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It had been the first, and hopefully the last time, they’ve done that. Unfortunately, for Atsushi, it most likely wouldn’t be the last. Soukoku and Shin Soukoku missions had become a common occurrence with the truce, and now that the four of them had joined forces for the first time, it was only a matter of time until it happened again.
After all, the mission was successful, so why wouldn’t it then? The thing was that only the four of them were there and knew how things went down; and out of all of them he was the only who saw a problem with that.
It’s not like Atsushi was going to be a hypocrite and say that his act had always been on point. Of course not, far from that. Akutagawa and him had tried to kill each other a bunch of times, and would argue for everything, but Dazai and Chuuya? They were on a whole nother level.
During the entire time they were there Dazai, who was supposed to be the mind behind the operation, would constantly tease Chuuya. He would attempt to get on his nerves using any method to the point where he actually compromised their mission. Chuuya of course, with extreme violence, didn’t fail reciprocating those attempts.
He had heard beforehand that they didn’t get along at all, which was fine by him. It was weird that Dazai disliked someone so much, but was their own dang business. Still, their quarrel had endangered their safety and the mission’s. It was too much, he had to intervene.
Because it’s not like the others were bound to do anything. Dazai clearly saw nothing wrong with his actions, Akutagawa wouldn't question anything that came from Dazai, and Chuuya was first rage, and then a person. So the responsibility of figuring this out before their next mission laid in Atsushi.
That’s why he was hoping for his conversation with Dazai to go well. Because it was literally a matter of life and death now.
“I saw your text Atsushi-kun, what’s the matter?” He never saw or heard the man enter the room, but again, Dazai was sneaky. If he wanted his presence to remain unknown until he was right in front of Atsushi he could manage to pull that off.
“Dazai-san. I wasn’t expecting you’d come so soon. Thank you.” Even though the agency was empty he gestured to Dazai so the other man sat in the coach next to him. He didn’t look worried, but his expression told Atsushi he didn’t completely understand what he was doing there.
“Of course. So, what’s up?” He said and Atsuhi inhaled deeply and opted for a direct approach.
“This may seem like a weird question but, why are you constantly fighting with Nakahara-san?”
“I wasn’t expecting that question.” Dazai admitted after a while. Of course you weren’t. At least his mentor’s face told him that much.
“Mhmmm, probably because he is a hactrack and annoying.”
“No, seriously.”
“I am being serious.” And indeed Dazai had put on a serious expression, but Atsushi couldn’t concieve such a dumb and simplistic reason. No, there must be an actual reason.
“Did Nakahara-san ever do anything to you back when you were together in the mafia?” he asked. Dazai remained silent for a few instants, which made Atsushi worry. Maybe I touched a sensitive subject?
“No. Never,” he finally answered.
“Really? So you just don’t like him?” Atsushi was perplexed. Can you really hate someone so much just for nothing?
“Yep.” He paused again for a few seconds and Atsushi thought the conversation was done for real this time. But then, Dazai spoke “If anyone did anything it was me.”
“What did you do to him?”
“I bombed his car.”
During the days that came after that, Atsushi would frequently replay the conversation inside his head, analyzing it by fragments; and the more he did, the more he arrived at the conclusion that Dazai actually doesn't dislike Chuuya.
In fact, he became convinced that it was quite the opposite. Since his acts resembled the ones of a five year old trying to get something he wants. Or in this case, attention from someone he likes.
It would totally make sense considering the unstable human being that Dazai is. His actions rarely reflected his true intentions not to mention his acts.
Of course his attempts were much more radical than sticking out his tongue or pushing someone off the swing, like a kid would do. As far as he knew he fucking bombed his car to get his attention.
Although his suspicions were strong, and almost could be considered facts, they were pointless if he didn’t do anything about them. Which meant he had to make Dazai aware of his findings somehow.
“Dazai-san.” The other man placed his usual reading down in his messy desk as his sight shifted to Atsushi. The youngest took it as a cue to start talking.
“Have you ever dated?”
“Of course, Atsushi-kun.”
“Let me rephrase that.” he said, knowing that he had been too vague “Have you ever dated someone that you liked?”
“I like all women, Atsushi-kun” And of course he would answer that. He should’ve known he would have to be really specific in order to get any personal information out of his mentor.
