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Chapter Text

Here's The Great Key Seeker's official cover art:

Drops of rain fell from the darkening sky.

At three o’clock in the afternoon, they poured over the city of Yokohama, drizzled down the roofs and took a certain apartment’s glass pane as a racing track by mistake. It gathered in the corners of the roads and turned everything drenched.

“You have slain an enemy.”

For a moment, the woman sitting behind the small window thought it odd. Nobody said it was going to rain but it didn’t matter much as her business to the outside were finished the day before.

“Double kill.”

She shrugged away the faint dust of worry she felt, tore her gaze far from the stirring umbrellas outside and resumed her gaming, which the downpour had the luxury to interrupt.

Creak…

A familiar creak of wood rung through the room. The apartment’s door swung open and a friend found his way inside, clutching a wet folded umbrella by the left. It dripped numerous splotches on the mat by the entrance.

Yimei merely shifted an eye and offered a tender smile, as she would at every acquaintance. Though, he was an exemption at times as both this visitor and the gamer had a shallow history.

“Dazai-kun, eh?” Her eyes didn’t stray from the phone’s screen as she spoke. “It’s been a while. Grab yourself a seat.”

“There’s nowhere to sit in. You should really consider cleaning your residences, Yimei-chan.”

“Victory!”

The phone hollered. The woman then placed the device beside her, it stayed unsuspecting in a pile of plastic bags. Azure and umber met when she raised her head to face him.

“I’m assuming you’re going to use that one help ticket I offered?”

“If not, then what else?” Dazai replied, no amount of sunlight reached his eyes. It was a flag Yimei took as a warning that something serious was going down.

She sighed, “I came to Japan hoping I could have a vacation. Didn’t expect to get involved in another matter so soon.”

“I’m sure it’s fine. You have no definite job anyway, considering you’re a gifted who travels aimlessly.”

[Yuan Yimei]

[Ability: Heaven’s Official Blessing]

She paused for a while before finally responding, “Let me change my outfit. We’re not going to have this lengthy conversation here.”

…

“As you know, I don’t pry why my clients request such things but…” Yimei started and held up two photos, “You want me to use my ability on these children in order to improve their relationship? But can’t that be done in this world? Just let them bond and stuff.”

Whispers of other customers flocked the café they went in. It wasn’t the safest place to talk about special abilities but it was unsuspecting for people to use it as such.

Dazai sipped his cup before replying, “Hmm…you remember how it was when I met Chuuya, right?”

“What does that have to do with this?”

“Their dislike for each other was like that but a hundred times worse. They’re betting on a death match that’s supposed to happen in six months from now. I doubt one of them will die, though so I don’t worry.”

“What’s got you running to me, then?”

His eyes narrowed, probably due to the grim answer he held by his lips. Slowly, he faced Yimei squarely and eventually responded.

“Another threat is coming and it will be bigger than the recent one with Fyodor. Apparently, six months is a luxury they won’t even have. None of us will.”

“…”

“The new double black will have to be able to work perfectly together when that threat comes. As you already know, their abilities performs at its best with the support of the other. They currently don’t have the strength and time to prepare. That’s where your help comes in, Yimei.”

Her Azure eyes fell to the, now cold, earl grey cup of tea. A woman’s reflection is seen and a smirk crept up her face after a matter of seconds.

“I see.”

Seeing this, the brunette mirrored her knowing expressions and took out his phone. Dialed a series of number and pressed call after moments of hesitation.

“Dazai-san, what-”

“Blissful Blossoms. Tomorrow.”

Beep.

“You didn’t even tell him the time! The poor brat’s going to wait there overnight considering it’s coming from you.” She sighed for the second time, ”You should really be more lenient on that black-caped subordinate of yours.”

Dazai ignored Yimei’s comments and dialed another number. This time, conversing in a carefree manner.

“Yo, Atsushi.”

“Dazai-san, what is it?”

“Do you remember the shop at…” He paused and smiled afterwards as he takes back what he initially said. “Wait, nevermind. Just be free tomorrow, I have an errand.”

Beep.

“Oh?” Yimei asked. “You won’t let him know this is planned?”

“I’m sure you know why.”

“Where’s the fun if I don’t play the bad guy, right?”

Dazai left her question unanswered and offered a knowing grin as a response instead.

Mini play for Prologue:

Akutagawa: Jinko.

Atsushi: What?

Akutagawa: Did I ever tell you that you cook well?

Atsushi, flustered: …no.

Akutagawa: Then, why do you keep cooking? Garbage would suffice better than whatever this is.

Atsushi: Here’s a better question, you bastard: why would you keep eating if you don’t like it?

Akutagawa: You made this. The least I could do is appreciate your efforts.

Atsushi: Do give me a heads up whether you’re going to flirt me or insult me.

Akutagawa: Where’s the fun in that?

Atsushi: *annoyed tiger noises*

Chapter Text

He blinked. Once. Twice.

The darkness that enveloped his vision slowly ceased as he sat up. Somehow, the familiar scent of his usual laundry detergent wasn’t found in his sheets anymore.

Atsushi groaned. He ignored the pot of butterfly weeds beside him, the antique clock across the room and the open wooden window albeit those were very out of place as he had never seen them before.

No, he didn’t have time to check those out as a seemingly transparent blue rectangle screen thing popped out of nowhere in front of him and successfully stole his attention first.

[Welcome to Lethal Legends, Leopold!]

[A simulation game that lets you pick your character and experience their stories to the fullest!]

The words twisted themselves in the screen. And what’s the deal with his thing anyway? He’s inside a game, right now? Of all the things his mind was preoccupied with, only one word managed to express them.

“…what?”

[You may call me ‘System’]

[Before we begin the tutorial, would the dear player wish to relay any questions? You seem to have lots of those.]

“Anyone would.” Atsushi replied Sahara Desert dry. Inwardly, he was starting to panic but seeing no signs of any dangerous threats, he managed to calm himself again before inquiring more about his situation.

“Where am I?”

[Your current location is an antique shop found in the streets of the prosperous kingdom known for its magicians, Lezha]

“No, I meant, why am I inside a game?”

[Simple. You logged in.]

“That’s…not really the answer I’m looking for.”

[Well, it’s the only one I have.]

“I suppose…”

Atsushi darted his amethyst eyes outside. It seemed he was in the second floor of the mentioned antique shop. There were multiple people bustling here and there. Carriages and wagons were evident.

The setting somehow helped him in accepting the fact he isn’t in the real world at the moment. Atsushi found himself asking again, how did he end up here?

He ransacked his brain for the reason and found one after minutes of contemplating his aching head.

…

“Atsushi-kun.”

“Yes?”

“Can you please fetch the bouquet of lilies I ordered at that small flower shop, ‘Blissful Blossoms’?”

“Erm, I can but why can’t you get them yourself, Dazai-san?”

The brunette then proceeded to twirl around the Detective Agency Office like a beginner at ballerina. A childish smile plastered across his face.

“I’m going to offer them to the beautiful lady at the café downstairs. It would increase my chances at getting her to double-suicide with me.”

Atsushi wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed or disgusted. Either way, he got used to Dazai’s complex personality and let out a stifled chuckle instead.

“All right, then. It’ll only take a while anyway.”

He headed towards the door and the moment it shut, Kunikida rose from his desk and directed a question towards Dazai.

“Dazai.”

“Hm?”

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“We can only see after we tried.”

Multiple chatters enveloped him. Thanks to his enhanced senses, Atsushi could make out what they were saying if he focused enough but he wasn’t here to eavesdrop on someone’s annoying neighbor.

“This is it.”

He stood in front of the flower shop. Atsushi was about to enter through the entrance when suddenly…

Crash!

A faint noise of a wall being obliterated was heard. It came from his left, somewhere near the back alley. He has heard that sound one too many times so only one conclusion could reach his mind, someone was fighting.

Atsushi quickly ran over on impulse.

What if someone needed help? What if the fight got out and involved more injuries? What if their weapons were deadly to the by passers? Those were some of the many risks he couldn’t take.

As he neared the corner, a gloved fist almost hit him by an inch.

The arm retreated and Atsushi saw the assaulter’s figure. It was a woman. A blonde one, with Azure eyes dressed in layers of top. Multiple small bottles hung by her waist, accompanied by daggers and pockets that didn’t seem to clatter even when she moved a tad lot.

“Jinko.”

His heart skipped a beat. Of all the other times, why would he stumble upon the bastard now?

“Akutagawa.” He looked a little closer and it seemed like the mysterious woman was the bastard’s current enemy. Despite seeing Akutagawa having a hard time, Atsushi was more than positive the other won’t be grateful if he helped so he decided to stay out of it. “I see you’re busy. I’ll be going now.”

“Oya? You’re not going to help your friend, tiger?” The woman dashed to stop him.

“So long as he doesn’t kill you, it’s none of my concern.”

She scoffed, “Even if the two of you were to face me together, you wouldn’t stand a chance.” The woman then leaped backwards to get higher ground, she narrowed her eyes as she looked down upon them both. “Suicide boy was right. The mafia dog is a man of his words. He wouldn’t kill me. However…”

The blonde started removing her gloves and a faint cyan glow was starting to show at her palm.

“I can.”

At those words, she immediately dashed for Akutagawa’s figure. The latter easily dodged to the side and attack her with Rashoumon afterwards. His ability managed to hit the back of her neck and for a moment, she flinched as her consciousness started to slip away.

However, as she was about to stumble, her right foot planted itself firmly on the ground. She quickly turned around and grabbed Akutagawa by his collar. The cyan glow on her palm intensified and a circular door was starting to open behind him.

“This is my ability.”

[Heaven’s Official Blessing]

“The moment you enter that portal, only I will be able to decide where you land, what you do and when you will come back, which will be never by the way.”

“Rashoumon!”

The black strips were summoned again but this time, intended to aid him escape her clutches. The woman saw through it and grabbed Rashoumon with her bare hands.

Suddenly, the red glow that Akutagawa’s ability emitted began to transition into cyan before it disappeared right then and there.

“Huh?” Atsushi was both horrified and shocked by that. She was able to weaken Rashoumon by her ability. Initially, he thought the woman had teleportation as a gift but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Akutagawa had the same stunned expression.

The woman took it to her advantage and punched the black-caped boy towards the portal. Atsushi didn’t know whether what she said about her abilities were true or not but he couldn’t let his rival just vanish like this before their long-awaited match.

“Akutagawa!”

Atsushi leaped in hopes to catch him. The blonde frowned at his actions and delivered a kick by his stomach, opened another portal behind him and he ended up entering it.

The last thing he could remember was the brief look of contempt Akutagawa gave him as they both fell towards an unknown destination.

Mini play for chapter 1:

Atsushi: I was just thinking how I don’t know you very well. What are your hobbies?

Akutagawa: Cooking, painting and joining the torture squad of the mafia on rare occasions.

Atsushi: Wait, what?

Akutagawa: I was just kidding.

Atsushi: Oh…

Akutagawa: …I actually don’t paint.

Chapter Text

[Leopold, you seem to have a lot on your mind. I will ask again, do you have any concerns before we start the tutorial?]

The screen popped in front of him again and it successfully brought him back from reminiscing. Turns out, the portal dropped him off in this weird game. If so, then Akutagawa is likely to be in this world as well.

“Why do you call me that?”

[Loading character’s information…]

The three ellipsis by the end were bouncing slightly for a matter of seconds. But to Atsushi who was anxious and eager, waiting seemed to be taking hours to finish.

[Leopold Thracian]

[Fighter. 19 years old. A former member of the guild, ‘Flaring East’]

[Currently a fighter who accepts requests with a price famed for his excellent combat skills. Can be found residing in the only antique shop of the Kingdom of Lezha.]

The word ‘guild’ was highlighted so Atsushi tried clicking on it. In response to his actions, the words in the screen twisted again.

[A guild is an organization consisting of merchants with various expertise. Commonly, guilds are seeked for assassination assistance or digging up information.]

“This is a game, right?” Atsushi began to speak, “System, how do I finish it? What’s the goal here?”

If this was really one, the only way to get out would be to reach the ending. At least, that’s how it was normally.

[Tutorial mode is activated.]

The screen didn’t answer his question and instead showed an affirmation. He swept his question to the back of his mind and prepared himself for whatever tutorial it had for him. The tutorial…didn’t come.

[Notice!]

[Tutorial mode is cancelled.]

[Events are rendered non-existent.]

[Side quests are immobilized.]

[80% of the system is successfully restrained.]

[Story mode is activated.]

[Tap to continue]

The multiple warnings made Atsushi wary. No doubt, the blonde woman was the one who did this. She was the top suspect in control and he simply didn’t have a complete grasp of his current situation. The only thing he could do was to find out more so that’s what he did.

Atsushi clicked the screen as instructed.

[Main quest: Solve your character’s problem.]

He couldn’t help but curse at that. This ‘Leopold’ guy could have mountains of problems and he doesn’t even know one.

“System, can’t you be more specific than that?”

[…]

“Great.” Since the blonde tampered with the system, he couldn’t even have a hint of some sort. How the hell is he able to know where to start now?

[Beginner’s Bonus: Hint x1]

[Tap to use now]

Without any trace of hesitation, he clicked.

[Find Alexander Cedonia]

“That’s not a hint, that’s another quest!” Atsushi groaned in his palms. He gave up and clicked an exit button by the bottom-right corner and the screen immediately dispersed.

A mirror by his left caught his attention and he took a closer look. In the reflection was his face. Oddly enough, it kept his original features except, now there were slight scars seen by his cheeks. Probably due to Leopold’s occupations.

Other than that and his outfit, nothing really changed.

Just then, a middle-aged woman entered the room he was using and found him staring at the mirror, which was slightly embarrassing.

“Leopold, you’re awake.” With a wave of her hand, she returned back downstairs while gesturing him to come down. “Breakfast is ready. Come grab yours, you’ll need it.”

“Uhm…ok.” Atsushi obliged and followed her steps. He also took notice of a huge scar by her ankle. “System, who was that woman?”

[Iris]

[Owner of the antique shop]

The only people in the whole building were the two of them considering there were no trace of others living here as Atsushi had checked.

When they reached the kitchen, the woman placed a bowl of carrot soup in front of Atsushi and the latter wanted to ask for her name in order to thank her properly but he doesn’t want to seem out of place.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

She looked up with a crease between her brows. Ah, damn. Was this woman Leopold’s mother? Right, calling her ‘ma’am’ would be really weird. A bead of sweat rolled down his left cheek.

“Oh? You aren’t calling me ‘Ms. Iris’, what’s the occasion?”

That didn’t seem to be the case. Atsushi heaved a huge sigh of relief at her reply.

“Ah, nothing really.” He stirred the soup mindlessly, “It’s just been nice of you to let me live here and all.”

Ms. Iris observed him for a while before offering a tender smile, “Well, that’s good.”

After the fortunate breakfast, he headed back to the bedroom. Atsushi noticed a sword was placed beside the bed, just inches away from the pot of butterfly weeds.

He grabbed it by the scabbard and inspected it for a closer look. A pair of black short gloves were also there. Atsushi being the curious person that he is, wore both. Just then, the bluish screen popped out.

[Congratulations!]

[You have obtained a sword: Kreigsmesser]

[You have obtained: Infused Gloves]

At first, Atsushi was surprised by the sudden appearance of the floating screen. Currently, there were five options shown on the menu.

[Main Story]

[Side Quests]

 [Map]

[Inventory]

[Help]

He tapped the ‘Help’ option and it showed the tip earlier. Believing he has no other leads, Atsushi stared at the name and debated internally what to do with it.

Carrying the obtained sword, and a pair of gloves now by his side, Atsushi heads for the antique shop’s exit.

“Leopold, are you going somewhere?”

He turned around and saw the owner again. Ms. Iris was carrying what seemed to be a scroll to Atsushi’s eyes. He wasn’t used to telling other people where he’s going to go. After all, he was technically living alone all his life.

“Ms. Iris. I’ll be leaving for a few…days.” Atsushi remembered the character’s occupation. “Someone filed a request and the location is quite far, you see.”

She only nodded. Wordlessly, she took his hand and placed the scroll there.

“What is this for?” He couldn’t help but ask.

“A little gift for your trip. Use it as you like.”

Ms. Iris didn’t really specify what kind of help it was going to give so Atsushi was about to ask her when the screen popped again. This time, he was able to recognize the sound effect so the fighter wasn’t as surprised as before.

[You have obtained:]

[Fast-travel scroll x1]

Atsushi had a vague understanding of what it was but not how to use it or what it specifically does and seeing as it’s highlighted, he clicked hoping to get more information.

[Write the name of the desired location you and your party would wish to go immediately.]

[Then burn after doing so.]

[Most number of members it can carry are five.]

“Thanks again, Ms. Iris. I’ll be going now.”

On impulse, Atsushi sent her a bow. She seemed taken aback but didn’t comment on his actions and only nodded after a while.

“Ah- by the way, Ms. Iris.”

As the fighter was about to leave, he stopped his tracks once more and faced the woman with an apologetic expression.

“Do you perhaps know where I can find Alexander Cedonia?”

Chapter Text

“Jinko!”

He suddenly sat up drenched in cold beads of sweat. An outstretched hand aimed at the rival that was no longer there. Akutagawa started to even his breaths at the new scenery that surrounded him.

Tall snowy curtains. Pearl-white marble floors. An impossibly soft bed sheet enveloping him. This…wasn’t his house. Feeling a frown sitting on his lips, Akutagawa removed himself from the furniture and walked around to observe more.

Surely, he was sent here after that encounter with the blonde woman. He was quite curious, and eager, at whatever was existing at the flower shop that Dazai-san himself requested for him to check out.

It turns out, another enemy came.

He subconsciously gripped a flower vase near him at the thought of failing his mentor once more. He couldn’t even match that woman, much less put a dent on her figure.

Clang!

Only then did Akutagawa notice the vase he broke when it shattered like the porcelain that it was. Some shards got stuck in his palm but he didn’t mind them and merely wiped it with a clean towel resting by the dressing table which was no longer clean by the time he was done.

Knock, Knock!

A series of knocking came. He considered the situation and calmly permitted the newcomer along with careful eyes.

“You may enter.”

A girl that seemed to be in her sixteen came in. A tray in hand. She dared make eye contact with him as she came inside. A little more observation and you could see her cheerful expressions.

“Here’s your breakfast, young master.”

Akutagawa took another look around the luxurious room before deciding to bomb her with questions.

“Who am I? Where are we?”

“Ah-?” She appeared stunned but answered anyway. “My master is Alexander Cedonia and uhh…this place is one of your family’s many mansions.”

“Very well.” His silver eyes caught sight of a mirror. “You may set the food there. Now, leave me alone.”

“Yes?!”

The maid had the audacity to gape at his sudden switch in personality but Akutagawa didn’t give an ounce of care as it didn’t matter. Stumbling, she left his chamber.

“Y-yes sir!”

Clack.

The door closed and it was then he could finally inspect his own appearance. Sure enough, he looked the same but this face was…healthier. The small scar on the back of his palm was also nowhere to be seen.

His identity changed. So did his residence it seemed.

Akutagawa expected the blond to place him in an isolated island somewhere in the world. Considering how she explained her ability, it was bound to be teleportation, or maybe a confined space that only she had the key to, like that one lady from The Guild’s ability.

Seeing the good conditions, that didn’t seem to be the case.

[Welcome to Lethal Legends, Alexander!]

[A simulation game that lets you pick your character and experience their stories to the fullest!]

A bluish transparent screen appeared out of nowhere and showed itself in front of him. Driven by suspicion, he didn’t dare touch it or anything. After a few seconds, though, the words twisted themselves.

[You may call me ‘System’]

[I will accompany your journey to reach the best ending you can achieve.]

Akutagawa continued to ignore it but he did offer the system a generous portion of attention. It might answer his mountains of questions after all.

[You have chosen: Alexander Cedonia]

[Mage. 20 years old. The rebellious second son of the Duke of Lezha.]

[Would you like to proceed to tutorial mode?]

So, he’s currently inside a game as a character there and a mage at that. Seeing these options, he has come to the conclusion that the blonde woman’s ability is to enclose those she touches in a game.

But there’s also the possibility that her gift is not limited to games only. Akutagawa shook the pointless thought off. What matters is that he’s in a game, all he knows is that he should win this to at least find a key to the exit.

“Fine.”

[Tap to continue]

The mage clicked and suddenly, his body moved on its own accord towards the tray of food the maid left. Akutagawa gave up the resistance and let the character eat as a part of the stupid game’s tutorial.

Truthfully, he was just going to familiarize this mansion and look for clues to whatever the goal was but (un)fortunately, it forced him to eat the mildly satisfying meal. He hadn’t had a proper one in weeks.

[Skip>>]

[You have successfully eaten breakfast!]

[Now it’s time to change your clothes]

[Tap to continue]

Quite obviously, he clicked the skip area the moment it appeared. Automatically, his plain robes magically transitioned into formal wear. The outfit held a resemblance to his regular one but the color scheme of this was white and Akutagawa thought of the extra designs as a problem.

The reason why he wore such dark clothes were because it was easier to move around the shadows that way. He subconsciously ignored the screen and attempted to summon his ability.

“Rashoumon!”

He waited for a while but nothing came out. Maybe the verbal command doesn’t work on this world so he tried summoning them by feeling that sensation where he would surge in power and successfully emit the strips of darkness he so often conjured up.

Sure enough, he felt a flow of force within him. He tried directing an incoming attack on the mirror.

Clang!

It shattered but not in the way he anticipated it would have. Shards of glass scattered across the dressing table along with three silver daggers that was the reason of the mess. Those three daggers were the ones he happened to summon.

Amazed by the outcome, he tried calling out more.

By his visualization alone, about a dozen blades of the same sizes floated about. All was directed to the broken mirror and the dressing table was akin to a mess afterwards. Akutagawa then commanded them to attack the defenseless wall as he would Rashoumon.

This time, they were fast enough that one could compare them to the speed of light.

[Congratulations!]

[You have successfully mastered level 2 of your weapon: Holy Blades]

He scoffed, “Ridiculous.” The moment the word escaped his lips, the screen’s blue light ran red.

[Notice!]

[Tutorial mode is cancelled.]

[Events are rendered non-existent.]

[Side quests are immobilized.]

[80% of the system is successfully restrained.]

[Story mode is activated.]

[Tap to continue]

Akutagawa’s eyes narrowed in confusion. He surely didn’t remember clicking to modify the game. That means this is either a bug or the one in charge tampered with the rules.

A scowl placed itself on his lips.

[Main Quest: Finish the Cedonia ceremony.]

[Beginner’s Bonus: One Hint.]

[Would you like to use them now?]

“System.” He spoke coldly, as he always would.

[???]

“You’re too noisy. Shut up unless I call you.”

[…]

The transparent screen dispersed immediately and he was left to his own devices again. And what was that about the ceremony?

Eager to find out more and familiarize himself with the location, he went outside only to see happy faces. They were carrying an expression he had never been the receiving end of.

“Good morning, young master!”

A synchronized phrase greeted him the moment he opened the doors to his chamber. There were at least four people dressed in an outfit that subordinates would be in.

Akutagawa was taken aback. Although his people back at Port Mafia respected him, they never showed any hints that they were happy to see him or anything as such.

“Morning. You may return to your duties now except for that one.”

He pointed to one particular maid. She had red locks that were neatly fixed in a bun. She seemed ecstatic that Akutagawa called for her. It was the one who brought him breakfast earlier.

Almost immediately, the others dispersed as they wave a goodbye at him casually and the girl he requested came to his aid.

“Yes, what did young master want?”

Akutagawa didn’t know how he was supposed to act. After all, the system’s description of the character was really vague. Ha…this lousy game.

“How do I usually act?”

“Pardon?” The maid tilted her head in confusion. Realizing her master didn’t entertain her question, she answered anyway. “Well, young master is usually stoic at times but very carefree, and friendly to the people of the mansion so I apologize for my actions earlier, I was just surprised. It’s not often your mood is bad, you see. And uhh…the master, your big brother, also has a good relationship with young master.”

Oh? So, when the system referred to him as ‘rebellious’, this was what it meant? Sighing mentally, Akutagawa replied in a tight manner.

“Where is he now? I wish to speak to him.”

“Most probably in his chamber, young master.”

“Take me there.”

Mini play for chapter 3:

Akutagawa: I just came back from the doctors and they told me I was very sick.

Atsushi: Obviousl-

Akutagawa: Sick of everyone’s bullshit.

Chapter Text

She did and left him standing in front of ‘his big brother’s’ room. The mage didn’t know how this person looked nor what his personality was. But judging by what the maid said, he should be able to treat this ‘Alexander’ in a fair manner.

“System.” He called. “Who is Alexander’s big brother? I’d also like a confirmation if he is the one behind these doors.”

[Julius Cedonia]

[Indeed, he is the temporary master of the family as your father is diagnosed with an illness.]

Clack.

The door opened after a click. A huge desk was seen exactly across from where he stood. Behind the stack of papers was a man with jet-black hair busied by whatever business he has with his work. His strict posture and level of focus reminded Akutagawa of Mori-sensei.

“Boss-”

“Hmm?”

He raised his head and faced Akutagawa squarely. The latter realized he just spoke on impulse and cleared his throat. A poor attempt to take back what he said.

“I mean, Master Julius.”

The man blinked rapidly, as if he was reluctant to believe what his eyes has seen. After he recovered from the temporary trance, he leaped to approach the mage closer and he was about to place his hand on Akutagawa’s head.

Due to his habits, he immediately backed off and prepared himself for an incoming attack.

“Oh dear.” The man shook his head and lowered his hand that was palming the air until now. It was only then that Akutagawa realized he was just going to pat his head. Still, it was for good measure. Caution has what kept him alive all these years anyways.

“I know you’re still mad at father for forbidding using swords but you didn’t have to take it out on me, you know. Believe me, I’ve tried convincing him multiple times to reconsider it.” Julius sat back behind his desk and gave the papers a melancholic expression. “After all, everyone deserves to stay wherever they are happy. The same goes for you.”

For a split moment, his eyes widened.

No. Unfortunately, this kind of mindset was far from what he has always believed in. He was a weak person. May it be physically or mentally, he was. To achieve such happiness…he was one of the many people not deserving of having it.

“The ceremony is tomorrow. I suggest you use it to your advantage.” Julius spoke again.

“What would it be about?” The mage asked.

“As you know, our family is known for having great magicians. When I turned 21, they set up the stadium for my own ceremony. It was just going against a dozen of mages, really.” The man scoffed before continuing, “Of course, I won against them all.”

“And this information would help me…how?”

“I’m saying that you don’t need to worry about the level of difficulty. You managed to combine magic with your silver daggers as you have demonstrated yesterday.” Julius sent a tender smile. “If you show it to father, he might be able to reconsider his views of both you and Catherine.”

An unfamiliar name. Who was this Catherine? Akutagawa wanted to ask Julius but it might seem out of character for ‘Alexander’ to ask such a question. He silently reminded himself to ask the system later instead.

 “I don’t care about what that man has to say.” From the information he has gathered so far, he managed out a reply, speaking in an indifferent manner.

“Neither would Catherine but…” Julius paused to grit his teeth. “Apparently, I do.”

“…”

“I don’t want our family to separate more than it already has.”

“…”

“We’ve already lost our mother, I wouldn’t want to lose you and Cathy too.”

“…”

Judging from his sullen looks, there’s a good ounce of possibility their mother has already passed away.

Akutagawa kept silent the whole time. First of all, he had no idea how to react. The only family he ever had was Gin and both of them had been working quite independently ever since Port Mafia took them in.

Second, he had no way of grasping what Julius was feeling. The loss of parents…he never had to experience that stage of grief as he never had anyone to call as such. Besides, the actual ones already left them alone. Only a fool would yearn to glimpse and forgive.

Lastly, he voided himself of sentiments. After all, nothing was eternal in such an unfair world. Attaching yourself to something that had the possibility to vanish…It was better to not get emotionally involved in the first place.

“I’m not a fortune teller. I can’t tell how tomorrow will go so I suggest you have a talk with Cathy.” Julius grabbed his quill and started scratching the papers again. “Who knows, it might be your last one.”

Akutagawa nodded slightly, “I’ll take my leave now.”

Clack.

The doors clicked behind him after he has left the chamber. Seeing as no one was around about to hear his monologue, the mage called for the other guide he had in this world.

“System open.”

[Main Story]

[Side Quests]

 [Map]

[Inventory]

[Help]

Akutagawa clicked on the ‘Inventory’ option. It was empty so he moved to check out the ‘Map’. Sure enough, it showed him exactly that. Various names of places and symbols appeared. ‘Austere Abyss’ caught his attention in particular. There were also vague but noticeable graphics of dragons and sirens seen on the ocean.

There were nothing there he could recognize save for ‘Kingdom of Lezha’ so he exited the map for now. Instead, he tapped on the ‘Help’ option and it showed him only one choice to have.

[Hint x1]

[Tap to use now]

Akutagawa clicked again. The words twisted themselves and revealed another name that was unfamiliar to him. He took note of it though. This person could be his key to end this game and finally get his vengeance on that blonde woman.

[Find Leopold Thracian]

Mini play for chapter 4:

Akutagawa: *enters the Detective Agency Office dramatically and points at Atsushi* With the exception of you, I dislike everyone in this room

Atsushi: I like you, too.

Akutagawa: …

Atsushi: Now get down from there or the window’s going to break. I don’t want Kunikida-san to rant about the office’s limited budget regarding repairs again.

Chapter Text

“Leopold Thracian?”

Akutagawa couldn’t help but ask himself. Who knows how big this world was? Surely not him. There’s a small chance he’s going to find this guy but this was not an obstacle for him.

Sniffing out targets has been a common mission to him back at Port Mafia. If he could somehow leave this place, this would just be a piece of cake.

However, everyone in this mansion including the system keeps mentioning the ceremony, the event might be vital so he had to stick around until then. He’ll just have to find an excuse after the event tomorrow.

Someone wearing an outfit subordinates would came across his way. Staying in this place was something he couldn’t control so might as well use it to his advantage.

“You there.”

“Young master called?”

“Is the name ‘Leopold’ familiar to your ears?”

…

“Young Master!”

Akutagawa turned to a newcomer. It was a young girl with auburn hair, some of which were held up by a single green ribbon. Her dress of the same color was bombarded with frills. The emerald eyes she had had complemented her hair and outfit perfectly.

Considering how clean and extravagant her figure was, a theory came to Akutagawa’s mind and he tried confirming it.

“Ah, Catherine.” He spoke coolly. She didn’t seem to be bothered so that must mean she really is the one Julius mentioned. “What are you doing here?”

“Thou hast swear’d in thy name to practice with this lady today so let us go!”

In a spur, her delicate hands grabbed his and she led him down the unknown hallway.

The exit to the outside was nearer to his room than expected. In no time, they found themselves located in an isolated garden. Around them were bushes of various flowers, the only one Akutagawa could recognize were the tulips and roses by the corner.

Turns out, their property was guarded by huge ivory brick walls. Some oak trees could be seen beyond them but he didn’t pay extra attention to those.

Shing…

His silver eyes shifted to the source of the noise. Without turning his head, he sensed a sword pointed at him from behind.

“Oh?” On instinct alone, he dropped and turned 180 whilst he slid a foot to the ground intended to imbalance the assaulter. The latter were just as agile, she immediately noticed and managed to dodge by leaping forward with her sword implanted on the ground as support.

Akutagawa then summoned seven silver daggers ready to attack behind him. He ended with that stance and so did Catherine as she swiftly crouches with her sword in front of her defensively.

“As expected of young master!” After that brief moment of sparring, she jumped up in what seemed to be joy. “Such alertness! Why did you even ask me to help you practice in the first place?  It is as clear as the calm oceans you’re going to crush them easily.”

“Young Master?” Surely, Julius hinted they were relatives somehow. That means either one of them are lying. He dispersed the daggers behind him the moment he inquired.

“What did you call me?”

“Umm…” The hands she lifted to cheer suddenly lost its glee. She lowered them along with her eyes. “Dear father requested of me to not call you informally because I’m still not a part of the family…”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well…” She started to comfortably sit down on the grass. “I’m not really comfortable speaking about the matter but if it’s young master then I suppose that’s fine.”

Catherine pulled her chin to rest by her knees. The way she wore her heart on her sleeve somehow reminded Akutagawa of the weretiger. That idiot was easier to read than literature itself.

