Chapter Text
5:40 AM
Hagachi brushed Dazai's hair, she looked tired. Dazai could only stare at her through the reflection in the mirror, he was worried. Even though his parents didn't tell him or his sister, he could tell his mother was ill (if the vomiting of last night wasn't enough confirmation for his suspicions), he wished he knew what he could do to help her.
He was already in his school uniform and his sister -Dazai Yumi, or just Yumi - was just putting on some make-up to look "pretty"
Dazai didn't understand the need to do so- his sister was already pretty without it, so why put it on to look ugly? It didn't make sense to him... but he never said nothing about it.
His eyes darted to his father he was outside he could barely see him through a nearby window. He couldn't really see what he was doing though, even if he rried standjng on his tippie-toes, but his mother would always rell him to stand correctly or else she would mess up.
"Osamu.. behave yourself at school, okay?"
She'd say her voice weak but trying to sound as if nothing happened.
"I will mom"
A small smile painted his mothers lips, and Dazai felt a little satisfied seeing his mother deel somewhat better now. But-
"Osamu creates mischief wherever he goes i doubt he would behave himself."
His sister just had to butt in. Dazai frowned before protesting
"No, I don't!"
"Yes. You do."
"Now you're just lying."
"Am not!"
Dazai rolled his eyes. Their mother, looking at them both before sighing, tired.
"Now, now kids... just.. dont create a lot of trouble, okay?"
Now, pouting, Dazai grabbed his packback and went outside, not wanting for his sister to follow. His dad was just getting in the car to get ready to leave his kids at school.
Dazai struggled to enter the car, hiven onto how he was still young and short. His sister (forcefully and who clearly didnt want to) helped him get inside the car. He huffed when he was finally sat down.
His sister sat on the front seat a long side their father. The engine started and they started to head towards their school. The beautiful countryside view was at its fullest now that spring started, beautiful flowers were everywhere, Dazai couldnt help but admire.
The car drove on and as thw sight of houses and beautiful trees, Dazai could see some syudents walk by to get to school.
It wasnt anything new though.
Until.... Dazai remembered, today was picture day. He always hated it. No matter how much convincing people told him it was "fun" or that it'll be "nice", nothing can change Dazai's opnion on the subject.
And just as he feared, they arrived at school his sister and father got out of the car first, Dazai waited until uis father picked him up and got him out of the car.
"Have a great day at school Yumi"
"Bye dad!"
Dazai could only watch his sister wave at him as she went into the part of the school for people her grade, he waved bye back to her.
".. so are you ready for picture day?"
"... i dont wanna go."
"Ah.. too bad" his father chuckled seeing the pouty expression on the childs face.
"C'mon kiddo, it wont be that bad."
"They're gonna take a picture of me! And i dont like it."
"Well, there isnt much you can do.. I'll buy you icecream when i come pick you up if you dont complain."
"But you'll forget about it!"
"No i won't-"
"You will! You always do."
Dazai crossed his arms. Still carrying him, Gunshimo sighed, before putting Dazai down.
"Look.... i promise i won't this time, okay?"
"..."
"And if i do, you can just remember me, deal?"
"... deal."
Gunshimo smiled holding his childs hand before walking towards the school to leave Dazai at his classroom.
"Now let get those pictures taken."
Dazai still was sulking on the fact there was no invading this, but he supposed it was a little better knowing he'll get icecream cream later.
----
Well that was a terrible time. At least it was over now. Dazai was in his kindergarten classroom, and some children were playing around and reading picture books, while he was drawing in his notebook
It was mostly just doodles, typical 5 year old drawings that look kinda goofy for those looking at it. He didnt want to play with the other children since their games didn't really interest him, they were kind of... dumb. And sometimes too predictable. Same thing went to classes, they were always soooo boring and he would always have a firm grasp on the subject, even if he wasnt paying attention and instead just drawing.
He was mostly alone half of the time in school, but he is known for causing mischief, and trouble in school. So in short.... he was a trouble maker. But today he was in the mood for dojng such things, so he just sat there quietly.
Observing from the front of the classroom, a small kid with blond-ish, brown-ish hair was looking at him. They were curious about Dazai, since he seemed less troublesome today.
