Chapter Text
Chuuya retracted his hand and stretched his leg towards the guard.
The guard stepped back avoiding it, perfectly, as if he had known the attack was coming.
Chuuya thrust his knife forwards once again, but this time, when the man blocked him, he smiled and dropped it.
His feet took three small steps back while his eyes stayed glued to the masked guard.
A shimmer of hope bloomed inside his chest, and he could feel his heart beating faster. The way it only ever did when he was in his presence.
‘’ You’re alive ‘’ The words fell out of his mouth before he could even think of them. They weren’t a question, but rather a fact.
The guard had just begun to unstrap his mask, but Chuuya could already see the smirk tugging on his lips.
‘’ Glad to see you too, Chuuya ‘’
Every dream of his could become a reality now. Six words had changed it all.
‘’ You fucker ‘’ Chuuya yelled, going in for a punch. Dazai stayed put. He knew he deserved it.
He took the hit staying still, but then after, to his surprise, he felt arms wrapping around him.
‘’ I thought you were dead ‘’ Chuuya buried his face on his shoulder so Dazai wouldn’t be able to see his tears.
‘’ Sorry to ruin it for you ‘’ Dazai teased, embracing him back. ‘’ But I’m here ‘’
Chuuya’s knee found his shin, and Dazai fell down, gritting his teeth in pain.
‘’This is what you get for being a fucking liar. ‘’ Chuuya smiled because no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t be angry at him.
Dazai smiled back, looking up at him, and grinning. ‘’ Is this the part where you kiss me, and then say this is for being alive? ‘’
Chuuya groaned, half laughing, half annoyed ‘’ Oh, you make me sick ‘’
‘’ Sooo, no kiss then? ‘’
Chuuya glared at him with disgust, ‘’ If you continue this, I’m going to rat you out ‘’
Dazai gasped, dramatizing the situation as always, ‘’ And here I was, trying to save you ‘’ He looked towards the ceiling and sighed, ‘’ Out of the goodness of my heart ‘’
Chuuya rolled his eyes and stared at him. ‘’ How did you-
‘’ Please. I just, faked my own death so I could get out and destroy this place from the inside. ‘’
‘’ You already knew of this place, didn’t you? ‘’ There were too many clues pointing to that direction. His calmness with every game, the way he knew how to help Chuuya before them.
‘’ Mori is behind all this. ‘’ Chuuya’s eyes widened, ‘’ I’ve been trying to locate this place and take action for over two years now, ever since I discovered it.
‘’ But you were a player as well, wouldn’t Mori-
‘’ That’s why I had to die ‘’ Dazai’s eyes found the floor, as he lowered his gaze, ‘’ and you had to be the one witnessing it ‘’
Chuuya’s genuine reaction would be the only thing that would ever make Mori believe it.
‘’ If you knew then why-
‘’ Why didn’t I stop it earlier? I couldn’t. ‘’ Dazai continued to look down, ‘’ I was going to set my plan in motion yesterday, before the Glass Bridge game, but then, they came and messed everything up. ‘’
‘’ They? ‘’
Dazai gave him a cold smile. ‘’ Mori’s business partners. Aka, the viewers ‘’
‘’ Viewers. ‘’ Chuuya repeated, feeling his stomach twist, ‘’ As people watching this for entertainment ‘’
‘’ Rich people. You know, sick bastards the like to watch poor people suffer because they have nothing better to do ‘’
‘’ How do we end this? ‘’ Dazai would surely have a plan like he always did. Chuuya waited for him to explain it.
‘’ This is supposed to be the final round. ‘’ Dazai spoke, in a tone deprived of his usual silliness, ‘’ The game will be-
The door of the bathroom suddenly opened, and Atsushi hurried in, his hands pressing his stomach. There was blood licking from them.
Atsushi looked disorientated, as he gazed at them. He blinked his eyes, ‘’ Dazai? ‘’ He asked, not sure if he was really seeing him, or if the hallucinations had already started.