“Perhaps Master Julius never told you before but we have different mothers, right? Mine was a foreigner from a different continent and he doesn’t like me because of that.”

From how Akutagawa sees it, their so-called father keeps her in the residence without any shortage of supplies. He also lets her call him ‘father’. If such a wealthy and powerful man truly disliked this girl, he would have left her to rot in the alleys.

“So, he was cheating ours with yours?”

“No. Good heavens no, young master has it all wrong!” Immediately, she waves both her hands in front of her. Shaking her head, she follows it up with, “I hath perceived from master that yours passed due to a childbirth.”

“…mine.”

Slowly, she nodded and double checked on his face every now and then, as if she was afraid he was about to cry or throw a tantrum. Pensively, he starts to speak again.

“Considering our age gap, he met yours after a while ours died.”

“Aye, I suppose. Hmm…” Catherine tilted her face and sent her step-brother a gentle smile. “Young master is weird.”

“Why so?”

“Usually, you’re very cool and caring. In contrast to today, you look very cold. But ah- I meant the good kind.”

“Things change.” Akutagawa tightly said. He felt like he was robbing the real Alexander of these opportunities so he changed the subject. “Where’s your mother now?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea. Perhaps she left me in father’s care so I could live well off. Seeing how he shrugs me off as petty, I’d rather have come with mother if I was given the chance.”

A departure of a long, long train of tranquility passed between them afterwards. Neither had anything more to say nor did they felt the need to.

Ksss…

Akutagawa sensed another presence behind him. His alertness sky rocketed at that. The footsteps were heavy yet slow. From his experience, he concluded it was a middle-aged man.

Shh…

The noise grew in volume, he darted an eye and saw a trace of ice crawling between the grasses towards Catherine’s sword. Quite intrigued, he didn’t entertain the girl’s ignorance and waited to see what the frost would do.

Eventually, the ice enveloped the thin metal sword. In no time, it froze and the man finally decided to reveal himself.

“This is exactly the seventeenth time I told you not to waste your time practicing with such a deprived weapon, Catherine. These are for commoners who cannot afford learning magic. You should cultivate your abilities instead.”

Crack.

His leather boots deliberately stepped on her frozen sword. Akutagawa deduced the ice was his doing. Whether it was because his ability weakened the metal further or his weight caused it, her weapon snapped in half easily. Like a frail twig dried up of its moisture.

Akutagawa stayed standing watching the events unfold as a pool of tears started to appear in Catherine’s eyes. He debated whether Alexander would aid her in times like these. A likely conclusion reached him.

“Father.” The name rolled of his tongue roughly. He has never said such a word his whole life, after all. “Give her a break. She’s just a kid.”

“You were too, until recently that is.” The man retorted. He then faced Catherine again, “Come with me. We have many to discuss over a cup of tea.”

“You seem great for someone who was just bedridden, father.”

“As you know, Alexander, us mages have a stronger immune system than average people. A mere fever won’t hold me down for long. But seeing your choice of weapons, you probably wouldn’t know that.”

Ah, so this was the actual definition of ‘rebellious’ that the system mentioned. Akutagawa narrowed his eyes at him, “Leave your judgment for tomorrow to work.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll come with father. Now, halt this incessant fight.” She eventually surrendered and gave Akutagawa a weak wave as a goodbye. “I’ll see young master later.”

Catherine headed back for the doors they came out in. Then, the man gave him one last look of observation before following her steps.

Orange and blue dueled in the skies by the time they walked away. Twilight was nearing. The day was coming to an end.

The moment they disappeared out of his sights, Akutagawa turned his attention back to the garden. He noticed the bushes were getting quite out of shape. So, the mage decided to practice his control of the new abilities there.

“Holy Blades.”

In a spur, he summoned three silver daggers. All were lined up in an offensive position. Using his focus, Akutagawa lets them dash to different parts of the garden. One was tidying up rose bushes into cubes. Another was busy trimming excessive leaves of a tree he failed to recognize. The last was making sure the grass below him were of the same height. Cutting the blades of weeds at the speed of light.

Multitasking them like this was a lot more challenging than he thought. His attention was immersed in gardening and he didn’t have enough to notice the newcomer outside the property walls.

Creak…

He finally finished cutting the plants when the sound of a wood cracking was perceived.

Crash!

“Ahh!” A boy’s voice was heard after the thud of leaves and branches fell. The noise was coming from the other side of the marble walls so Akutagawa decided to catch the intruder.

Without any hints of delay, he summoned five silver daggers and floated them firmly on the air in a descending order to serve as his stairs. He leaped a last jump and successfully stood on top of the walls.

Below him were the cluster of leaves and a figure of someone laying down above it. Akutagawa then sent the daggers he has infused with light to get him a better sight of who the perpetrator was.

The latter flinched at its appearance and swung a sword to flick his daggers away before its light reached him. In that same moment, he dashed away from the mansion and relied to the shadows of the oak trees. The sun was no longer above their heads so that didn’t quite help.

Akutagawa accepted the challenge of a chase and sent multiple illuminated blades towards the intruder as they ran through the forest. Each time he would deliver an assault, the other would somehow manage to dodge or deflect.

Seeing as he had no intention to fight, he must be a spy.

The mage didn’t let go of this chance, his pride also wouldn’t let him leave this matter be. In a spur of spurn, he flicked a dagger intended to injure the other’s leg to prevent him from moving around too much.

After all, he promised that idiotic weretiger he wasn’t to kill anyone for a span of six months. Akutagawa guessed that the same was supposed to apply even in game.

He was right.

Chapter Text

Shing…

It hit its target successfully. The spy slipped as he leaped on another branch and fell again. He rolled downhill to an open area and stopped himself when he almost touched the edge of a lake.

Akutagawa saw this and sent a blade to pin his short cape to the ground, preventing him from running away further, cutting an end to their senseless chase.

“I suggest you confess your crimes now.”

The mage approached the spy, now facing the ground with his front, in careful strides. Being the cautious person that he is, he summoned more blades just in case the perpetrator decides to attack back. He also noticed the latter had light gray hair, Akutagawa grabs a few strands and roughly forces the other to face him.

“Well, I have ways to make you talk-” The moment the mage had a clear view of his face, his heart flinched in both bitterness and disbelief. “Jinko?!”

“A-akutagawa? Is that you? Can you…wait-” A painfully familiar amethyst eyes met his silver ones. “Let me go first, you bastard. I wasn’t snooping around. Why would I willingly look at you of all people?”

“Then stand up, you idiot.”

“Are you blind? No. You are blind.” He retorted back playfully. “Get off my back and let go of the damn hair!”

Reluctantly, the mage does and stood near the shore of the lake to observe the other who was busy dusting off blades of grasses. His short cape was now slit thanks to him.

“Ah-”

Thud!

The weretiger fell by his bottom when he attempted to stand up. Akutagawa found the scene beyond amusing and idiotic. “I have a tutorial on how to properly walk at the mansion, you might want to borrow that.”

“Shut up.” The other surrendered and sat on the ground instead. He then pointed an index to a deep cut by his ankle. “Whose fault do you think this is?”

The mage sent the wound a bored look. “You weren’t going to stop so you’re to blame for that injury. At times like these, you should be thankful I couldn't kill you.”

"Couldn't?"

"…"

The weretiger sighed, “Ha…whatever. Let’s discuss how to get out of here instead.” He proceeded to the edge of the lake, scooped up the water and cleaned his cut. Then, took out a sword to cut some piece of cloth from his short cape and used the long piece to prevent more blood from leaking.

“It’s the first time I saw you tend your wounds.”

Akutagawa mindlessly commented as he stares at the lake’s horizon. The grey moon was starting to show beyond it. He also took note some of the constellations were starting to show themselves.

“Ah, well…” The other gazed upwards before continuing. “My ability were restrained ever since I came here so I couldn’t regenerate as I pleased. I have to admit that I rely on the tiger to heal. By the way, are yours working?”

“No.”

“I see.”

Silence stretched between them comfortably. Thanks to the aid of the pleasant view, spending time with each other became more bearable.

Slowly, fireflies started to flock them as bees would a hive. To Akutagawa, it was annoying as they were blocking the majestic view of the heavenly bodies. Did he do something wrong to make his face resemble a fly trap?

Either way, he considered using his new ability to fend the insects off but stopped himself as soon as he caught sight of the weretiger smiling like an idiot due to the said fireflies.

“Wipe that grin off your face. You look like someone who’s never been outside before.”

“Mind your own business.” The other merely stuck his tongue out in annoyance at his remarks before wearing that childish smile again as if nothing happened.

“Why did you pry around the mansion like a thief anyways?”

Akutagawa shook off his poor attempt to banter and asked another question. The weretiger didn’t answer immediately and a single firefly landed on his index finger, his amethyst eyes stared at it while he spoke.

“The game’s guide, ‘System’, gave me a hint on how to end the game and told me I had to find someone named Alexander Cedonia. I asked around town only to find they were talking about his coming of age ceremony or whatnot that’s about to happen tomorrow. Ms. Iris told me he lives by this mansion. So if the game made you his butler or something, I’d appreciate it if you introduce me to him.”

Akutagawa looked over the weretiger and his gut drove him to flick the firefly the other has been eagerly staring at. The insect stumbled a bit as it fell but slowly regained its balance.

“Oi!” The weretiger scolded his actions but he didn’t mind them.

“You’re talking to him right now.”

“…” The other froze and stared at him with narrowed eyes. “You’re Alexander?”

“That’s what I said.”

The weretiger lowered his head and placed a hand over his own mouth while trembling. For a moment, Akutagawa thought he was shivering from an illness but he proved him wrong by bending backwards, laughing loudly like the idiot that he is.

“Hahahahaha!”

“…” Akutagawa sent him a look of disgust.

“Ha…The whole town were talking how handsome and sacred you were. Didn’t know you had it in you to make people say that about you, Akutagawa.” He then wiped a non-existent tear. “Handsome, my foot. I really had my hopes high to meet him but knowing it was you all along is just- pure comedy.”

The mage wanted to lecture him that appearances weren’t that important and how strength was undeniably more valuable to have. But he didn’t want to spoil the mood. At least, for now. So, he just scoffed, “Heighten your standards, will you?”

“Akutagawa, that would just make it harder for you to reach.”

“Ha! Are you implying I’m not worthy enough of you, Jinko? Because I think it’s the other way around.”

The weretiger let out a faint chuckle. “Perhaps.”

Another moment of tranquility arrived to bless their ears with silence. The recent banters they shared rang at the back of Akutagawa’s mind as he stared off the horizon again. Apparently, the silence didn’t last long as the weretiger decided to break it.

“You know Akutagawa, you’re not so bad to be with if you aren’t trying to kill me.”

“The same doesn’t apply to me. You’re always a nuisance even if you don’t do anything. Your existence itself is my problem.”

“Haha…” The weretiger let out a weak laugh. “As amusing as it is, we have to get out of here sooner. Who knows how time has passed in the real world compared here?”

“Shouldn’t you be back to the real world already?”

“Huh? Why?”

“Wasn’t your quest to find me? Well, you just did.”

“Erm, no…Finding Alexander was just a hint. My real goal is to solve this character’s problem.”

“And that would be…?”

“I have absolutely no idea.” The idiot sighed, ”Do you? Considering it led me here, our characters might be somehow connected. What’s your main quest?”

“Finish the Cedonia ceremony.”

“Hmm, if the system gave me one then it must have given you another hint of some sort. What was it?”

Akutagawa didn’t answer his question and instead called out for the bluish screen he had. Noticing that the weretiger was looking at it affirmed his suspicion players out of this world could see it. He clicked the ‘Help’ option and a familiar phrase appeared.

[Find Leopold Thracian]

The weretiger faintly gasped seeing his hint, looked at him squarely and slowly started to speak, “Here’s the funny thing…”

Mini play for chapter 6:

Akutagawa: *goes back to Port Mafia*

Akutagawa: I’ve successfully confessed to the weretiger and just came back from a date. Also, I brought some yakitori.

Chuuya: You what-

Hirotsu-san: Yakitori, nice.

Chapter Text

"That…does look bad on you."

Atsushi said, burying the powerful urge to scoff at Akutagawa's outfit. It actually wasn't as bad as he said it was. He had to admit that Akutagawa still looked handsome despite the clothes that didn't fit his vibe.

They came across a boutique when they passed by this vintage town not so far from the mansion and he absent-mindedly asked the bastard to wear the outfit on display. To which, the latter accepted for the condition that he will demand of something to Atsushi as well.

"Alright, Jinko." The mage approached the fighter. "I've done your request. Now, it's my turn."

"Yeah, sure. What do you want?"

Akutagawa paused for a while, "May I kiss you now?"

"What-"

Crimson immediately rushed to Atsushi's cheeks after the ridiculous question was dropped. Out of all the options he had, why choose that?

"A-are you sure that's what you want?"

"Oh?" He blinked. "I was about to say that was a joke but seeing as you are seriously considering it must mean you actually want it, right?"

Atsushi clicked his tongue, he didn't know why but he felt annoyed when the bastard took it back. "Then don't ask such things if you aren't going to commit them anyways."

He heard the other scoff before his face was pulled to the other's direction and lightly felt Akutagawa's lips on his.

Chapter Text

“Here’s the funny thing…” As his amethyst eyes stare back at Akutagawa’s screen, Atsushi let out a nervous laugh and pointed at himself. “I am Leopold.”

The moment those words escaped his lips, the bastard snickered, “Here you are mocking me yet you’re just as disappointing.”

“Eh? What do you mean by that?”

“I inquired who Leopold was to some maids earlier and they trembled in fear the instant they heard me. Famed for his ruthless combat skills, was what they said.”

“Oh yeah, system did tell me that about my character but I didn’t expect such rumors would reach here. The antique shop where I woke up was a bit far from the capital of the kingdom. The place was called Mauve or something like that.”

“Then…”

Akutagawa halted his train of words when they both heard a faint rustling of bushes. Both immediately stiffened and heightened their alertness.

“I suggest talking about this in another place. We wouldn’t want to plant seeds of suspicion to the people.” The bastard had a point. He kept talking as he turned for the way back to the mansion. “Being accused as someone who possessed our character’s bodies might hinder us from getting out of here.”

“Sure, but where would be the safest?”

Akutagawa smirked his way as he started to walk, “Lucky for you, one of us landed in a character who is full of materialistic assets. Unlike the other.”

Atsushi began to follow behind slowly, “Hey! That’s an insult to Leopold. He probably has a whole army of loyal people for all we know. Well, considering he’s an ex-guild member, he must’ve had a lot of connections.”

“Guild? Like the foreign gifted organization we faced off against?”

“More or less. In the game, they’re a group of people that do works for others so long as they get paid. They sell services average people can’t do-”

Along with his voice, Atsushi halted his steps when Akutagawa suddenly raised an arm to gesture him stop. The latter was looking around so the fighter mirrored his actions to find irregularities within the area.

It was only then that Atsushi realized the forest around them was awfully dark. If it wasn’t for Leopold’s enhanced senses, he probably wouldn’t have been able to make out the trees here and there.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

“The person earlier, they seemed to have followed us.” The mage answered with a dangerous tone. Atsushi wasn’t bothered by it anymore, though. It wasn’t directed at him and he has been used to hearing it so much that it no longer felt new. “Over there!”

Akutagawa’s head suddenly turned around to a group of oak trees where the bushes tousled and sent one of his illuminated blades to enlighten them with the stalker’s identity.

Thump!

The dagger finally hit the tree. More rustling of leaves came after that. Atsushi then ignored the sharp pain in his ankle and leaped to check out what the mage’s sword caught. He removed the blade from the tree bark and there laid a piece of cloth dyed green.

Silk was what they saw.

By that time, the perpetrator have managed to escape their range and sights. The situation agitated the mage and as Akutagawa was about to sprint to find them, the fighter pulled his coat to stop him.

“Wait. Save your time, they didn’t hear much anyways. Plus, don’t you get exhausted from activating your skill often?”

The fighter advised the mage to stay. The latter reluctantly gave in and stood still, however unusual that was, when unexpectedly, Atsushi’s system popped open even though he didn’t call for it.

[Activating Skill…]

[Searing Flames]

Out of nowhere, the dark forest brightened with orange hues of light. It felt like flame, and smelled like one? Atsushi turned to the source and he was horrified to discover it was coming from his hands.

They were burning although, it didn’t hurt him but he frantically let go of Akutagawa’s coat because the part he touched no longer looked white as it originally was. He had burnt the cloth with his touch!

“Ah, Akutagawa! Take off your coat.”

“Tsk.”

Thankfully enough, the bastard immediately did. In the instant the second sleeve was peeled off him, the flame grew stronger and some was starting to get alarmingly closer to the various leaves around them.

Spotting the critical situation drove Atsushi to carry the burning coat and ran back to the direction he thought where the lake was. Fortunately, he was correct so he immediately threw it to the waters.

Slowly, the flames subsided as the cloth got soaked. The warmth in his hands had faded as well.

At that, the fighter finally exhaled the breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Ha…bad things keep happening to me even in this game. It’s like I have bad luck or something.”

“Jinko.” A voice behind him called. Akutagawa seemed to have followed him back, “You don’t have bad luck. Such thing doesn’t exist.”

“Is that a compliment? That…doesn’t sound like something you would say to me. Something doesn’t feel right here.”

“The real reason bad things happen to you is because you’re an idiot.”

“Ah, there it is.”

The mage turned his head to face the fighter. In that split second, smirking silver eyes clashed with annoyed amethyst. Seeing each other’s expression, Atsushi found their state somehow refreshing, he buried the urge to stop his chuckle yet let a faint one out.

It tugged a gentle smile on Akutagawa, “You’re starting to pollute your idiocy towards me. Let’s go back to the mansion before anything else happens.”

A déjà vu hit Atsushi as the mage turned back to his residence. After shaking off his light amazement, he stood up ignoring the initial shoot of pain his cut on the ankle sent him and managed to keep up with the bastard’s pace as he wondered what that flame he summoned up was about.

Like the last time, they entered through the marble walls. Really, Leopold’s physical attributes was no joke. Atsushi could easily leap up the branches and climb the walls. It felt like using about half of the buff [Beast beneath the Moonlight] gives him.

Clack.

The doors to Akutagawa’s chamber closed shut and the room’s setting brought its vivacity as sparkles to Atsushi’s eyes.

In front of him were high snowy curtains, a gigantic bed and an extravagant dressing table. To his left was a huge closet that took up about one-eighth of the space. His right side existed another set of double doors, no doubt leading to a bathroom.

The fighter stood gaping. Akutagawa or rather, Alexander’s bedroom were probably four times bigger than his whole apartment. And the nobleman didn’t have to worry about rent!

Well, neither did he at first, but when the Agency’s pay started to get a little more stable, they stopped paying for his place and he had to do it himself since then.

“Go clean yourself first then we’ll exchange information regarding the plan to get out of here.” Akutagawa uttered as he started to skim for clothes. “I originally decided to leave you to your own device but seeing as you don’t even have somewhere to stay, I’ll let this one time slip. Of course, you understand that we’ll be seeing who leaves this place after my ceremony finishes tomorrow.”

Atsushi did understand, he expected as much from the bastard.

“No need to tell me. I was thinking the same thing.”

He replied dryly and the conversation ended there. In a haste to have a break from being with Akutagawa, he immediately stepped in the bathroom.

It seemed like the bath tub were already filled. Ecstatic, he proceeds to remove his stuffy clothes and let the sole of his feet touch the water. It was warm so he hastily washes up and then, slowly slithered down the tub whilst making sure the water level touches his chin.

“Ahh, what bliss.”

He didn’t know what kind of scent was applied to it but it didn’t matter. Atsushi didn’t care so long as it relaxed him. The fighter closed his eyes and let the recent events replay in his mind.

A few more minutes of daydreaming came and went when he realized he needed to finish real soon. Relaxing in the bathtub was not his priority at the moment.

Atsushi left the tub and rinsed thoroughly. He dried himself with the towel neatly folded in the corner near the mirror. That’s when it came to him he didn’t prepare his clothes yet.

“Akutagawa, fetch me clothes for sleeping, would you?”

He shouted at a moderate volume. There seemed to be a ruffling of items before a reply muffled by the walls came, and an irritated one at that.

“How the tables turn. Between the two of us Jinko, I thought you were the dog.”

“In a way, we both are. Now hand me one or I will personally search your closet naked-”

With a towel around his waist, Atsushi opened the door only to see something was thrown towards him. He didn’t have enough time to react so it landed on his face. It was a set of clothes the bastard picked out.

“Mphanks.” He dryly said as he slowly closes the door back, leaving the clothes in his face to hang whilst he did.

Clack.

Atsushi returned to the mirror and put it on. It was a regular pajama that was just his size. Err, it was a bit loose but generally, it looked well so he shrugged the faint dust of uncertainty.

He proceeded to fold his discarded outfit, paying extra attention to the gloves and sword. The fighter then returned to the bedroom feeling refreshed, absentmindedly rubbing the towel against the ends of his hair that got wet.

“Your turn.”

At his words, the other immediately entered the bathroom wordlessly with a robe in hand. Atsushi ignored that and jumped on the bed. A smile hung from ear to ear when he landed. In no time, the clean fluffy mattress enveloped his entire figure.

As he was immersed in his thoughts appreciating the softness, the door to the bathroom suddenly opened with a bang.

Startled as he was, Atsushi turned to see Akutagawa in a black set of two-piece night robe that were obviously designed for men. He also noticed how he had a jacket to pair with his pants yet the bastard gets a robe. Not that it was a bad thing, what he currently had was more than great.

Really, Akutagawa could be nice sometimes. Atsushi just silently hopes it happens more often.

Mini play for chapter 7:

Akutagawa: *burning their marriage certificate*

Atsushi: What do you think you’re doing?

Akutagawa: Good luck trying to return me without the receipt.

Chapter Text

“Right. To business.”

Akutagawa approached the dressing table to the bed’s right and sat on the chair placed there. Atsushi’s eyes followed his figure and crawled near the bastard when he saw the latter pull out a quill and started scratching it on the paper.

He crossed his legs as he sat up and leaned a little forward to get a better view of what the mage was taking notes of.

There were tiny doodles of him and Akutagawa, an arrow pointing towards their respective characters’ names. The other also jotted down some information of their new abilities. Atsushi saw him write ‘Holy Blades’ below his own name and ‘Searing Flames’ beside Atsushi’s.

“That reminds me, my skill activated when I accidentally said those two words. Skill activate.” He held up his palm for both of them to see. However, no sign of flame was manifesting.

“Maybe it was your gloves.” Akutagawa commented.

“Hmm, you’re right.”

Atsushi then entered the bathroom and exited just as fast as he went in but now, a pair of gloves in hand, he tried again.

“Searing Flames.”

Sure enough, the area where his palm was started to glow a bright orange. Both the black gloves livened like a piece of burnt wood where, when you blow it, it slowly lightens up.

Atsushi was amazed, to say the least. He felt great pressure grouping in his palms. One question came to mind though, and he decided to voice them out for the other to hear.

“Cool. But how do I turn this off?”

“Try saying ‘deactivate’ or other commands to cancel them.”

“Cancel.”

Almost immediately, the density that weighed his hand dispersed and the part that looked like molten lava cooled and turned black again.

As Atsushi pondered over his palm, Akutagawa have decided to summon a dozen holy blades wordlessly and settled them in a circular arrangement that surrounded the chandelier above.

“I get it, your ability is superior. Mine can be just as effective if used the right way, you know.”

“No, idiot. I’m saying I can summon mine without any verbal command. Which means you can too.”

Atsushi attempted to heed his advice. He re-imagined the sensation of the pressure to flock on his palm. It wasn’t long when something inside the gloves began to move towards the middle.

After much focus, the color akin to a molten lava appeared.

“Oh, it worked. Thanks for the hint, bastard.”

“Whatever.”

“You seem to be helping me despite saying you’re leaving me to rot in my own devices.”

Akutagawa seemed to have contemplated for a while before he replied, “Your main quest states to solve your character’s problem. Mine is to finish the ceremony that’s to happen tomorrow. I’m assuming the hints were there to deliberately lead us towards each other. Think about it, did your system malfunction earlier?”

“Malfunction? You mean the time it restrained some options?”

The mage nodded, “I’m assuming the blonde woman we fought was the one responsible for that and this problem we’re currently having, but what I can’t understand is why she would reunite us. She probably had the power to plunge us into misery here. Dazai-san was also the one who warned me about her.”

“Dazai-san? He also sent me to the flower shop near the alley you were fighting at.”

“That makes it…It almost seems like…” The mage stared at the dancing daggers. “No, that’s impossible.”

The blades dispersed the moment his voice did. Akutagawa stood up and continued speaking when he didn’t see any signs of Atsushi speaking. “For now, the main quests are all that we have. Jinko, the ceremony tomorrow will also be crucial and I have no intention of helping you in any way afterwards so if I can leave you here to die, I would.”

“I wouldn’t go that far but the feeling of contempt is mutual.”

“In conclusion, I’m letting you stay here just this once.”

Atsushi didn’t have anything to add to that. This wasn’t his place. He had nothing except a glove he couldn’t fully control and a sword he had no idea how to use.

“May the heavens bless me with patience during your stay.” Akutagawa says as he walks around the bed to lay on the side opposite to where Atsushi occupied.

“Don’t you mean ‘strength’?”

“Jinko, if the Gods gave me that, you would’ve been killed a long time ago.” He waved an arm towards the chandelier and it immediately dimmed. “Now, sleep. Hopefully you will, forever.”

“You’re right, maybe the Gods should lend you more strength. You couldn’t even defeat that blonde woman and dragged me in this mess.” Atsushi was annoyed beyond reality itself and didn’t let the conversation end there. Not when he had the short end of the stick. Needless to say, that was a bad decision.

“You were the one who willingly tried to help me. Stop acting like it’s my fault.” Akutagawa tightly said.

“Yes, because your performance was beyond repair. Someone had to assist your sorry state.” Atsushi retorted.

“It was none of your business.”

“I have the right to choose my own decisions.”

“But you’re making horrible ones.”

“Everything involving you really is.”

Akutagawa paused for a while before replying, as if he was hesitating of saying the thing he wanted to. But that’s impossible. “You idiot just got in the way. Look at our state and see the truth that your help wasn’t needed. I could’ve pummeled her if you hadn’t distracted me with your poor excuse of an existence. The world really is better off without you.”

Atsushi’s eyes widened at that. Questioning his existence, his purpose, and his contributions were a sensitive topic to him. Even for the bastard, saying that was both wounding and vexing to him. He gritted his teeth and clenched the sheets.

“Jinko, I-” Akutagawa started again when he heard that only silence were there to answer him but Atsushi didn’t give him the time to finish whatever the hell he was going to say. His latest comment sent a blade to Atsushi’s heart and it twisted excruciatingly so he was going to hit just as hard.

He started his response with a solemn scoff and his voice started to crack at the first sentence. “Says the bastard who has failed his mentor countless times. The way I see it, Dazai-san probably gave up teaching you. So if God was to give anyone patience, it should be Dazai-san so he could bear your low comprehension. But then again, a deity’s help probably wouldn’t be enough. That’s how weak you are, Akutagawa.”

After that, silence filled itself between them until it became too much to bear. Atsushi only realized what he had said after they escaped his lips. Clenching the bed sheets closer, Akutagawa’s comments echoed in his mind and filled him with seething rage but alas, his mind reminded him of what he had said in return.

Being the guy that he is, he wished he could somehow take those words back after hearing no reply from Akutagawa. Reaching at this point, Atsushi was the first who gave in. He exhaled.

“…forget what I said. Let’s just sleep.”

He closed his eyes and his other senses heightened. Atsushi felt the other side of the bed move. He tried to shake the awkward feeling off. Akutagawa was probably just going to go outside and dwell on his issues there.

Oh, how wrong he was.

Atsushi felt a pair of hands grab both his shoulders. For a moment, his body were lifted off the bed. A second later, he landed back on the soft mattress with two weights on either side of his head.

He abruptly opened his eyes. It was dark but not dark enough for him not to see that it was Akutagawa who threw him to the middle of the bed and sat above him with both his hands beside his head, preventing Atsushi to move anywhere.

“Akutagawa…”

Atsushi couldn’t finish what he was about to say. The thought died in his mind as he felt warmth slid down his own cheek. By that time, the moonlight brightened and he finally saw that the bastard above him wordlessly cried.

His tears fell like rain and pooled at Atsushi’s cheeks.

“You…You’re right, Jinko.” Akutagawa had his eyes narrowed, showing that he was too tired, too drained to even argue. His voice was too faint to even notice if it wasn’t for the night’s silence. Heck, it didn’t even crack. No sob could be heard that anyone would doubt he was crying in the first place.

“I am weak. I know that. You needn’t remind me every time.”

Atsushi waited for him to retort something. To prove his statements wrong. Anything witty that could diffuse the situation. Something to help him calm down. Akutagawa’s face were inches from his own, his eyes dead-black and sunken.

“I’m not enough for Dazai-san to acknowledge. I never was.”

Atsushi stayed speechless. He stayed still, lying, below the man who was pouring all the expressions he didn’t have anyone to vent upon.

“This is why I hate you, Jinko. He told me I grew stronger but I know that compared to you, I don’t…I’m not…and yet between us both, you are the one who acts as if he has nothing. Utterly disgusting.”

Akutagawa was now in a blank, disbelieving state of someone with so much grief locked up inside him that he didn’t know what to do with it, someone who had been carrying a barb in their heart that no amount of crying nor screaming could dull.

Oddly enough, Atsushi saw himself in there somewhere.

The glistening tears continued to fall. Being in that position, Atsushi had the urge to stop them from flowing. He had always seen Akutagawa bend from achieving his objectives but never has he seen him break like this.

“Considering you’ve reached this far, I’d say you are.”

With a spur of guilt, his hands raised themselves subconsciously and wiped off the glimmering beads of tears before they could reach his own cheeks. He wanted to fix this shattered mess.

“…”

Akutagawa, now void of voice and feelings started to open his mouth. He didn’t say anything. No words would came out. Rather, nothing could.

Akutagawa then gritted his teeth and the strength in his arms that held him up faded. He finally rested his forehead on the space between Atsushi’s neck and shoulder. The latter let him. Atsushi didn’t have the heart to push him away. At least, not at the moment.

He felt Akutagawa’s breath even. He must have fallen asleep due to exhaustion. Really, how long has this bastard kept that within him? Considering his profession, sleeping and rest probably was a hard feat to gain. Not to mention, he had no one to share his problems with.

Out of them both, Atsushi had the most uncomfortable position. He couldn’t move nor could he attempt to push Akutagawa off so he didn’t. Staring at the ceiling, he regretted letting the argument go in that direction.

But on the other hand, it helped him understand the mage a little better. That night, Akutagawa’s weight above him lulled him to sleep. Little did both of them knew, this first weren’t going to be the last.

Chapter Text

Akutagawa stirred as his consciousness slowly wakes him. His fingers twitched and felt a soft fabric around him which was an unfamiliar sensation to have. The mage also felt a lump of cloth below him. It was slightly uncomfortable so with the support of both his hands, he pushed himself away from the bed.

The mage expected a pillow but what met his vision were a sight of the weretiger, sleeping peacefully as if nothing was wrong with the world. As if Akutagawa sleeping above him was the most natural thing to happen.

Startled, he quickly sat up and leaped backwards. His feet carried him to the double doors across the bed. Akutagawa didn’t remember well how they ended up sleeping like that and as he was about to shout at the weretiger to leave, his memory resurfaced. It served him cold hard truth and saved him from the grave result of ignorance.

Turns out, it was his own feet that carried him to that situation. His own hands that immobilized the idiot below him. His own tears that fell.

Akutagawa mentally sighed. Of all people to have seen him like that, the weretiger was the first to do so and he planned to keep it the last. However, feeling ashamed and regretful was something he knew wouldn’t help anyway so he forced himself to ignore the events last night.

Seeing that the idiot was deep in his sleep, Akutagawa paid him no care and buried yesterday’s event at the back of his mind to deal with later.

Instead, the mage proceeds to scan his closet once more. He had no plans to stay in this place where he was restricted of most actions due to nobility.

If he was to fail the ceremony, he would find other ways to get out of this game. Also, it wasn’t definite that they’ll escape this world by finishing the main quest. Those were his own assumptions.

He was also aware of his unfamiliarity of the resources available and its source. Going outside without any supplies nor knowledge is going to be a fatal mistake. He learned that the hard way.

