Chapter Text
Rainy days had always been interesting for Dazai, particularly during heavy downfalls when the rivers would become rapid torrents, the ideal condition for a submersion in his eyes. However, on this day while he strolled past rows of raindrop embellished hydrangeas, a curious sight caught his attention. Off to the edge of an alleyway, a wet dog pawed and sniffed at a box. Dazai wrinkled his nose in distaste at the animal and made to sidestep it, but in passing he heard the dog growl at a small bundle inside the box.
A tiny hiss, the most non-threatening and most pathetic hiss he’s ever heard, came from the box. Dazai turned his head to see a little head of orange sticking out of the box and batting tiny clawed paws at the dog, which growled again. He pulled his lips into a pitying frown and stopped in front of the alley, raising his brow at the miserable sight that was the kitten’s attempt at fending off the dog.
“Ahh, such a sad attempt. You’re really gonna die if that’s the best you can do.” Bracing his hand against his hip, Dazai stared at the exchange which consisted of the kitten swiping and hissing while the dog pawed and growled at the box. Finally finding himself much too annoyed by this, Dazai whistled to catch the dog’s attention.
“Hey there wan-chan, do you want a nice treat?” He held his finger up in a cupped position, successfully convincing the animal that he was hiding a treat, then made a throwing motion and watched as the dog ran off in that direction to chase the ‘treat’. What simple creatures, Dazai thought.
Now feeling incredibly satisfied with fooling an animal out of all things, Dazai continued on his way to the nearest river, which he hoped was overflowing and turbulent now, but by mere chance, he happened to take one more glance at the box, and was met with striking blue eyes. A lulling nostalgia tugged at the sinews of his heart, and out of pure impulse Dazai approached the box to stare at the kitten’s round but defiant eyes. It was uncanny how this kitten reminded him of a certain someone, but the moment he reached down to brush a finger over a folded ear, the kitten’s head drooped forward and fell against the edge of the box. It was frighteningly cold, and hardly moving.
That day, instead of finding a nice river to submerge himself in, Dazai ended up tucking a small kitten into the inside of his coat to bring it home.