‘’ Atshushi, what happened? ‘’ Dazai ran to the boy, examining the wound that was now visible. Beneath the boy’s shirt was a big piece of glass, half of it penetrating his body, causing blood to flow out.
‘’ Dazai why are you-
‘’ Big story, not important ‘’ Dazai cut him, ‘’ How did this happen? ‘’ He asked, signalling Chuuya to throw them one of the towels that hung on the wall. Chuuya complied. ‘’ This is gonna hurt a little, ‘’ Dazai said, and Atsushi braced himself for the pain, that would come.
With a swift motion, Dazai pulled out the glass, immediately pressing the towel on his skin. Atsushi gritted his teeth, and closed his eyes, trying to keep himself from screaming. Dazai kept pressing the towel on his wound, in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
‘’ It happened at the bridge game ‘’ Atsushi said, his voice breaking with every word, ‘’ When the bridge exploded- ‘’
‘’ We get it. ‘’ Chuuya spoke gently, ‘’ You don’t have to talk right now. ‘’ He looked over at Dazai, and saw a look of concern painted over his face.
Atsushi wouldn’t make it.
Chuuya knew the wound had been too deep, and the blood-loss too much. The boy had very few chances of surviving the injury on their current state. The guards wouldn’t do anything, they would just let him die. The only thing that could have helped would be a skilled doctor like Yosano, but unfortunately, she couldn’t do anything now.
‘’ Everything will be fine ‘’ Chuuya felt the sudden need to reassure the boy, Dazai questioned his decision with a look that practically screamed, you are lying, but he remained silent tending to him.
‘’ Chuuya is right, ‘’ Dazai smiled, knowing that he was making things way worse by lying, ‘’ You’ll be fine Atsushi. We’re getting the hell out of here, me, Chuuya, you and Poe. ‘’
…
Dazai wrapped the cloth around the wound, in a way it pressed against it. He helped the boy up, with Chuuya’s assistance. His bleeding had stopped, but he wasn’t getting any better, in fact, he said he felt dizzier and a lot less there.
After helping him the best he could, Dazai explained his plan to them. More so to Chuuya, who was in a suitable condition to actually listen. Once he was done explaining all their roles and the parts of the plan, he climbed up the vent.
‘’ If you die I’ll kill you ‘’ Chuuya glared up at him.
Dazai grinned, ‘’ I’ll be fine, ‘’ he said, ‘’You know my predictions always come true, don’t you?‘’
Chuuya continued glaring at him, as he slung Atsushi’s arm around his neck, and helped him stand.
‘’ I promise, ‘’ Dazai said, with a more serious tone, ‘’ I promise I’ll be fine, Chuuya ‘’
‘’ Break the promise, and I’ll break your legs ‘’
‘’ Always so polite ‘’ Dazai mumbled, closing off the vent.
Chuuya and Atsushi turned and walked away.‘’ Just be careful… ‘’ he whispered, for no one but himself, and a semi-conscious Atsushi, to hear.
Poe saw Chuuya and Atsushi enter the threshold and run towards them. Eyeing the bloody cloth on Atsushi’s body, he asked what had happened.
Chuuya gave him a very brief explanation, before walking Atsushi to his bed. Poe was still confused, following them, he waited for a better and more detailed explanation. He was given one by Chuuya, after Atsushi had laid down.
‘’ So Dazai is alive? ‘’ He whispered, keeping his voice as low as he could. Chuuya nodded, ‘’ Yeah, the bastard survived, ‘’ He said, a small smile forming on his lips. Poe’s heart ached with jealousy. For a second, he wished Ranpo had been the one to survive instead, then he refrained from thinking such a thing.
‘’ And he is trying to bring this whole operation down? ‘’ Chuuya nodded again, ‘’ How did he even-
‘’ Don’t bother. ‘’ Chuuya had learned not to question Dazai and his plans a long time ago, ‘’ You won’t find reason in his plans ‘’
Poe saw the way Chuuya’s eyes lit up when he mentioned him, but decided not to say anything. That’s probably what Ranpo had also seen before deducting that the two were close.