“No. Not like that. Not only physical attraction, I mean genuinely liking someone. Like crushing or maybe even being in love.”
“Hum, no. I don't think I have.” Just as predicted. That was another reason for the rise of his suspicions. He had never heard of Dazai liking anyone before. Sure his mentor was a full time flirt, but that seemed more like a hobby than an attempt to actually obtain anything. He didn’t really think he was genuinely interested in anyone. At least anyone that Dazai was aware of.
“Is there any chance that maybe you like Nakahara-san?” He asked after spending some time deliberating whether he should say it or not.
“No way. I only like women, Atsushi-kun.”
“Dazai-san you literally check everyone out. Except maybe the agency members.”
“Okay, okay. Maybe some men, but it wouldn't be him. Have you seen him? I mean-”
“Dazai-san.”
“Fine. I guess he is ok, but I don't like him. Really.”
Atsushi sighed. This is gonna be harder than I thought.
Since Dazai was in a position of part obliviousness and part denial, Atsushi opted for a different approach. It wasn’t part of his original plan, but with his mentor being a blockhead the only other possible solution was to appeal to the other involved party. He wasn’t really sure how he should approach Chuuya. Should I tell him about Dazai-san’s potential feelings? Maybe try him to act on them? Either way, he knew he had to be carefull. If he didn’t treat the matter with delicacy the mafia man may take it the wrong way and try to crush him. He had gathered that much from the joint mission. That’s why he decided to first figure what the mafioso was up to.
His best shot at accomplishing that is through Akutagawa, of course. The only problem was getting him to talk without him finding out it’s about Dazai. Knowing his obsession with his mentor, he doubted it would go well for him if Akutagawa suspected he was trying to set him up with someone. So the next time he sees him he tries to do exactly that, without exposing his scheme in the process.
They are laying in the grass, sticky from sweat and some blood, next to each other. Atsushi shifts his eyes to the other man as he calls out for him.
“Hey.”
“Mmmh?” the other’s glance remains directed towards the sky.
“Kinda random but are you close to Nakahara-san?”
“I guess.”
“Right. So do you know if he is seeing anyone?” he says and Akutagawa goes into a coughing spasm. He reclines himself and Atsushi immediately does the same while reaching out to help, but gets pushed away. After a few seconds it stops.
“What the fuck, Jinko? Are you in love with him or some shit?” Akutagawa says after he regains his composure, yet looking like he is ready to pierce him with Rashomon any minute. Atsushi fails to understand his reaction. Could it be jealousy? Or does he dislike me that much that he hates the idea of me dating his superior? he wonders.
“No, no. It's not like that.” He quickly tries to clarify, too tired to start a fight “I just have a friend who happens to be interested in him.” It may not be the best option to soothe him if Akutagawa is in fact jealous, but at least he gets to cover his back. He can think of a way to calm the other down later.
“Oh. Well, he is not.” the other man says with a newfound tranquility and Atsushi breathes out. At least it’s not jealousy. That would've been complicated to deal with.
“Cool.”
They fall into an awkward silence after that.
“I'm not homophobic, by the way.” Akutagawa says after a few minutes and Atsushi thinks it's an obvious remark; however, he doesn’t say it.
“Oh, cool,” he comments instead and Akutagawa looks at him like he is ready to dropkick him if he dares to say “cool” one more time, “so is it just because of me?”
“Yes.” That catches Atsushi by surprise. It makes him wonder if that rule would apply to Dazai as well.
“Ouch. I would be a great boyfriend, you now.”
“Did I ever say the opposite?”
“So, why not then?”
“Jinko, you are really dense, aren’t you?”
“Oh.” He said coming to a realization, after meditating over his words for a while. Maybe it's not Dazai-san he was crushing after all.
Not long after his talk with Akutagawa, which had been more productive in more than one sense than he originally thought it would, Atsushi moved to the second phase of his plan: approaching Chuuya. He was planning how to manage for them to run into each other “by coincidence” when he was notified that the day after tomorrow the four of them would go on a mission again.
“Crap,” he muttered, staring at his phone screen, earning a confused look from Kyoka who sat across the table. “Sorry” he managed to say and instantly Kyoka asked if there was something wrong to which he replied with a simple “nothing.”