So however a hassle packing up was, it was necessary.

“System, what’s my main quest?”

[Finish the Cedonia ceremony]

The bluish screen appeared with a message that was anything but new to him. The words echoed in his mind long enough for him to realize it didn’t require for him to win.

Akutagawa considered losing on purpose for a split second but doing so would probably get him to go through the ceremony again. Worse, he could be caged stronger to stay in this place.

He still didn’t know how this world works so in order to gather more information, freedom was the key.

The mage counted his available options again and concluded he’d just win the ceremony and find an excuse to leave afterwards. Escape without a trace, fake his own kidnapping, angering the Duke enough to kick him out, who knows which way he’ll pick. There were limitless ways to solve a problem.

Knock! Knock!

“I bid young master a good morrow! Tis I, Catherine and by the orders of my master, I will now enter.”

The door creaked open and the only thing Akutagawa could do in that instant as she went in was to hide the fact he’d been packing for a departure.

By the time he saw her emerald eyes, Akutagawa has repositioned himself to sit by the huge sofa near the said closet.

“Master Julius sent me here to fetch…thee…”Her initially bright expressions slowly dulled as her eyes caught sight of his bed. Catherine pointed a finger towards it and asked, “Who is that?”

Akutagawa trailed her line of sight and saw the weretiger sleeping. This time, he didn’t carelessly shake this information off. Silently, he walks beside the bed and roughly grabbed the idiot by the collar.

“…what-” The weretiger mumbled.

Due to his drowsiness, he didn’t struggle much and Akutagawa found that quite useful. Without any hesitation or any expression shown on his face, the mage threw the weretiger out the window.

“Akutagawa, you bastard!”

The fighter shouted as he was defenestrated from the third floor. Akutagawa’s actions made a mess of the room. The window broke and numerous shards of glass fell to make a mess of the floor.

“Who was that?” asked Catherine.

“Someone you don’t have to concern yourself with.”

She trembled at his answer. Terrified by what just happened. “But what, in faith, make you defenestrate a friend?”

Friend, huh? He found her choice of words suspicious. No one would assume an uninvited guest was good news. “He’s not a friend nor is he anything more than that.”

“The quality of mine apology is not strain’d.” She pulled a hand to her chest. “I shall not look upon his like again if young master dislikes so but, that was an extreme measure just now, wouldn’t you say?”

“I say he deserves it.”

“Nay, the good sire must have broken a limb or two.”

“He’s fine.”

“Alas, why do you repel such favor?”

“How are you so sure I care for the idiot?”

She beamed a wide smile, “That honoured sire hath gained the privilege to expend yesternight’s time with thee. Mark the words of this sister, thou art not generous of time if heavens direct you to anyone but the people of the mansion and yet, that good sire defies the customs.”

“…Prove it to me that he was indeed here last night.”

“Last night of all, you come most carefully upon your hour, with the sire over yonder window. I say ‘tis was my mere fantasy.” She held up her hands above her head, caressing the air. “But, soft, behold! I blinked and approved mine eyes reflecting truth. Had I not fix’t my ears upon thy room, perhaps I would have continued my way back to the struggling doubt.”

“…And you even had the courage to eavesdrop?”

Catherine bowed slightly with a small smile, “No more when I affirmed no threat had entered the mansion. I shall the effect of this good lesson keep. For God’s love, let me have thine mercy, young master.”

Akutagawa looked over her figure and suspected whether she was really Alexander’s half-sister because if anyone was to see her right now, they would immediately assume she’s his maid. The mage wanted to let the matter be, it wasn’t her fault her eyes had caught them suspiciously arriving by the window.

“Only if you keep in mind to tie your tongue about it. The least I need now are more problems.”

“’Tis in my memory lockt, and you yourself shall keep the key of it.”

This conversation was draining him despite the best sleep he’s ever had in ages. Akutagawa pulled himself away from the broken state of a window and approached the chair in slow strides. He decided to acknowledge her words and replied with two syllables.

“Good enough.”

“Aye!” She smiled in response and left her spot, “Then, I will wait for young master at the breakfast table along with our kin. Father has something to say.”

Making sure she completely left, Akutagawa stood up and changed his night robes into one simple outfit he somehow liked when he scanned the wardrobe earlier. In a flash, he successfully wore three layers of clothes under two minutes.

All resembling a monochrome color scheme, as he would prefer. Akutagawa caught sight of his appearance as he passed by the now mended mirror. The image drove him to wear a long coat to complete his look.

Now satisfied, he drew near the double doors as he played with his sleeve’s cuffs. The mage heard a loud thud behind and the source of the noise directed a complaint at him.

“Was throwing me out the window really the only option you had?” The weretiger climbed back through the window with visible difficulty, his clothes gashed with various creases and dirt. “No, I’m sure you just willingly chose to.”

“Obviously.”

“You bastard-”

The idiot didn’t finish his curse as he found trouble in raising his left foot in. Akutagawa knew he had to proceed down to the dining table now but the scene of the weretiger helplessly climbing through his broken window amused him and made him stay for a few minutes.

“Jinko.”

The other laid gasping on the floor with glass shards. “What now, Akutagawa?”

“Dress yourself up and wait for my return here.”

Chapter Text

“Dress yourself up and wait for my return here.”

Akutagawa left his chamber to the weretiger with those commands. Outside, a new maid waited for him. She bowed to greet him and gestured to her left.

“This way, young master.”

A woman with a forgettable face guided him to another part of the mansion he didn’t have the luxury to check out earlier. Seemingly endless long lone hallways monitored them with the lamps that hung from both sides.

“Who sent you?”

“It was Lady Catherine, young master.”

“I see.”

With a small cough, he replied earnestly to save her the trouble of being ignored.

Maybe it was the fact that Akutagawa’s in a game right now but the uncomfortable sensation in his lungs felt like it subsided. The sharp chest pain when breathing deeply would only show itself often.

Clack

“Young master, thou hast arrived!” Catherine called out as he entered another room that was considerably bigger than the one he was given. Julius was just across her and the Duke sat at the biggest seat, by the end of the long table.

Two pair of eyes entertained his presence. Needless to say, it was the Duke who didn’t heed him attention. In the split minute that they met yesterday, he could assume that neither Alexander nor he wanted some.

“Come, sit beside me.” Catherine beckoned him again but Akutagawa chose to stand still at the corner of the table, where he was farthest from the Duke.

“I apologize for my upcoming refusal but no.” The mage firmly declined. Speaking formally was anything but new so he could live with being respectful for a few moments. “I will be eating at my room today.”

“It’s your ceremony today, Alex. Can’t you reconsider?” This time, Julius was the one who tried to convince him.

“Exactly, big brother. Due to that, I have a lot to prepare, you see.” Akutagawa then shifted his head to face the Duke. “So, if father has something to state, please do immediately.”

The Duke placed his utensils to rest on his plate, “Nevermind that. Good luck on your ceremony. You’ll need it.”

Akutagawa silently snickered after hearing his words, “Then, may everyone excuse me.”

“Alright, enjoy thy breakfast, young master.” Catherine eased the tension. Although she was most reluctant, she seemed willing to let him go. Her emerald eyes moved to the maid closest to her. “Sophia, do bring young master’s meal to his room. I beseech thee: —thyself do grace to him, and bring enough for two.”

“Pardon?” The maid asked. Julius and the Duke slightly looked up too, quite intrigued.

“It will be the fruit to the great feast for he will need the extra energy to this special day, you see.” Catherine cheerfully wiped their doubts off and sent a wink towards Akutagawa.

She…remembered to include the weretiger. He initially decided to give his share to the idiot considering he doesn’t really eat much but if it’s come to this, then might as well.

He appreciated her thought and sent a slight nod to relay his gratitude.

Tak, tak, tak…

His footsteps echoed along the deserted hallways. Akutagawa twirled a dagger in his hand as he walked, his thoughts circulating in his mind just as the blade was turning.

Clack

He entered Alexander’s chamber with caution. His silver eyes were met with the same setting as he had left it minutes ago. No, the window were removed of the harmful glass, the carpet was cleared of the shards and the weretiger was nowhere to be seen.

The maids were fast in their work and have brought two trays of meals when he came in. He moved himself to the unoccupied chairs and slowly ate his share away.

“Why do you repel such favor?”

Catherine’s words echoed in his mind. False words. He doesn’t care about the idiot, much less favor him. Speaking of…where has he gone to?

Because of the weretiger’s absence, the chamber seemed dull. But that couldn’t be. Akutagawa was used to isolation, why was this bothering him now?

Right. The idiot was probably going to humiliate him by what he knew. Since Akutagawa threw him out the window without any valid reason, then he must’ve been planning a vengeance of some sort.

What was he going to do? Prevent him from finishing the ceremony so he’ll be stuck here forever? The mage’s head started to ache at the countless possibilities. He was so immersed in the shallow anxiety that he didn’t immediately notice the bathroom door ajar.

By that time, he has already finished his share of the meal so Akutagawa ignored the weretiger’s presence that he could sense only now and prepared his luggage by the door. It somehow relieved him that the idiot was here all along.

He swung one of its gates open and spoke to the weretiger with his back facing the other. Though, he did steal a glance and saw the other wear the clothes he originally wore yesterday albeit some parts were torn.

“Check the wardrobe and pick one of the clothes there. That’s a lousy one you’re wearing. People will think you worth less than a dime.”

“Has anyone ever told you not to judge the book by its cover?”

“If you don’t want to be judged then don’t look like that.”

“Oh?” The idiot blinked several times, “You worrying about me is rare. I was so shocked that I forgot which direction the sun rose.”

“East.”

“West- wait, really?” The confused look the weretiger wore had looked so dumb it almost, almost seemed cute amusing.

“That’s your breakfast there. Eat and Leave.” Akutagawa wanted to close the doors he had been holding open to shut already. Yet, he could not. He waited for a reply he knew was coming. It did.

“…thanks, I suppose.” The weretiger replied in a hushed voice. Then came a series of utensils clattering. “And, I’m sorry for…you know, last night. I didn’t mea-”

“Forget it.”

Clack

Akutagawa didn’t want to hear the rest of the apology and he did not. After all, the idiot didn’t give him the chance to either. He mentally sighed. Yesterday…too much has happened yesterday.

“First of all, I would like to give my gratitude to the ones who took their time to witness my son’s coming of age ceremony.” The Duke announced to the crowds of hundreds, mostly nobles. “The tide of time does not know how to turn back. We can only move forward. As the waves grow bigger, we alter our ways to ride it better. Thus is the lesson for today for this second son of mine will demonstrate his skills that are to be judged. Judged if they are befitting of bearing the family name, Cedonia.”

That was his cue.

Akutagawa steps between the archway and entered the stadium. The crowds awaited him, they cheered in a way that was casual to look at. Handkerchiefs were waving and hands were softly clapping.

“To the audience, I wish you enjoy the event. To the judge I give the freedom of speech regarding Alexander’s performance and for Alexander himself, I send my lucks.” The Duke cried again.

Across him were more archways. After the Duke finished those sentences, hooded figures immediately surfaced through those. Each carried huge books that stood afloat by their will.

“The rules remains unchanged. Alexander has to defeat the current top ten magicians of the magic academy. A spectacular display of 1v10 where it ends when one side can no longer attack. That is the only objective.” Said the Master of Ceremonies.

When one can no longer attack…

That worked best for Akutagawa because although killing them would be easier, he couldn’t neglect his promise with the weretiger. He will prove that he can win without anyone losing a life.

Subconsciously, his silver eyes scanned the stirring crowds. Everyone was either cheering him on, clapping or waving their hands but one. There was one in the audience who decided to stare at him with unknown intent.

The other moved his lips to send a message.

Their distance was too far away for Akutagawa to make sense of what he said but after repeating the movements himself only did he soon understood.

“You got this.” Was what the weretiger said.

Somehow, that small phrase helped a smirk escape his lips. Akutagawa scoffed and mouthed back to the idiot, “Obviously.”

“You may start!”

The Emcee shouted and Akutagawa’s attention was naturally focused back on his first priority.

[Finish the Cedonia ceremony]

Mini play for chapter 10:

Time traveler: I come from the future!

Atsushi: Then, do I get to kill Akutagawa someday?

Time traveler: Who is- Ohh…You mean your husband?

Atsushi: My what-

Chapter Text

At an instant, the magicians encircled him and every one of them opened their books, chanting long arrays of mantra.

Akutagawa didn’t know how they were going to play but judging that each immediately started to call out incantations, their spells could be summoned verbally.

So what he did was leap to the left side and took cover behind five of the magicians, summoned his blades and assaulted them towards their necks, hoping to slit them.

But before he could do that, he halted the edge of the blades and turned them around. Akutagawa targeted the nerve by their necks to temporarily shut off their brains with the hilt of the blade.

Thud!

The other magicians fell.

His actions were so fast none of them had successfully chanted a spell. Akutagawa couldn’t risk any of them attacking him as he doesn’t know if he can evade an unknown incoming attack. Expectedly, three of them started to move.

Being in a battlefield one too many times taught him to never let your guard down and he learned that lesson the hard way.

Kshhh…

Their effort were in vain as Akutagawa slit he pages of their book instead. It was unexpectedly durable for a mere paper. They were probably enchanted with protective spells of some sort but it wasn’t a match to his holy blades.

One magician in particular were at the verge of her tears when he slashed her book. He paid it no mind. Losing her book was better than losing her life.

“Y-young master has won!” The Emcee cried.

That…was surprisingly easy. However, that wouldn’t mean the rest of his journey will be.

The crowd went wild at the announcement and he was instantly showered with praises. Mostly by the noble ladies. Akutagawa looked up and saw the pleased faces of Julius and Catherine. The same…can’t be said for the Duke.

 “Indeed, Alexander has won and that’s a great feat to have.” His character’s father stood and waved a hand to the audience. They immediately hushed at his command. “However, you have strayed from the ways of a magician. Using swords to defeat the scholars of the academy was such an insult.”

“If I may, my lord.” Another elderly judge spoke and supported his claims. “Only lower-class citizens who didn’t know magic and territories outside our kingdom would fight with daggers and swords. It seems the young master has tainted his spells by infusing the blades with magic. Such a bold action has never been seen by any of your ancestors.”

Multiple whispers of agreement flooded the crowd.

“The family name, ‘Cedonia’ has always been the embodiment of magic itself. It is our tradition to purely use magic as our weapon of choice.” The Duke tightly said. “To blend it with another and a foreigner’s weapon of all things is absolute disappointment.”

Julius slammed his clenched fist by his armchair, “Father, Alexander originally wanted to swing a sword but seeing as you have disagreed with such ways, he tried hard to look for a path where you could both be satisfied. And indeed he found one. He has successfully discovered a more effective way to wield magic. Publicly reprimanding him like this is too much. Please-”

“I don’t remember giving you permission to speak, Julius.”

“…”

The atmosphere became heavy and people started to whisper towards each other. No doubt gossiping about this argument. Akutagawa saw the opportunity and grabbed it.

“Then, if father is so disappointed, why not kick me out of the family entirely?” He suggested. The plan was risky but this was the only current method available for his freedom considering that the system didn’t announce his main quest successful by defeating the scholars.

The crowd hushed silent at that. The Duke seemed to consider his words for a good minute before beaming in approval.

“Very well.” He started. “I see you are eager to leave anyway. As a last chance, I will display before you two options.“

“Fire away.”

“Alexander Cedonia. You are hereby given the decision to either abandon your fighting technique or abandon your family itself. A mighty choice is yours to make. The right selection or a grave mistake.”

“If being who I am is a fault to all, then I will proudly live as such. There’s a place for everyone and it seems mine isn’t here.”

…

Akutagawa’s line hit Atsushi like a bucket of cold water.

He stared at the Mafioso whose eyes were narrowed to the Duke. Atsushi saw himself in those words. He has always thought of himself undeserving to live. The tiger living inside of him was a part of himself he could no longer deny. Because of its existence, he experienced hell in the orphanage. He became terrified of having its responsibility. He became pathetic.

But despite being the trash that he is, Atsushi continued on living his life even if he wanted to die and hearing Akutagawa’s words made him realize that it was brave of him to do so.

Then, memories of his friends back at the Armed Detective Agency resurfaced. Having them by his side immensely boosted his will to live. Having people who understood his situation. Having a place to come home to. Having them and yet…

He doesn’t have the faith to trust his own abilities.

Looking at Akutagawa now, hearing his words and remembering his outburst the night before reminded Atsushi again how the Mafioso was stronger than him and yet he thinks of himself as weak.

Really, Dazai-san should let this sensitive sickly man rest from such insecurities.

“Then go chase your foolish dream.” The Duke’s announced again and the loud voice pulled him from drowning too much in his sea of thoughts.

Akutagawa spoke no further and started to walk away back to the archways where he would permanently leave this place. Atsushi debated on whether to follow him. He was his only clue to solving whatever problem Leopold had but doing so would make the other hate him even more.

Atsushi couldn’t really care less what the bastard thinks but Dazai-san did tell him to have a bearable, more stable relationship with Akutagawa in the case of further alliances.

He disheveled his hair as he scratched his head with frustration. This train of thought was going nowhere.

“Young master!” A girl’s voice echoed through the arena. Someone from the audience leaped down the stadium to chase after him. She looked like Naomi’s age. The girl had auburn hair and she wore a green dress to match. It was the girl whom Atsushi saw visit Akutagawa this morning. “I beg of you, do not leave!”

She then said something to him, no longer shouting the sentences. They were conversing and something Akutagawa said in response seemed to relax her anxious features. The girl calmed down and silently followed him outside.

The knocked-out magicians were getting up. Disapproving grunts from the audience also began to intensify and some began to stand and depart. This was probably not the epic fight they thought it would be. It ended too easily and finished with the star leaving his family.

A faint glint blinded Atsushi’s eyes for a moment. He thought it was just the sunlight but when he turned his head to the source, there stood a man pointing a hand gun towards Akutagawa’s location.

“Akutagawa!”

In a state of panic, Atsushi shouted to warn him and leaped down the stadium to help.

Bang!

The shot fired. Thankfully, the bastard was agile enough to notice and sent one of his daggers flying to deflect the bullet from reaching them and sent another to cut the hit man’s hands. It successfully made him let go of the gun and run away.

“Guards, follow that intruder!” The Duke commanded and two of the magicians on the stadium followed the hit man. After a series of chants, they leaped up the air and trails of illuminated shapes surrounded them.

Atsushi finally neared Akutagawa and lent a hand to the brunette noble lady that was startled by the sudden gunshot. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. Not long after, his amethyst eyes caught sight of another glint. Behind Akutagawa was another hit man. On impulse, he leaped forward and forcefully dragged the other down with him.

Bang!

It fired and missed them both.

One of the magicians got alerted and sent the assaulter spheres of light that knocked him over the stadium’s edge. The people sitting in the public seats has also dispersed by this time and has safely evacuated.

“Jinko.” The Mafioso said roughly. He held up a hand to his own mouth to cover a cough and pushed Atsushi out of the way more violently than needed. “I remember telling you that I don’t need anyone’s help much less help from you.”

Atsushi stood up and dusted himself, “I don’t but I do remember that other time where I saved you from a bullet when we were fighting the virus ability-user.”

“Which was unnecessary.”

“But it happened anyway so just move on. You still owe me for the tiger ride by the way.”

“If that’s your problem then I’ll let you ride me next time and I’ll show you the way to hell.”

“No thanks, I’m sure you’ll find a way to somehow dominate me. Well, not anymore you bastard.”

“What do you expect? Between the two of us, I will come out as the top.”

“U-umm…” The brunette broke their banter. Her face was flushed red. Atsushi couldn’t comprehend why but ah- she was probably prone to heatstroke. “Quarrel can be saved at a later time. Let’s deal with them first.”

Her index pointed towards the edge of the arena, more assassins were showing up. Each carried a gun of the same model. His alertness sharpened back and Atsushi positioned himself to an attack stance.

“Good job for distracting us, Jinko.”

“You started it, Akutagawa.”

With their backs faced against each other, their eyes focused to the assassins that stood atop the arena’s edges. Good thing there was no roof. It was easier to spot them this way.

[Searing Flames]

[Holy Blades]

Chapter Text

Fwoosh…

Numerous scales of green surrounded the three of them that acted as a shield to the bullets. Atsushi paid closer attention and saw that it was leaves that fenced them. Some also headed for the intruders and knocked the guns off their hands by placing deep cuts to their arms.

For a mere leaf, they were sharper than blades.

His eyes darted to the wielder, it was the man that sat beside the Duke. He was the one who defended Akutagawa’s interests. What did the Emcee call him again? Julian? Helios?

Suddenly, the leaves weakened and trembled as they fell like it was autumn. Atsushi turned his head back to see the Duke request the wielder to stop.

The fighter were starting to question the Duke’s decisions when he stood instead and summoned numerous shards of icicles from nowhere. They were endlessly created and continuously darted to the assaulters, aimed to kill them one by one.

All intruders fell like a house of cards.

But then, more came and in a bigger wave this time. Atsushi didn’t notice but the leaf wielder came down to speak with the brunette lady and Akutagawa.

“Leave this place, you two.” He told them. “For now, go grab your freedom you’ve so long wanted. Even you, Cathy.”

“Master Julius…No, brother…” She choked on a sob. “If young master will really leave then I have no intention of letting him go alone but what about you? Wilt thou come with us?”

“…”

“Spare your sentiments and decide.” Akutagawa told her and turned away to the exit again as he clutched a hand to his chest and exhaled carefully, taking shallow pants. That motion kind of worried Atsushi. The Mafioso seemed having trouble breathing.

Julius inhaled heavily and spoke to Catherine full of resolution, “You’re going to look for your mother, right?”

“That…yes…”

“Then, head to Carp Coastline located just after passing two territories. You’ll meet Joan there. She’ll take care of you.”

Atsushi watched them with none of his emotions shown on his face. Having siblings was something he never had the luxury to experience. Must be nice, having someone to share your thoughts with. Although, he did have Kyouka to treat as a little sister.

“I understand.” The brunette slowly said. “I swear that I’ll be back soon. In faith, not I, but in faith.”

“I’m sure you will.” Julius then joined the guards who fought the assassins.

“Come now, good sire.” She swallowed a sob, turned to the exit and gestured Atsushi follow her.

“Alright.”

The two of them caught up with Akutagawa who was now carrying a briefcase and the three of them walked quietly.

Scent of dirt and dew was evident in the breeze that passed them. Multiple oak trees here and there. The trio didn’t pass the lake Atsushi had been yesterday and wonders where they were headed.

“System open.”

He called out in a hushed voice and the bluish screen popped right out. The fighter clicked on the ‘Map’ option and it showed his current location, it showed that they were nearing the Kingdom of Lezha’s borders.

They had been walking for about five hours at most as Atsushi’s legs were starting to sore and it seemed like they hadn’t strayed that far from the arena yet. Sure enough, the Jaded Jungle that showed up on the map was just up ahead but he had no way of knowing the scale of the map so who knows how long it’ll take them.

“Umm…May I speak a few words?” The brunette broke the delicate silence and Atsushi closed the screen to focus his attention to her. “First of all, I appreciate young master for bringing me along.”

“I’ve seen your skills once so I expect you not drag us down.” Akutagawa answered without turning his head.

“Once again, I appreciate thy faith. And second…” She turned to Atsushi. “I believe I haven’t properly introduced myself last time, as Alex has defenestrated thee, good sire.”

“He is one nasty bastard, isn’t he?” Atsushi clenched his fists comically and finally sighed. “Well, my name is At- Acian. Thracian. Leopold Thracian, I mean.”

“…”

She didn’t reply after a long time so Atsushi has been nervous if she had thought of his behavior as extremely weird and couldn’t help but steal a look towards the brunette.

But her reaction was closer to…happiness? Excitement? Huh?!

“THE Leopold? Legendary fighter of the Flaring East, Leopold?”

“Ah, well…I’ve left that guild long ago.” Atsushi wasn’t really sure how long. “So, no, I’m just Leopold. A solo adventurer.”

“Oh my prophetic soul! Young master hath met an amazing friend. I’m a huge admirer of your contributions to the kingdom.” By now, her glittering green eyes has traveled to the sword hung on his waist. “Perchance ‘tis not much trouble, may I have a look at your weapon?”

“Hmm?” Atsushi followed her line of sight and found the Kreigsmesser. He removed it from his belt and gave it to her outstretched hands. “Lady Catherine, are you a swordswoman by any chance?”

“Why, I would never assume I deserve that title considering my low skills but if a woman who wields a sword is defined by such a term then, I suppose in some ways, I am.”

“Then, you can have it for the rest of our journey.” Atsushi offered with a smile on his face. Seeing her this happy for a sword was somehow satisfying. It was just like the times where he would present Kyouka with a crepe. Ha…to Atsushi, they were like the younger sisters he never had.

“Really?” She received it with en ecstatic face, and the scabbard sparkled with her eyes. “Does good sire swear’t by thy name? Consent to swear.”

“…Yes.”

“Yieeee!” She squealed and embraced the sword to her chest like a child getting the candy they’ve been craving for hours. “Ah, pardon my rudeness. I bid thee all of mine salutations, good sire. My name is Catherine. Catherine Von Anhalt.”

“Not Cedonia?”

“Not yet, ‘tis because my mother is...erm, her origins aren’t accepted very well by most of the people here in Lezha.”

She lowered her head while answering. It seemed like the topic of family was a hard one for her.

“Pleased to meet you.” Atsushi said, trying to move on from the subject she is obviously uncomfortable with. “I have one question, though. That is, if Ms. Catherine doesn’t mind.”

“Now to my word, you may cease the use of such unnecessary formalities. Go on, Leo.”

“How are you related to Aku- Alexander?”

“Young master is my half-brother.”

“Ah. That explains it.”

“What is’t?”

“The bastard doesn’t like having people around, you see. I was really surprised when he agreed to travel with the both of us”

“I never agreed.” Akutagawa joined their conversation. “I am my own party and you two are only following…”

As Atsushi was about to voice out his retort, the faint fog that was surrounding them suddenly thickened. The figures of both the people in front of him faded with the mist. Not only that, their voices along with the various trees around him, the blades of grass that grazed his feet every now and then were no longer there.

It was getting easier and easier to lose himself in the endless snowy mist now. That was all he could see. But then, the setting suddenly darkened. A bright bluish moon hung high above his head.

Atsushi was placed in a dim, empty path. The forest around him casted twice the number of shadows it had before. Akutagawa and Catherine nowhere in sight.

There was however, an unfamiliar lady and beside her was a boy. A boy who held the…same features to his character. It was Leopold when he was smaller. They walked down the path and the moonlight illuminated the lady’s face.

It was a face Atsushi had recognized.

“Ms…Iris…?”

Mini play for chapter 12:

Akutagawa: Jinko, hold this for me.

Atsushi: Sure.

Atsushi: …

Atsushi: Akutagawa, that’s your hand.

Chapter Text

Below the rising moonlight, a lady and a small boy walks down the forest’s path hand in hand.

Atsushi watches them with interest. He didn’t know how or why but he is somehow sent to Leopold’s past memories as a spectator. Not that this information was to be of grave importance but he did want to stick around.

Both the lady and the child reached a bustling streets drowned in lamplights. They walked through a crowd of people which had their eyes for the open stalls selling street foods and various items. Nobody gave him a glance, it seemed nobody could even if they wished to.

Atsushi follows them until they reached a building. They entered, and yet the following fighter was left standing outside, staring at the weathered sign on the shop.

‘Sentimentalized Antiques’

It was the antique shop where he had started the game. Driven by curiosity, Atsushi entered the residence again. He found that the place was rather dusty, like no one had the time to clean it for a month.

“Ms. Iris, would you please consider my suggestion now?” Leopold said as he placed down the paper bags he’d been carrying.

“Not now, Leo.”

“Why not? He’s your brother, isn’t he? I’m sure he won’t-”

“Nero might not but I surely will!”

At the mention of his name, Atsushi’s heart suddenly clenched in…guilt? Regret? He couldn’t pinpoint it exactly but the sudden rise of negative emotions was slowly driving him nauseous, he was feeling like he was about to vomit something bile. He couldn’t understand why either.

The pain he felt was his own and yet…foreign at the same time.

“I don’t want to bring trouble to the family more than I already had! If anything, I should live as it is right now! As if I was dead! I’ve given them a child already, what else would they want?”

“…For you to come home.”

The lady inhaled sharply, “I’m just…tired, alright? There never was a ‘home’ for me to call. One used me as an asset and my so-called husband has been too busy making me feel more miserable than I already am by hating me. If you were to pain me too, I’d rather you leave like they did, Leo.”

After the words had been spoken, Atsushi dropped to his knees as they had suddenly weakened. Both his hands went to support his head, roughly holding them in place as if they were going to fall from the immense ache it had.

Atsushi closed his eyes in uncomfort. A second of pain stabbed his heart again and his eyes shot open from the abrupt pang only to see that the scenery had changed.

It was dark as it had been at the last time.

Leopold was sitting in a huge couch. He was inside a room with nothing but two couches that faced each other. A lone center table was placed between them. Well, there was probably more to the room than just mere furnitures but the surrounding items were covered up by the white fog.

“Thank you for your patience, Leopold.”

The fighter opened his eyes and with a grim expression, he acknowledged the person who entered the room and sat at the empty space across him.

“No worries, Duke Frederick.”

Caught off guard, Atsushi screamed from the immediate rush of ache to his head. They intensified without his knowledge and the scene in front of him blurred. He thought the fog appeared again but no, it was his own tears that hazed his sights.

“Could you...bring her back to me?”

Preoccupied with his anguish, Atsushi could only get a few words out of their conversation.

“If she wishes to, then I will.” Leopold replied.

“…You’re right, it’s up to her to decide.” The other man creased his brows. “I don’t mind if she doesn’t want to come back. I just want her to be happy and safe.”

The white mist appeared once more. It erased the turmoil and wiped out the temporary rage he was feeling. The fog dispersed and the scenery changed again.

A view of Leopold was running. Running through barren lands whilst clutching a worn-out bag.

Fwoosh…

A bullet struck through the wind and grazed his cheeks. It stopped a tear but it couldn’t do anything to the rest that fell like rain. Under the moonlight, they glistened, sparkled wonderfully as if they were caused by sheer joy.

“Do it right this time else you want me to return you both to rot back at Rossu’s prison cells!”

A man’s voice behind him shouted those words but the running Leopold ignored it. He continued running away faster to a destination. He seemed like he had none in mind but anything was fine. Anywhere that kept him away from that man seemed fine.

The man was someone Atsushi didn’t recognize.

Atsushi didn’t understand. He couldn’t understand anything and yet his heart and insides screamed in agony as if he did. As if he knew why he was running. As if he knew how dangerous, how terrible…He was torn apart by the mountains of emotions that surged. Rage, guilt, regret, failure and betrayal. They all boiled in the same cauldron that is his heart and gave him too much pressure.

The worst part was that he felt deserving of having these. A part of him was saying he ought to have it. That he was at fault. That he caused this to himself. Although, he also wanted to let it all out somehow. He needed to do something…anything…but…

What is he going to do? Steal the daylights out of the man with the gun? His body wanted him to but he shouldn’t do that. It’s wrong, it is against his ethics, harming others would result in him undeserving to live even more but doing it would make everything else seem right!

What does he need to do? Drag his heavy feet back to his home? No, he’d already lost the right to call it as such but how did he? More importantly, where was it again?

What does he want to do? Stare at himself in the mirror and wash off the wretched face he had? That…

No, none of those. He couldn’t. But then again, everything of those. Everything! Do them all in a flash! Kill! Protect! Destroy! Why, you ask? Let him ask back, why not? But then Atsushi noticed…

His throat had been sore for a while now.

His head were throbbing from the fingers that clutched them.

His eyes burning like his tears were magma.

“…jinko.”

A faint scream came somewhere from the white mist.

“Jinko!”

It came again. Ahh, another scene was about to come. Atsushi shook his head. No more. He wanted none of those anymore. It was painful enough for him to be driven to the brink of madness. Much more if he was to be pushed further unknowing of his sins.

“Nakajima Atsushi!!”

Inhale. His eyes darted open and finally gained consciousness. Exhale. The sunrays blinded him for a second before luscious leaves came back to his sights. Inhale. Atsushi’s knees went limp like noodles and he almost fell. Exhale.

Luckily, someone was there to catch him. He didn’t know who. There were too much he didn’t know. The ignorance almost drowned him but he had the feeling that if he was given context, he would only sink further.