Ranpo trusted Dazai and his judgment, and Poe trusted Ranpo. If the plan said, make it look like you’re actually dying, then he would act accordingly.
The plan had to work.
He had to get out.
He had to tell Fukuzawa about everything.
He had to plan a funeral for both of them.
He had so many things he needed to say and do.
‘’ How can he just, go after the Mastermind? ‘’ Poe questioned, ‘’ Won’t he get himself killed? ‘’
Chuuya’s smile made his heart sting, ‘’ He won’t. ‘’ He promised
‘’ Stick with his plan and everything will be over soon ‘’
The trust he had in him, it was so evident in the way he spoke. Poe couldn’t help but admire that blind trust.
Two minutes remained until the lights would go out. Chuuya was nearing Atsushi’s bed to check up on him, while Poe slept on his.
There was no reason to attack each other, still, it had taken Chuuya some time to convince him to sleep.
‘’ Chuuya, sir. ‘’ Hearing his name, Chuuya turned to the boy. He looked so much paler than before.
‘’ Yes? ‘’
‘’ Can I ask of you something? ‘’ He looked so fragile, with his big eyes, and thin face. His voice barely audible.
‘’ What is it? ‘’
‘’ When you get out of here, could you find my sister? ‘’ Atsushi’s whispered words struck a chord inside his heart, ‘’ I’m not asking you to take her in or raise her, but I need someone to tell her that I didn’t abandon her. ‘’
There were tears on his eyes, and before he knew it, on his chin and even the coverlets of the bed. ‘’ I wanted to go back and raise her better with the prize money. I wanted to find Gin, and take her in, but I- ‘’ he stopped and took a deep breath, ‘’ I don’t think I will make it. ‘’
You will
Chuuya let him finish his sentences, the things he wanted to say. He knew the boy was right, cutting him off and lying would help neither.
‘’ I’ll find both of them ‘’ He said instead. Sincerity lacing his words, ‘’ I’ll find them both, and I’ll make sure they know everything ‘’
The boy’s mouth formed a smile, a very weak one, one that lasted only for some seconds.
‘’ Thank you ‘’
He whispered. Finally closing his eyes and falling asleep.
Chuuya nodded once and then headed to his bed.
He stayed there and stared at the ceiling.
He felt awful for Atsushi and everyone that had died, but he felt even worse for being happy.
Despite the deaths, despite the whole ordeal, despite everything, he was happy.
Because for the first time in many, many years, he had hope.
Dazai and he wanted the same thing.
They wanted to leave Yokohama and travel to Europe.
They wanted to leave the life of the night behind, and start anew somewhere far away from that place.
They wanted to live.
Dazai had always intended on getting the both of them out.
His plan had always involved Chuuya. It had always ended with them running away.
Of course, it had.
Dazai cared. He had said it himself.
Knowing that, how could he not be happy?
He closed his eyes, and fell asleep, thinking of a country famous for its wine, and a duo that would soon be travelling there.
…
Waking up to the metallic doors screeching was not something he had wanted to do. Still, he opened his eyes and looked at the guards that were marching in.
He saw the coffin and it didn’t take long for his mind to connect the pieces.
Atsushi
His eyes found the boy’s bed. He was still there, covered with the blanket. He looked like he was sleeping…
The guards neared the bed and took him out of it. Chuuya could see now how pale the boy had become. Like all life and colour had been sucked out of him. Out of his eyes.
Poe stared in disbelief, as the guards carried the casket out. He looked so lost there, so alone.
Chuuya wished he could help somehow, wished he could do something.
Unfortunately, he knew that losing friends was unconsolable better than anyone.
He knew the pain couldn’t be brushed away with some nice and sound words. He knew the emptiness couldn’t be filled with ’’ I’m sorry's ''
After taking Atsushi’s body out of the room, three guards come back to escort Chuuya and Poe to their final game.
Should his plan had gone right, one of the three was Dazai.
Chuuya took one look at them before immediately realizing who he was. Even with that red bodysuit, even behind a mask, there was one thing that always remained the same.
And it pissed Chuuya off.
