Chapter Text
Atsushi was debating the pros and cons of throwing himself out of the Agency’s fourth-floor window. Hell, he’d ask Kenji to throw him out like he did to the Black Lizard the time they’d attacked the office.
On the bright side, he’d managed to get Kunikida on his side in regard to Dazai’s paperwork problem. On the not-so-bright side, the former had yelled at Dazai for about ten minutes and then gone back to work (to avoid going even more off schedule, he said), not noticing the papers that the bandaged menace would sneak into his pile when he wasn’t looking.
All in all, the entire ordeal turned out pointless in the end.
Atsushi himself finished up some reports from his most recent mission, which had been a small hit-and-run at a supermarket. He and Tanizaki had been dispatched to deal with the issue, since Ranpo had claimed it would be an easy job. Fortunately, there were no major casualties, and the two of them caught the perpetrator before he could sneak off underground.
As he typed up the last few words – shooting Dazai a side glare as he saw him sneak another paper in Kunikida’s ever-growing pile – he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Atsushi glanced at Kunikida and took it out when he saw the other man wasn’t looking.
Higuchi I.
maybe next friday? i’ve got a longer lunch break that day
Atsushi spared another glance at his blonde co-worker, still scribbling furiously.
Me
i think i can make it
lemme doble check
Higuchi I.
doubke*
double*
dammit
Me
har har
He looked around the room until his eyes landed on the Agency’s shared calendar. The calendar was put in place because Dazai – of course, always Dazai – had been taking slightly longer lunch breaks than usual. So Kunikida, ever-so-desperate to build his “ideal Dazai,” installed one of his many calendars (one of the big ones. Atsushi was kind of scared of it) in the office. On it was everyone’s lunch break schedules set out for the entire month. If Dazai didn’t come back by the time his break was over, Atsushi was sent to retrieve him, even if the man tried to slither away like he was known to do.
Kunikida was definitely. . . dedicated to his cause.
Atsushi looked it over until his eyes landed on his scheduled break for next Friday. His break was from 1 to 2 in the afternoon, so if Higuchi was free at that time, then he could make it.
Me
mines from 1 - 2 nxt week
can u make that ir no?
Higuchi I.
yes that’s fine
C u then!!
With that, Atsushi pocketed his phone and got back to work. Giving Dazai one last glare, he sighed and took over half of Kunikida’s (Dazai’s) pile of paperwork.
What a mess.
⧫
Atsushi arrived at the cafe at exactly 1:13 a week later. Higuchi was already waiting inside, sitting in the same spot as last time.
He’d been so out of it last time that he didn’t get to properly take in the cafe in all its comforting glory. Higuchi had a good eye, he decided.
The cafe was beautiful: it had windows the size of the walls, which allowed the sun’s natural light to illuminate the room. Hanging baskets with all sorts of flowers and other plants decorated the room’s ceiling. Atsushi spotted lavender and small orchids from his seat. There were different sorts of chairs, too. Many of them, like Higuchi’s preferred seat, were comfortable, light gray bistro chairs set up around round tables. But there were also a few cushy couches by long, rectangular tables. The older brick walls were a contrast to the inside of the cafe’s newer look, but it didn’t look bad.
The spot that Higuchi had chosen was right next to a window, so Atsushi had a front row seat to the lovely view outside. There was a bookstore right across the street.
Maybe we could visit there next time , he thought.
The waiter from last time appeared shortly to take their orders. Higuchi ordered the same thing as before, but Atsushi had been eyeing the small sandwich collection and also needed the strongest coffee they had to offer, so he ordered that instead. The blonde mafioso took note of that, raising an eyebrow in silent question.
Atsushi handed the waiter his menu. “Dazai’s been more. . . unbearable than usual. He keeps dumping his paperwork onto me and Kunikida.”
“Ahh, that makes sense,” said Higuchi, nodding. “I haven’t had many conversations with him except for that time I, uh, tricked you right into Akutagawa’s clutches, but I’m kind of grateful for that. That first meeting was more than enough for me.”
“Actually,” started Atsushi with a grimace, “remember that time we bumped into each other at the market?”
At her nod, he continued. “The only reason I went that day is because he broke into mine and Kyouka’s dorm and ate everything in the fridge.”
Higuchi’s eyes went wide and her jaw went slack. “Did he at least compensate you for that?” she asked in disbelief.
“Like with money? No. I had to buy those groceries myself. Again. I think he showed up in my dreams that night as a giant crab.”
Don’t get him wrong, Atsushi was endlessly grateful for Dazai. The man had saved him in more ways than he could count and gave him a chance at a new life, was an invaluable asset, and just generally meant a lot to the tiger. Nothing in the world could ever change that.
He could, however, completely understand Kunikida’s complaints when it came to dealing with him.