Okay. This does go against planning, but at least I have a whole day until then. Mentalizing that Atsushi tried to put on his best “everything is ok” look. He didn’t want to worry Kyoka or himself about something that couldn’t be controlled right now. So with a much more calm expression, he continued dining figuring he had better chances of attempting anything tomorrow.
With a cooler head Atsushi sat on his desk pretending to do paperwork, but actually trying to come up with a new strategy on the spot. Even though he had half a day left and was a member from the agency, he figured tracking down an executive from the mafia couldn't be an easy job. He earlier had thought of bribing Ranpo into doing it, but his hopes went down the moment he found out he had taken the day off and went on a fieldtrip with Poe and Karl.
There was also Akutagawa; and although their relationship sort of progressed since the last time they saw each other, he didn’t think asking for his superior’s location would be very smart of him. Considering the way he had reacted before when he thought Atsushi wanted to date Chuuya, asking that would probably only get him another violent reaction. A jealousy driven one, now that he knew.
That is why, the way he saw it, he only had one option left: making Dazai understand the nature of his feelings before tomorrow. It was the hardest one, that’s why he was risking his integrity to deal with the mafia man, yet Atsushi knew it was that or almost certain death tomorrow. So it’s come to this.
He had been keeping an eye to his mentor ever since he arrived, late of course, to the office in order to find a moment to separate him and initiate the conversation. So as soon as Dazai raised from the couch where he laid and made his way to the stairs, he went after him.
“Dazai-san,” he called agitated from the run. The other turned his way.
“Atsushi-kun. ‘Something wrong? I’m on my way to lunch.”
“Me too. Can we eat together?”
“Sure, let me get the othe-”
“Actually. I was hoping the two of us, you know.”
“Oh. In need of a word of advice from your wise mentor?” He smirked delighted by the possibility.
“I’ll tell you over lunch. Come on.”
“Well then, since you are not paying I’m gonna assume this is not a date, so, what does my protegee need?”
They were facing each other only separated by the table, yet to Atsushi seemed like kilometers. The emotional distance between him and the person who was supposed to be the closest with, was greater than any he had experienced before. He didn’t take it personally, though. He knew it was the same for everyone at the agency. Will I ever be able to shorten it? He wondered. To Atsushi, now it seemed like a good time to try it.
“Correct. It’s not a date, but...it may be about one?”
“Huh? Does Atsushi-kun need girl advice? Boy advice maybe?” A light blush colored Atsushi's cheeks upon hearing that last statement but he composed himself soon enough.
“No, thank you. There are plenty other people to ask at the agency.” He really wasn’t in the mood to get teased by Dazai. Not when he had to deal with his bullshit because he failed to be honest to himself.
“Wow, harsh. But sure, go on.”
“Remember what we talked about the other day, about Nakahara-san?”
“About me liking Chuuya? Yes, sure.”
“And?” Atsushi asked hopefully.
“And?” Dazai replied, instantly crushing his hopes down.
“Dazai- san. Please, don't take this the wrong way but I think it would be good if you asked Nakahara-san out.” Dazai stared blankly at him. Maybe that was too forward?
“Huh. Never thought about that.” He finally acknowledged.
“Well, he is single and I’m sure you feel...a certain way about him.” What I’m not sure is even if you wanted, you could pinpoint exactly what.
“Chuuya is always single. I don’t know why you would know that, though.” He said accusingly, like he knew exactly who the info came from. “But I must admit, that's a brilliant idea Atsushi-kun.”
“It is?” Atsushi was astonished. He never thought enlightenment would come to his mentor so soon or easily. If anything he was expecting to have a long and tiring talk. Much less was he expecting positive results.
“Of course. If I ask the hatrack out it would feel like a dare to him, so he will have to accept and that way I get to eat some fancy crab of his mafia salary.”
“That's...good?”
“Exactly. Please let Kunikida-kun know I’m taking the rest of the day off. I have to get ready for the mission and make arrangements for a date~.” After saying that he rushes out of the cafe leaving a very perplexed Atsushi behind.
Later, when he comes back to the office to find out that Dazai is in fact gone, Yosano approaches him.