The only guard that was taller than him by exactly one head was the one on the far right. The one on the left was way taller, and the one on the centre was way too short to be him.
He kept a straight face and then collapsed.
‘’ What happened? ‘’ Poe looked at the body on the floor, faking his surprise and concern. The guards looked down at Chuuya as well, not knowing what they should do.
The taller one took out his gun and pointed it at him,‘’ Player 160? ‘’ His monotone voice rang through. The man kept his weapon aimed, as he knelt beside him.
‘’ Player 160? ‘’ He asked again, reaching his hand to turn Chuuya over.
Once the man’s hand was on his shoulder, Chuuya span around and knocked the light out of his eyes, with a good, strong punch. Before his subordinate could react and help him, Dazai had already brought him to his knees, pointing the two guns at him.
‘’ Good night~’’ Dazai smiled before hitting the man on the head with his own weapon.
Chuuya groaned, ‘’ That could have happened without me having to fall on the ground ‘’. Chuuya dusted his green jacket off, before taking Poe’s hand and standing up.
‘’ Where would the fun be in that? ‘’ Dazai teased him, earning an angry glare in response.
Dazai sighted before discarding his playful tone, " You understood the plan, right? " he asked the two men.
Poe and Chuuya nodded. " Good. There are four major spots. Take the guns and do as I told you. You get two spots each. The building will collapse, we don't have much time. We need to move quickly."
" I don't like that you're going alone after Mori "
Dazai turned and smirked at him, breaking the serious atmosphere. " Is Chuuya...worried about me? "
" You are awful "
" Come on, I promised I'll be fine. Just, do as I say, and go to the shore immediately after." The tension was back." I've already alerted the Japanese police force. There will be a ship there, and some squad people. "
" Good luck," Poe said. Chuuya and Dazai looked at him the same way they would look at an alien.
Good luck was something they never said before a mission...
" You too " Chuuya replied. Dazai gave him only a nod.
He locked eyes with Chuuya before putting his mask back.
A silent promise.
One he had never intended to keep.
…
He ran through the corridors, hiding behind columns and furniture and doors, to keep himself hidden from the guards.
They were all in an uproar ever since the siren was heard. Of course, the siren alarm had been a big part of the plan. Ensuing chaos would make everything go much faster.
The players had never shown up to the final playground, and so everyone was looking for them. The tension in the air was thick and full of suspicion. Even the guards didn’t trust each other.
He was inside one of those red bodysuits, but still, he needed to hide. Many guards were now removing each other’s masks in order to find and identify the fugitives. Hidden in plain sight, would be risking everything.
He was heading to his first spot, holding the slick piece of paper Dazai had given him in one hand and his gun on the other.
The first spot was downstairs, in a room that led to the adjoining basements. It was a weak column that supported the tube system.
Dazai had figured that if it were to be exploded, the whole place would flood immediately. Water would pour from the tube and into the basements, damaging all the cameras, and all the electronic devices in the levels below.
Chuuya ran to that corridor, gracefully avoiding every guard he found on the way. There were three masked men guarding the room the bomb had been set in. Chuuya wasted no time. He took out his gun and fired three shots. Three thuds were heard as the men all fell to the ground.
Chuuya kicked one of the corpses away from the door and stepped in.
The room was a dusty old control room. There were levers and switches all around, control panels and even screens that showed temperatures.
It didn’t take long for Chuuya to spot the bomb, carefully hidden in plain sight. He wanted to laugh at the placement, and then kick Dazai for his stupid idea.
Had he been taller, he would have never spotted it, walking into the room.
Had he been even an inch taller, the end of the desk would have obscured his vision.
‘’ You bastard... ‘’ A small chuckle escaped his lips as he typed in the activation code.
The metallic device beeped once, signalling to Chuuya that it was time to leave.
He looked at the room and the bomb one last time before running away towards his second spot on the upper levels.
Soon, the explosion was heard, but he didn’t need to worry, he was already two floors above.
Dazai’s plans were always precise. From the timing to the tasks and the people he used for each one.
It was a trait of his that had truly fascinated Chuuya.