The one who caught him were embracing his frail body. Soothing the trembles of his shoulder with a stroke of a hand that ran down his back on loop as a broken record would.

Slowly, the raging feelings calmed down.

Atsushi collected himself and wiped the tears from his own face. He exhaled a huge breath he didn’t know he was holding and stepped away from the comfort of the other’s clothes.

His amethyst eyes looked up and saw that it was Akutagawa who calmed him. Again, he didn’t know it was this Mafioso of all people but the faint look of concern the other sent him created a pleasant feeling and managed to overshadow all the sorrows.

It was like waking up from a nightmare and having to realize you’ve been living your dreams your whole life.

Mini play for chapter 13:

Atsushi: I bet I could fit the whole world with my hands.

Akutagawa: That is physically impossible.

Atsushi, cups Akutagawa’s face: Are you sure?

Akutagawa, blushes: Stop it, I have a reputation.

Chapter Text

Numerous vines that remained tangled in his legs were cut by Catherine. Immediately, they lost their color and withered dry of life. The memories it showed him…he didn’t understand anything save for recognizing Ms. Iris.

Recalling them now didn’t hurt. It wasn’t painful, unlike before. At least, to Atsushi, it isn’t. But to Leopold who was the owner of this body, it was. Quite very much.

The fighter remembered his mission for the game was to solve his character’s problem. These memories were probably connected to his quest. Ms. Iris…Duke Frederick…Nero…that gunman…who were they and how are they connected to Leopold?

“Thank you for getting him out of there, Catherine.” Akutagawa sent his gratitude to the brunette when the trio began walking down the path again.

“My pleasure! A friend of young master is a friend of mine.” She replied with a smile that hung from ear to ear. “As we walk, would the two of you wish to know what that was all about?”

“Please do.” Atsushi spoke and accidentally cracked his voice. He blushed in embarrassment. “Ah- the sobs still aren’t going down.”

Catherine sent him an endearing smile, “’Tis understandable, good sire. After all, we are currently in the Jaded Jungle. But, worry no longer, we’re almost out!”

“What did those vines do?” Akutagawa asked her.

“Well, God-a-mercy, where do I start?” She tapped her chin with a finger and spoke again after a few more. “Those were snares set up by the faeries residing in the Jungle. They are vines that traps whoever sets foot on them and show them perpetrators a painful truth one never knew or a traumatizing memory in order to keep them here to suffer. It tangles from the feet and slowly goes upwards, devouring you whole.”

“…”

Catherine continued, “Some mages hunt faeries and other magical creatures for profits, you see. The Jungle is their main residence so they’ve set up traps such as these to slow mages down. Such is the reason why your attack didn’t cut the vines earlier, Alex.”

“Right.” Akutagawa summoned a blade and twirled it in his hands, looking at it with a grim expression. “When it cut the vine, it only absorbed the magic and made it stronger. Is it because my blade is made up of magic?”

“Mana, to be precise. It’s the energy that lets you use magic.” Catherine said, “’Tis a good thing Leo let me borrow the sword. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have any tools to cut the vines down.”

Atsushi raised his head at that, “Ordinary weapons work here?”

“Aye, sir.” She nodded. “Although pure magic and infused weapons don’t work against the faery’s magic, common weapons such as this could work.”

“Infused…?”

“Why yes, like thy gloves. They conjure up heat, do they not? It only works like that due to the mana imbued in it. It functions as its source of energy. Someone who can control flames were probably the mage who created that.”

“Huh. That’s new information.”

Catherine tilted her head, “But I thought that’s a weapon you’ve been using your whole life?”

Atsushi didn’t really know, “Erm, I only bought these recently. After I left the guild.”

“I do wish thy words fair.” She stared at him for a while before she shrugged. “In any case, that is the reason why no one travels through the Jungle alone. There are endless traps set in here and if you ever get caught in one, nobody would be there to help.”

“Have you ever been here before, Catherine?” The fighter asked.

“No, not I.” The brunette replied. “But, my knowledge had. Acquiring information on geography was an interesting subject as I stayed in the mansion.”

Atsushi gave her a slight nod and walked the rest of the way silently with the jungle’s various mucky trees as his scenery. Suddenly, that wasn’t the view he was fixated upon because a familiar bluish screen popped out.

[Update notice!]

[Sorry for the inconvenience. Our team has fixed some issues regarding the quest requirements but for the suitability of your experience, we have decided to continue some restrictions.]

[Tap to proceed]

This…couldn’t be a bad thing, right? Judging from the outlook, it didn’t seem like one. Left with no options, Atsushi tapped the screen and sure enough, the words twisted like they always do.

[Main quest: Solve your character’s problem.]

[Time limit: 3 months]

[Reward: A key to the exit.]

[Punishment:???]

There was a time limit?! Three months, which was kind of alright but still. How come the system only warned them of it now? Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Atsushi closed the screen and focused back on the road.

A few minutes passed by and he couldn’t stand the suffocating silence anymore. Feeling a pair of eyes staring from behind, the fighter temporarily boosted his walks to catch up beside Akutagawa.

“Hey, did system give you any updates?” asked Atsushi.

“Yeah.” answered the mage, clearing his throat. “But although I finished the ceremony, the main quest still stands the same.”

“That’s weird-”

Clang!

Akutagawa suddenly turned around and sent a dagger flying towards the air. To Atsushi’s surprise, it clashed with another object invisible to his eyes.

Tang…

The unidentified object dropped to the ground and rolled towards the fighter’s feet. It was a black bullet and if it wasn’t for Akutagawa, he would’ve been shot.

Bang!

Another blast was fired, nearer this time as it was louder. It barely missed them though and only achieved in grazing Akutagawa’s arm with a shallow cut.

“Tch.” The mage focused his attention to the direction the bullet came from and sent multiple blades there. One of it has cut through a tree branch and the one who fired the shot revealed their selves.

It was a woman wearing a beige coat that covered her entirety. Malice could be felt from her golden eyes and with that, she ran towards the trio and kicked Atsushi, ignoring Akutagawa who had all his blades towards her.

The fighter managed to block it but he wasn’t prepared by the sudden assault so his defense was rather weak at the time. With his feet still at the ground, he slid to the nearest tree, his back hitting against it with a moderate thud.

Click. Click.

The woman reloaded her rifle. A small knife was attached to the end and it pointed towards Atsushi’s neck.

In that flash, Akutagawa dashed between the sniper and the fighter with his back facing the latter. He let a dozen blades follow him and aimed for the woman’s neck, speaking in the same threatening manner she gave.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“…” No answer came.

“I’ll ask again. What business do you have with this idiot?” asked Akutagawa.

Neither were willing to move carelessly. The tension rose to a dangerous level and Atsushi darted his eyes around the forest. Maybe something would help them disarm the sniper.

Catherine was also debating whether to pull her sword and help fight but after staring at the sniper’s face for a ridiculously long time, she let out a gasp and flailed her hands about.

“Halt thy mettle hot and full!” She cried and turned to the woman. “O, help me, you sweet heavens. Art thou Joan?”

The sniper flinched and lowered her weapon. She also lowered her head which caused her dead-black hair to darken her expressions further. The sniper then approached Catherine in slow strides whilst looking at the ground.

She dropped her rifle and opened her arms.

Atsushi prepared himself for the attack to come and positioned himself into a stance if ever she lays a hand to hurt the brunette. Within his peripheral vision, he saw Akutagawa do the same.

Catherine also started to place her hands back on the hilt of the sword.

The next moments happened in a flash, the sniper dashed towards the brunette and stabbed…no, it looked more like she was hugging Catherine. The sniper even rested her face on her shoulders.

“E-eh?!!!” The brunette screamed. Equally taken aback as they were.

Chapter Text

“Then, madam, how dost thou?” Catherine managed to remove herself from the shock. “A-art thou Joan? I beg all the deities above that you are.”

The sniper finally removed herself from the brunette and faced the other with a tender expression. Hastily, she nodded in response to the noblewoman’s question.

“Yes, yes! I am so happy! M’lady still remembers me!”

“I beg you refrain from giving us mini heart attacks. Had I not recognized thy rifle, we would have left this place void of an ally.”

“Whaa, you do know me well!”

“For someone with such a dangerous aura, she sure is...quite chatty.” Atsushi internally commented.

“Why did you try to kill us?” Akutagawa still had his daggers summoned up behind him. His voice let out a faint trace of bloodlust again. Although, his actions weren’t entirely unreasonable. They should never let their guard down.

“Young master, dost thou not remember Joan…?” Catherine moved to the front and stepped between the sniper and mage. “She was my personal guard until she suddenly went away due to a mission Julius gave her.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that she recklessly attacked us.”

“How now, I know she isn’t some immoral killer without conscience so do calm down. There must be a reason as to why she tried to attack your friend.”

“Attack?” Akutagawa scoffed. “If I hadn’t noticed her malicious aura in time, this idiot here could’ve been dead meat. Attack my foot, she tried to execute him.”

“No, my good lord; but, as you would have commanded, my memory hath vacated us of more obstacles.” Catherine lowered her head. Atsushi didn’t like where things were headed so he tried to settle the one he knew better.

“Akutagawa.”

“What now, Jinko?”

“I appreciate the concern but I’m not that frail, you know?” Atsushi placed his hand on the mage’s shoulder. It took a while but Akutagawa eventually retracted the blades, to which Atsushi sent him a grateful smile before turning to Joan. “Also, I would like to demand an explanation on the ambush.”

The sniper stepped to her side to face Atsushi and bowed. “I’m sorry…about what happened just now. I was ignorant to the fact that you were my lady’s friend. I live at the next town and as I was on patrol, I saw m’lady and the young master. I jumped to the conclusion that you were a faery trying to kidnap them or something like that.”

“Ahh, well, accidents happen but…” He quickly shook his head. “Is there any reason why you chose to attack me instead of confirming my identity first?”

“That...”

“If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s alright.” Atsushi noticed her gritting her teeth and decided to let the matter go. The important thing was that she wasn’t a foe.

The sniper raised and shook her head, “No. I did cause you some unnecessary trouble. I will try my best to answer whatever question you have.”

“Assure you, my good liege, we certainly can’t talk about such things in here. Lend us your house for a while, won’t you Joan?” Catherine slid her hand between the sniper’s arms. “Besides, aren’t you curious as to why we ran away from the mansion?”

“Of course.” Joan’s dull golden eyes seemed to have sparkled. “Anything for m’lady.”

…

“Whoa! Akutagawa, look at this!” Atsushi stopped to stare outside of a dainty shop that displayed cakes by the window. “Oh, they have strawberry too. It must be delicious. Ha…The shops looks so…vintage.”

“Vintage? It looks brand new to mine eyes.” Catherine commented.

“Err, never mind what I said.” Atsushi chuckled nervously and shifted his head to stare at the strawberry cake again. Unknowing to the other pair of silver eyes that have noticed his craving for the dessert.

They eventually continued walking after another small talk. The four of them have reached another place after walking beyond the borders of Jaded Jungle.

This territory was called ‘Gushing Gears’, as Joan have mentioned earlier. The place was more or less identical to Mauve but it was classier, in some ways.

It was very lively and crowded. Stalls and shops had all those extravagant designs to appeal customers. Perhaps it was just the orange hue of the setting sun but everything really did look like a hundred years back from Atsushi’s point of view.

“In here.” Joan swung a door open for the three of them.

Catherine happily went in. Akutagawa followed and Atsushi was the last to enter. Before entering, however, he stole a quick glance to the shops across the one they entered and he saw a peculiar lady with snow-white hair. She was running a bookstore decorated with many flowers and the scene left an impression on him.

Multiple empty tables surrounded by circular stools greeted them with peace. Despite being populous outside, this particular pub seem to be quite empty at the moment.

“Wait for me here.” Joan told them, specifically Catherine.

The brunette merely giggled, “Away, I do beseech you, away. Wherefore do you expect us to go if not by your breadth?”

A faint opacity of red dusted Joan’s cheeks, “Right…”

The other three settled in a table by the corner whilst the sniper left with her rifle hung behind her back and approached the man on the counter. They chatted casually as if they have been friends for a while.

“Jinko.”

“Hmm?”

Atsushi pulled his eyes away from the conversing people to look at Akutagawa, who placed a tiny delicate-looking box on the wooden table. He never thought the Mafioso was charmed by such cute things.

“What is that?”

“Cake. Is there a problem?”

“I never knew you liked these kinds of things, Akutagawa.”

“It’s yours.” He said in a hushed voice that was almost covered by the clearing of throat that followed afterwards.

That was beyond peculiar. Why would the Mafioso buy him such a thing and how did he know Atsushi wanted- Ah…Perhaps he has noticed the fighter eagerly looking at it earlier. A smile rested on Atsushi’s lips, “Never thought you’d care.”

He then proceeded to slowly remove the ribbon that held the lid tight to the box. Much to his joy, it really was a slice of the huge strawberry cake he’d been staring at the first shop they encountered.

Atsushi picked up the free fork resting on the side and scooped up a small part of the slice to taste it. It was delicious. The base layer was just the right level of bland and the icing wasn’t too runny. The fruits on top that served as decorations were also fresh.

“Thanks.” He quietly said, silently savoring the sweetness of the strawberries. After a few forkful, he felt a bit bad about having the Mafioso none of the food he bought.

The fighter stole a glance to the mage beside him only to see that the latter has been staring at him whilst he ate.

“What are you looking at? You want some too?” asked Atsushi nervously, quite embarrassed for greedily eating alone even though there were others at the table. He didn’t know why but he suddenly had the urge to scoop another piece and offer it to Akutagawa.

The other obliged to his motion.

He expected the Mafioso to do this much but what he didn’t see coming was Akutagawa directly eating the cake while Atsushi held the other end of the fork.

That…was definitely considered feeding, right?

Not to mention that Akutagawa looked a bit…err, adorable when he ate his share! You’ve got to be kidding! This bastard? Cute? Never in a hundred years and yet…he was. He was. And Atsushi is now confused whether to laugh or cry at this ridiculous situation.

He didn’t notice it himself but he had been staring speechless at the other as he munched on the cake. Much to Atsushi’s dismay, the action only made him painfully conscious of Akutagawa.

“Hmm, it is good. But I’m not a fan of sweet stuff.”

“Y-yeah…”

“Jinko.”

“…What?”

“Have I mentioned that this was poisoned?”

Because of the surprise, the fighter accidentally swallowed the food he was just planning to spit out.

“No, you did not!”

Akutagawa was very much amused by his reaction. He raised his hand and coughed a little to hide a small smile before responding, “Idiot. I ate it too so it’s obviously not lethal.”

“When we go back, I’ll definitely kill you for this.”

“I don’t think so. I’ll be the one dragging us both to hell.”

Atsushi laughed lightly and looked away from his…former enemy? Heck, he didn’t know how to label Akutagawa now. He regained his focus and placed them all on the strawberry cake in front of him which he hastily finished due to the slight comfort he felt. All while ignoring the shallow pool of blush that stayed in his cheeks.

He still felt a bit drowned from the recent incident with the vines but eating something sweet and a good dose of playful banter immensely relieved him.

Catherine’s emerald eyes glimmered with much interest across them. She rested her cheek on her right palm and looked over them both with a tender smile.

“Good lads, you look adorable together!” she commented. “Hath there not been such a time I saw young master lend much favor until this moment. Leopold must really be a close friend, then?”

Both Atsushi and Akutagawa flinched at her statements. Did they act too out of character? Although, thinking about it…it won’t matter much now. But no, that wasn’t the issue.

“Y-yeah, we’re definitely the strongest if we’re not trying to kill each other.” He referred to fighting tactics in order to steer the topic out of the delicate matter of his ‘friendship-rivalry’ with the Mafioso. “Isn’t that right, Akutagawa?”

“How should I know? You tell her yourself, Jinko.”

“Oh my, you even have nicknames for each other!” Catherine clasped her hands together. “Isn’t that endearing?”

Atsushi sighed. He doesn’t really care what the brunette thinks but Akutagawa would most definitely hate him more because of this. After all, the Mafioso disliked being paired with him the most.

He stared at the empty plate smeared with some leftover icing and suddenly remembered the moment he shared with Akutagawa back at the mansion. How he cried with such sorrow…

It didn’t suit the Mafioso.

Somehow, remembering that scene left an unpleasant aftertaste in his mouth as if the cake he was just eating was made with bittergourd. After all, only he knew of Akutagawa’s pent up emotions.

Being the spawn of altruist that he is, Atsushi decided in that instant that he would try his best to earn the bastard’s trust as they stay inside the game.

He believes there was understanding and care lurking behind Akutagawa’s dense wall of apathy. All Atsushi needed to do was find the key to the door. If there wasn’t one then he’ll just have to punch a huge hole open.

“Thank you for your patience.” Joan approached their table and placed three black folded robes with hoods attached to each. “For obvious reasons, I suggest all of us wear hooded robes as we walk out the town again. It gets extra crowded every night.”

“Uhh, Joan?” Atsushi asked. “I understand Catherine and…Alexander hiding their status but it should be fine if I don’t wear it, right? I’m just a nobody.”

However, the sniper only stared at him with suspicion. A hint of confusion was also detected in that expression somewhere. After a while, she finally gasped, quite comically.

“Wait, you’re actually serious?” asked Joan.

“Yeah….” answered Atsushi.

“Leopold, you are the one who should be most careful among us four!” The sniper started ranting and the fighter had a feeling it was going to be long. “You liberated this town on your own not too long ago from that ‘Black Hand’ guild who occupied this place and repressed the residents. Don’t you remember that? No, if you did, I wouldn’t be telling you this now. Anyhow, that’s the gist of it. You drove them bandits away so if anyone is to be cautious from being famous, it’s you! So unless you love attention, you should wear that hood because we will never help you if ever you get suffocated from the hundreds of admirers out there.”

Leopold did that? That’s really amazing. Damn, Atsushi had to up his game if he were to play this role well. Hearing that story, he was erased of all hesitation to put on the hooded robe even though he wore a short cape underneath.

“I’ll be outside to wait for you guys.” Joan exclaimed and carried the basket the man from the counter gave her. It smelled of chicken to Atsushi’s nose. The sniper headed towards the door and left the three of them to follow.

“She speaks quite informally to us, no?” Catherine asked as she ties the hood over her head to cover her brunette hair.

“You’re right.” Atsushi responded. “Well, it is more comfortable this way. At least she doesn’t mind our huge reputations and treat us like you would any other friends.”

“Indeed.” Catherine smiled a gentle one, “It beckons me to like her even more.”

Mini play for chapter 15:

Akutagawa: Fuck you, Jinko!

Atsushi: Fuck me yourself, you coward!

—

Aku: Fuck you.

Atsu: Ok, when?

Chapter Text

“We’re here!” Joan exclaimed.

For about twenty minutes, they walked through the town and reached an isolated part of the land. The four of them halted in front of a two-story house that stood not far from the seashore.

It was considerably big for Atsushi’s standards.

“We’ll discuss the important matter later. For now, let’s settle ourselves in and eat dinner.” Joan waved the huge basket in front of them. “I also bought some beer.”

The sniper entered her house and the other three followed as they curiously eyed the place.

Click.

The door shut itself behind them and in contrast to his expectations, the place was actually a good level of grand. Joan strode through casually and lit up the fireplace, along with the other lamps to enlighten the whole living room.

There stood couches good for five people and a small center table in the middle. A stairway to the second floor was across them and to his left was an archway no doubt headed for the kitchen.

“You could settle yourselves in for the meantime as I prepare dinner.” Joan marched towards the kitchen, carrying with her the huge basket. “There are only three rooms upstairs. The bathroom being the one at the center. M’lady should take the left one. Young master and Leopold, you’re fine with sharing the room on the right, right?”

Akutagawa probably isn’t, so Atsushi frantically waved his hands in rejection, “About that…he can have the guest room. I can just sleep on the couch later.”

“No.” Akutagawa refused his refusal with a clearing of his throat. “I will have the couch. You stay upstairs.”

“But-”

“Leave it at that. Now go clean yourself up. You stink.”

“Ack- No, I don’t!”

Comically, Akutagawa grabbed him by the hood of the robe and dragged him upstairs on one hand. On the other, he carried the briefcase he’d been holding. Although the position was uncomfortable to his neck, he found their lighthearted banters reassuring so Atsushi let him.

“I thought you wanted the couch?”

“I’m just going to arrange our clothes in your room.” Akutagawa let him go and his head hit the second floor with a thud. “I’m sure you didn’t think of bringing any so be grateful that I brought extra for you.”

“Well, not that I had any to pack.”

“Exactly.”

…

Both Akutagawa and Atsushi have showered by the time Catherine called them over for dinner. The fighter felt kind of bad for not being able to help cook so he silently swears to assist next time.

Overall, the meal went pleasantly.

After they finished, the four of them moved to the living room. Joan took out a huge bottle of beer and placed four glasses down the small table for them and joined the other three to sit on the unoccupied couch.

“First things first.” Joan poured herself and Catherine half a glass each and tilted hers as her golden eyes overlooked the dancing liquor. “For me to be able to answer Leopold’s question earlier, I have to tell you guys why I left the mansion to begin with.”

She took a drink and Atsushi noticed Akutagawa beside him reach for the bottle to pour himself some also. Ah, but both of them had to be sober. Every second of the game could give them clues about their quests.

“Hey, don’t be too drunk, ok?”

“What a useless concern. I’m not planning to drink more than a glass.”

Atsushi let a scoff escape his lips. Even Catherine was slowly but surely sipping her glass every now and then. The fighter wasn’t a fan of bitter drinks but in spite of the atmosphere, he pours himself some. Just halfway the glass.

He took a gulp and…it wasn’t as bad as he expected. The liquid felt to have rested by his chest and it warmed his entirety. Huh.

“I’ll get to the point.” Joan continued. “About a month ago, a raid was conducted by foreign bandits and attacked the mansion. Although they were low on skills, they were troublesome and caused a lot of property damage. There was a meeting held regarding that matter. I spoke to the Duke and Julius about it, told them how the bandits seemed to have Catherine as their main target.”

The sniper paused to swallow the last bit of her beer. She poured another round to herself and started speaking again.

“Julius found it really suspicious. We interrogated some of the assaulters and found that they were only instructed that whoever catches my lady gets the bounty. They weren’t working together but rather independently and raced for her capture. Although they were split, it is sure that only one person commanded them for the raid. That is why Julius sent me away to investigate about it but so far…I have done nothing but waste the budget he gave me and bear no fruit in my search.”

Joan sighed melancholy, “M’lady must be really disappointed.”

“No, not I.” Catherine spoke sweetly, in a low voice as if she was afraid of waking the non-existent monster lurking outside. “Thou hast hid and defended me from the kidnappers successfully. It must have been hard work for you to do so, and with little assistance to boot. Your job is to protect me, not to seek vengeance for me so I say you did a mighty fine work.”

“I appreciate that, m’lady.” The sniper smiled in a sad manner. “But, what brings you guys here? Julius has told me you might run away someday but I didn’t expect young master to do the same.”

“Julius said that?” Catherine exclaimed.

“Yeah, why do you think I made a guest room?”

“I see.”

Akutagawa placed his empty glass on the table and joined the conversation, “I left the mansion. The Duke isn’t willing to accept my fighting techniques. He told me to abandon the family and both of us wanted that option so I did.”

Joan nodded slightly, “So, young master left the mansion by his own will and m’lady chose to join him?”

Catherine faced her squarely, “Not exactly. After the ceremony, some assassins who bore guns attacked the arena. Everyone evacuated. Julius along with Father handled them. Why, what should be the fear? They’re strong but I just can’t help but worry sometimes.”

“You aren’t hurt, are you?!”

“As your eyes hath seen, nay.” Catherine sent her a reassuring smile. “Thanks to young master and the good sire Leopold, I managed to escape safely. Heartily.”

“I barely did anything.” Atsushi chuckled lightly. “It was her brothers that helped.”

“Ah, right.” Joan placed her glass on the table with a clunk. “Leopold, why are you joining them? Aren’t you fixated on travelling?”

He looked up, “…when did I say that?”

“Erm, I don’t know if you did but based on the newspapers and daily gossip, you never stay in one place for more than two days.”

“Oh.”

Atsushi had a hard time looking for an excuse. He wasn’t used to lying, much less a white one. The liquor wasn’t helping much too. It’s pushing him to trust Joan and Catherine. To tell them he doesn’t know anything about Leopold because he isn’t from this world. To say that both him and Alexander wasn’t. “Actually, we-”

“Ahem, he’s with me.” Akutagawa finished for the two of them with a small cough. “This idiot’s been an ally of mine for a while. Since the Duke has kicked me out of the mansion, I decided to join his journey. We will eventually leave so you needn’t worry.”

Atsushi, now feeling the heat of the alcohol, barely heard his explanation, “…w-what he said…”

“Ha…jinko, are you drunk already?”

“…no. Not yet.”

“’Tis late now. We should head off for slumber. We can continue this discussion at early morrow.” Catherine let a yawn escape her lips, stood up first and turned to Joan, “I shall withdraw first.”

“Sure. I’ll head there soon.” The sniper waved her hand leisurely.

Atsushi wasn’t sure whether he wanted to lay down yet but he did feel like closing his eyes. But then he remembered the sight of the ocean before they came in the house so the fighter stood up and headed outside to find the seashore and sit there.

“I’ll be by the coast.”

Click.

He closed the door and followed the almost invisible sandy path. The sea wasn’t that far from Joan’s house so it was easy to spot.

With a thud, Atsushi sits by the fine shore and looked over the ocean’s tiny waves. Rolls of crystalline flocked the horizon. The bluish moon was just overhead, illuminating the waters along with the few plants around him.

Sigh…

When can he finally go home?

Waking up in this world was rather disappointing. Suddenly, he wasn’t in his apartment anymore. Suddenly, he couldn’t see his friends for a long while. Suddenly, he wasn’t in the same place as they were. Suddenly…

He was tired.

It’s only been days but it has been exhausting. Atsushi had to find a way out of here fast. If Akutagawa manages to finish his quest first, he’d definitely leave. Leave and abandon him to fight here alone.

Atsushi buried his head by his knees with those thoughts.

“I miss the armed detective agency…”

Mini play for chapter 16:

Catherine: I’m cold.

Joan: *gives her coat*

Atsushi: I’m cold too.

Akutagawa: Well, unfortunately, I can’t control the weather.

Chapter Text

Click.

The weretiger left with sullen eyes.

Akutagawa couldn’t see the bright yellow light in those eyes anymore. He darted his sights away from the closed door and stared at the fighter’s empty glass.

Ha…really.

Who knows what that weretiger was thinking? Going outside with unknown danger waiting around to find another prey to devour.

Akutagawa was about to ignore it and just rest tight on the couch or scout the town but he knows he can’t leave that naive weretiger wandering too far.

“Why aren’t you going after him?” Joan suddenly asked.

“There’s no reason to.” He replied rather coolly. Right, it wasn’t his business to pry about the weretiger’s issues. The latter most probably wouldn’t want him to do that as well so why bother?

“You’re worried, though.” The sniper spoke again. “I can tell you are.”

Akutagawa looked over her with caution. He hated shady people the most. The only exception being the weretiger, which was someone he loathes but is far from shady at all. That idiot was too innocent, too trusting for his own good despite having been faced by death multiple times before.

“I shouldn’t follow him.” He finally responded.  “…it’s complicated.”

“Do you believe in fate?”

“No.”

Joan nodded, “Good enough. Our lives are strings of yarn advancing towards an infinite destination. When we meet other people, the strands intersects with each other. With every dispute, the thread tangles up and slows you down. If you don’t go back to fix that knot, it will eventually roll into a more chaotic ball of twists. Making it harder to mend.”

She turned her head to face the fireplace and continued, “Relations are too complex to be explained by mere strings of yarn but with this, you should be able to understand that you ought to try and fix this problem step by step.”

“…”

“Do you want to follow him? Why do you choose that decision? What would happen if you go with that option? How do you execute your wishes? When will you do it? Is your method valid?” Joan sighed, “Questions like these will never be answered if you let them linger. And they will continue to bother you if you don’t face them and make a decision soon enough.”

“…”

“Both choices might turn out bad but most of the time, the other one makes everything a little bit better to handle. If either way is going to bring harm, choose the choice that you won’t regret.”

“…!”

Joan stood up and cleaned the tables of the empty glasses, “Go do what your heart desires. Regret is vice. That’s what life taught me. Choose what you really want for if obstacles were to come your way, at least you’ll be able to face them with confidence.”

With that, she goes for the kitchen and the noise of running water flooded the silence. Joan continued to wash the dishes as Akutagawa stays still by the fireplace.

What he desires, huh…

Left with nowhere else to go, Akutagawa heads outside and follows a white sandy path with the assistance of the moonlight so he could better see.

He slowed his footsteps the moment he caught sight of the weretiger sitting by the beach. His face buried by the space between his knees. Sulking like this didn’t suit him at all.

“I miss the armed detective agency…”

The weretiger muttered under his breath but thanks to the silence of the night save for the waves of the ocean, Akutagawa heard his words just fine. At first, he didn’t say anything. But then a breeze came by and it was rather chilly standing like his so he crouched down, crossed his legs and joined the fighter to sit on the sand.

“If you’re so concerned about going back, I suggest you stop the useless brooding.”

“…look who’s talking.”

“Fine.” Akutagawa let out a small sigh. “Just go back inside. You still aren’t sober.”

The weretiger didn’t reply for a while but he eventually did, “How did you find me?”

“You told us where you were going, idiot.”

“Ha…don’t fight me now. My head hurts…”

“Sounds like your brain trying to comprehend its own stupidity.”

The other let out a hushed laughter at his comments. The atmosphere was lighter now and that fact kind of reassured Akutagawa. Although, he wasn’t one to admit that out loud.

All of a sudden, he felt warmth and weight slowly merge in his left leg. His silver eyes looked over and saw that the weretiger had laid his head on his lap. He also noticed that the idiot’s cheeks have flooded red from the beer.

“I really am sorry for crossing the line that night. I knew it was going to hurt you and yet…I’ve done and said it.” The weretiger softly said.

“Ah, that.” He was referring to the humiliating moment.

“Still, it’s your fault too for riling me up so much. You know I deem this life of mine worthless…”

“Jinko.” Akutagawa started to twirl the silver strands of hair and play with them. “We’ve already tried to kill each other so many times. I know you’ll be able to take whatever I’ll throw at you. Albeit worthless, you’re still existing at the moment. That, in a way, is a brave thing to do so stop wallowing in self-pity. It is of no value and not to mention, decreases one’s appeal.”

“…”

The weretiger didn’t respond so Akutagawa subconsciously kept on stroking his hair, it was oddly soft for an unkempt one. The silver strands continued to fray under his hands until the other’s neck had been exposed.

The mage caressed it lightly, “You know, Jinko. I could very well kill you right now. You shouldn’t trust people so easily.”

“Ngh…you’re right.” The weretiger whimpered a bit under the touch. “But, you wouldn’t do that. I know you won’t.”

Akutagawa slid his nail along the other’s delicate jawline just hard enough to prevent any blood from seeping. “What makes you say that?”

“Dazai-san would disapprove if you do.” He opened his eyes and amethyst emerged. They travelled from Akutagawa’s owns until they drifted downwards to inspect his arm that held the weretiger’s neck. “Ah? You have a wound on your arm.”

His silver eyes trailed the same spot and indeed there was a cut he didn’t notice until now. “Friendly fire. I got this because I was too busy pushing you idiot out of the way.”

“Mmn…sorry about that.” The weretiger laughed lightly. To which, Akutagawa sent him a disapproving stare. The other flinched, “I really do apologize for that. I’m serious.”

“Since you know this injury is because of you, you should properly protect your own life or I’m going to take you out one of these days to save me the future troubles.”

“Ha…don’t kill me yet. I still have a lot I want to do.”

“Like what?”

The weretiger took out his hands and started counting his fingers. “I still have to repay the detective agency my gratitude…My rent for this month is still unpaid…I want to eat more cake…I need to get out of this game…and then, there’s you…”

“What about me?”

His voice faded and he looked upwards to meet Akutagawa’s eyes.

“I want. Want you to…”

Unfortunately, the idiot didn’t finish stating his demands as his amethyst eyes dimmed and he was knocked unconscious from both exhaustion and alcohol.

He passed out.