Higuchi leaned back in her seat. “I suppose I can understand the paperwork aspect. As his direct subordinate, I often find myself signing off on a lot of Akutagawa’s own paperwork. It’s not fun at all.”
The waiter came by with their orders as they continued their tirade about the emotional and physical hell that was the throes of paperwork, especially at the hands of their co-workers/bosses. Atsushi immediately grabbed his coffee and took a long sip. He felt instantly relaxed and sighed.
It seems Akutagawa isn’t much of a fan of paperwork either , thought Atsushi. He could almost imagine the look of unbridled disgust and murder in the older man’s face when presented with the never-ending piles. For some reason, it only made the man more endearing.
Which was honestly a bit weird in the first place, referring to a literal mafioso as ‘endearing.’ Huh.
Unfortunately, despite finding it endearing, Atsushi could very much relate to Higuchi at the moment and instead wondered if Akutagawa’s Dazai obsession was the reason the man hated paperwork. Was it some weird mentor-mentee transfer? Was Atsushi going to grow to hate paperwork just like them? No, that was ridiculous. Atsushi already hated paperwork. He just didn’t have the habit of passing it on to other people.
He took another sip of his coffee.
Across from him, Higuchi was digging around in her bag. After a minute or two, she pulled out her copy of the book they’d briefly discussed their last meeting. She handed it to him excitedly.
“Here you go, by the way!” she exclaimed. The stars in her eyes were evident, so he figured it must be a really good book. Atsushi turned it over a bit in his hands, studying the cover. It wasn’t much to look at: the cartoony girl on the cover was sitting beside a tree, and there was a translucent ghost taking up much of the background. He didn’t let that deter him, briefly recalling a phrase Lucy had told him when he’d commented on the cover of one of her favorite books. What was it again? ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover?’ He ran his finger down the line of tan pages.
“I won’t give any spoilers, but let me tell you that the plot twist towards the end had me so shocked my sister thought I was dying!” she laughed. Atsushi looked up at that.
“You have a sister?” he asked, curious. Higuchi nodded, her smile turning fond.
“I do! She’s a bit younger than me, but definitely way more responsible. I’m the one working and earning salaries while she goes to school but she’s the one handling the finances and maintaining the house.” As she said that, Higuchi clasped her hands around her mug, looking down. From his angle, Atsushi saw her smile go a bit sad. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m a good sister at all.”
Atsushi stilled. Oh no, I have no idea how to deal with this. I can’t comfort people!
Regardless, he extended his arm and clasped one of her hands in his own. “I’m sure you’re a wonderful sister Higuchi,” he told her. “And I’m sure that your sister loves you very much. I don’t know much about the Port Mafia’s work, but I’m sure it's very taxing. I think your sister might recognize that, which is why she takes charge for all those other things.” He smiled at her, patting her hand. “Don’t doubt yourself.”
Higuchi stared at him, unblinking, and Atsushi started feeling a bit awkward. The seconds ticked by and he felt the back of his neck start to heat up. Noticing his hand still on hers, he quickly pulled it back like he’d been burned. He took a bite out of his sandwich to distract himself.
Was I too forward? I really am shit at comforting people! I must’ve made her feel awkward too! Sorry Higuchi!!
He was about to apologize when he saw her eyes glisten with unshed tears. Atsushi’s own eyes went wide and he immediately sputtered out a string of incoherent babbles.
Shit shit shit shit! I really don’t know how to deal with this!
Higuchi scrubbed at her eyes with the back of her sleeve before allowing any tears to fall. She cleared her throat before taking another sip from her mug. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t come here to unload my problems with you. We’re not really that close.”
And she was right, Atsushi thought. They may be on speaking terms, and they may be having lunch together at the moment, but that was that. It’s not like they were the best of friends, ready to share their deepest darkest desires.
“But thank you.” And with that, she smiled. And it was a smile so sincere that Atsushi found he wanted to get to know her better. To become something like friends.
He smiled back.
⧫
The waiter left as Atsushi shoved his wallet back into the pocket of his pants and sighed. Seeing how empty it was after having paid, he decided he would have to rearrange his expenses plan if these lunch get-togethers were going to be a regular occurrence. He might actually have to ask Kunikida for help with that.
After a bit more prodding, Higuchi had opened up a bit and shared some stories about her sister. Atsushi, in turn, shared some stories about him and Kyouka. Higuchi had even recommended the teas she drank while working to reduce some of the stress. They immediately went on the shopping list. Once again, it was another successful lunch outing.
Higuchi stood waiting for him as he grabbed his bag and the two of them made their way to the entrance of the cafe. Before either of them could start walking, Atsushi tapped the blonde on her shoulder. When she turned, he pointed to the bookstore he’d seen earlier. “Have you been there?”
