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Dazai is generally good with children; at least he knows how to handle them and understands what he can do to keep each child calm. He's not bothered by crying, at least not on a calm day. However, that doesn't mean he knows how to handle every situation correctly. His methods can be cruel to children if he feels it's necessary and doesn't see anything wrong with it.
Dazai adapts to each person and their personality; when he has to deal with children who have come to the agency with their guardian or as witnesses, he knows he can't be cruel. So many at the agency assumed that despite his free spirit, the brown-haired man knew how to handle children, that his charisma worked on everyone... Perhaps those in the mafia disagreed, but now he was no longer in the mafia, and his methods had to be different, right? At least that's what he kept telling himself whenever he overthought things. Something he hated. Because he knows what works best for each person, and he knows what's most practical in different situations; but that doesn't mean certain actions can't be considered immoral by a certain standard.
"Mr. Dazai, Mr. Ranpo wants us to accompany him on his mission!" Dazai heard from a cheerful, childlike voice; the voice of the little blond boy who had been working there for a few months. The brunette managed to snap out of his daze and looked at the blond boy for a few seconds before smiling.
"Of course, Kenji-kun!" he exclaimed, jumping up from his chair and ruffling the boy's hair excitedly. Kenji kept his smile and followed Dazai, keeping pace with the older man.
Ranpo isn't good with children; well, he isn't good with people in general, at least he wasn't good with people according to social norms. He was always considered too direct, unfiltered, and rude. Why would that be his fault? He sees through every lie, every mask they wear, and every wall they try to build. He understands quickly and knows the reason behind things before anyone else; so is it his fault that he never quite grasped some simple rules?
"Mr. Ranpo, shall we go? I want to see you solve that case!" Kenji exclaimed. He was still relatively new to the agency and enjoyed watching the adults at work, as he learned big things form it.
When they arrived at the scene, everything was resolved as quickly as expected, simply because Ranpo was there. Kenji watched with curiosity and admiration, and Dazai noticed this immediately.
"It's incredible, isn't it?" he said to the blond boy, who looked at him with bright eyes and nodded repeatedly. Dazai laughed with genuine affection and ruffled the younger boy's hair.
Ranpo was talking to the officer, telling him that he wasn't going to do much paperwork because he had already done his part in solving the case. The officer was annoyed, especially by the insolence with which he was being treated.
Before things could get any more chaotic, Dazai intervened with sweet words and empty promises.
"Don't worry, sir! We'll take care of it," the chestnut-haired man said, calming the situation somewhat. The officer clicked his tongue in annoyance, looking at Dazai with a doubtful expression.
"Yes, yes, let's go. Kenji, lead the way!" Ranpo exclaimed, stepping ahead. Ignoring his own words, Kenji nodded and ran after Ranpo to guide him. Dazai said goodbye to the officer and followed behind them both.
Kenji, being energetic, talked and talked nonstop, letting Ranpo chime in with his opinions on what he was saying. Ranpo knew the boy was a very genuine, honest kid who didn't seem to get annoyed easily, and that he talked a lot, just like him.
Dazai decided to only listened, walking with his hands in his pockets and occasionally offering some unsolicited opinion. When they finally arrived at the agency, Dazai had already refused to share his opinion on anything, just watching the two of them walk by while they talked incessantly. Kenji was the first to enter, making way for the two adults who end up alone.
"Ranpo~ weren't you bad with little kids?" Dazai whispered sarcastically. "You get along really well with Kenji-kun!" he continued, teasing him under his breath.
Ranpo shrugged. "I never said I was bad with children, you just assumed that," he lied with a smile. Dazai chuckled as well before pushing Ranpo into the agency.