So, he approached. He always found Dazai's antics somewhat.. false? Or on purpose. He wasn't sure- but, one thing he WAS sure is that he found Dazai's curly hair very pretty, and he looked like he needed some friends so...
Why not?
"Hello!" He said initially, Dazai looked at him, curious.
"Hi..?"
"What'cha drawing?"
".. a cat."
"Oh! Can i see?"
Dazai stared at him skeptical, and also unsure how to react being this curious over him.
"Um.. sure." Dazai showed him the paper, of a poorly drawn cat. It looked cartoon-ish. The boy oohed, he found it cute
"Your drawing is very cute!"
"Thanks.." a small blush creeped Dazai's cheeks, embarrassed by the compliment.
"What's your name?"
"Osamu Dazai.. you?"
"Ekori Tsugomi. Nice to meet you Dazai"
"Nice to meet you too, Tsugomi"
And.. thats how somehow Dazai made a friend, Tsugomi, was rather an... interesting child to say the least- (Dazai was sure he's seen the kid eat bugs before............) but he was fun to be around.
He made his day feel somewhat less.. empty.
When class started, Tsugomi sat right beside him, they talked quietly as the teacher was explaining the subject not paying much attention.
And when classwork was passed, Dazai made sure to help him with it, since he was too lazy to do his own (not like he already knows like.. half of the subject..).
"How do you subtract.."
"Just remove the number."
"How tho?"
"It's easy. Just put a finger down when you remove a certain amout of numbers like..."
Dazai put five of his finger up. "For exemple, five minus two." He put two fingers down "and the remaining amout is the answer"
The boy just stared before nodding, understanding.
"Seems easy enough.."
He looked back at his book, before trying again at the question.
The teacher was looking around the classroom, seeing who was finished and who wasnt with the activity she passed. It was quiet and somewhat peaceful, if it weren't for some childrens chitter-chatter.
But it was bearable and nice
But.. there was one child not doing his activity, not that she minded, the kid got good grades all the the time, so she didn't care if he didnt do an activity or two.
Buuuut..... his behavior was rubbing on the kids beside him.
She could clearly see 4 to.. 6? Kids not doing there work, and instead just talking. But she was sure its because some of them were already finished given the time she gave them.
But, never the less.. its best to tell them to go back and do their activity before the class turns into utter chaos.. again.
So
One by one, she talked and asked for them to continue their activity and those who were finished could talk and help the others who were having trouble if they wanted to
And whenshe got to Dazai, he didnt bother to look over to her
"Mr Dazai?"
"Yes, miss?"
"... could you go back into doing your classwork, please? I know you still didnt finish it.."
She spoke calmly, not pressuring, just letting the kid look at his friend book while he was helping him.
"But it's boring. And also not fun" Dazai glanced at her "oh! And put "not interesting" in there too."
She could only stare before sighing
"Look... i know it may be tedious and boring-"
"And not interesting!"
"- for you, but you still need to do it.. it wouldn't be fair for the other children who are doing, now would it?"
"Yes, but, they need to learn. I already know half of the subject, if not all of it. Me not doing one activity wont make me stupider."
"Yes, but-"
"So, i dont see any reason to do it."
......
Look-
The kid was smart, even for a 5 year old, but he could be a headache and very annoying if he wanted to.
Like now.
And she wasnt in the mood to have one, so its hest to just..... stop trying to argue with Dazai.
"But you'll lose class points, you know?"
"I know, and dont really care."
She wondered if Dazai got it from his mother or father to act this much of a sassy brat..
With a defeated sigh, she went back to her desk. She couldnt help herself but hlance at the two boys every now and then.
Tsugomi stared at Dazai, on which just looked at him questioning why he was staring.
"Why did you treat sensei like that?"
"Because i didn't want to do my work."
"Still!"
"It wasnt that big of a deal though.."
"Yeah it is!-"
"Now you're exaggerating it..."
Tsugomi huffed, crossing his arms. Dazai just stared before letting escape a small chuckle.
Tsugomi glaced at him, just to see those curly locks, bonce when Dazai laughed.
"Are you mad~?"
"No!"
"Areeee yoooou su~re?"