He would never admit it aloud, but he had missed being part of his plans. There was always this thrill, this adrenaline in his heart, and a strangely comforting feeling of safety.
If he followed the plan word by word, he knew he’d be fine.
The guards swarmed in from the big door, surprising him. In the blink of an eye, Chuuya had his gun already drawn and was firing shots left and right.
As much as he hated killing people, it was necessary.
He couldn’t have anyone sabotage their plan and take away his only chance of leaving this place with Dazai.
He avoided the bullets with proficiency, hitting the guards closer to him with the back of his gun and occasionally his leg.
Chuuya had been the best martial artist in the Mafia. A dozen or so guards meant nothing to him.
Two minutes later he had cleared the path of everyone and was heading to the corridor Dazai had placed the bomb on.
Dazai
That stupid man, he was going after Mori himself.
Chuuya found the bomb and typed in the activation code once again. The machine beeped under his hand. Chuuya removed his hand from the metal and turned around. Somehow amidst the panic, a scream was heard.
Chuuya didn’t think twice before running to Poe.
He looked at the stair leading to the upper floor and climbed it without a second thought.
On top of the staircase was Poe, who was trying to shield himself against a group of guards that had found him. Chuuya jumped in front of him and fired with his gun.
Guards began falling left and right. Once Chuuya was done with them he helped Poe up.
‘’ You okay? ‘’ He asked, checking if the man had any injuries.
‘’ I’m fine, but your leg… ‘’
Chuuya looked down to see blood licking from the, now torn, uniform. A bullet must have grazed his leg. He shook his head, ‘’ Just a scratch. ‘’, he waved him off, removing the red suit and throwing it to the side.
The second explosion was heard, and Chuuya felt the building shake under him.
‘’ I have one more- ‘’ Poe said, showing him the paper. Chuuya grabbed it from him.
‘’ The last place is a bit more dangerous. Head to the beach, I’ll come shortly after. ‘’
‘’ But Dazai said. The plan changed. Now head to the beach that way. ‘’ He pointed to the window leading to the emergency exit.
Poe looked distraught by the sudden change but he didn’t say anything. He saw a few tiles falling from the ceiling before exiting the room, and leaving Chuuya behind.
Chuuya gripped the paper and turned towards the stairs leading upwards.
Thankfully the fourth spot wasn’t that far. It was in a room nearby, a room that was supposed to be locked.
Chuuya found it with no trouble. He took out the four people guarding the corridor the room was in and entered as if he owned the place.
The office had been abandoned, and the bomb had been strapped on the desk. Dazai hadn’t even tried to hide that one.
Chuuya dialled another code. This time the bomb exploded a lot faster than he had thought. He had reached the end of the hallway when the pressure hit him and made him lose his balance.
Chuuya was knocked out by the force, hitting his head hard on the floor.
He gritted his teeth in pain, before standing up.
The adrenaline was washing away, and he could now feel the burning on his leg as the blood trickled down his calf.
The smoke from the room began to expand, as more small explosions happened.
The walls were breaking, and the ceiling was caving down.
He could smell fire and blood, and water. It was a very intense smell, one he wanted to escape. He made sure his leg was strong enough before running off.
…
His eyes, blurry from the smoke and ash, could see the debris and the rocks as they fell down and obliterated the floors beneath. There were fires spawned in the upper levels, and water flooding the basements.
The whole building was collapsing a lot faster than Dazai had anticipated. Its structure had been a lot more unstable than he had thought.
Fortunately, he had given Chuuya enough time to escape unharmed, before the big catastrophe had occurred.
At least that's what he had thought.
Chuuya wouldn't leave him alone though. He wouldn't let him go after Mori by himself. It was too risky and too stupid.
With his left leg bleeding, and his ears buzzing, he continued pushing his body to take another step, to run towards the upper rooms.
The floor was breaking beneath his legs, and the smoke was beginning to surround him. A heavy cloud of grey, that made it impossible for his lungs to breathe.
He zipped his jacket and pushed the collar of his shirt up, so it could cover his mouth and nose.