Sighing mentally, Akutagawa carefully stood up and picked up the weretiger who was now sleeping peacefully. He slid a hand on the idiot’s back and the other was placed to support his knees.

Now standing by the seashore, carrying the weretiger in his arms, he was about to return this idiot back to the guest room but he stopped to stare at the serene state of the other.

Akutagawa didn’t know what drove him to do what he did but he felt the urge to place his lips on the weretiger’s forehead and he succumbed to that desire on impulse.

He pulled away immediately after the deed has been done. Bewildered with himself. Unamused because it was the first time he lost control of his emotions and to an affectionate one at that.

“Regret is vice.”

The sniper’s voice echoed in his head as he gazed at the weretiger’s peaceful state once more and felt sensations that were foreign to him. He won’t regret this, will he? Akutagawa didn’t know what these feelings were nor did he know how to handle them.

For the meantime, he’ll stick around this idiot. Perhaps he’ll reach an answer if he did soon enough.

Mini play for chapter 17:

Atsushi: If I punch myself and it hurts, am I weak or strong?

Joan: Weak.

Catherine: Strong.

Akutagawa: An idiot.

Atsushi: You bastard, take that back.

Akutagawa: Oh, right. MY idiot.

Chapter Text

“Ugh…”

Atsushi groaned from the disturbance he felt in his right cheek. Something was poking him while he was asleep and it woke him up but he didn’t open his eyes yet even though he could already feel the warmth of the sun grazing his legs.

The pokes evolved into a jab.

The fighter gritted his teeth in annoyance and grabbed the thing that was disturbing him twice a second and shouted a little bit too loudly.

“Would you stop that?!”

The blanket fell to the floor as he stood up only to see dead-black hair dipped in snow, along with silver eyes staring at him void of expressions. Atsushi gripped the Mafioso’s finger tighter and trembled comically.

“What do you think you’re doing here, Akutagawa?”

“Waking you up.” With his new set of clothes that highly resembled his usual one, the Mafioso walks for the guest room’s door. “We need to move quickly if we want to reach the goal fast.”

Atsushi took a closer look around the room. Sure enough, there were signs of movements on the other side of the bed that he knows he did not use. Looks like the mage slept here last night.

“Right but I thought you wanted the couch?”

“I couldn’t. Your drunk condition wouldn’t let me out of the room after I carried you here.”

“Eh?! W-what do you mean? I clearly remember getting in here by myself.”

“Well, you remember wrong.”

Click.

Akutagawa closed the door and left the room to Atsushi alone.

The latter took the opportunity to get up and stride across the chamber, rummaging his brain for the memories yesterday night. To prove to the Mafioso he wasn’t right but…nothing.

All he could recall was pulling Akutagawa by his cuffs, laying on his lap by the beach and being carried like a bride back to the house…

“AHHH!!!” He silently screamed. “Nakajima Atsushi, what have you done?!”

Not to mention, he accused Akutagawa earlier even though he had initiated everything himself. It was at this moment that Atsushi carved a will in his heart that he would never take more than two glasses of any alcoholic beverage ever again.

He dragged his embarrassed self to the closet.

Atsushi managed to distract himself for a while by searching for something to wear but another memory of yesterday night surfaced.

“What about me?” The Mafioso’s voice echoed.

“I want. Want you to…”

He wanted Akutagawa to stay with him throughout the whole game. Thank the heavens he was too sleepy to finish it. That would really have been humiliating to admit.

“I don’t want you to leave me.”

And he was about to follow it up with those words too. Out of context, they sounded very wrong and Atsushi banged his head to the wooden drawer once out of frustration.

Sigh…

Atsushi proceeded to change his clothes and still thought about it. He ate his breakfast and still thought about it. He also washed the dishes thinking about it.

Because of all the crazy things that happened last night, he couldn’t help but be painfully aware of Akutagawa’s existence. Well, to be fair, he always was but…never has it been in this way.

“Alright, what do we know?”

Joan’s voice pulled him out from another session of swimming in his sea of dreaded thoughts.

“Methinks that…” Catherine sat by the couch beside the sniper. “The raid yesterday is somehow connected to your mission, Joan.”

She responded immediately, “The problem last time was because the kidnappers weren’t really connected in any way save for the fact that only one person requested them to capture you and other minor details. I did interrogate some of them but it seemed no one knew who even promised them the money.”

“Something’s not right.” Akutagawa said, narrowing his silver eyes. “Why would they accept the request in the first place? Didn’t they think the payer would not actually reward them?”

“There were initial payment though. 1,000 marks to be exact.” Joan held up a finger. “Then they were told that they get ten times that payment if they were to be successful. Perhaps they were desperate because from what I know, most of the thugs were mere commoners with some debts here and there.”

“Have you got information on where they are from?”

“Mauve. They were all from Mauve. Well, it is understandable since it is close to Lezha.”

Atsushi raised his head at that and thought to himself, “That’s where I just came from.”

“Should we mark the place?” Catherine suggested.

“Don’t bother, m’lady. I’ve been investigating Mauve for weeks but there has been no movement whatsoever from the suspects so far. I’m betting the reason why they paid the thugs was because they don’t want the attack to be traced to them. If I were them, I wouldn’t rely on a single town as well.”

“How foolish.” Akutagawa scoffed. “Instead of paying multiple low-skilled bandits, they should have hired one expert assassin. Of course, that is only applicable if Catherine was their only target. Which means that…”

Atsushi finished for him, “They are actually targeting the Cedonia family as a whole.”

Stillness travelled between the four of them afterwards. Each one trying hard to conjure an idea with the information that they have. Unexpectedly, Catherine was the first to break the suffocating silence.

“May I propose that Alex or I lure him in?”

“With all due respect m’lady, that is too risky even for young master.” Joan spoke in a low voice. “One, it will take too much trouble to let the world know your location. Two, we are not sure of the target’s status and purpose. They could be nobility, they could be a guild master, we never know.”

“I agree.” Akutagawa said. “They could be skilled in battle. Even more than us. Perhaps they have an army of loyal subjects at the moment. Executing reckless plans with lack of information has a high chance of failure.”

“Exactly. And even if we did know it would work, I wouldn’t want a plan that involves risking your well-being, m’lady.”

Catherine pouted at them. She muttered a small ‘okay’ and went on to divert their attention away from her rejected suggestion. Although, she did seem happy that they were truly concerned for her.

“Right, which reminds me!” Joan exclaimed cheerfully, “What about the bandits yesterday? Did they have any uniform of some sort? Any symbol of their group that you remember?”

“Black hooded robes…” Atsushi was the first to respond. “Ah- they all had these handguns. I don’t know what model it is, though. I’m not an expert in weaponry.”

Fortunately, Akutagawa answered his question for him. “Browning Model 1900. I’ve seen that pistol multiple times before.”

“Lucky guess.” Atsushi muttered under his breath.

“Oh really? Well, Joan’s weapon is an M/28-30 variation of the rifle Mosin-Nagant.” Akutagawa then turned to the sniper. “Isn’t that right?”

She blinked several times, “Yeah…it is.”

Atsushi then lightly pushed him with his elbow, “Bastard.”

To which Akutagawa snickered, “Idiot.”

“Alright, alright. It’s exhilarating to see you two being adorable once more but we have a priority here.” Catherine clasped her hands and directed their attention to her direction. “What shall we do with the bandits now that we know they wield these Blooming pistols or whatnot?”

Joan brought her fingers to her chin. “Directly investigating them would be the best way but I would have to visit the mansion for that. I’m sure Julius is handling them now.”

The sniper stands up and grabs her rifle hung by the wall on the way. Catherine’s emerald eyes widened at her sudden decisions and straightaway follows her.

“Go on; I’ll follow thee!”

Joan faces the brunette after putting on her beige robe, “You can’t, m’lady. Didn’t you run away from the mansion? The Duke might force you to stay there forever.”

“O Joan, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. So grace and mercy at your most need help you, secure me beside thee.” Catherine crossed her arms, “Why, right; you are I’th’right; you hold it fit that we shake hands and part but I oppose such suggestions for we have ways as there is will. By Saint Patrick, but there is, Joan, and much methods too. With what, I’th’name of God? I know not but in faith, I believe you’ll bring me solution when I cannot conjure them myself.”

“Now, m’lady. Don’t go full on Shakespeare with me.”

“And besides, thou art aware of the reason as to why I want to go back there. Leopold also lent me his sword. I can defend myself easily this way!”

Joan searched her eyes and found clarity there. Something she didn’t expect but it was something that convinced her to bring the brunette with her.

“…Alright.” She said and turned to both Atsushi and Akutagawa. “Since m’lady is coming, we’ll be returning tomorrow morning.”

Atsushi was confused, “I assumed you’d be back by sunset.”

“I’m sure Julius will want to catch up. I have multiple information to report and then there’s the Duke. I’ll have to persuade him accept Catherine living inside my care for a while. He knows me well so it should be an easy job.”

The sniper spoke her last sentence with a hint of danger in her voice.

“In conclusion…” Akutagawa said. “You two are going to travel back to the mansion in order to gather more information about the recent attack.”

“Aye, we find thy words fair.” Catherine nodded.

“Then, this idiot and I would be…?”

“You two can stay here for the meantime. There’s enough supply for a whole day anyway.” Joan swung the door open. “We know that both the attacks are connected and that the second one is done by a group. At least, I think they are so it would be best for both of you to survey the town and learn about guilds. It could be one of them.”

“Heartily farewell!” Catherine waved a hand and followed the sniper outside with a huge smile plastered on her face.

Click.

“There they go…” Atsushi mumbled faintly.

The house grew quiet and now that both the girls have gone, the fighter is yet again painfully conscious of the other’s existence. For some reason, he feels anxious. But why would he? Nothing was going to happen. It’s just another day of being a detective.

“Shall we head to the town again?” Akutagawa faced him, waiting for his response with a hand rested on his lips as he cleared his throat.

“Huh?!” He jerked up at the sudden question but looked away quickly when their eyes met. “Ah, yeah, we should. Can’t waste any time. We should do things on our own since the system is really unreliable. Right, outside.”

Atsushi hastily stomped to the door where the girls had just been moments ago. But he didn’t reach it because he felt a force in his wrist that stopped him.

Akutagawa grabbed him, “You…”

“W-what?”

A smirk crept up the other’s face, “You’re embarrassed because you thought I deliberately wanted to sleep with you but it turned out that you were the one who wanted to. Am I right, Jinko?”

“Oi!” He yanked his hand away from Akutagawa’s grip and let the blood rush to his cheeks. Atsushi placed both his hands above the other’s mouth. “That sounds very wrong out of context. What would the people think if they heard you?”

Akutagawa slapped his hands away, “If you hadn’t noticed, Joan has no neighbors.”

“Tch. Bastard.”

“Heh, idiot.”

Click.

They walked out the door and locked it with the only padlock they could find. There weren’t any keys lying somewhere so they would probably need to destroy the padlock when they get back.

Their footsteps noised as it made contact with the dry grass.

Beyond this thin forest was that town again. For a morning, it wasn’t too bright and hot. The weather was oddly forgiving at the moment. Atsushi savored the faint noises of nature, thankful that Akutagawa wasn’t really talkative.

“I was searching for a reason…”

Atsushi sang in a faint voice as to not disturb anyone as they trek. He wasn’t really a great singer but he did enjoy humming while doing chores.

“For myself to be who I am…”

Every now and then, he would look over Akutagawa’s figure, concerned if the other was bothered by his singing. It didn’t look like so.

“Jinko, what are you doing now?”

“Nothing, just checking you out.”

The Mafioso kept on looking forward and ignored the fighter beside him. Well, verbally anyways. He snickered and wore a small haughty smile.

At first, Atsushi was confused as to why he would have such an expression on. Their recent conversation replayed itself in his mind and there showed his answer.

“Ah- I didn’t…oh God …” He buried his crimson face in his palms. “T-that’s not what I meant! Damn it!”

“Oh, sure it’s not.” His voice dripped of sarcasm.

“Please, Akutagawa. I’ve felt more than enough embarrassment for one day.”

“I see room for more.”

“Hey!”

Here’s the map:

Chapter Text

Not long after, the noise buzzing in the busy streets reached their ears. They were back to the hectic town they’ve entered the day before.

“Do you reckon a guild has a shop here?” Atsushi asked the other as they strolled pass the vintage shops. Most of which had swirls and unusual plants as outer décor.

“I think so.” Akutagawa replied, looking at the different stores. “After all, they are going to need the exposure.”

The fighter nodded silently.

Slowly but surely, the chattering in the streets began to die down. Was it just him or was everyone…Wait, more importantly, why were they whispering as they walked past by him and Akutagawa?

“Why, Sir Leopold, indeed it is you!”

A fairly noble lady stepped out in front of them. Soon afterwards, more people were flocking their location. It was only at this moment that Atsushi realized that they forgot to wear the hooded robes.

“Sir, please take this gift!”

“Ah- Even the young master is here!”

“Whaa! This is so cool!”

Atsushi couldn’t understand what they were saying because they were shouting simultaneously. He wanted to fulfill their wishes and receive their thoughtful gifts but he doesn’t want to take credit for something he hasn’t done.

Sure, he was Leopold right now but he wasn’t the one who liberated these people from whatever guild had repressed them. He looks over to the side and sees Akutagawa just staring at his admirers with a blunt expression, sharply refusing them.

Unfortunately for Atsushi, he doesn’t know how to say no. Especially not in such an overwhelming situation.

“You’re always welcome. I-”

“Sir Leopold, have these produce!”

“No, I’m sorry but-”

“Leopold, our Master, do try our bread!”

“Please, I don’t-”

For the third time, he was cut off but unlike the first two, it wasn’t by the citizen’s demands but rather, a hand was placed on his shoulder and in an instant, Atsushi was pulled over to Akutagawa’s side.

“He said no. Don’t bother us anymore.”

He stated in a rather sinister tone that even Atsushi himself were startled for a second. After he said those words, the small crowd flinched and gradually gave way for them to pass.

Both of them kept on walking without looking back.

It took longer than a while before the mage finally retreats his hand from the other. Atsushi missed the touch for a moment. Eventually, they found themselves in front of the cake shop he was eager to enter yesterday.

Clang!

The bell chimed when the fighter opened the door.

“Hello, dear customer. Welcome to cakes and coffee. What would you like to purchase?” The woman —who had her cherry hair fixed in ponytails— behind the counter greeted their entrance with a small smile and a bored tone.

Amethyst eyes scanned the area and it seemed that, save for the both of them, there were no other customers around to enjoy the products this store gives.

“One slice of chocolate cake, another slice of the peach and a cup of earl grey tea.” Akutagawa said.

“We’ve ran out.”

“Of chocolate?”

“Of earl grey.”

“Then, green will be fine.”

“Okay. Please wait a moment.”

The mage urged the fighter to sit across him on a small table near the shop’s corner. Atsushi obliged as it had a good view of the store itself and the bustling people outside.

“Why are we here? Aren’t we supposed to gather information?” The fighter broke the silence that had been there for a while.

“Would you rather do it now when we are prone to unwanted attention?”

“Point taken.” Atsushi hummed. “Then, shouldn’t we have gone to a shop that sells robes? Like boutiques, or something?”

“Jinko, if you hadn’t noticed, we passed at least five of those and they had a lot of women shoppers. What we should do in this situation is to heed a familiar face who could be of some use.”

As if on cue, the shopkeeper approached them with a tray and she gently transferred the food to their table. Looking at the tray with a neutral expression, she said, “Here are your orders. Feel free to ring me up if you need more.”

“Yes, in fact, we do.” replied Akutagawa.

“Go on.”

“Have a seat.”

Confused, the shopkeeper placed the tray in front of her defensively, as you would a shield. Akutagawa only responded by handing Atsushi the chocolate cake and the peach to the shopkeeper’s direction.

“The peach is yours to enjoy in exchange for my question which you are about to answer.”

Atsushi, for the love of everything good, couldn’t figure out what the mage was up to. For now, he entertained himself with the cake, choosing to taste the icing first.

“Now sit down. Don’t make me repeat myself next time.”

“Sure.”

The shopkeeper blinked several times and immediately sat with her back straighter than a ruler ever will be. Tensely, she began playing with the fork for the peach cake.

“Do you get a lot of customers?”

“Erm, yeah, we get an average of ten per day.”

“Then, from what you’ve heard, tell us everything you know about guilds.”

“Ah, well, they are a group of people, mostly merchants. Each has a leader and a symbol of some sort. Most of their clients are nobles since the fee for services are quite high. Ah- for the standards of us mere citizens, of course. Hmm, it probably depends on your request? I’m not so sure.” Slowly, her head turned around to face Atsushi, “Sir Leopold, you’re a guild member, right? Can I dare ask you to answer the questions for him? I don’t- I’m not good at this stuff.”

Atsushi was in the middle of eating so he couldn’t answer her question outright. Luckily, Akutagawa had cleared his throat to grab the shopkeeper’s attention again.

“The weretiger is not an option. Now, do you have any hooded robes available?”

“Yes, we have extras in the storage room.”

“I’ll buy two of those too. When we’re done eating, take us to an accessible person who knows about guilds better than most people would. Someone sociable but knows the boundary for secrets well.”

“Hmm…There is no such-” The shopkeeper then gave the cake under her gaze a doubtful look. “…well, I suppose there is someone like that.”

“Good.” Akutagawa finished his tea.

“…yes, I can take you there.”

The shopkeeper spoke again in a hushed voice. Atsushi found the sudden change in her expressions suspicious. It seems there was something strange about the fellow she’s going to recommend. Mentally, the fighter reminded himself to be wary the moment they go out.

“Oh? If it isn’t Joan’s friends.”

A man sitting behind the counter exclaimed cheerfully. He was no longer sitting when three new customers came in by the entrance.

They were back at that shop they entered yesterday. Unlike the last time, the pub was filled with many people but there weren’t many enough to say that the room was full. By the corner where they sat yesterday were a couple.

Atsushi could clearly see an average-looking man roughly kissing his…wife (?) who had her back against the wall. The scene was beyond embarrassing in his opinion. It shocked the fighter that no one else seemed to mind them making out like that.

Feeling his cheeks blush for the umpteenth time this day, he hurriedly walked past Akutagawa and sat by the stool provided for customers at the counter. Shortly after, Akutagawa sat beside him and the shopkeeper followed suit but chose to face the bartender squarely instead of sitting.

“Mikhail.” She said, voice dripping with sinister tones. “These two would like to inquire about guilds. Help them, would you?”

“Erika.” The bartender placed the wine glass he had been wiping. “Bold of you to assume I’d accept a request from you without any payments.”

“I can only bake so much. You surely think I run a dainty little shop and expect me to pay more than usual, you fool?”

“Then, the second type of payment will-”

“No.”

“…”

“…”

Atsushi was confused beyond reality itself. They were the ones who needed assistance, why did Erika have to pay for them? The fighter was sensing the dangerous tension and wanted to break it so he attempted to distract them with a question.

“Erm, Mikhail-san, we can pay instead if you have the information-”

The atmosphere lightened but not in a way that he had expected. The bartender didn’t take his eyes off the shopkeeper as he gestured a ‘silent’ sign towards Atsushi.

“Shush Leopold, I’m trying to make her pay here.”

“Huh?!”

“Tch.” Erika then comically grabbed Mikhail by the collar and the latter just…let her. “Listen here, you moron! I will never give…that to you even if you beg for it.”

The bartender gave her a shit-eating grin, “Oh, I see. It’s because you want me to take it myself, right?”

Burning red with what seemed to be anger to Atsushi’s eyes, the shopkeeper lifted Mikhail off the ground and pummeled his head above the counter face-first.

Bang!

“I’ll swear I’ll kill you later just to shut you up!” With that, Erika stormed out the pub, possibly back to her shop.

Rubbing his jaw, Mikhail slowly removed his head from the counter. He doesn’t seem to be in pain seeing that he is smiling carelessly and all. Somehow, knowing the bartender is like this only reminded Atsushi of Dazai.

“Ayaya, she’s so adorable when she’s mad.”

“Mikhail, y-you…” The fighter’s eyebrow twitched. “Your nose is bleeding…”

The bartender comically sent him a thumbs up with a wide smile that hung from ear to ear. Completely ignoring the dripping blood off his face. “I’m okay, you know!”

“Err, sure.”

Atsushi slowly said and Mikhail then went to get himself a clean towel. Now that he’s out of their hearing range, the fighter decided to send his lingering thoughts to Akutagawa, who, hadn’t really talked much since they entered the pub.

“Hey, doesn’t he give off these…Dazai-san vibes?”

“How dare you compare Dazai-san to such a loser like him?” Akutagawa scoffed, “But yes, they do have some similarities. That shopkeeper’s temper could also rival Chuuya-san’s.”

“Now that you mention it, Erika-chan is also a bit…”

“Short.”

“Wow, way to be blunt Akutagawa.”

His silver eyes looked away, “It’s a fact.”

“Yeah, but still…it’s kinda rude.”

The bartender appeared again from the entrance beside the counter with only a curtain as a door. “Yo, you young ones wanted to know about guilds, right? Follow me.”

Chapter Text

Beyond the curtains was a series of descending stairs.

Eventually, they were led to a fairly small chamber. Mikhail hastened his steps and sat behind the desk in the middle of the room. He clasped his hands together and rested his chin above.

“You two should sit down.”

He gestured to a bench just beside the table. Atsushi and Akutagawa exchanged eye contacts first before obliging to the bartender’s request.

“As you already know, my name is Mikhail. I’m somewhat the receptionist of the guild, ‘White Feather’. We specialize in getting information per our client’s request. Would you like a deal?”

“We just need information on guilds themselves.” said Atsushi.

Akutagawa also commented, “We’re going to need to know what they generally are and if possible, detailed facts of their major members, location, area of expertise, skills, recent activities, source of income etc. You should be able to guess what kind of report satisfies us.”

Mikhail raised an eyebrow at their entreaty but didn’t actually ask anything about it. “That should be simple since we already have what you’re looking for in our archives. Then, I’m just going to need the epoch of the guilds you need. What, do you want the info on currently existing ones or those who have existed from a decade ago until five years ago…?”

“One year ago until the present ones.” replied Atsushi.

The bartender, or rather recipient at the moment, gave them a cheerful smile void of spite. “There are smaller guilds with a minimum of five people. Though they just assemble for survival, some are worth taking note of. Would you like me to include those?”

“Yes, please.” said Atsushi.

“How much would all that cost us?” Akutagawa asked.

“Hmm…” Mikhail picked up a piece of paper and a quill dripping with ink. “Two in the abyss…minor ones in the terrains…ah- including those in the mountains…10,550 marks but you’re Joan’s friend so I’ll deduct the 550 for you.”

“Hey!” Atsushi turned to Akutagawa and whispered. “Is that a lot? Do we even have that kind of money?”

“Well, as reference, a single slice of cake was only 120 marks.” He muttered also.

“Err, how much do you have?”

“I have about 5,000 marks left…” Akutagawa pulled himself away from Atsushi and turned to Mikhail. “Would another currency suffice? Say, gold coins?”

“Oh my, that would most definitely be adequate. Five of those would be enough.”

Akutagawa stood up and placed two of the said golden coin on the table. They shone beneath the dim lights of the torches. Mikhail seemed confused at first but then a knowing smile crept up his lips slowly.

“I’ll have the papers proofread and audited first. It will be done tomorrow morning sometime before lunch so you have to get it by then. It was wise of you to drop the initial payment first.”

‘Initial?’, Atsushi thought.

“Of course.” Akutagawa began to head over the, now ascending, stairs. “I don’t suppose you think I trust you albeit it was our second time meeting.”

“You’re right. It is business we’re talking about.” Mikhail had a glint of danger shown in his eyes for a moment there but it disappeared as soon as it showed so Atsushi wasn’t sure whether to believe his own eyes. The bartender smiled again. “I’ll be expecting the three coins tomorrow morning, young master and Sir Leopold. Have a nice day ahead!”

They have finally left the glum chambers.

‘A noble mage that willingly left a luxurious life for liberty and a legendary fighter who seemed to have forgotten everything about his past are travelling together hunting down a certain group. Most probably connected to the recent raid on Cedonia’s arena…’ Mikhail had these thoughts running amok his brain. Something interesting was happening but unlike the last time, he was not going to involve himself in this adventure. He has somewhere to be now.

Erika gave him a reason to stay beside her.

…

“Uh, are we heading back now?” Atsushi asked. His hood hung low just enough to cover his face from the rest of the crowd save for the man beside him whom he just directed a question to.

“Why? Is there somewhere you wish to visit?” asked Akutagawa.

“Yeah, I want to check that tiny bookstore we just passed by.”

“I didn’t know you were keen on reading. What kind of books are you into?”

Unexpectedly, the Mafioso obliged to his wishes and turned 180 to head back to the center of the town, aiming towards the old-fashioned shop with the sign, ‘Books and Blossoms’ hanging above.

“Well, just short stories I suppose. I’ve read this one tale of a man who was searching for a treasure in hopes of marrying this Ellen girl and help his uncle with the money. Parables are nice as well, there was that book about an angel whom had to experience the harsh life of humanity. How about you?”

“Classic literature.”

“Cool.” The fighter didn’t know what to comment on that. He wasn’t sure on which ones were classical literature. “Say, if you were going to write a work, what would the title be?”

Akutagawa paused for a while, “The life of a stupid man. And it would be about you.”

Atsushi laughed lightly, “The title would be more accurate if it was about the both of us. Personally, if I had the time to write, it would probably be short fantasy stories.”

“If you like short stories so much, I have one for you.” The mage said, Sahara desert dry that the fighter initially thought he was kidding.

“E-eh?!” Atsushi comically gasped at him.

“Sure. I’ll tell it to you right now.” Akutagawa slowed his pace and so did the fighter. “Long, long ago, a hunter went to hunt in a deep mountain when he finally saw a tiger walking in the alley valley, cornered. A rock was behind him —the tiger, and the beast seemed nervous about what to do. The hunter immediately charged the gun because he had to kill it to show his village his achievement.”

“Then?”

“The hunter positioned himself to shoot and at the same moment, the tiger tried to jump at the big rock but failed and fell to the ground. It returned where it had been and again jumped at the rock. After some tries, he still failed so he hastily ran away past the hunter instead, not even bothering to injure the one who tried to shoot him.”

“Didn’t the hunter shoot the tiger?”

They arrived at the library by the time Atsushi asked. The bell chimed after Akutagawa swung the door open. He paused and looked back at Atsushi with a faint dust of bitter-sweetness whirling in his eyes.

“No.” he said. “He felt sorry for the tiger because it looked like a shy person.”

‘Why does it feel like he is talking about our first encounter?’, Atsushi thought but he had robbed himself of the opportunity to ask immediately because when they went in the bookstore, his mind wasn’t fixated on anything but.

“Hello! My name is Elizabeth and welcome to ‘Books and Blossoms’. How may I be of assistance?”

A tan-skinned lady greeted them. Her azure eyes shone like the gems that they are. Curly waves of snow-white hair fell on her shoulders. She was beautiful and needless to say, anyone who saw her would be internally complimenting her beauty.

“Yes, is there a section about classic literature?”

“Of course!” Elizabeth exclaimed with much happiness. “The shelves by the left are where they are, just beside those displays of lavenders. Some famous plays and sonnets are also found in there. I recommend you gentlemen that one with the hard blood-red cover. It’s about a prince who wants to kill his uncle for poisoning his father to usurp the throne and marry the queen.”

‘What kind of messed up story is that?!’ Atsushi mentally screamed.

“Thanks. You are no longer needed. We can find our way from here.” Akutagawa strode between the shelves and started scanning the books displayed. Atsushi lightly bowed to her and followed suit to check out the ones available.

“I’m sure you will, even though you aren’t from here.” She said and her words made both their heads turn towards her.

“…what.”

“You two aren’t from this world, am I right?”

Mini play for chapter 20:

Mikhail, bartending: The usual?

Erika: If not, then what else?

Mikhail, huffs: *kisses Erika’s forehead*

Chapter Text

“Hm…”

As both Atsushi and Akutagawa froze in their tracks. The lady only hummed and looked around the library. Seeing as no one else had been in the store, she sighed a sigh of relief and moved to the counter.

“Ms. Elizabeth, what did you mean by ‘not from here’?”

Atsushi asked as they settled themselves on the chairs available. He sat on the space near the corner and Akutagawa took the seat beside his. The lady was across them both, placing a tray of scones in the coffee table they all shared.

“Well…” She started, “I’ve encountered people like you before. You are Alexander Cedonia and Leopold Thracian, correct? And yet, your souls say that you aren’t. I can sense turmoil in your existence.”

Both the mage and fighter stayed speechless, urging her to continue.

“What’s more is that, according to the last people I’ve seen with cases like yours, they tend to have a limited time. There’s no point keeping it a secret since we are all aware of this so I might as well help you.”

“What do you mean by limited time? Who are you exactly and why are you helping us?” asked Akutagawa warily.

“I am nothing more than a humble librarian yet I can see the colors of the souls. See, each person has a soul and each one has these indistinct colors in them that only I can see. Kind of like an aura. Last time I saw Leopold, he had a faint gray one because normally, people has a gray soul but now the faint gray is overpowered by a strong huge hue of blue. Alexander on the other hand has a fiery flame of red. To my visions, you both have been creating a magnificent mixture of purple for some time now. Oh wait, those aren’t even your real names.”

She took a scone and stole a bite before she continued.

“I’m helping because it would be best for us both to send you back immediately, is it not? Listen closely, when I said limited time. I mean those souls. The colors are slowly being drained. The last time I saw people like you were that mad fellow named Hyde who lived a very unfortunate life here. His eerie green soul only gave him a week to live, it is usually like that. Oddly enough, that is not the case for you two. You still have about a few months left before your own souls run out of energy and die here.”

Months, eh? Three months was the time limit stated in the screen back then. Atsushi couldn’t help but ask, “Then, how do you know if the souls don’t belong to that body? What if they really just had these super colorful ones, you know?”

“Well, Leopold.” She said. “Usually, the aura that I see stays inside the body and yet yours are escaping outwards. You are like, emitting them of some sort. I can’t be too sure because so far, you two are the fourth I have encountered. The past three have lived very short and unfortunate lives here. I didn’t try to help them because they were all evil people but you two…it’s like the God of this world purposely favored you with a long time and a good life so I decided to help you.”

‘So our souls are like, health bars?’ Atsushi thought.

“Have the last three ever left this place?” Akutagawa asked.

“I don’t know…Probably not. Well, they all did have one thing in common.” She took another small bite from the scone. “All of them were obsessed with something. It’s like they were desperate in achieving something that it led to their death.”

“Elaborate.”

“The first one I met was the war hero, Erich. Accidentally interacted with him just across the street. Kyaa~ He’s was really handsome and I remember his soul was a stunning bright yellow. Little did I know he was a trash, a scum. Anyways, I tried to get along with him by asking him stories about the battlefield. I was surprised when he confessed he couldn’t remember anything and instead pressed on something about his major quest.”

Atsushi and Akutagawa looked at each other when she paused. They didn’t say anything so she continued further.

“It was the first time I saw something like that so I asked my mom about it. She’s a gypsy. Well, I was too but travelling was too tiring so I stayed in this town, running a bookstore instead. She only comes around once a month to give me a potion but it’s past her deadline and she hasn’t visited me yet so who knows where she is now. Telling fortunes and performing…that stuff’s really exhausting, you know? Ha…”

“…”

“R-right! Sorry for being off-topic. Point is, I asked my mom about it and she said that she had seen people like that too. She told me they were from a different world and they were placed in ours because they were sent by God to learn a valuable lesson before returning them to their original world? I’m not sure…but it was something like that. AH! My dad! Well, not my biological father but I remember spending time with him. His soul was really colorful too. Then mom became a gypsy when he suddenly disappeared. Gone to travel, was what she said-”

Gasp!

Her azure eyes widened with shock, “Oh my God. My father figure isn’t from this world.” Elizabeth muttered. “Oh God. I am so dumb that I only realized it now. That’s…amazing, I guess…? Wow…”

Atsushi looked at the girl who was now biting her nails, “That really must be a shock. We can inquire later again about this if you need the time-”

“No need!” She sat up straight after a few moments, punching her hand in the air. “I’m okay now! I’ve moved on! Where were we? Ah, yes! Psycheology!”

‘Wow, I admire her enthusiasm.’ Atsushi mentally thought.

