside in the cold.” Atsushi nodded. “That actually sounds nice.” Raven handed him one of her headphones. “Here.” He listened for a moment. Then smiled. “Yeah. I get it.” Raven smiled back. For once, she didn't complain about the Agency. She just walked beside Atsushi, listening to music while snow slowly began falling again. Behind them, Dazai whispered to Kunikida. “She has a soft side.” Kunikida nodded. “Don't tell her.” Dazai smiled. “Of course not.” Raven suddenly turned around. “I can hear you.” Dazai froze. Kunikida laughed. “Worth a try.” Raven shook her head. “You people are weird.” And somehow, she didn't mind it as much anymore.
chapter 4 coming in a few