Higuchi hummed. “Not often. I recall having visited like, once, a while back. I haven’t been there since.”
“Does it have a bad selection?” asked Atsushi. “Is that why you haven’t gone back?”
“I can’t really remember much about it. I tend to go to other bookstores mainly because they’re either on the way to my job or on the way back home.”
Higuchi was about to start walking, but then she turned and stared at Atsushi, scrutinizing. Atsushi took a step back, slightly unnerved by her intense gaze. Had he said something wrong? He was just curious about the bookstore Higuchi! Nothing more!
Eventually, she dropped her gaze and began her trek forward. “We should go check it out sometime,” she said at last. Atsushi grinned at the promise of yet another hang out before agreeing excitedly. He quickly matched her pace before she could leave him behind.
“Ok, I just have to ask: are there any major deaths in the book? I know you said something about a plot twist. . .”
⧫
As Ichiyou stepped back into the Port Mafia’s headquarters, she immediately sensed something was about to happen. Nothing too big, but something. . . weird. She shrugged it off for the most part: if it wasn’t big, then she shouldn’t let it interfere with her work. Fortunately, the only things left in her schedule consisted of finishing off Akutagawa’s paperwork – remembering that only made Ichiyou more empathetic towards Nakajima – cornering and interrogating Hirotsu on the novel she’d caught him reading, and fantasizing about Gin.
Considering she had no other field jobs or supply deals to worry about for the next week, she considered that a win.
Ichiyou walked along the corridors to Akutagawa’s office. The sound of her footsteps echoed through the empty hallways. As she moved, she allowed herself a moment to ponder how she was going to ask Gin out on a date.
Maybe just as a passing comment? Something casual, like “Hey Gin! I heard this place has really good sweets! We should check it out sometime!” And then she says yes, we go out, fall in love, get married, buy a house, and adopt a pet snake!
. . .
Wait, that would make Akutagawa my brother-in-law! Would I have to get his blessing to marry Gin? Would he even give it to me as his loyal subordinate?!
. . . Would he give me less paperwork if that were to happen?
Of course Ichiyou knew that as Akutagawa’s direct subordinate, she was going to be in charge of everything he either didn’t want to do or couldn’t do because he was busy. And that, unfortunately, meant paperwork. Stacks of stacks of stacks of paperwork. Ugh.
It really wouldn’t kill the man to do more of his own work! Ever since her boss had made the pact with Nakajima not to kill anymore – which continued to surprise many lower stationed mafiosi who occasionally accompanied Akutagawa on odd jobs here and there – he’d been completing his jobs faster, which meant he had more time to do his own damn paperwork instead of foisting it off to her.
Please Akutagawa! Your subordinate is begging you!!
After a few more minutes, turns, and internal wailing, Ichiyou finally made it to the office. She pushed on the heavy door and walked inside, surprised to find the man of the hour already standing there, glaring at the piles of paper. “Akutagawa, sir! I didn’t expect you back so soon. Should I get you some tea?”
The mafioso looked up from the desk and rested his sharp gaze on Ichiyou. Some time ago, that would have made her nervous and red in the face. Now, all it reminded her of were Gin’s similarly shaped eyes. Hers were a bit darker than her brother’s though, bordering on pitch black instead 0f gray and framed by long lashes. Both siblings were unfairly pretty, but Gin had an air about her that always made Ichiyou weak in the knees.
Akutagawa brought his hand up to his mouth, coughing lightly. “No, I won’t be staying long,” he replied. Ichiyou’s thoughts returned from admiring Gin to once again despairing over work.
Your paperwork, sir, please! At least do a quarter of it!
Ichiyou laughed nervously, and the two stood in a bit of an awkward silence when Akutagawa didn’t say anything else. Yes, it was his office, but he rarely spent time there in the first place! Why was he here?
“Higuchi,” he started, voice light but imposing, and gestured toward the desk, “why haven’t these been completely filled out yet?”
A pause. “I was out on my lunch break?”
Akutagawa gave her a look with so much disbelief behind it that Ichiyou actually felt mildly offended. Sure, she usually worked through her lunch breaks most of the time, but she wanted to meet up with Nakajima and she also wasn’t married to her (Akutagawa’s) work. Sue her for wanting a break!
“Is that a question?”
“No sir! I’ll uh, I’ll have these ready for you by later tonight!” she exclaimed with a bow.
Seemingly pleased, Akutagawa gave a small nod and briskly walked out of his office, his long black coat flowing behind him. Rashoumon materialized from behind him and shut the door. Ichiyou was left standing in the office with nothing but the unsigned sheets to give her company. She sat on the cushioned chair behind his desk and resigned herself to another evening spent poring over documents.
What a mess.
⧫
Nakajima A.
im not rlly a fan of the main characters best frnd
Me
go ahead and say it
she's a bitch