“Basically, I’ve told you everything you two can know from me! I’m pretty sure you both know how to prevent your eventual death in three months. The conditions were stated when you came into this world, wasn’t it? Just follow that and well, may God bless you on your journey!”

She ranted again and finished off panting with a huge smile on her face. For someone who looked shy and delicate, she was talkative and friendly. Well, it helped them get more information so Atsushi is thankful for that.

“Then, we’ll be going now. Thank you for your time.” Akutagawa stood up first. Atsushi soon followed but was stopped when Elizabeth grabbed her hand.

“Umm…can I please ask for Leopold to stay for a moment?”

That was unexpected. Atsushi wasn’t sure what to reply. Staying here was fine but the girl might be an enemy. Besides, what was she going to say to Leopold?

“Err, what do you need, Lady Elizabeth?” The fighter questioned.

“I can’t say it if the young master is here.”

“I assure you, he won’t really care-”

“No.”

Atsushi looked over to Akutagawa, silently pleading that he’d get the hint and help him out of that ridiculous situation. The Mafioso saved him from that crowd earlier so he assumed he would do the same here.

“What are you looking at me for?” He turned around and walked out the door. “If you want to stay, then stay.”

“Oh no, is he mad at me?” Elizabeth comically trembled.

Atsushi muttered a curse before he sighed and sat back, “Don’t mind it. He’s always like that. Anyways, what did you want to talk with me about?”

“Well…” She started slowly but he had a feeling that she was about to rant a long one. “First of all, I’m sorry about separating you from your friend. He seemed unwilling to let you go yet I pleaded you to stay. Thanks for doing that by the way and uhh…I have a request if you both wouldn’t mind. I won’t be a burden, I promise!”

“Hmm, it depends. What is your request in the first place…?” Atsushi’s voice faded when suddenly, the lady across him were shrunken to that of a…child.

Elizabeth herself did not notice and only replied, “It’s nothing huge. I just-” She gasped and covered her mouth when she realized her voice has raised an octave. “Did I turn into a child?! Really? Now, of all times?”

‘Wait, now of all times?’ Atsushi asked himself. ‘Then this has happened before?’

“Damn it, this is embarrassing as fuck…”

She heavily exhaled with a cuss. Hearing such a vulgar thing out of a child’s mouth really stunned Atsushi. Wait- was she even a child at all? Somehow, he’s not so sure anymore…

“Uhm, Elizabeth, what in the world…?”

The child around nine years old stared at him whilst humming. “I can explain. But only if you promise not to disclose this information. And also, if you accept my request.”

“I assure you I can keep a secret but my answer on the latter depends on what the bastard has to say. You mentioned it involves the two of us so I’m sure he wants his own say to the matter.”

“Hmm…” She surrendered and let out a huff. “Fine. We’ll talk again when both of you are present. I just thought I’d convince you first then you’ll help me persuade the young master afterwards. He seems harder to please…”

Creak

The front door swung open and they turned their heads in cooperation to see who has entered the store. It was a middle-aged lady anxiously whirling her eyes everywhere to search for something.

“Oh no! It’s Mrs. Agnes. She must need something from me but I can’t let her see me like this.” She quickly leaped up from her chair, jumped to the counter to her left and hid there. “Leopold! Please see what she wants. Tell her you’re a friend of my mother’s or something.”

“Huh?” Her anxiety was contagious. This was too much information to take in seconds. A de-aging librarian and an uneasy woman barging into the store, who is now in front of him, breathless from all the running.

“Excuse me, have you seen Elizabeth?”

“Umm, she went away for something outside.”

“Then, that’s ideal.” She sat at the empty seat across him, just where Elizabeth had been. “May I have your name, sire?”

“…Simeon.” Atsushi simply said. He reassured himself by tugging the hood of the robe closer to his face just in case he might accidentally disclose his lie.

“Pleasure to meet you, my name is Agnes. If I may, could I ask who you are to Elizabeth?”

“…I’m her mother’s friend.” That reason didn’t seem to convince her so he made things up. “I was asked to send her a few…things.”

“Oh.” Mrs. Agnes lowered her head. “Then, we must have come for the same purpose.”

“Yes…yes? What do you mean?”

Her anxiety has been long gone and has now been replaced with melancholy, “I can’t break the news to the poor lady. You probably know this since the timing was coincidental but I hope you’ll tell her soon that her mother has already passed away.”

Atsushi heard Elizabeth behind the desk suck in a harsh breath. He wasn’t sure how much she was close to her mother but knowing that they have a pretty stable relationship, this news must’ve been quite devastating.

“…”

“Her carriage was assaulted by a landslide as she was travelling back here. The driver was rescued in time but she…”

“I see. I’ll be sure to tell Elizabeth.”

“Thank you, Simeon. I appreciate that. Now please excuse me, I have my own matters to attend to.”

Mrs. Agnes sent him a small bow and she then sprinted out the door. The fighter slowly swung his head to the huge counter where Elizabeth was sitting silently.

“…My condolences.”

Atsushi whispered in a hushed voice. Somehow, the bookstore became even quieter afterwards. As when he was about to try to comfort her by talking. The child stood up and went inside a room hidden behind the thin boundary of the walls.

The fighter waited for her to come out.

It felt like half an hour has passed when she appeared back again. Now with a big backpack in tow, a small smile was upon her face. Her eyes were shining as they had been. No signs of mourning could be seen, at least, from the outside there weren’t.

“May I come with Leopold and the young master?”

Mini play for chapter 21:

Atsushi: Quick question: If Dazai-san and I were drowning, who would you save?

Akutagawa: My time.

Chapter Text

“…I don’t think I can stay in this place any longer.”

Atsushi contemplated for a while before standing up himself. “Then, you can stay with us for just a night. Until sunrise, you need to find yourself and decide what you want to do for the rest of your life.”

Her bag must be light because she leaped up the chairs in ease to approach Atsushi and delivered him a bone-crushing hug. “…Thank you.”

The fighter was taken aback but he eventually collected himself and sent her a small pat in response. “Sure.”

After closing the bookstore, Elizabeth followed Atsushi back to Joan’s residence. The afternoon wind was dry but nevertheless pleasant for a walk.

They eventually reached the two-story house. The fighter noticed that the door was ajar and the padlock he had used to secure the entry was destroyed. Because of this, Atsushi cautiously entered the premises, raising a hand to keep Elizabeth behind him in the likely case of trespassing.

“…Akutagawa?”

A man emerged from the kitchen. He was wearing an apron and held a ladle by his hand. For a while he said nothing. His silver eyes darted back and forth from Atsushi and Elizabeth.

“Jinko. Good timing. Come cook this soup.” With a stoic expression, he walked back to the kitchen. “Bring the child with you too. The three of us has mountains to discuss.”

Atsushi obliged. Elizabeth reluctantly followed upon placing her bag to the floor. They went in the kitchen and the child claimed one of the seats around the dinner table. Beyond the table was the sink and a bit farther was where two clay wood stoves was found, blackened from the regular use.

The fighter removed his robe and hung them absent-mindedly somewhere. His attention was focused on checking what that boiling thing was placed inside the pot over the stove. Atsushi opened the lid and relieved it was just water.

“Why haven’t you placed anything yet?” He asked the mage as he looked for the ingredients in the paper bag beside the sink. Atsushi found various spices and at least a kilogram of salmon. There were also cheese and cinnamon, for some reason.

“I’m not knowledgeable enough in the subject of culinary to know the order of creating soup.” Akutagawa looked away, placing a hand above his mouth and coughing lightly.

Atsushi had his suspicions, “You’ve attempted at least two times but failed miserably, didn’t you?”

“…No.”

“Pft-” The fighter let out a small chuckle and waved his hand lazily to Akutagawa. “Haha, alright I’ll handle this. You should talk with Elizabeth for now. I want your opinion on the matter.”

The mage left the sink and Atsushi was left there to slice the spices and clean the fish again. He cooked as the other joined the child on the table. She looked concerned and immediately played with the tablecloth in Akutagawa’s presence.

“I…Do I need to tell you my story first?” Elizabeth nervously questioned.

“No need.” The mage leaned his back on the wooden chair. “I was eavesdropping earlier, just in case you were trying to lure this idiot or was attempting something of the like.”

“That’s understandable.”

The scent of the finished dishes permeated the room. Atsushi was now placing the utensils down the table along with the bowl of rice, salmon soup, and some fried eggplant along with soy sauce.

The three of them eventually finished the dinner despite the awkward silence.

“As you can see, I’m actually a child.” Elizabeth was the first to break the tender serenity. “My mother used to visit my bookstore and every time, she would drop me an aging potion which would last me a month and a few days extra. The reason being that I could manage the store with ease.”

“…Go on.” Akutagawa urged her.

“Now that she has…passed, I don’t have a way of obtaining it and the magic has lost its effect since that potion could only be accessed in a certain region of the Abyss.”

“Can’t she just take a lot of supply with her so that you won’t worry about the next month?”

Elizabeth tenderly smiled, “I think the reason why she didn’t do that was because…with the potion, she had a reason to visit me.”

Atsushi frowned, “I don’t think a family member needs a reason to see each other. Besides, couldn’t she just stay with you at the bookstore?”

“That…” The child started to tremble. The corner of her eyes were starting to gather tears. “It’s complicated…”

“Ah, no. Please don’t cry.” The fighter gave her a handkerchief. “I won’t ask any more about it if you don’t feel comfortable.”

“…I appreciate that.” Elizabeth wiped herself of the tears that could’ve fell but didn’t. “And…I’ve thought about it.”

“About what?”

“At first, I was going to request of you both to take me with your journey so I spilled everything I knew about seeing souls in order to gain some trust. I was planning long ago to leave the town and find my mother but seeing as she’s…passed, I will try to find my father figure instead so…I- Basically, if it’s not much trouble or…W-what I’m trying to say is, canIcomewithyoutwoyoungmasterandLeopold?”

“Hmm?”

“I…want to travel with you two until you find a way back to your own world. I don’t want to stay in that store anymore.”

Atsushi huffed, “Of course, just make sure not to-”

Akutagawa however, only cleared his throat, “No, you cannot.”

The fighter sent him a disapproving frown, “And why not?”

The mage replied tightly, “Bringing her will be a burden, Jinko. That’s why. The kid can’t even handle a mere loss of her mother and you expect her to be safe somewhere along the road? The enemy could use her as a hostage or worse, she will be the reason why we’ll lose.”

Atsushi gritted his teeth. She was just a child, how dare he assume she has the capacity to hold grief in?

“Why do you have to be so selfish? If you don’t want to bring her along, that’s fine for me. We can find ways but never- Never tell somebody they are weak because they can’t handle emotions. Here you are! And with a kid, no less. How pathetic of you, Akutagawa.”

Elizabeth hopped off the chair and sprinted to the living room. She muttered a small apology before doing so. Atsushi let her go and calmed himself first before talking with Akutagawa again.

“Can’t you just have it in your heart to help those in need?”

“Well, unlike you, I don’t see a frail kid who needs sympathy and assistance to live. I see a huge responsibility. Even if she does only stick around, where will you leave her when we finally achieve our main quests?”

“…Well, to someone we trust.”

“Like who?”

“…Erika? Or, Joan?”

“Right, and thus transferring your problem to other people.”

“…”

Silence enveloped the room. Atsushi felt extremely uncomfortable with this situation. He gave up and hid his face using his palms, groaning.

“Tell me, Akutagawa. What am I supposed to do then?” He whispered. “I want to help the kid. It’s not easy losing someone dear to you, you know? Her mother was probably the only one she had. Now, she is truly alone in her battles.”

“We faced the same situation and survived just fine.”

Atsushi sighed and removed his hands from his face to look at the other who was now staring at him with the same expressions. They were both losing, no one could reach a compromise.

“The same boiling water that hardens the egg, softens the potato. Different people handle a same situation differently.”

“…”

“Well, I have people that I care about. Even if just one of them was to die so suddenly, I would definitely be devastated.” The fighter tilted his head. “How about you?”

“…”

“I’m sure even the likes of you have someone you wish to protect.”

“…I think so.”

His answer tugged a smile to Atsushi’s lips. Akutagawa was probably talking about Dazai-san, or his sister. “Then, how would you feel if they were to suddenly vanish from your life?”

“…I don’t know. But what I am sure of is that I won’t let them die first before I do.” The mage was saying all of those with an odd tender look in his eyes. Whoever this person was, Atsushi considered them lucky. Not everyone could do so much for Akutagawa to willingly protect them. “Besides, Dazai-san would not forgive me if I were to let them pass away within my presence.”

It’s not Dazai-san? If it was connected to Dazai-san, then it most probably wasn’t his sister. Then, Chuuya-san? Since he is both associated with Dazai-san and Akutagawa, but that wouldn’t make much sense…or maybe it did?

Just as Atsushi was immersed in those thoughts, the mage left his seat and has proceeded to the living room. The place where Elizabeth was!

Startled, Atsushi hastily followed suit. He stopped himself as he reached the archway and just continued to observe the other’s actions. Elizabeth was now sitting in the middle of the sofa and Akutagawa sat beside her.

“The weretiger has successfully persuaded me.” The mage said. “You can come with but you have to give us an assurance first.”

She looked up to face Akutagawa and Atsushi was thankful to see that she didn’t actually cry, “…Assurance?”

“That’s right. Do you have any skill that can ensure your safety? Or anything at all that can help in the journey?”

“I- I tried cultivating my mana once and I can successfully heal shallow external wounds but I get really tired afterwards. I know plants well and I have read lots of books about war and thrillers. I also…umm…actually, that is all. Is it enough? Do you need more?”

Akutagawa didn’t answer and instead summoned an illuminated dagger. He raised his wrist and purposely cut himself with it. The mage then presented it to Elizabeth.

“Try healing this.”

“Oh no!” She frantically waved her hands around, unsure of what to do because the sudden wound caught her off-guard. “You didn’t have to do that, young master.”

Nonetheless, Elizabeth raised both her palms around his wrist and started to sing under her breath.

“Heal what has been hurt. Change the fate’s design. Save what has been lost. Bring back what once was mine. What once was mine.”

Various swirls of silver were summoned around it and they knitted along Akutagawa’s cut, achieving in cleanly linking his open skin again.

“It certainly is beneficial but you should practice it often so you can heal larger injuries faster in the future.”

She exhaled a heavy breath after she finished. The mage on the other hand, studied his healed wrist. Atsushi was amazed. Although it wasn’t as effective as Yosano-sensei’s, it could still be useful nonetheless. The fighter joined them on the couch and sat on the opposite side, resulting in Elizabeth being sandwiched between them.

“That’s incredible, Elizabeth!”

Her cheeks flushed pink from the compliment. “It wasn’t really anything special…” Her azure eyes started to dull and it wasn’t long before she slowly lost consciousness. Elizabeth swayed and slept, leaning against Atsushi’s side.

“Hey.”

“What is it, Jinko?”

“…Thank you, for doing this.”

“She’ll be your responsibility anyways.”

“Sure, but still…”

“…”

“You…” Atsushi paused before continuing, “Why are you being nice to me lately?”

Akutagawa looked up to stare back at him, “What do you mean?”

“I thought it’d take a lot more effort for you to agree to this. And, the thing with the cakes and earlier too…when you helped me with the overwhelming crowd. You’re being a lot nicer than usual.”

“Jinko, I can punch you in the face if it helps.”

The small smile he showed made Atsushi doubt he was ever going to punch him for no reason at all. Seeing this side of the Mafioso wasn’t so bad after all. Atsushi just chuckled in response.

Amethyst eyes eventually moved back to the child. The fighter found her sleeping state comforting and he felt the urge to pat her. At the same time that Atsushi placed his hands above her head, Akutagawa also did. Resulting in both embarrassment and surprise, the fighter lightly flinched but didn’t take out his hand in fear of disturbing Elizabeth’s sleep.

“What are you doing?”

Atsushi asked but the respond he got wasn’t exactly the reaction he expected he would get. In contrast to his anticipations, Akutagawa removed his hand away from his own and transferred the pat to Atsushi instead.

What’s worse is that Akutagawa started to stroke his hair. The sensation it gave him was dangerously soothing. Thanks to the dim setting of the fireplace and deafening silence, Atsushi eventually dozed off as well.

The ruffling hand on his head being the last thing he remembered.

Mini play for chapter 22:

Atsushi: We all have our demons.

Atsushi, putting a hand on Akutagawa’s shoulder: This one’s mine.

Chapter Text

Atsushi woke up revitalized. His amethyst eyes looked around the living room with fondness. The warm rays of sunlight that seeped in from the windows stirred him awake.

He found himself sleeping on the couch alone.

“Oh Jinko, you’re awake.” Akutagawa emerged from the archway that led to the kitchen. By that time, he was already dressed in fresh shirts covered by the cloth of his cloak.

“Leo!” Elizabeth appeared behind the mage and was about to leap towards Atsushi when she was suddenly halted mid-air as Akutagawa had gripped her back collar.

“Let the man wake up in peace. He still needs to eat.” The mage let her down and pushed her upstairs. “Now go comb your hair so you can join us.”

“Join us where?” Atsushi moved himself to the dinner table and was surprised to see that his share of the breakfast was already prepared.

Akutagawa followed him inside. “We still need to go back for the guild documents from Mikhail.”

“Mmph, rnnght.”

“Swallow before you speak.”

The fighter did and poured himself a glass of water. The food available was the soup yesterday night, just heated again. Though, for that reason, the tomato and spices intensified their way to the broth. Which made it more savory.

“Although, shouldn’t we not involve Elizabeth in the investigations?”

“Precisely why you are coming.” The mage just finished drying the plates. “For obvious reasons, you shouldn’t stray far from me. The kid also wanted to visit the store for the last time. She didn’t get the chance to pick the books she wanted to bring yesterday so join her, would you?”

Atsushi cleaned up his utensils and placed them in the sink with a tender smile. “She really grew on you, didn’t she?”

“…Shut up.”

“You look great like this.” The fighter approached him closer, “Have you considered being a husband before?”

“That is none of your concern.”

“Why not? You seem dependable enough.”

Akutagawa clicked his tongue before finally grabbing Atsushi by the waist, forcing him to face the mage squarely. “Jinko, if you don’t shut up right now, I will kiss you and make you my wife.”

“Ohoho, you wouldn’t…”

The words died in his mouth when Atsushi realized that Akutagawa was actually seriously slowly trying to turn his words into action. His heart thumped like drums would in a marching band and he could really feel all his blood rushing to his cheeks now.

Atsushi closed his eyes shut when he could no longer endure staring at the other’s eyes as he was afraid he might fall into those pools of silver if he gazed long enough.

The moment he did, he heard a snicker and felt a light peck land on his forehead. His eyes abruptly opened right then and there. The hand that clutched his side loosened as well.

That was it?

“Oh.” He said, rather relieved…no, disappointed?

“What’s wrong, Jinko?” Akutagawa asked as he finished cleaning up the sink. “Upset that it wasn’t on the lips as you expected?”

“N-no! That’s not what this is about…”

“Look, if you’re so bothered by it then I’ll make sure to give you a proper one next time.”

“There will NOT be a ‘next time’!”

“Oh shit, there will SO be a next time.” Another voice joined them. Both heads turned to the archway where it came from. It was Elizabeth, squatting on the floor and watching them with amused eyes as if they were reenacting a play for her to enjoy. “No one ever told me boys could kiss boys. That is so cool!”

Atsushi was taken aback, “H-how long have you been there?”

“Long enough for me to see the young master to kiss his own wife. Damn, you guys are wild. Ha-ha!”

“Oh no…” Atsushi wanted nothing but to bury himself right now in a nearby grave but he can’t do that so what he did instead was cover his flushed face with his palms and rush off to take a bath. Something that might calm him down and process what the hell just happened so early in the morning.

Creak…

The entrance to the bookstore swung open and Atsushi entered with Elizabeth on his side.

“I’ll be at the pub across the street to get the documents. You two stay here until I come back so that the three of us will walk together to Joan’s residence.”

Akutagawa exclaimed before walking away to the opposite direction. Atsushi only nodded in response while Elizabeth waved his disappearing figure cheerfully.

The fighter and healer then proceeded to scan the shelves. The child ran to the section labeled ‘Dystopian Novels’ and grabbed a few books. Atsushi on the other hand, found himself walking to the familiar shelves where the lavenders was. He raised his fingers and ran them through the books’ spines. They stopped when he encountered a fairly thick book with a mint green cover.

[Light, Wind and Dreams]

[Chokodo Shujin]

Atsushi took it out and scanned the front cover. It was the one Akutagawa was eagerly staring at yesterday. The fighter thought that maybe he’d like it so he decided to bring it along.

“Elizabeth, can I have this one?”

He waved it above his head hoping the girl could give him permission.

“Oh yeah, sure. Just grab anything you want. I’m about to sell this place anyway. For some reason, Mrs. Agnes had been wanting to run it so I suppose I’ll sell the property to her and well, I’ll use the money to fund my future travels.”

Atsushi took a few more books that caught his interest, “In times like these, I really doubt whether you’re a child or not.”

“Hmm…” She moved to another shelf and started skimming the displays there. “I suppose it’s the side effects of the potion. It slightly matured my mind too…Oh?”

The fighter raised his head, “What did you find?”

“It’s a guide to basic mana cultivation. This was the book I used to practice healing. Things like these are illegal though.” Elizabeth came near to his side and showed him a pocket book.

“Huh? Why would it be illegal?”

“People cannot practice magic unless they are verified to do so, especially so when you’re a mere commoner.” She casually placed the book to the nearest space and left it there. “But thanks to Duke Frederick, the ban on healing techniques by unlicensed mages were lifted recently by the imperial family so that works out great for me.”

“Right. Well, it would be reasonable of them to prohibit the dangerous parts of having abilities. But, what if you’re a commoner and you want to learn magic for combat?”

“One method would be to have your potential get noticed by the nobles. If you want the easy way, you can always illegally train. There are guilds that offer cultivation coaching for a fair price. That is, if you don’t mind the risk of being sent to the guillotine if someone ever was to rat your secret out.”

Atsushi subconsciously swallowed at that. He changed the subject to ease the atmosphere because, he wouldn’t want this young child to be immersed in death at such an age. “Then, why do some mages need to verbalize their spells? How does it work, exactly?”

“From my experience, chanting the standard phrase for healing lets me use less mana but I sing it out because I love hearing my sweet voice. Speechlessly using magic takes a lot of practice and focus for it to work as you want it to. Some advanced spells also preferred to be spoken as they could go wrong in so many ways if you can’t control it yet. Why? Are you interested in using magic?”

“…No.” Atsushi replied. “I was just wondering.”

…

“It’s not done yet?”

Akutagawa raised an eyebrow across the counter, sending them to the bartender who was pouring him some wine. Although, he wasn’t planning on drinking any of it.

“Nope.” Mikhail happily answered. “Our auditor couldn’t come last night so I had to do it myself. Erika helped me though so I suppose I’m thankful for that.”

“Shut up.” The baker came through the curtain heading to the descending stairs. “If you’re really grateful then hand me the wine I wanted. My service isn’t free to the likes of you.”

“Sure.” The bartender started to scan the bottles behind the counter thoroughly. “I’ve always thought of this but, we make a pretty great team. Wouldn’t you say that fate had brought us together?”

“Nahh, I think it was just bad luck.”

“Yes, yes.” Mikhail comically cried and casually tossed a small bottle towards Erika, who, caught it with ease. “Ah- one more thing.”

The baker stopped in her tracks. “...What is it?”

“I love you, Erika.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“That’s nice. What do you need?”

“You got me there.” Mikhail exhaled a huge sigh. “Entertain Alexander for me, would you?”

“He’s your guest, not mine. Deal with it.”

“Aw, come on…The files will take a bit more time organizing. It’s going to be boring staying in the counter for an hour. Can’t you teach him how to bake or something?”

Erika flinched at the last part. Her expression was stoic as ever but there was a gleam of hope flickering in her eyes. The baker turned her head around to face Mikhail, “But…I don’t think he wants to do something as boring as baking…”

Mikhail in response, faced Akutagawa instead. “Do you think that, though?”

He considered the opportunity. Not that the skill was beneficial to his life but learning how to cook –albeit baking, was a feat he’d want to have. Besides, the weretiger liked pastries.

He remembered the idiot’s expression every time he was given the sweet treat. For his happiness to be found in such simple things…It was ridiculous yet nice. And Akutagawa has recently found that he felt satisfaction watching the weretiger get pleased with his actions. If he was going to see the idiot’s joy again by learning how to bake then…

“Yes, that is fine with me.”

“Really?” Erika clasped her hands together but then suddenly turned away and faked a cough. “I mean, really. Then, that is fine with me also. It’s not like I had something to do anyways. Follow me.”

The baker went out the pub and when she did, Mikhail sent Akutagawa a small smile. “She’s really enthusiastic when someone is interested in baking. I love seeing her like that.”

The mage had a few questions to ask but chose to keep them to himself. “Then, we’ll be back.”

Mini play for chapter 23:

Akutagawa: Every time I’m challenged with a problem and feel helpless, I look at the photo of us.

Atsushi: …I feel a disturbance in the force.

Akutagawa: And I tell myself, if I can survive working with this idiot, it means I can handle every problem.

Atsushi: Ah.

Chapter Text

Atsushi sighed. Something he had noticed he’d been doing lately. Well, if you were to be placed in a game universe that required a seemingly impossible demand to achieve, then you would not find sighing every second unusual.

Elizabeth had decided to cultivate her mana while they waited for Akutagawa in the bookstore after they have talked things out with Mrs. Agnes. That part was handled rather smoothly. She didn’t have any problems with the deal and happily agreed to have the store for 25,000 marks.

By now, the healer has exhausted herself to sleep.

“Are you both done?”

Atsushi was startled to find Akutagawa suddenly appearing beside him. He was lost in his own thoughts just now and didn’t even notice when the door opened or if it had ever opened at all.

“Ages ago.” The fighter saw that the mage had brought a few paper bags with him along and raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t know the documents would be found inside that comically large bag of flour.”

“It was from Erika. She gave me some baking ingredients after the lesson.”

“What lesson?”

“She taught me how to bake.”

“Uh-huh…” Atsushi didn’t dare question as to why Akutagawa felt the need to learn how to bake but he supposes everyone had their own secret interests and let the man be. Although, he felt a small twinge of dissatisfaction looking at those flour now, along with those stupid trays of eggs. “Alright, you carry those because I’ll be occupied with taking Elizabeth instead. She exhausted herself from practicing healing.”

“…It’s good to know she’s motivated.”

“Well, our words did put a huge impact on her will to improve.”

Elizabeth was stirred awoke from Atsushi’s steps on the way back. The three of them eventually found themselves standing in front of the residence with the information and some things from a pastry chef in tow.

Joan and Catherine had already been back by that moment. Elizabeth immediately hid behind Akutagawa after seeing them sitting in the couch.

“Oh my. How interesting.” The sniper was the first to acknowledge their presence. “We only left you both for a night yet you already have a child? You guys are wild.”

The said child perked up from Joan’s comment and immediately supported her claims, “T-that’s what I said!”

Atsushi sighed, “Here we go again.”

“Alas, myself has been fixed upon th’ thought that no one was to be good enough for my dear brother sans a doubt.” Catherine faced them with tears of joy in her eyes. “Why, you go and ‘tis done. But o, fear me not; for I shall in my all my best support thee as I have seen sire Leopold laudable for thy love.”

“…” Atsushi could only freeze in mortification.

“I appreciate the encouragement but we have a task at hand.” Akutagawa tightly said and the room immediately flooded with a heavy atmosphere. It wasn’t long before everyone else grew serious. “Here are some information on guilds existing from a year ago. What are your finds in your own investigation?”

Catherine looked uncomfortable and sat herself down at the couch. Elizabeth noticed, she also didn’t feel like hearing all this research whilst standing so she joined in sitting beside the brunette.

“We personally talked to the Duke about it after attempting an interrogation.” Joan replied seeing as Catherine wasn’t willing to. “It turns out he had his suspicions long ago and the guild we are looking for…It’s your former one, Leopold. Flaring East.”

“…!”

It was at this moment that every pair of eyes in the room went towards his figure. They weren’t hostile or judging but they made him feel unnerving all the same.

“I’m not involved in it.”

 Joan looked away to skim the documents Akutagawa has placed on the table. “Oh, we’re not suspecting you. You left, remember? We’re just asking in case you know something about their motive.”

“No, I don’t know anything about it either.”

“Ho…?”

“Joan,” Akutagawa noticed his difficulty in defending himself. Although, there wasn’t any need to since they trust Leopold. “Didn’t you say anything about interrogating them? How did that go?”

“Not ideal. When they started to speak, their heart exploded. Julius analyzed it for a while before concluding that it was a case of mana bombing which triggered if they spoke even a single letter.”

“…How.” Atsushi wanted to ask how mana bombing worked but doing so would only heighten their suspicions since it, in some ways, confirm they know nothing about the basics of magic. “How cruel.”

Elizabeth, who had been silently listening all this time finally asked a question. For one, Atsushi was glad she had been aware of their origins. “How does mana bombing work?”

“Before I say anything else,” The sniper raised her head to face Akutagawa. “What is that kid doing here?”

“My name is Elizabeth, Ms. Joan.” She replied for herself. “I’m a healer who wants to join your journey. Can you please answer my question now?”

“No. I have countless reasons why you shouldn’t come along.”

“Well, I am going with Leo and Alex, not with you. Just- don’t care when I die or something.”

“Ha…” The sniper disheveled her hair and turned to Catherine after sighing once more. “M’lady, what do you think?”

The brunette, on the other hand was only fixed staring at the child with surprise in her eyes. She casually blinked several times and muttered in a low voice, “…You say thy name is Elizabeth?”

“Yeah…”

Catherine let a smile sit in her face at her answer. “Then, you shall speak no more and come hither. Be thou assured, I do not mind thy purpose and reasons. Bathing us within thy ‘cuteness’ as they call it, is enough methinks.”

Joan seemed unconvinced but was keen on assisting the brunette anyways. “M’lady, you can’t bring her just because her appeal entertains you…”

“To whom do you speak this?”

“Err, to you.”

“No, not I. I hear nothing but myself. Mine ears cannot perceive refusals.” The brunette challenged her with a narrowed pair of eyes. The sniper appeared wounded by that and quickly changed her words. Crying comically, she followed it up with, “Then, Elizabeth can come.”

“Thank you! If it’s not too much trouble too, can I come along with you to your world?”

Sweating profusely, Atsushi sent her a panicked shaking of his head. Luckily, she was able to realize what she had just said and immediately followed it up with something else.

“Ah, I mean…To your world of violence b-because you’re talking about raids and guilds. I r-read stuff about wars and social studies, so I really want to come along. So, can I know what mana bombing is now?”

Joan looked at her with doubts for a while before shrugging it off and continuing with the discussion, “Mana was infused in the intruder’s hearts. They were ordered to burst upon speaking of the host. A fire mage could have done it, their insides emitted a black smoke afterwards. Looking at this now…”

She held up the document with the Flaring East’s information.

[P.S. Mikhail here. Erika and I had free time upon our hands and decided to help you two out by researching some stuff about the recent raid in Cedonia’s mansion since I assumed that’s what your request was about. We saw a footage taken by a noble who was at the ceremony and from their style and weapons, we had suspicions that they were either from Flaring East or Golden Arrows so we paid extra details to these two. You’re welcome!!!]

[Flaring East]

[Founded in the year 637 by Charles.]

[As of today, their guild consists of the mage ’Charles’. The rest are moderately-trained thugs from the territory of Parched Terrains, where their headquarters can be found (See annex B for the layout). Source of income would be from guarding exports and assassination requests.]

[Charles’ origins are unknown. His practiced magic allows him to place conditions upon those he touches. He made his first appearance at the Turtle Bridge incident. Claims to have trained Leopold under his hand.]

There were more information below that too. Recent known activities of the guild, some side business that they sponsored, details of some members that are note-worthy. Atsushi saw Leopold’s name in there and needless to say, he was beyond intrigued.

[Leopold Thracian]

[A fighter who wields gloves infused with flame. Flaring East’s mascot for positive publicity. Rumored to have left the guild half a year ago for unknown reasons. Recently travelling as a warrior for hire.]

[Publicized achievements: Liberation of Gushing Gears from the guild ‘Black Hand’. Temporary infantry commander of Parched Terrains’ volunteers at the Abyssinia-Prussian War.]

“I should thank Mikhail and Erika for this later. With this, we can inform the Duke and they should be able to deal with the guild afterwards.” Joan gave them the documents and sat on a chair sighing, “We’re missing one thing, though.”