"im not!.."
"Mhm.. sure."
They stared at each orher for a moment, before both started giggling like the little kids they were. Tsugomi shook his head.
"You gotta show me how to do that later."
"Well, i guess i can."
----
Dazai was waiting next to a wall.
Tsugomi had gone to the bathroom. And he decided to wait for the boy since he looked like good company.
The playground the school had was full of children his age and older, all playing around games that were somewhat fun..
Nothing that peaked his interest though.
Some games logics didnt really make sense to him, and that led to him not wsntjng to play like... half of the games.
....
Other than that- he wished Tsugomi hurried up, the kid was taking forever! Its just using the bathroom for darns sake, how could some people take so long.....
He looked to the bathroom door, he could see some older (much, much, much older) kids talking, most likely to be skipping class to do dumb teenage things.
Seems stupid, and somewhat childish. But he couldnt say much if he literally played games and also WAS a child.....
Anywho, any shoe..... Tsugomi was already getting out of the bathroom.
"Sorry if i took too long-"
"It's fine, what do you wanna do?"
"Hmm......." Tsugomi thought, looking towards the playground and the kids. "We could play with them"
Dazai glanced at where Tsugomi was looking, the kids were playing tag.
Dazai shrugged.
"Sure"
"Then let's gooo!"
Tsugomi skipped over to the playground, Dazai walking right behind him.
Arriving there, Tsugomi tapped a girl on the shoilder she was hiding behind one of the playgrounds slides from the tagger.
"Hi!"
"Oh, hi!"
"Can me and my friend join you playing tag?"
The girl looked at him and then at Dazai before humming.
"Sure... i dont see why not."
"Thank you!"
"I just need to tell my friends first so they know both of you are playing as well."
"Ok!"
And the girl ran off, Dazai could see her talk with another boy before nodding and calling them over.
When they arrived, she smiled and allowed them to join since her friends didnt see much problem to it.
And so...
Tsugomi and Dazai joined in!
The tagger was some kid named Roki, he was fast- and hence so, everyone playing was hiding so they wouldnt be it.
Tsugomi and Dazai were almost caught if it wasnt for another kid who distracted Roki, but was then tagged in the end of things.
Now the tagger was a kid named Namine, the girl wasnt a fast runner so everyone playing could just freely run around. Honestly it was funny seeing her get frustrated because she couldn't get anyone after like.... 1 minute? Which isnt a lot, but surely- it was still funny.
Running around the playground as the girl chased after him (Dazai), he teased her by running slowly sometimes and before she could reach him he would spead up again. Namine got frustrated after a few attempts.
She started to run over to another kid and finally was able to tag at least one person.
And repeat.
How boring.
-----
Dazai was tired, he was glad that recess was over, he was sure he might've left the game so he could rest or do something else because it was actually REALLY boring and tiresome.
He didnt even get the chance to tag anyone because he knew how to dodge them.
Well... at least now was literature class.. so he could rest and get his mind off of things. Sadly though, Tsugomi was still as energetic as ever.
Looks like playing tag didnt tire him out.
But actually make him more energized.
He was talking with some other kids, on which dazai didnt bother to learn their names, nor to listen in on their conversation.
So he decided to just look around the classroom, trying to find something interesting to mess with.
Writing random words in his notebook or even poking Tsugomi's shoulder to annoy him wasnt as amusing than causing mischief. But thing is, its there was nothing around to cause mischief on.
Which is why he hates this class.
Its long,
Tedious,
Boring,
And stupid.
Sure- he understands why its important to teach kids how to read and write. Its just that it was just so tedious and boring, that he found it boring.
It isnt hard to learn how ro write or read, you just need to hold your pencil correctly, and there! You wrote something, and same thing goes to reading, just understand the words and talk.
Just as simple as that. Or whatever..
Anywho.. on the table beside him, there was a girl eyeing him.he wasnt sure why, but it was starting to weird him out.
So he decided to just stare back at her.
After 2 whole minutes had passed before she spoke up
"You look weird"
"What do you mean?"
"You look empty but you still look alive."
".... what."
"And ugly"
"????"
"Stop saying "??" It makes you look weirder"
"... i think youre the wierd one."