The filter was much less than ideal, but it would do.
He kept his pace, sprinting up the stairs till he was in front of the big door that led to the roof.
In a collapsing building, the roof would be the most dangerous place to be, but it would also be the safest, should there be a way out.
Knowing Mori, a helicopter was bound to be on top of the building, resting there until it was needed for an emergency situation, like this one.
Dazai would think that too. Chuuya was sure of that. The same way he was sure Mori would have already thought ahead.
There was a trap laid on the roof and every fibre of his being screamed to turn back.
Dazai would know it was a trap, but he still had gone.
He wanted to end this all, to finally take his revenge on Mori. He was a fool thinking Chuuya would let him do that alone.
The handle turned, and Chuuya stepped through the threshold, and outside, trying to be as quiet as possible.
" Ah, Nakahara, please, join us " Mori's eyes were already on his.
He wore his usual black clothes and in his gloved hands was a dark grey mask. Behind him, was the helicopter, a pilot waiting on the front seat.
Dazai stood near him, a look of surprise on his face.
No, it wasn't surprise, it was horror.
He looked at Chuuya, the question burning on his mahogany eyes. Why? Why are you here?
" We were just discussing about you, actually " The Boss's smile was as cold and sharp as ever, " I was telling Dazai, that he made a mistake "
With no warning, Mori took out his handgun and fired once.
" Chuuya " Dazai screamed his name, as the gunshot was heard.
" You can go after me, or you can tend to your mistake " Mori turned to face his protege, " What shall it be, Dazai? "
As if he had already known the answer, Mori walked towards the metallic machine, a triumphant smile etched on his lips. Without uttering a word back to him, Dazai run to where Chuuya had fallen.
" Why would you-I told you to leave, to go-
He held him up, placing his head gently on his knee. With a quick move, he tore one of his sleeves, and pressed the fabric into his wound, staining his hands with the blood.
Mori had a surgeon's accuracy.
The bullet had found his heart.
"and leave you here? " Chuuya tried to sound as angry as he could
" I would kill Mori, and then take hold of the helicopter, why- "
" and how exactly would you do that? "
Dazai continued applying pressure to the wound, unable to stop his hands from trembling. " IF YOU HAD JUST LISTENED TO ME-
" You and Mori would both be dead. " Chuuya coughed, and thick blood came out of his mouth. " Your plan was a suicide mission, you bastard "
Chuuya was furious. How could Dazai be so fucking irresponsible with his own life?
" Mori would be dead, Chuuya. Mori would-
" And so would you."
They were arguing.
Chuuya was losing blood faster than he could talk, and yet here they were, still fighting like little kids.
Dazai's mind would soon begin to smoke. Every cog was turning, trying oh so desperately to find a way out, a way to save Chuuya, a way to save the both of them.
There were cracks on the ground, and soon the roof would combust.
They were running out of time much quicker than he could handle.
" I would find a way and take hold of the helicopter, " he repeated, holding him a bit tighter, " I would meet you by the shore, and we would-
" Run away to France? " Chuuya attempted to smile, but his smile couldn't reach his eyes.
" Yes. " Chuuya's heartbeat grew weaker by the second, and Dazai could feel the change under his blood-soaked hands.
" Where exactly would we go? " His face was growing paler, and his hands were getting colder, yet he still found the strength to talk.
Dazai would have given anything if it meant that time would stop. If it meant he could save his partner. If it meant he could save Chuuya.
" Meursault. Wasn't that the place you wanted to go to? With the big wine cellar? "
He kept his voice controlled, and low as he locked eyes with the redhead.
Chuuya smiled, " You remember that? " his blue eyes had never looked so alive.
" Of course I do. You wanted to go there and drink wine while sitting on the roof. Hirotsu was so sick and tired of listening to you whine about not being there. Kouyou just agreed with you." Chuuya smiled at the memory. He wanted to say something more, to add a little detail that was missing from that fantasy.
" A nice roof in France...wine...and...? " he coughed again, and this time more blood came out.