“What is’t?”

“Considering that Charles is the head of the operations, why would he attack Cedonia twice? What’s his motive? I think that, Duke Frederick knows it somehow but he didn’t tell us anything and only ordered to gather evidence and confirmation.”

Atsushi jerked up at those names. “Did you say Frederick?”

“Yes, young master and m’lady’s father.”

The fighter could almost hear the loud single thump of his heart there. That was the man whom Leopold spoke to in those imaginary scenes back at the Jungle. They were talking about something back then. This means that the Cedonia family, Ms. Iris and whoever this Charles was, were somehow the major characters of his problem. Leopold also knew these people. The key to this could just be found within Leopold’s memories.

“I- I need to go back to the Jungle.” He proposed. “I think this has something to do with me.”

“Pray you, tell us what made good sire think this.”

“When the vines made me hallucinate, back then…I saw this gunman and Duke Frederick. I talked with them and there was this connection…”

“I know not what you talk about but I believe thy reasons fair.”

Atsushi sent her a grateful smile. The Leopold inside had been bugging him to know more since the incident with the vine. It bothered the fighter every now and then, he just never really had the chance to go back and the courage to.

He knows that going there would mean he would have to experience Leopold’s unexplainable grief all over again but he also knows that he has to. After all, one cannot cross the ocean of life if you don’t jump in and swim.

Mini play for chapter 24:

Atsushi: Going back to the memory vines, I don’t think it’s a bad idea!

Akutagawa: Exactly, you don’t think. That’s the problem here.

Chapter Text

Eerie plants, a seemingly purple sky and the faint tousling of bushes.

They arrived back to the Jaded Jungle after an hour thanks to the trains. Atsushi was kept distracted by the troubling thoughts and system’s map which had the feature to pinpoint his current location.

“This is it.” Joan spoke first. “We just need to find an activated vine.”

“Come here!” Catherine beckoned them over to her location about 20 steps away from the group.

The four immediately ran towards the spot she’s been staring at since they reached the territory. There was a well-camouflaged circular array of black and purple that matched with the path. At an instant, one wouldn’t recognize it but knowing where it was helped Atsushi make out the few foreign symbols here and there.

“Then, here I go- ack!”

As the fighter was about to step his left foot in, Elizabeth seized his short cape and he stumbled backwards, falling to the ground and leaving the trap untouched.

“What are you doing? Isn’t that a trap?” She cried. “What are you willingly going in there for?”

“Wha…? Elizabeth, you were in the house with us plotting stuff, didn’t you hear this plan?” Atsushi exclaimed back.

“What I’ve heard of is the lethality of this vine. It gives serious psychological damages that stays on for days even if you get rescued. Going near that thing is dangerous.”

“I have no choice.” He picked himself up and dusted the pebbles that stuck to his cape. “I need to know more about my past.”

“Then, let me accompany you.” Akutagawa stepped forward beside him. His silver eyes stayed on fixing themselves unto Catherine. “That would work, right?”

Fwoosh…

A gust of wind ran through. Emerald eyes shone with mystery. They closed themselves and a heavy exhale was driven out of Elizabeth’s lips.

“…Aye. Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt. In the highly possible case that it goes wrong, we can aid in your way out.”

Both the fighter and mage shared a knowing look afterwards. Akutagawa wasted no time, he clutched Atsushi’s hand the minute Catherine made sure to guard their vulnerable state.

“Are you sure this’ll work, m’lady?” Joan’s voice…

“…It has to.”

His amethyst eyes caught a glimpse of the three ladies giving them an encouraging smile before the familiar white mist flooded his sights. The last thing Atsushi felt was the tightened grip of Akutagawa over his hand.

…

The fighter along with the mage stepped into the glowing circular array of strange symbols. ‘Faery language, no doubt.’

Elizabeth observed black vines emerge from the trap’s sign. They slowly twisted through the men’s limbs, keeping them in place. Her azure eyes noticed that unlike many victims of these vines, these two weren’t profusely sweating nor did they mumble nonsensical phrases, no.

Both of them were still as books in their shelves.

The healer strayed her visions lower to observe the vines further but investigating had to wait because only now did she notice how Alexander’s hands were covering Leopold’s. And with such dedication too.

“Where are your parents, kid?” The woman with a rifle on her back broke the delicate silence she was enjoying. Her name was…Joan, right?

“Presumably dead.”

“Both of them?”

“…”

The brunette seemed to have took her spoon-fed hints that she didn’t like this conversation because Catherine had signaled the sniper to stop asking about the business of other people. Thank you!

“How do you, Elizabeth?”

At least the noblewoman knows manners well so the healer had decided to engage in a conversation with her. Although, maybe Joan just wasn’t keen on how a talk about dead parents could hurt a child.

“I’m okay.”

The so-called conversation ended there. The three of them were left standing around an unconscious pair of boys trapped in vines —who were oddly relaxed in the illusions that were supposed to haunt them.

Catherine was the first to complain about how long it was going to take so she unfolds a moderately extensive blanket from inside her basket which the three of them shared.

She hands each of them a sandwich that she packed beforehand to enjoy and just like that, waiting for Alexander and Leopold to finish didn’t feel so sore anymore.

“What wilt Elizabeth do now that you hath left thy former home?”

Home? That bookstore? It never felt like one. “I’ll…try to find my father by travelling with Leopold and Alexander for a while until they leave.”

“Oh my, leave where?”

“Y’ know, leave this world and...” Her azure eyes darted open. Catherine now had a smile on her lips. Elizabeth couldn’t figure out what that meant and she somehow felt anxious.

She blinked several times to refresh her vision. Sure enough, Catherine still has the radiant glow of a cyan soul and Joan was also emitting a convincing shade of lavender.

Elizabeth was sure they knew what she was talking about since they were also not from here but wouldn’t it be possible if Catherine and Joan as a team and Alexander and Leopold as the other one is opposing? Oh no, what if they were enemies back at the other side?

The blood got drained from her face due to this sudden realization.

“Alas, sweet Elizabeth!” Catherine grasped her tightening hands and warmed it with her own. “What hath befaln upon thee to make thy beauty twist in fear?”

“Y-you…are you guys Leopold’s enemies?”

However, emerald eyes only sparkled with understanding at her words. Catherine chuckled at her question and Elizabeth found that offensive for a moment.

“Nay, what a silly conclusion you’ve come upon.” The brunette tucked her own hair behind her ears. “Elizabeth hath sight on some truth indeed.”

“Relax, kid.” Joan laid her head against a nearby tree trunk. “We have no plans on hurting these two.”

“B-but, you’re from the same world and I don’t think Leopold knows that because he stopped me from talking anything about transmigration and all that shit in your presence which is really weird since you guys know instead. If you aren’t enemies with them then why did you not let them know of this? A-and also! How are you not questioning why I know all of these?”

Elizabeth finished her rant seething with confusion.

She inhaled painfully huge gulps of air to calm herself down. The two women let her before they proceeded to spill their own beans. By the time the sniper started talking, Elizabeth was pretty much prepared to be told that her mother has risen from the dead.

“We’re gonna have to beg you not tell them we’re from the same world, kid.” The sniper replied. “We came here with two objectives. One is to assure that the boys don’t get into too much trouble while they stay here. Preferably, incognito.”

“By boys, you mean…Alexander and Leopold?”

“Indeed, sweet Elizabeth!” Catherine gleamed with the sunset rays stretching across her fine face. “What say you, then, would our second quest be?”

“…H-how should I know?”

The healer stared at the brunette with lost eyes. A state that Catherine was far from being. Her emerald eyes sparkled again for what felt like the hundredth time since they met, her soft lips uttering a pair of words.

“’Tis thee.”

“…ME?!”

Mini play for chapter 25:

Akutagawa: I missed you.

Atsushi: I missed you too.

*both reloads their dueling pistols*

Chapter Text

A hand gripping his.

That was all that Atsushi could feel at first.

“Jinko.”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

Conveniently, the white mist dissipated around them just enough for both the fighter and mage to see each other clearly. Akutagawa pulled him forward and started walking aimlessly through the fog.

“Do you think it worked?” Atsushi asked.

“What do you mean?”

“All…this.” The fighter gestured at the surrounding fog. “What if we get sent to your memories instead?”

“It’s an understandable possibility but I think we’ll find whatever we’re looking for…eventually.”

 “What do you mean by that?”

Akutagawa parted his lips as he was about to answer but the reply had to wait as a scene had slowly showed up just about five steps ahead. Very soon, it enveloped the both of them with the dull sight of a poorly kept prison.

Inside one of the cells were two people shackled by a chain through their ankles. One of which was a frail-looking girl with long jet-black hair —it covered her face just enough that they couldn’t recognize her— who chose to stand by the steel bars and stare aimlessly across the other cells occupied by other prisoners, as she is.

The other one was a boy a few years younger than Atsushi was at the moment. His silver hair looked more like a dark shade of grey due to the shadows and dirt placed upon it. He looked up to the other girl and called her attention.

“Oi.”

“…” She didn’t say anything but the other didn’t seem bothered by the absence in response as he just kept on talking.

“Don’t you think it’s about time we break out of this place?”

“And go back to the boss who used us as a bait?” She scoffed. “If you want to leave, do it yourself. Besides, I heard there’s another asshole visiting today.”

The boy sighed, “I doubt we’ll be the ones getting picked, though.”

“…”

“But hey, having a chance isn’t so bad.”

The conversation ended there and the white mist intensified, erasing the view of the people whose voices sounded familiar to Atsushi’s ears.

“I think that was you and Joan.” Akutagawa spoke up.

“I had my guesses too.” Atsushi replied.

The fog began to fade out again and uncovered a brand new room. Faint flickers of flames surrounded the chamber and lightened the place. In the middle was a huge wooden desk, behind it was a man with dark expressions. His facial beard made him look a few years older than he actually was.

He looked up and it was at this moment that Atsushi recognized him. It was the man who purposely fired a missed bullet at him at the first set of memories he saw.

Immediately, fear began to wash over him. It was considerably weaker compared to the last time but still uncomfortable nonetheless.

“You do know I am aware of your chummy relationship you two have built with the children of that Frederick.” He hissed dangerously at the people in front of him.

Atsushi turned around and there stood Joan and Leopold with grave faces. Multiple beads of sweat running down their cheeks. Haunted by the words the man had just said.

“Sir Charles, it’s not what you think.” Joan swallowed before continuing. “It’s because…we have a plan to get their trust in order to get them away from your target soon enough.”

An idea seemed to shot through her mind at that moment as she looked up suddenly with a disturbing yet relieved smile that hung from ear to ear. Joan continued.

“Yes, that’s it! We thought that having Ms. Iris as hostage is simply not sufficient. Why stop at his wife when we could have two of his children leave him as well?”

Leopold flinched at her proposal. Although, he knew she was only bluffing. Charles seemed to be aware of the number of lies they’ve been throwing at him too.

“Your words and actions are loyal, Joan.”

“Of course.” She huffed.

“However,” Charles interrupted her. “Is your heart and mind coordinating with them?”

“…”

“I guessed as much.”

Both Joan and Leopold instantly froze right then and there. What now? Charles has seen through their lies the whole time. Will they be punished? What future awaits them now? Hell, is there even going to be a future left for them to live after making this mistake?

“Hahahahaha! Look at your faces!” The man cackled at their reactions. “Ah, you don’t need to be so afraid. I don’t care if your goals aren’t inclined with mine so long as you are of use to me.”

“Sir-”

Charles placed a hand above Leopold’s head and silenced him with it. “Shush, boy. You are aware of my ability, no?” A gracious swirl of smoke started to dance along his hands. “Leopold Thracian, should you attempt to disobey the following orders, Alexander will pay the price by only having a minute to live left. Keep Iris out of Frederick’s sights and convince her to return back to Rossu. Do you understand?”

“…yes.” The fighter weakly said.

“She has been labeled as missing by the public. Her brother, the Emperor of Rossu, placed a huge bounty upon finding her so make sure to prepare mentally because I doubt she’ll be happy about you tricking her into false freedom.”

Satisfied, the man turns to Joan and does the same thing. After summoning another set of swirling shadows, he states his conditions. “As for you Joan, should you attempt to disobey my orders, Catherine shall pay by having her suffer the intensified symptoms of Black Death for the rest of her life. Keep her distant from her father, do not let her see Iris and should they meet, well…punishment arrives.”

Charles sat back at his desk after he dropped the curse upon them. “Now, tomorrow, I will conduct a raid on Cedonia’s mansion. In that time, Joan shall ‘protect’ Catherine in order to gain her trust, enough faith that Frederick can entrust his daughter to you. As for Leopold, I want you to silently get rid of the ‘Black Hand’ guild at ‘Gushing Gears’. They’ve somehow discovered the opium trades I’ve been dealing so shut their mouths by reaping their lives.”

“Yes, sir. But-” Joan nervously spoke up. “If you hate the Duke- I mean, Frederick so much then why not strip them of his family’s titles? Frame them or…kill him?”

Leopold aggressively looked at her with an expression that shouted ‘What do you think you’re doing?’

Charles on the other hand, only faced her squarely, “Fred and I…we crawled through the same mud, we bathed in the same level of poverty and was given the same chance at the academy. A chance to be someone better than we were…”

Atsushi listened with intent because this time, he could. For some reason, Akutagawa’s thumb that grazed his knuckles every now and then seemed to be the only reason that kept him sane. Sure, the headaches would show itself twice a moment but the reassuring fact that he wasn’t alone this time made a huge difference.

“Don’t you get it? He has everything to lose and I don’t want to take them all away at once, no. I shall pluck his fortunes out one by one. Even Iris…That is all you need to know.”

Mini play for chapter 26:

Atsushi: I hate you.

Akutagawa: Don’t talk when your mouth is full.

Atsushi: I’m not eating-

Akutagawa: Full of lies.

Chapter Text

Gasp!

Atsushi’s amethyst eyes darted opened to a huge canvas of deep sea blue sprinkled with tiny dots that he recalled as stars. He felt something move in his legs. He looked down and there were the vines that slowly withered, Catherine with a sword was just a few steps ahead so he reckoned that was her doing.

“Jinko, are you alright? Do you still feel headaches?”

He checked and…”No, not anymore.”

“Good.” Akutagawa nodded and retreated his hands away.

“You boys were taking a long while so we just decided to camp for the night. Good thing m’lady brought some materials for it.” Joan bit at her skewer after grumbling.

“Indeed.” Catherine returned her sword to its rightful sheath and settled beside the fire. “Why don’t we talk about thy findings as we dine finely?”

“Try mine! I grilled these for you two.” Elizabeth handed over a plate of grilled trout fish. Badly grilled. Atsushi could still see the dripping blood off the raw parts but the child seemed really proud of her creation so he just took it.

“Thanks.”

Atsushi and Akutagawa shared a knowing nod to each other and only informed the party that they knew who exactly they were up against but not the murky past, not the curses and most importantly, not Catherine’s mother’s location. At least, not yet.

…

A few hours came and went. Although quite long, it didn't matter since they were enough that Elizabeth and Catherine have both slept soundly in a tent set up by Atsushi a little earlier.

The sniper, together with the mage and fighter stayed awake by the fire as they had a lot to talk about.

“You knew all along that Charles was responsible?”

“Leopold did as well.” Joan answered Akutagawa.

Atsushi, who was busy formulating his own questions, thought a lot about the memories they have seen whilst the vine clutched them. Turns out, Leopold and Joan were both a fugitive in the foreign continent, Rossu. Charles, the Flaring East’s leader, needed some people to harass the Cedonia family for him so he gave them freedom in exchange for obeying his commands.

Months pass and Leopold has managed to hide Iris at the town of Mauve because she couldn’t take the heavy nationalism of Lezha’s people. Everyone knew the high tension between Lezha and Rossu. Everyone knew the political marriage set upon Duke Frederick Cedonia of Lezha and Iris Von Anhalt of Rossu. Everyone knew she had been sent to marry the Duke instead because the Imperial Prince couldn’t bring himself to have a woman from Rossu lead the people alongside him. Everyone knew the blatant dislike the Prince was giving her and everyone believed the person whose status was higher.

Iris. Ms. Iris, the woman he first interacted with when Atsushi landed in the game. Huh, who knew she was a runaway Duchess all along?

Via Charles’ order, Leopold convinced Iris to leave the mansion to unease Frederick. The Duke knew though and loved her so much that he decided to let her go. Iris on the other hand thought that Frederick didn’t care about her, noticing that he lets her do whatever she wishes. Being the one seeing all of these, Leopold was haunted by the responsibility set upon him. He knew the huge misunderstanding between the Duke and Duchess.

But if he was to clear the mud, Alexander would die.

There had to be some way to cancel his curse. Leopold spoke to Joan about it before and she agreed as Catherine had been missing her mother. Both of them had something to protect now, they were willing to risk the lives they were undeserving to have in the first place. Being former fugitives, they thought that maybe, just maybe…they would be able to redeem themselves if they managed to bring back happiness to these people.

“Then, why didn’t you say anything?” Atsushi asked her.

The flames flickered for a while in her golden eyes, “You didn’t seem to know anything about it. Hell, you pretended to not know anything! And even brought the both of them outside the kingdom. For a moment, I thought you gave up and was about to kidnap them or something. That’s why I looked as if I was ready to kill you when we met again.”

“Oh.”

“Were you, though?”

“No, of course not!”

“It’s just like you to run away from your problems but don’t your legs hurt by now?”

"..."

The sniper sighed, “We can defeat Charles by our own hands but recklessly doing so would risk m’lady and young master’s lives at stake so what I did these past few months is communicate with Emperor Nero, Duchess Iris’ brother. It takes a few weeks for his letter to arrive back and I think he won’t just stand around. Even though the letter was anonymously written.”

“Then, he’s much less to believe it now.”

“Trust me, it’s enough.” Joan stood up. “All we have to do now is to detain Charles in some way. Killing him will undo the curses but he placed a condition upon himself. ‘Should anyone harm me, they shall feel the same pain tenfold’, he said.”

They grew silent at that. Due to this, the sound of the crickets and crackling of the firewood increased in volume. Each minds were thinking hard upon a solution.

“To restrain him…” Akutagawa broke the delicate silence with a fairly loud cough. “Would cutting his tongue be enough? Judging from the hints so far, he places his curse upon verbally expressing them.”

“Sure, but what would tenfold mean for that? Having your lower jaw slit from your face? Yeah, I don’t think we’re going with such a plan.” Atsushi retorted quickly. He had a feeling that the lunatic was considering of doing that himself. The fighter was sure there was an option that allowed this story to end with all of them breathing.

“Does he have any weakness?” Akutagawa suggested. “Personality-wise, or a flaw in his ability. Anything can be used against him.”

“Well, his greed and jealousy.” The sniper threw a pebble to the fire as she spoke. “…But, I don’t think that’s going to be necessary.”

“How so?” Atsushi asked.

“I change my mind. We’re going with my plan.” The reflection of the flickering flames in her golden eyes burned brighter for a second, “Listen. There are going to be a few bodyguards in the guild’s building. The both of you enter his office and Leopold, you are going to pretend that you kidnapped Alexander and stuff to catch him off guard. I will position myself somewhere so that my rifle can shot a sure-kill. I’ve been considering it for a while now, and yet I only gathered the courage to do this option just a few moments ago.”

“But…” The fighter interrupted.

“I know. However, the curse has gone on for long enough. We are gaining movement but if we’re not careful, m’lady and young master will be harmed.” Joan muttered.

“Then, what about Catherine? Imagine how she would feel if she were to know that you forfeited your life to unshackle the chains that restrained hers?”

“Catherine…” The sniper began to walk away but both the mage and fighter heard her words all the same. “She has everything to lose, she has friends and families, responsibilities, a whole future ahead of her! While I…well, she’s the only one I have left. I’ve lost everything once before and I don’t intend to repeat history all over again.” With a small turn, she goes somewhere to lay down. “I’m sure you understand.”

“Joan…”

“Leave it, Jinko.” Akutagawa stood up and walked away the opposite direction. “Respect her wishes.”

Atsushi stayed behind the fire that slowly started to die. There must be way. There always was! With a small voice, he called for the game’s system. He almost forgot he even had this in the first place.

[Solve your character’s problem.]

Only now did he understand Leopold’s struggle. The raging hatred for Charles. The unexplainable betrayal for Ms. Iris. The discouraging failure with the Duke. The hopeless friendship with Alexander and most importantly, the disgusting disappointment in himself. For selfishly preserving his life at everyone’s demise.

Well, Atsushi was not that kind of person. He has seen many similarities between himself and Leopold. They both had nothing at first but because of a single opportunity, they were able to turn their life around and experience the responsibility of having other’s lives in their hands, but they were separated by one thing.

Selfishness.

Leopold cannot fathom the thought of killing Charles himself to save those he wishes to protect but he can. Atsushi can and being with the armed detective agency has taught him to include himself. That he mattered. That if he was to sacrifice something, he better turn out alive after the battle.

That is why he was not going to let Joan do such a thing. Because no one should! She deserves happiness as well, to live alongside her loved one’s future. They all do.

…

“Hey.”

“…hey.”

Atsushi followed the direction where Akutagawa left.

They settled in a fairly plain part of the Jungle. Despite the dark velvety shade of the plants surrounding them looking eerie and suspiciously swaying with the breeze, it still felt pleasant to feel the other’s presence.

Due to the hectic events with the game’s story, Atsushi didn’t have ample time to reflect about the way Akutagawa has been treating him lately. Speaking of which, it was a nice excellent change.

In contrast to his expectations, the Mafioso didn’t do anything out of the line. The worst they had were sour banters and the best being peaceful moments such as these.

“Akutagawa.”

“Mn?”

“...here.”

Atsushi quietly said, handing out a book to the mage. It was the one he received from Elizabeth as they were searching the bookstore. Since he noticed that Akutagawa has been looking at it before, Atsushi took it as a sign that he might be interested in having a copy and here they were.

“I appreciate the present but what’s that for?”

“Well, you’ve been treating me to cake and has been less of a pain recently. I thought you might like this so…” He couldn’t dare to look at Akutagawa as he spoke so Atsushi moved his amethyst eyes to the glistening constellations above. “Just take it.”

The mage flipped over the pages and gave the book a good skim. As he did, a frown sat upon his face and Atsushi regretted this decision for a good second seeing that negative reaction.

“’A Strange Sound’?” He asked.

“Wait, not ‘Light, Wind and Dreams’?” Atsushi pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Aishh…I must’ve took the wrong one. Then, I’ll get you another book when we go back to Yokohama.”

Akutagawa paused for a while, “Isn’t your rent still unpaid?”

“You’re right.” Atsushi comically cried. “Forget about getting you a book. I can’t even pay my own bills. Well, Kyouka-chan wanted some crepe after I got my wage so I only have enough for my expenditures. Sorry…Ah- Tanizaki-san owes me 2000 yen. I can use that to-”

“It is fine, Jinko.”

“But, I feel bad about it now.”

“How about this then?” He closed the book shut with his left hand and covered a faint cough with his right one. “When we get back, you’ll grant me one request.”

“Err, I’m fine with that but it better not be a weird one.”

“Jinko, I’m a Mafioso and you are a Detective. Anything is possible and I can’t tell where your boundary lies between what’s weird and normal.”

“Ugh…”

“There’s a compromise to this. How about you reject it if you don’t wish to do such a thing?”

“If you say so.”

A long train of silence departed at that moment. From his peripheral vision, Atsushi noticed Akutagawa graze the book’s spine with his fingers gently.

“But, in all honesty…” He started to speak. The fighter didn’t find any hints that what he was about to say was going to be embarrassing in any way so Atsushi glanced over and found him smiling faintly as he looked over the book. “Receiving this is enough. It’s your thought that counts.”

Atsushi forgot how to breathe at those words. At this scene. At that expression.

And as if it wasn’t enough, Akutagawa approached him closer. It wasn’t until five seconds after that Atsushi realized it was way too close. His brain malfunctioned right then and there as a ghost-like kiss reached his cheek. Then, Akutagawa moved his lips to his ears and whispered a small ‘Thank you’.

The mage left him standing still. It took Atsushi a good minute to process whatever the fucking hell just happened. Does…does this mean Akutagawa like him? Romantically? Since when? How? Why? No, what if mafias just greeted everyone that way? Impossible. Then…

Blood rushed to his cheeks like flood.

What does he do with this information? First, his response. Does he like Akutagawa back? The thought never really crossed his mind before. Having a Mafioso as a lover? And a former enemy at that. Wait, more importantly, how does he act around him now?

It’s not like he could pretend nothing happened. He wouldn’t want to hurt Akutagawa’s feelings by invalidating his erm...feelings.

Well, to be fair, he certainly doesn’t dislike Akutagawa as much as he acts to. The lunatic tends to get angry with every little thing and he has to be crazy if he was to let him have his way. And he certainly doesn’t dislike what the other just did and the rest of…whatever he seems to be doing. If anything, Atsushi welcomed those actions and even gave him a book for it as a…reward of some sort.

It’s confusing.

Ever since they entered the game, Akutagawa have been treating him in a, dare he say it, special way and the amount of perplexity and unexplainable contentment it gave Atsushi was unhealthy.

And that faint peck on his cheek…He could still feel it lingering there. Ah, Atsushi subconsciously raised his fingers to his lips and wonders what could have happened if Akutagawa kissed him there instead. He wonders how that would feel…?

Atsushi froze. His eyes suddenly widened.

No.

God no.

Holy shit-

WHY?!

“Did you fight with Alexander? He seemed serious about something…Oh?” Joan approached him from behind and Atsushi turned around to meet her. Seeing his messy crimson state, she pursed her lips together, “Ohhhhh.”

Mini play for chapter 27:

Akutagawa: Has anyone told you you’re beautiful today?

Atsushi, blushing: …no.

Akutagawa: Well, there’s always tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Tomorrow arrived.

Atsushi was restless as ever and not to mention, physically tired. Although, his mental state would beg to differ. His mind has been wandering all night, having a disco party wherever it had been. The only sleep Atsushi had was that four blinks he did.

His overheating cheeks and drumming heart was driving him crazy.

Joan took the reins of the journey and basically pleaded Catherine to head back to the mansion with Elizabeth as they might go against the plan if they were aware of what was about to go down.

“No.”

“M’lady-”

“Nay, I swear’t in faith I would find mine mother in this expedition. In faith that I must bring her back to father with me.” The brunette suddenly gasped. “Perchance thou hast found a hint to where she might be and a terrible condition hath befaln upon her? Is’t?”

“No, m’lady. Your mother is fine, trust me.”

Catherine triumphantly pointed a finger towards her, “Aha! My thoughts did not betray me! You do know where she is.”

Joan surrendered and sighed. “Yes, but for you to meet her, we —as in myself, young master and Leopold— have to negotiate with Charles first. It’s absolutely dangerous for you to come-”

“Joan.”

“Y-yes?”

“You’ve always been challenging my authority and I have always let you because I prefer it that way. But this one matter simply cannot go with you disagreeing with my own decisions.”

In a swift motion, Catherine unsheathed the Kreigsmesser and pointed in towards Joan’s chin. The latter was caught off guard and raised her hands beside her as a response.

“…” A sweat slid down the sniper’s cheek.

“Oh, shit. She mad.” Elizabeth slowly walked away from the women and stood beside Atsushi’s side as she eagerly watched the quarrel with curious eyes.

“M’lady, there’s no need for that.”

“Then bring us with thee.”

Joan bit her lip, her golden eyes hastily looked around the jungle. With a split moment of her eyes widening in realization, the sniper nodded slowly, “Alright, but on one condition.”

“What is’t?”

“After the mission, go directly to your mother and don’t look for me.”

The five of them decided to travel by train to Parched Terrains.

It was where the Flaring East’s guild was located. They all shared a single compartment. Elizabeth has grown to Akutagawa so she sits to his left, to her own left was Atsushi. Across them were the women.

As they journeyed, Joan explained the plan to them. It was the same one she told yesterday night but left Charles ability unsaid.

“In summary, m’lady is to distract the bodyguards on patrol outside. I, along with Elizabeth will be somewhere farther back to assist. Alexander and Leopold use that chance to get inside and pursue Charles. Is that clear?”

“Aye, but…”

“M’lady?”

Catherine slowly shook her head, “’Tis nothing.”

Atsushi wondered what bothered her but took no particular note of it. He turned to his right and saw Elizabeth shrink a bit towards Akutagawa as she looks over the brunette with a solemn expression.

Now that was unusual.

…

Akutagawa stared at the sights outside with his chin resting by his hand. The scenery were blurred due to the fast motion of the train. One thing was particularly bothering him for some time.

The weretiger was surely making a fuss about last night.

He didn’t think it would be such a big deal. It was just a small gesture of appreciation and he made sure it would be so. Akutagawa actually buried the urge to kiss him on the lips that time but we don’t talk about that.

Joan saw through their situation and told him things about taking care of the weretiger and stuff. Her words made him realize that maybe, just maybe…he sort of, kind of, maybe, might, slightly, possibly, like the idiot. Although, it wasn’t his fault that wanting to be near that person, giving them what they like, wanting to kiss them, and being satisfied seeing them happy meant that you liked them.

In all honesty, he’s been denying that notion since it has never occurred to him that he would grow to like someone, and his organization’s enemy no less.

Without turning his head, he darted his eyes towards the weretiger and found the other staring bullets at him with a pissed expression on his face.

‘Ahh, he must be upset. Maybe what I did last night was way out of the line.’ He silently thought.

The mage tightened his grip on his cheek and turned his sights away. Although that theory disheartened him, he also felt relief at the same time. It’s not because he relishes in one-sided relationships nor does he take pleasure in pining, no. It’s because of-

“Akutagawa.”

He turned to the weretiger who called him, “…what?”

“Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure.”

Akutagawa beckoned Elizabeth to stay with the women across them for now. He went outside the compartment, dragging the idiot by the hand and entering into another empty one by the end of the train car.

Click.

The door closed shut and the instant it did, the weretiger wasted no time. He pushed Akutagawa, quite roughly, forcing him to sit down on the benches as the fighter plant his palms on both side of his cheeks.

“How-” The weretiger started, “How long are you planning to drive me crazy? Do you have a motive or not? Since a few days ago, you’ve been giving me reasons that you might like me but after last night, you suddenly avoid me every time I try to talk to you. What the actual fuck, Akutagawa?”

“You…”

The words died in the mage’s throat as the weretiger clicked his tongue and afterwards enveloped his lips with his. It took a good second before Akutagawa surrendered to dance with it. The kiss was just like them, reckless and rough, and yet pleasing.

Atsushi…right, Atsushi pulled away when he could no longer breathe. Narrowed alluring amethyst eyes, cheeks blushed with crimson, his shallow gasps, and the slightly ajar lips. “When you look at me like that, how do you expect for my rationality to stand a chance?” Akutagawa took a good look of the other before deciding to initiate another kiss. A longer one this time.

Reality was determined to hit him in the wrong time, however.

Akutagawa reluctantly pulled away and rested his forehead upon the weretiger’s shoulder. His arms found its way around the latter’s torso. The idiot didn’t understand what was going on but he let it happen and embraced him back. So, for a couple of minutes, they stayed that way.

“Hey…” Atsushi muttered. “What’s wrong?”

“Jinko,” He buried his head further into the space between the latter’s neck and shoulder. Akutagawa exhaled a deep sigh before continuing. “You weren’t supposed to like me back.”

“…what.”

“This is for your own safety. Just stop making my job harder by reciprocating the admiration.”

“Excuse me?!”

Mini play for chapter 28:

Akutagawa: Would you look at that. I just did a 7-kill streak.

Atsushi: That depends. What game do you play?

Akutagawa: Oh, I don’t play video games.

Chapter Text

“Are you being dramatic and is saying you don’t deserve any love?”

“No.”

“Is it that you are afraid you might mistreat me in the near future?”

“No.”

“Do you perhaps like one-sided re-”

“No.”

“Then, what?” Atsushi removed himself from sitting on top of Akutagawa’s lap and marched around the compartment. “What the hell forces you to hold back from liking me? Am I that unpleasant, huh?”

“It’s not that…” Akutagawa crossed his arms and leaned back against the bench. “The reason…I can’t tell it to you. All you have to know is that, in the long run, I might…”

“What? You might leave or something?”

“…it’s not that either.”

“What am I to you, then? Just some fool whom you could just experiment on because you’ve never felt this way towards someone before?”