"No, I'm not!"
"Sure..."
This girl is crazy... no doubt. What does she mean by he looks "empty but alive"??? That part made no sense. Either youre empty or you look alive. Theres no inbetween.
So he scoots his desk and chair as far as he could from her.
She looked even more annoyed now, what a weirdo...
Remind him to never get close to her again.
Deciding to ignore her for now.. Dazai looked around the classroom, there wasnt much to see, just some boring old stuff like toys and books that the teacher red for them time to time.
The clock on one of the walls ticked, Dazai didnt know how to read the clock yet, but he guessed only a few more minutes until he could finally go home and get icecream!
....
Hopefully.
Any who- the teacher qas gathering the students for story time (on which dazai was just going to sleep through), he got up from his seat and sat beside Tsugomi on the floor.
It didnt take long until he fell asleep.
----
Walking into one of thw sections in the school, Dazai was looking for his sister, on which he just knew she wasn't waiting for dad like he was 10 minutes ago. She was most likely in one of the classrooms talking with her friends or something like that....
The hallways were mostly empty by now if it werent for some students and staff walking by every now and then, staring at him weirdly.
He knew why, it isnt exactly common to see a five year old walk through these halls, especially since this was the "big kids" area.
Dazai looked in every hallway and classroom, and he was yet to find his sister. Honestly it was starting to get annoying. Until....
He bumped into someone.
He stumbled back but didn't fall, he looked at the guy, he was tall and had short dark hair and was somewhat skinny, fit if you wanted a more accurate description.
the guy just stared at him confused onto why he was there.
"Uh, sorry for bumping into you." Dazai apologized, the guy just kept staring at him before speaking up.
"Its fine, but what are you doing here lil' dude?" Gosh, he hated when people spoke to him like that.
"Im looking for my sister, Dazai Yumi. Did you see her anywhere?"
The guy hummed thinking for a moment before nodding.
"I think i have... want me to guide you?"
"Yes please.."
And just like that, Dazai managed to regain some hope in finding his sister. Both of them walked for a while, until they reached a classroom door. Inside of in there smelled horrible. Dazai was going to puke by how strong the smell was.
The guy knocked on the door, the sound of people taking on the other side was silenced almost instantly. The sound of footsteps could be heard before the door opened.
A girl who smelled strongly of perfume came out closing the door behind her.
"What do you want Kandi."
"its nothing this time-"
"You always say that, and yet you still ask for something." The girl crossed her arms, Dazai just stared at them confused, why does she smell like perfume, what does she mean by that, what is going on, her face is filled with makeup ew.
The guy sighed before running his hand through his hair.
"Look..... i mean it this time, it isnt for me." the girl raised her eyebrow
"Then for who?"
"For this little guy"
the man- Kandi- pushed Dazai forward gently, Dazai looked at him and then at the girl, she looked surprised.
"Why are you in this section of the school?" The girl questioned.
"Im looking for my sister, Dazai Yumi... is she in there?"
The girl blinked a few times, before opening the door behind her.
"HEY YUMI! YOUR BROTHER IS HERE!!"
Dazai tried to peak in but he couldnt really see what's inside, but he disnt need to anyway because now his sister was at the door beside rhe other girl. Kandi waved and yumi ignored him
She just stared at him, and he just stared back, she was wearing new makeup, its ugly.
"..... ew, you look like a frog with that makeup." Dazai was the first to break the silence, Kandi almost laughed if it werent for him holding it, the girl and his sister looked somewhat offended.
"Shut up Osamu. What are you doing here, youre not supposed to be here."
"Well, i wouldnt have to be here if it werent for the fact you still havent arrived in 10 minutes."
"I-"
"And dont say "i was busy" because you were just enjoying yourself while you left your 5 year old brother alone while he waited."
That seemed to shut everyone up, because who would expect a child so young to say something like that, especially at Dazai's age.
Kandi and the other girl looked at eachother before looking at Yumi and Dazai..
"Thats messed up."
".. girl..."
Yumi sighed before going at Dazai's side, grabbing his hand.
"Okay. Im sorry.. let's go wait for dad then, yeah?"
"Fine by me"