#and how fukuchi knew he couldnt do it

[danhjngs]

the way fukuzawa didn't even hesitate when fukuchi called out for him and caught him when he fell down after teruko had to kill him

the way teruko begged atsushi not to go over to them so fukuchi could pass away with some dignity and to let fukuzawa stay with him a little longer and atsushi didn't even question it

the way fukuzawa said "rest up" after fukuchi said "i'm a little tired"

and when fukuzawa asked "was there no other way?" AND FUKUCHI COULDN'T RESPOND ANYMORE

not to mention ranpo reminding us how for the celebration of the armed detective agency's establishment, fukuchi was the guest.

THIS ENTIRE SCENE BROKE ME. i will not recover.

[detectiveaku]

theory: akutagawa is now an ada member

i have. four points! which is a lot of points for a bsd theory okay here me OUT yall have worked with less

number 1: the fight on the ship resembles an entrance exam.

in order to join the ada, you have to prove that you would put others' lives before your own. before the fight on the ship, all of akutagawa's "sacrifices" or times when he put his life in danger were calculated, he knew he would probably survive. this is because he was motivated by getting dazai's approval, not saving lives. but by sacrificing his life for atsushi, both atsushi and dazai could vouch that he couldnt possibly have known that he would survive to get said approval. atsushi specifically could vouch that akutagawa had previously said that he couldn't disappoint dazai in his life, because he couldn't bear seeing his disapproval, indicating that he cares about getting dazai's approval while he's alive, not after. so the sacrifice was for atsushi, so he could get off the boat and stop fukuchi.

number 2: his appearance in the "two hours later" segment

clothing is a major factor for a character's allegiance. getting a new item of clothing shows allegiance to the mafia. clothing was a major part of tachihara's development. it also shows allegiance to the ada, as seen when atsushi first joined. and not only does he have an entirely new outfit, but to me its giving goth sherlock holmes. thats a matter of opinion but it really does look like a goth victorian detective.

also, fukuzawa can boost ada members' abilities. and while it might be the lighting making rashomon have that yellow tint to it, at least in part, it does have an extremely yellow look, which to me seems like it is different. why didnt it look like this before? my guess would be he was a vampire, undead, and so fukuzawa's ability couldnt affect him. this is an admittedly weak point though.

number 3: why is he there?

on the surface, sure. akutagawa is at the airport and decides to help out. but this is not part of dazai's orders to him, his role was to save atsushi on the ship and he did that. i dont think mori or any mafia member is going to be at the airport so soon, so on whose orders is he fighting side-by-side with atsushi? three options, i like them all. one is he chooses to save atsushi because it is the right thing to do/he cares about atsushi. i like this, but it seems like a very wide jump from the previous time we see him. impulsively saving someone you were already ordered to save, and voluntarily joining a fight you have no direct business with because youve done some thinking and would fight with him no matter what, is a jump in development. a fun jump, but a jump nonetheless. second option is he chooses to fight because the singularity was created by fyodor and dazai lost to fyodor so hed get dazais respect if he defeated fyodor. and this is fine, i wouldnt hate it. but its the opposite problem, this characterization feels like its going in the wrong direction. akutagawa has been moving away from being solely motivated by dazai's respect. which brings me to option three, he fights because he has a new allegiance. we know how fiercely loyal he can be, the opportunity to prove this allegiance would be enough to get him involved in the fight

number 4: the port mafia transfer

okay i know everyone is tired of pm transfer theories, and im not going to pretend to know who it is, but i think that whoever it will be, there has to be a catalyst. another pm member choosing to leave for the ada may be that catalyst.

akutagawa has been on a redemption arc kick, with the whole not killing people, saving atsushi's life, and now this. it might be that the pm transfer serves to bridge the gap started by yosano's recruitment, which is why we learned about both at the same time. so while akutagawa is transferred to the ada, someone else is transferred to the mafia, and both organizations become closer as they work together with their old friends' new colleagues. i think this is how the pm transfer becomes a real plotline, and not just angst.

i also think mori is going to cash this in at a specific time, not just whenever they're done handling the decay of angels. finding out that akutagawa has left could be that time. it makes this something more than mori knocking on the agency's door after everything is dealt with and going ">:) forgetting something >:) ?" and more strategic, which is more in character for him

its also possible that akutagawa is the pm transfer, which would be crazy and certainly unexpected. akutagawa becomes an official ada member, fukuzawa proves it to mori with his ability, and mori cashes the transfer in to get akutagawa back. shocking, heartbreaking, very bsd.

this is the theory, let me know what you think/if you have any other points to add! im sure theres holes in it but i really think im right about this