Dazai stared at him. " You only ever mentioned those two as your dream... What's the third thing? "
Chuuya's eyes had always looked like a storm, a furious raging sea. But right then, they looked like the calm sky before the storm.
A pale blue that would forever haunt Dazai's days.
Chuuya's hand found his cheek, and for a second Dazai felt warmth." My partner " he whispered and smiled.
Before Dazai could say anything in return, his partner's hand fell limp to his side.
Dazai called his name, again and again, but in vain. His friend wouldn't answer him.
He took a deep breath between the sobs that were escaping his throat, before pressing his body tighter onto his, hugging him as if holding to dear life.
" Don't leave me..." he whispered, trying to deny the fact that he knew.
His body was cold.
His pulse was nowhere to be found.
His chest wasn’t moving.
And his eyes...God...His blue eyes had never looked so dead.
...
‘’ Isn’t the view magnificent? ‘’ Dazai asked, knowing his question would never be answered.
A month had passed since that god-awful day, and yet he felt as no time had passed at all.
He could still feel the warmth of Chuuya’s body on his.
He could still feel his blood sticking to his hands as he tried to save him.
He could still feel his heart breaking with every breath he took.
He felt as an eternity had passed at the same time.
It was as if Chuuya had died years ago.
As if he hadn’t heard his voice or laughter in forever.
‘’ You should be the one here. ‘’ Dazai whispered, turning his head to the empty chair opposite to him.
‘’ You’d like this so much more than I do ‘’ He continued, thinking of the scenery that laid before his eyes. The green valley, and the small graphic village with the clock tower. The sun slowly drowning behind the mountains, as the sky changed its colours.
‘’ The castle is beautiful, and fancy, and aristocratic. Every person here has such an expensive and sophisticated style. You’d fit here so well ‘’
He looked at the table. At the two wine glasses.
He did this every day for two weeks now.
Ever since he moved to Meursault, Dazai does nothing but drink wine at a table on the roof, and look longingly at the sky, wishing a certain someone was there.
He didn’t really live anymore. He woke up, ate something, and then sat on the roof and drank until he was passed out.
Then the sun would come up, his head would hurt, and the vicious cycle would begin all over.
A month had passed since Chuuya had died.
Since, he had survived.
Of course, the whole operation was brought down to its knees. The police even caught Mori Ougai, with the help of Dazai.
He wanted to act maturely and let him rot in a cell, but he couldn’t.
Dazai had never claimed to be a good person. He wouldn’t lie now.
With the money he won, and the money he took, he paid some people in the prison Mori went to. He made sure Mori would suffer a fate worse than death in there.
A fate he deserved for taking away Chuuya.
Dazai could not care less about what Mori had done to him.
He couldn’t care less about all the years of abuse, all the years he had spent as a pawn to Mori’s plans.
He couldn’t care less about the damage he had caused him.
But he drew the line on Oda and Chuuya’s deaths.
His two friends. The only two people he had ever loved.
Taken away from him, because of Mori.
The guards would treat him well there. Maybe starve him for some days, maybe torture him. Dazai didn’t care as long as he suffered.
Mori was responsible for his friend’s death and so many more people’s. Ranpo and Yosao and Atsushi, and everyone he had met in that stupid game
They were all dead because of him.
Poe was suffering because of him and his greed for power, and money. He was bored, and because of that Poe was now left with no one.
Dazai had been there when Fukuzawa, Ranpo and Yosano’s guardian had come to take them from the harbour. The police had alerted him.
Little had they known not everyone had survived
Dazai wished he had cared even a little, enough to pay attention to their conversation, but he hadn’t.
The first thing he had done upon arrival was to go to his small apartment and stay there.
He drank some liquor he had, and the next thing he remembered, he woke up in Meursault.
He took one glass in his hands.
‘’ They say the wine here is so good. ‘’ he tried to laugh, ‘’ Truly divine. ‘’ He raised the glass up to the sky, and gazed at the horizon, putting on his best smile.
‘’ To my partner, ‘’ He said, ‘’ You would have loved it here, Chuuya ‘’