“Don’t worry I notified Kunikida already. I ran into him on his way out.” Atsushi thanks her as he stares at Kunikida who is in the process of cursing, most likely his mentor, through the phone. Still weirded out by Dazai’s previous behavior, and taking in consideration Yosano’s normalcy towards it, he opts to tell his senior about what happened at the cafe. She listens to his every word and ensures he is finished before giving her verdict.
“You know, if he really cared about the crab I’m sure he could just trick his old subordinate into buying him dinner,” she says with amusement and Atsushi feels even more lost than before.
After the joint mission, which had gone surprisingly good considering what was at stake, everyone except Dazai, who seemed like his usual self yet somehow not, was left feeling uneasy.
Naturally, it was all thanks to him; because in opposition to the last time, during the entire mission Dazai had behaved properly and attempted nothing. Too proper , if you asked Atsushi. Also, the fact that he had barely spoken; which was also very suspicious and unlike himself. Even more suspicious than his attitude yesterday at the cafe , which Atsushi had completely forgotten altogether with Yosano’s words with the anxiety pre-mission until this very moment.
And since there was always the chance that he was playing another of his mental games with them, his weirdness couldn't be taken as anything less than a level fourth threat. Not even by him, who was his comrade at the Armed Detective Agency. Could his attitude be a result of what I said? Atsushi worried his words may have had an non intended effect on Dazai.
Still, although they were all suspicious, nobody dared to comment on it. At least nobody till Chuuya couldn't take it any longer and broke the silence.
“Mackerel, you've been awfully quiet. What's up?” He quickened his pace until he was next to Dazai, who had been walking a few steps ahead, probably on purpose, of the remaining three.
For their own safety, Atsushi and Akutagawa decided to maintain their original distance. Far enough in case a fight broke out and close enough to hear what was going on between their superiors. Because even if things seemed okay at the moment, you could never know for sure with those two.
“Slug, I think you should take me out.”
“You are really asking me to kill you after a successful mission? Wow.” Chuuya looked at him, unfazed.
“No, like on a date.”
“A WHAT?!”
“Yes, a date, Chuuya. What’s the matter? Are you scared? Never dated before?” It was clear as day for anyone that hidden intentions underlied Dazai’s words. For anyone except Chuuya, to him his ex partner was once again trying to get on his nerves.
“Fuck you. You know I haven't. You ensured to scare everyone off back then, you bandaged freak.”
“It was them who were too weak…” And to someone who didn’t know better his tone could pass as remorseful or ashamed, but not to the other three. Even Atsushi who hadn’t known Dazai in his mafia days, could guess that his mentor was probably proud of his accomplishment.
“They were mafia men, Dazai.” The other’s words came out more calm this time.
“Well, I haven't been in the mafia for a while.”
“Oh, yeah. Haven't noticed. I'm kinda busy right now to meet someone, you know, being an executive.”
“Fine, fine.” It seemed like he had finally let it go and to the boys who walked behind, that was a relief. Simultaneously they both breathed out the air that they had been holding thankful for the silence.
“So, seafood?” Dazai asked after a while and the tension returned to the air.
“I haven't said yes, mackerel.” Of all the possible answers, it wasn’t the worst one. That probably would’ve been Chuuya beating the shit out of Dazai on the spot; and although that made Atsushi a bit hopeful, maybe it was best if he just admitted he had been in the wrong and tried to pull Dazai out of there while he was able to.
Atsushi was on his way to attempt that when he heard the small mafioso sigh. It was a deep and long one, like he had suffered absolute defeat or was about to turn himself in to the enemy.
“Yea, seafood is fine.” Chuuya replies and Atsushi halts his pace. He remains frozen-like there with a expression the other three would probably would catalogue as stupid until Akutagawa catches up and stands next to him. They both stare at their superiors who seem totally entranced by their conversation failing to realize their subordinates haven’t been walking for a while.
His sight drifts for an instant to the man next to him, who seems to notice the attention even if he doesn’t stare back at him.
“Fucking finally.” Akutagawa says, eyes still locked up on the other pair.
“Ehhhh?” I’m definitely calling in sick tomorrow, Atsushi thinks. And if he were to tell his colleagues, they would probably agree that he most definitely deserves that day off.