“No.” His silver eyes widened, it displayed an ounce of hurt before it narrowed again and looked away, staring off in the distant blurred scenery instead of giving Atsushi a single glance. “Of course not…”

Needless to say, the fighter so very much wanted to punch him right now.

If Akutagawa didn’t want to be liked back then he shouldn’t have shown compassion to Atsushi. He shouldn’t have gave him cake. He shouldn’t have talked about his hobbies with a hooking smile. He shouldn’t have kissed him back. He shouldn’t have treated him so well.

All Atsushi wanted to do at that moment was to punch him for doing this to his heart and yet, he couldn’t bring himself to. Atsushi couldn’t because there was that unpleasant look in Akutagawa’s eyes again. That foreboding look he wore was sending him signs.

Even so, Atsushi wasn’t one to give up.

“You know…” He joined the mage in staring across the glass window. “With all that’s happened with our battle with The Guild, defeating the Virus ability user, and now this, I am who I am because of you. Fighting alone is a nightmare so, whenever I imagine my future battles, you are always in it. Really, who else could it be but you?”

“…”

“You were always the one who rose up to the occasion and challenged me to become a better person. My whole life, I’ve been trying to do whatever the people around me needed because otherwise, I wouldn’t deserve to live. But you treating me like this made me realize that surviving the challenges alone would mean I am at least worthy enough to see my friends once more.”

“…”

“Akutagawa, our lives have been intertwined so many times. Your existence has shaped me so much that having another person by my side is unthinkable, ridiculous even, at this point.”

His face relaxed, “My thought’s the same.”

“Alright. So, whatever the hell is stopping you from enjoying the present, don’t let it. I don’t care if you subconsciously liked me or whatnot. I don’t want to be looking back at this moment and finding it miserable. Akutagawa Ryuunosuke, I will like you so much that I swear you’ll regret making me hold back.”

“Regret, huh?” The mage laughed a little and Atsushi could have sold his soul at that moment just to make that sound play again. “Well, you are technically wrong on one thing.”

“And that would be?”

“Jinko, I did like you subconsciously but that’s not all.”

“Oh, really?”

“No.” Akutagawa slightly shook his head and placed a light kiss on his lips before speaking again, “From this moment, I choose to love you because you have become this incredible person and knowing I helped in making you that way will only make me want to do more.”

The serious look in his silver eyes were so alluring that Atsushi wasn’t sure whether he could take the overflowing blood rushing to his cheeks. Even so, the Mafioso wasn’t aware and kept on talking, placing an unhealthier tempo of his drumming heart on the way.

“I choose to yearn for this idiot in front of me. The world has always been against us and death looms over closer at every second yet I am willing to fight for a way to choose to love you.”

“…”

“Nakajima Atsushi, there are other billions of others I could be with but I think I’ll only be wasting my time if I don’t spend it with you.”

After that, they both just looked at each other. The fragile silence overlooked them as they did and only broke when they chuckled together. In that instant, the silence became ashamed because a pair of laughter was a sound that was more pleasant to hear than itself.

“That was so damn cheesy.” Atsushi said after a couple more wheezes.

“Tell me about it.” Akutagawa scoffed.

“But, I was serious about everything, alright?”

“The same could be said with mine.”

They enjoyed the whirring noise caused by the friction of the train’s wheels and rails together. Back at the compartment with the ladies, it was disturbing due to their shallow dispute but maybe it wasn’t the sound that changed. Maybe it was them.

It only hit Atsushi then. They didn’t directly say the words that signified a confession but all those illogical phrases about being together and this wrenching yet euphoric feeling squeezing his chest meant that it was more than just a mere confession. It was assurance.

But, of course, the conversation didn’t end there.

“Alright, spill.” Atsushi regained his senses and sent a pissed expression towards the mage. “What was the reason?”

Akutagawa lightly shook his head. “I don’t think it’s important anymore.”

“I suppose, but that won’t stop me from worrying though.”

The Mafioso eventually resigned a huff. He cleared his throat before speaking, “I have a lung disease affecting my pleura. The small flame of this life is going to flicker out in less than a year or so. As you probably know, I don’t intend to cure it in any way.”

“...why wouldn’t you?” Atsushi asked in a hushed voice. He knew Akutagawa had been enduring some kind of illness because of his frequent coughing. Port Mafia was undoubtedly generous in terms of salaries so he surely had the money to pay for a mere hospital bill. Atsushi didn’t disagree with him yet as he couldn’t pinpoint the reason as to why.

“I swore to myself that before that fixed time limit, I have to get acknowledgement from Dazai-san first. I don’t want to fail him.”

Sigh. This again.

“To me, he’s not the one you’re failing. You are failing yourself.”

“…How do you mean?”

“Akutagawa, isn’t it about time you stop living for your mentor?” Atsushi sat beside the mage just close enough that he’s sure he wasn’t entering his personal space. “As I said, Dazai-san has already approved of you a long time ago. I think the reason why he handled me better was the fact that he was confident you were strong enough to operate solo. If he trained me the same way he did you, I probably wouldn’t be here right now smiling like this. You know, for some reason, I’m a bit glad he handled you rather harshly.”

“Have you finally drained your sanity dry from spitting all those insight, Jinko?”

“Heh, no, and the reason is that…it gave me all the chance to treat you right. I imagine that, if Dazai-san had been well to you, you most probably won’t give an inch of care to anyone else, much less to me.” Atsushi then shifted a bit towards the other and laid his head on his shoulder. “I want you to at least enjoy life, Akutagawa. To see the beauty in it before our time runs out. I don’t know why but I currently have this strong want to travel someplace with you so stop being stubborn and cure that disease. People with illness turns me off.”

“Oh, really?”

“No, but I was hoping it’d motivate you to visit Yosano-sensei with me the first second we go back to Yokohama.” Atsushi looked up, hoping Akutagawa would notice his stare and glance back. He did. “If you don’t want to live for yourself, then live for me, you bastard. Come back home with me, yeah?”

There was a pause afterwards but it didn’t stay for long.

“Idiot, I’m already home.”

…

A few more hours pass…

The five of them then reached a train station welcomed with a small town and under their feet were sand that spanned the whole area with itself.

As they were walking, Joan grabbed Atsushi’s robe and when he looked around to meet her golden eyes, she nodded slightly and faced Catherine.

“M’lady, how about you and Elizabeth stay in this inn for a while? We are going to patrol the guild first. Just to see if there are many people guarding the place or so. If we can take them on, then we’ll call you back. If not, then we will send a letter to Duke Frederick to request backup.”

It took a while before the brunette mindlessly shrugged, turned 180 degrees, pulled Elizabeth by the hand and walk away towards a considerably rowdy building.

After going through multiple infrastructures unusual to Atsushi’s eyes, they reached a moderately huge gate held together by thick walls of…dirt? Yet unlike dirt, it didn’t look delicate or anything of the like. Must be something else.

Orange and blue dueled in the sky the moment they reached Flaring East’s property. Something about the place seemed to make Atsushi anxious, or was this fury he was feeling? Either way they were uncomfortable and he wanted to get rid of them real quick.

Joan overlooked the closed gates with a dangerous look. “Remember the plan guys and do not stray far from each other.”

Mini play for chapter 29:

Akutagawa: I think…a new fear has awakaned within me.

Atsushi: Is it because of your job?

Akutagawa: No, it's…i'm afraid i'm liking you too much.

Atsushi: Well, we face the same nightnares then.

---

Charles: I will have the last laugh!

Some random member of Flaring East: Isn’t that like being the slowest one to get the joke?

Charles: …

Chapter Text

Fwoosh!

The sniper immediately dashed over a nearby tree, tall and sturdy enough to cover her presence. She began fiddling with her rifle and stabilized it, aiming for the right-most window of the second floor.

Surprisingly, there were no guards at the gate. Maybe they all went home considering its almost evening? Possibly but something didn’t feel right and that weird feeling intensified as they walked up the stairs.

Atsushi felt something grazing his hand, it twisted itself and found his palm. The mage must have sensed his shallow breaths and anxious mind because it was his hand who kept his own aloft.

“Akutagawa, would there be any way we could save Joan?”

“I don’t know, Jinko.” He stopped after he took another step of saying that just to take the chance to look closely at Atsushi. “But if opportunity is to reveal itself then I won’t hesitate to prevent anyone from dying.”

“That’s nice and I can, kind of get Joan now.”

“How so?”

“Laying your life down for someone else, if it was you then I think I’ll be able to do it.”

A small smirk settled on the mage’s face, “You’re not going to die here.”

“And you, are no fortune teller.”

“Jinko, the only reason you’ll die is because I wasn’t strong enough to protect you.”

Atsushi chuckled, “Damn, I guess I’m dying today then.”

“We’ll see.” Akutagawa ended the conversation with his appealing voice and gave the other a light kiss on the cheek.

The fighter exhaled a huge sigh he’d been carrying inside. Being in a good mood wasn’t such a hard work anymore ever since they had talked things through in the train compartment. Gripping his hand tighter, Atsushi’s mind wandered off the upcoming mission and went to think about how their relationship would change the way they work when they get back home.

On his day offs, he could ask Akutagawa to go somewhere with him. Maybe taste pastries or shop for books. Perhaps they could go to a place where the other one likes. Atsushi still didn’t know much about Akutagawa and his life outside Port Mafia but slowly spending some time together could solve that problem and Atsushi could spare all the moments he has, just to find out.

He wonders how the other detectives would react.

Considering their mindsets, they would never degrade him just because he’s willing to date a member of their rival organization. Well, the agency have been in an okay relationship with the mafia so maybe this wouldn’t be a big deal.

Either way, Atsushi doesn’t mind. He’s never been this happy before and sure, he felt immense contentment when he found his way in life by working at the agency and helping people but this type of happy wasn’t just satisfaction or gratefulness. It was pleasure, it was delight.

Atsushi had always wondered about those romantic shows he used to glimpse at. How could the lead characters spend all the time looking at each other? How can the other blush immensely with just a little touch? At just a mere hug?

But then ironically, he found himself at the same situation and only understood now. Although, it was an understatement to only state that he understood, no. Atsushi experienced it. He saw his life in roses.

And it was the best fucking feeling ever.

Creak…

The door swung open and a familiar room reached Atsushi’s eyes.

Peach-colored curtains and matching carpets. Expertly varnished set of chairs. A huge wooden desk in the middle with a few draft papers on top of it. A single light bulb hanging atop their heads. In his peripheral vision, he saw Akutagawa stealthily open the windows with his dagger, perhaps for the purpose that Joan could get a better sight of the room where it’s about to happen.

“Sir Charles.” According to the memories, that was how they addressed him so Atsushi used that. “Joan and I are aware of your doubt towards our loyalty so I am here to present you Alexander Cedonia. You can have another blackmail material for the Duke while you have a tighter leash on the both of us. It’s a win-win situation!”

“Nothing was win-win about that. Anyone could obviously point out that this is a trap.” Akutagawa whispered towards him.

“It doesn’t matter. We just have to buy time to find some weakness.” Atsushi retorted back.

“AHAHAHAAHAHHAHA!” The man behind the desk cackled loudly. He had the light switch on the corner of his table and he tapped it with a click. Immediately, the light bulb went off. It was dim but not dark thanks to the fact that the sun wasn’t ready to set completely. “Win-win? Oh, you jest me Leopold. I’m already pissed as it is because some of my clients have been beginning to rat me out and you turn up here thinking you could fool me with such an obvious bullshit? How disappointing.”

Damn it. The sudden blackout prevented Joan from having the chance to kill Charles or at least, injure him.

“Ah!” Atsushi almost tripped when he was pulled back by Akutagawa. The latter gave him an illuminating blade as a weapon and charged first at the guild leader.

Charles managed to dodge but the daggers that the mage sent landed a shallow cut by his torso and with that, Akutagawa dropped to the floor with a thump, clutching his side. Atsushi could only see much but the moment his eyes caught sight of the dark liquid that stained the peach carpets red, his whole body petrified.

The guild leader didn’t make any attempt to attack Akutagawa so why wasn’t he the one who-

Oh.

“Joan probably told you this but I placed a condition upon myself Leopold. If anyone was to harm me…”

“…they would suffer the same pain tenfold.” Atsushi finished his sentence with a whisper.

“Bingo! I intended for her to hear my little monologue. After that, it was easy to read your movements. Having a taste of a good life made you ungrateful for me getting you out of prison. Between the two of you, she is bound to be the one who would sacrifice her life. You, barging in here with your special someone meant that she was out there aiming for my head so I had to cut the light short.” Charles showed a frown as fast as his smile disappeared. “I hate paying taxes, you see.”

“Argh-” Akutagawa interrupted him by summoning more blades to aim his way. Charles responded by catching them on his hand, resulting in the mage bleeding from all the cuts that appeared out of nowhere on both his arms.

Then, all the daggers he managed to conjure dissipated.

The guild leader snickered at his miserable look with satisfied eyes. Atsushi was beyond disgusted. He felt fury and grief at the look he was giving Akutagawa. It told him that he was about to do something revolting to the other. The Leopold inside him seemed to have ignited a flame of courage seeing how his Alexander was suffering as well.

In that split moment, Atsushi dashed between the both of them. He charged up his gloves and intended to scald Charles face with it. The latter, though, was quick to react. The guild leader pushed his hands down so that the heat of the gloves had been redirected to his knees.

Tss…

It did little damage to Charles but Atsushi had to stop there because he realized he could no longer stand. Amethyst wandered down and saw that half his left leg had been scalded as if it was left in boiling water for a minute.

“Ugh…” He couldn’t help but whine at the immeasurable sting that he felt every time it felt the floor.

“Stay down, Leopold.” Charles stepped over his scorched ankle purposely, which earned an abrupt cry from the fighter. “I have an impromptu meeting with this particular young master.”

Atsushi writhed every now and then but with the help of his arms, he has managed to at least sit up and see what this crazy leader had done with Akutagawa. The fighter expected as much but he still felt stunned when he made sense what their positions showed him.

There was another bruise that laid on Akutagawa’s face as he was sitting on the floor, looking at Charles critically. An aura of bloodlust surrounded the both of them yet…no, it wasn’t just any bloodlust. The guild leader was actually placing a condition on the mage.

“Alexander Cedonia, should you move or use your magic…you will die after a minute.” Charles muttered hastily, and the black smoke that had been swirling for some time redirected their traces and raced towards Akutagawa’s chest. “Because why die instantly when I can spectate Leopold’s devastated state this way?”

“?!” Atsushi saw the mage flinch a bit afterwards and felt his own heart quake with fear. The dread of losing this one person in front of him was not something he thinks he could endure. “Akutagawa, don’t you dare move!”

“Now, now, what to do with you?” Charles’ faint shadow loomed over him and he grabbed Atsushi by the hair, forcing the latter to scrape his stinging leg by the rough carpet. “I don’t think I gave you permission to rest, Leopold.”

Charles continued talking to Atsushi but he couldn’t hear any word because his own thoughts were way louder than whatever the hell the guild leader was saying.  Anxious amethyst eyes frantically looked around the room with unease, looking for some way he could make Charles unconscious or at least tie him away from the both of them.

Lamp, desk, carpet, bookshelves…Knocking him out was not an option as Atsushi would knock himself in the process. If Akutagawa did anything at that moment, he could die. Waiting for Joan was a possibility but it was a huge risk to take. What if Charles had a high tolerance to-

“Keuk-” Atsushi winced as the rough hand that initially clutched his head transferred to his neck.

“Tsk, tsk. Didn’t anyone ever tell you it is bad manners not to listen whenever someone’s talking?” Charles muttered in a low voice and stared over the fighter writhing in his hand…no more.

Atsushi forced his eyes open as Charles said that and froze, immobilized when he mentally saw the director’s image over the guild leader. He knew he was far from reality, being in a game right now so Atsushi thought he’d be fine. His thoughts betrayed them, however, at this moment when it chose to show him the director’s face.

Maybe how Atsushi felt to the director, Leopold also felt to Charles.

“Oh, is this broken already?” The guild leader frowned, and gripped his neck tighter, driving yet another pained scream from the fighter. His shriek brought back the amusement, the smile back into Charles’ eyes. How revolting. “Ah, there it is.”

The uneasiness intensified from there. The feeling of having a huge chunk of food that wasn’t going down made its existence more known. Atsushi felt his limbs getting weaker after every poor attempt to struggle. He was deprived of oxygen and his crazy heart rate wasn’t helping either.

No, he has to survive.

He needed to survive. Yokohama was just another day away and yet Atsushi is now doubting whether he was going to make it. He has been in more dangerous situations before but this was different. He didn’t have his ability. He didn’t have the strength. He didn’t have the support.

No. Fuck no. That was no excuse.

Atsushi will get the both of them out of this place. It’s about time he return all those times that Akutagawa saved his back. Anything. Just anything, please. There must be way to…

Just then, a solution presented itself in front of him.

Suddenly, Atsushi could breathe another time.

Suddenly, the hand on his neck was blasted away.

Suddenly, the light turned on again.

Suddenly, he could see once more.

Suddenly, Charles was dead.

A hundred illuminated daggers had pierced him all over his lifeless body that splayed on the peach carpet, running it red with his blood. Slowly, the blades began to fade with the air.

It was horrible.

Akutagawa had grabbed him and kicked Charles away with his leg as he spent all of his ability in killing the man. Everything was a mess. The scent of blood, his stinging injuries that shouted for treatment, but most importantly…

“Atsushi.”

He flinched and his terrified amethyst eyes slowly moved to the person resting their head on his shoulder. So, the warmth he felt was the dripping blood of Akutagawa. The broken call was from his lips too.

“...G-goodness. We should take you back to Elizabeth, maybe she can- No, wait. Right, no, she’s just a child. I can’t let her h-heal such an injury. Then, Yosano-sensei can-“

“…Atsushi, stop crying.” He repeated with more struggle. “You look… hideous if you do.”

Atsushi lost all reason and broke down when Akutagawa finally called him by his name and collapsed further as he attempted to jest out of this situation. “Hic- You bastard, you can’t leave me like this. I need you…”

The other inhaled sharply and sighed, “…You have a reason to go back. I don’t. If one of us needs to escape out of here unscathed, it should be you.”

Atsushi didn’t move, he couldn’t move nor could he breathe at all that bullshit the bastard was spouting. His life was more important? What nonsense. We are all living equally. This was no time to compare their worth.

“A-also, if it was me who got back alive, I would just meet you in hell a minute after. The agency will murder me for leaving you here but to be fair, perhaps I would dwell in this place forever if it was you who got killed and no one would have been able to see Yokohama again.”

“…why…” With opened eyes, tears streaked down Atsushi’s face. “Why would you…”

“I apologize for breaking my…promise.” Akutagawa was beginning to narrow his eyes now. “But I couldn’t just not do anything. Having your loved one suffer in front of you and not being able to do anything about it is beyond things I can handle, you see.”

“N-no, forget about the damn promise! I need you alive. We still have a death match in five months. I still have to buy you a book. You still have to get me a cake and take me out on a proper date. You can’t leave like this. I don’t allow it. I…”

Atsushi ranted with his eyes blurred from the overflowing tears. His vision only cleared as his voice faded. He flinched as he felt a cold hand caress his cheeks. His fearful amethyst eyes met tired silver ones. It was at this moment that his sights cleared and his heart dropped.

“Losing my life is easier than losing you.”

“…”

“So, hurry up and go…you damn fool.”

Chapter Text

The cold, now empty of life hands slid down his cheek and the man in front of Atsushi was looking at him no more.

“Akutagawa…?” He muttered, with his voice breaking.

“…”

As expected, no reply came. Despite that, Atsushi still wanted to try. Try and try until you succeed, right? It has always worked before, why wasn’t it doing its charm now?

“Oi…bastard.”

“…”

Atsushi exhaled a heavy breath and relaxed his body. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead towards the latter. It was cold. That fact only caused his burning tears to flow more and Atsushi hopes its warmth could somehow provide heat to the other.

“…Are you there?”

“…”

“…Wake up, will you?”

“…”

“…Yell at me again.”

The longer he struggled to ask, the more evident the cracks in his voice had become. Still, Atsushi continued to try. This was something he couldn’t give up. He embraced Akutagawa’s unmoving body tighter and spoke once again.

“Open your eyes…”

And…nothing. Nothing happened. Why, of course nothing happened-

[Congratulations!]

[You have finished the Main Quest!]

[Tap to Continue]

With everything that has occurred, Atsushi has forgot about system. Maybe he should have asked for its assistance earlier, then things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

The fighter forced his tears to run dry and raised a trembling index to click the floating screen.

[You have obtained:]

[Key x1]

Click.

[Present this to Joan La Pucelle in order to leave the game.]

[Would you like directions?]

“…Joan?” Atsushi mumbled to himself.

Just then, a woman’s voice behind him appeared. “Oh my, what a sorry sight for mine eyes.”

The fighter turned his head around to see Catherine beside him, Joan and Elizabeth not far off from where they were. For one, they didn’t seem concerned about what just happened. They just calmly took a look at the room as if it was a classical painting they couldn’t understand. A stain in the wall.

“C-catherine…Akutagawa, you have to help him, he’s-”

“We know.” The brunette cut him off. “But it was necessary, Atsushi. He needed to die.”

“…what?”

Joan sighed and summoned an emerald vial out of nowhere. She crouched down closer and with a plop, uncorks the bottle and poured the contents through Akutagawa’s open mouth.

“W-what are you doing?”

“Calm down, tiger boy. It’s a revival potion.”

“Tiger boy?! You…who are you?”

She threw the empty vial behind her aimlessly. Atsushi’s eyes subconsciously followed the trajectory and found that the corpse of the guild leader was no longer there! The bloodstain on the carpet, the broken lamp, none of the traces that would conclude to a fight was there.

What was happening?

“Bring the mafia dog with you. Let’s go back to the mansion for now.” Joan directed to him as she carried Elizabeth by her arms and pulled Catherine by her hand. “I’ll explain everything later.”

…

A whole day had passed since then but it felt like a month to Atsushi who kept waiting for Akutagawa to open his eyes.

The six of them returned to the mansion yesterday night using Atsushi’s travelling scroll —an item he had obtained at the earlier stages of the game. The sixth person being Ms. Iris. Catherine had talked things out with her and managed to convince her mother to come back to the mansion. Right, Duchess Iris.

Emperor Nero had also sent a letter in advance as he was planning to visit his sister after all the wild news he had received.

Duke Frederick, on the other hand, had begun an investigation against the alleged illegal opium trade between Flaring East to other territories.

After a few meetings here and there, the family had reconciled. The misunderstanding between the Duke and Duchess was then cleared with his help. There were a few rumors that he had plotted it to gain more recognition but he didn’t care about that.

Atsushi didn’t care for anything except for the resting man in front of him.

Akutagawa laid peacefully here in Alexander’s room and Atsushi dragged a nearby chair closer to the bed in order to look over him as the revival potion does its magic.

“I swear that henceforth, I will show how much I love you to the point that you’ll hate the mere thought of leaving my side again.” The Duke had said yesterday at dinner to the Duchess. Atsushi finds that endearing and wonders if he could do the same for the Mafioso.

Knock Knock

“Leopold, it’s us. May we come in?” The Duchess’ voice echoed after the series of knocks finished thumping by the door.

“Yes, that is alright.”

Creak…

It was the Duke and the Duchess. At first, Atsushi didn’t move but he suddenly remembered society etiquettes and was about to stand up to greet them but then the Duchess raised a hand, “No need for formalities, dear.”

“Then, uhh…May I dare ask what the purpose of your visit is?” He nervously asked, he wasn’t used in using reserved language to converse. “And uhm, please take a seat.”

“Thanks for the offer but its fine, really. We heard what happened from Joan. I’m glad nothing too tragic happened with Alexander. He will wake up in a few hours, no?”

“I hope he’ll be up sooner than that, Duchess Iris.”

She chuckled lightly, “Dearest Leopold, I prefer you call me by the usual. You have helped me so much in my darkest time, the only way I can think of repaying you is to give you and Alexander my blessings. In any case, you may request of other things as well. Our door is always welcome.”

Atsushi shook his head, “Your safety and health is enough, Ms. Iris.”

“What a sweet child.” The Duchess turned to the Duke. “My husband also has something he would like to say.”

“Ah, yes, well…” Duke Frederick straightened his back and looked squarely at Atsushi. “First of all, you have my gratitude for bringing back Iris in my life and for keeping her safe during the past few weeks.”

“I couldn’t have done it without Alexander’s help, sir.”

The room stayed silent for a while. Eventually, the Duke broke it. “Alexander…I have always been too hard on him, haven’t I? I was trying to discourage him and Catherine for using foreign weapons because I was afraid that they’d leave the family as well due to the heavy hate against it. I shouldn’t have done that, I should have encouraged accepting other cultures as well.”

“…”

“The purpose of the ceremony was to judge if someone was worthy enough to bear their name. He may not have been a hundred percent magician at heart but Alexander fought for his ideals. He brought my love back.  His qualities are enough to make him more than worthy.”

[Congratulations!]

[You have finished the Main Quest!]

The Duchess pulled his arm closer, “Just say you’re proud of him.”

Duke Frederick in turn, placed a kiss on her forehead, “I thought it was obvious from my statements.”

“Well, I suggest you start showing it better. I couldn’t even see your love for me.”

“Alright, I’ll practice.”

After that, they had the whole world to themselves and laughed at little matters and little jokes. Atsushi overlooked them with endearment. He was happy for them.

“You two look perfect.” Atsushi’s thought accidentally slipped out of his mouth. The moment he realized how he had addressed these people, he hastily covered his lips but no, that was useless. The damage had been done.

The Duchess just smiled at his comment though, “Oh Leopold, there is no perfect as there will always be struggle.”

The Duke returned the look she was sending him, “That’s right. You just have to pick who you want to struggle with.”

Mini play for chapter 31:

Aku: You know I can fight the world for you.

Atsu: But you keep fighting with me only.

Aku: That’s because you are my world.

Atsu: *visible confusion*

Chapter Text

“For the sake that we can continue to smile…”

Atsushi sang quietly as he laid his head on the side of the bed, stroking the back of Akutagawa’s hand every now and then. Joan mentioned that reviving a player would only take 24 hours, yet it was now two days after he had been unconscious. It was starting to worry Atsushi.

“I’ll call out your name so that you can be who you are…”

Creak…

The only door to the room swung open with a noise. He reckons it’s Joan, the hectic matters within the mansion was beginning to settle down so she had some time off from all the interviews placed on her.

“Leo…?”

Atsushi turned around and saw Elizabeth. She slowly walked over to his side and continued speaking, “Is the young master going to be alright?”

“Well, he has to.”

The child then looked down, the white hair covered her face and darkened her expressions, “I-I’m sorry I couldn’t help.”

Atsushi huffs and pats her head, “No one was at fault at what happened. Let’s just be thankful that he’s going to be awake soon enough. We just have to wait for it.”

“Then, how’s your leg?”

“It’s fine thanks to your help.”

Elizabeth then leaped a bit and hugged him tight. Atsushi returned the embrace. For a while, they just stayed silent but then a question entered his mind.

“Where are you going to stay now?” He asked.

“She’s going with you.” A new voice approached them. The fighter raised his head and saw Joan with Catherine entering the room. “Dazai said it’s about time Risa’s return.”

“D-dazai-san? Risa?”

“It’s her real name. She’s Natsume-sensei’s only granddaughter and without Natsume Soseki, there would be no Detective Agency and Port Mafia.”

“I see.” A rough voice stated.

Atsushi gasped immediately after hearing it. He turned around and saw Akutagawa finally sitting up. For a while, he couldn’t move. Atsushi just kept staring at his figure bathed in the orange glow of the afternoon. He was there, three feet ahead of him, smiling, and alive.

“Akutagawa!” The fighter leaped to hug him.

“What is it, Jinko?”

Atsushi could feel his eyes burn again with tears. For some time, calling out to the Mafioso gained no response but finally, it did. Feeling his smile hang from ear to ear, he buried himself further in the embrace.

“I’m glad to see you too.” Akutagawa said and Atsushi could feel the vibration in his chest as he spoke. After heaving a huge sigh, he managed to pull away and calm down his overjoyed soul.

“First things first, how do you mean by ‘I see’?” He asked.

“Well, I suspected that trapping us in the game was Dazai-san’s plan. The first day has revealed that it was aiming for us to improve our relationship. I don’t think the characters were mere coincidences as well. Risa also told me how Joan and Catherine were from our world too so that confirmed another theory of mine. It was unusual in the first place how they weren’t questioning our lack of memories. A few more observations and I knew they were allies so…”

“So you believed you would be saved even if you died?” Atsushi scratched his head. “Aw, man. And I was making such a huge fuss over your death too.”

“Like I said, he had to die here.” Joan joined in again. “Breathing feels better now, right?”

Akutagawa’s silver eyes widened, “…you’re right.”

“That sums up our goals.” The sniper smiled. “One is to improve the new double black’s relationship. Two is to get Risa back and finally, to cure your lung disease. Reviving someone here means to reset their health status completely, you see.”

“If Risa-chan originally came from our world, why is she here now?”

“I’ll let your executives tell that story to you.”

“Then…” A switch clicked in Atsushi’s mind and everything seemed clear at that instant. He turned to Joan, “You were the blond woman we fought back at the alley, weren’t you?”

“That’s right. I’m Yuan Yimei, by the way.”

[Yuan Yimei]

[Ability: Heaven’s Official Blessing]

“So, Catherine is…?”

“My partner in crime, Xiao Hong.”

[Xiao Hong]

[Ability: The Field of Life and Death]

“Aye!”

Hong-san squirmed between Yimei-san’s arm and torso to cuddle her. The latter only sent a gentle smile as a response before she turns back to Atsushi again.

“I’m assuming you received a key from the system?”

Atsushi nodded and took it out from his own inventory..

“I’ll send you two back now with Risa. Make sure to take care of her.”

Yimei-san raised a hand and a cyan portal began to create itself from numerous shards of glowing dust in the air. It was the same gateway that led them to this game. The one that changed a huge part of their life.

Akutagawa had finished dressing up by now. With a nod to them all, he heads in first with Elizabeth Risa on his side. Atsushi was left to say the proper goodbyes.

“Will we see you two again?”

“Yes, yes, we will visit soon.”

“Thanks for the experience, Yimei-san.”

She smirked, “If you’re really grateful, tiger boy, make sure not to leave my efforts in vain. Keep Risa safe and live your life well with the mafia dog. I root for the two of you.”

“Heartily farewell, Atsushi-xiong!”

“Bye to you too, Hong-san!”

He entered the cyan portal and a bright thick fog of whiteness enveloped Atsushi’s eyes that he had to shut it tight in a poor attempt to shield his visions.

It eventually cleared.

The detective found himself standing in his empty apartment.

“Akutagawa? Eliza- Ah, Risa-chan?”

No response. Huh, maybe the whole gaming stuff had been a hallucination? An oddly vivid dream? No, impossible. Atsushi considered going to the Port Mafia in order to meet Akutagawa and look if Risa was there with him. Just then, his phone rang.

“Hello?” Atsushi picked it up seeing it was from Kunikida-san.

“Atsushi, are you back?”

“Uhm, yes? Why?”

“Good. Come to the office.”

“God, where have you been? That idiot Dazai gave us a heads up and said you were going to be gone for about a week but didn’t say anything about where you were going to go. So? Where were you?”

Atsushi nervously sat in his desk, dumping down the reimbursement vouchers he was about to process just to shift all his attention to the rest of the agency members eager to get his answer. Of course, everyone except for the President, Dazai-san and Ranpo-san.

“Uhh, training…?”

“That’s obviously a lie.” Kyouka replied.

“Well, I don’t know what to really call it. Akutagawa and I encountered an enemy who trapped us with her ability but then turns out, she wasn’t an enemy and was only requested by Dazai-san to let us play this game of some sort.”

“What game? Was it fun?” Kenji asked.

“No, it was beyond exhausting.” Atsushi comically cried after remembering he, in a way, got pranked of Akutagawa’s death. Ah, why must the world be so cruel? But to be fair, all the realizations he found in the game had changed the rest of his life, in a good way. A smile crept up to his lips at the mere thought of meeting Akutagawa again. “But it wasn’t all bad, I suppose.”

“Well, whatever it was, we’re glad you’re alive.” Yosano-sensei gestured the others to go back to their own works as she herself turned back to her desk as well. “Although, I wouldn’t have minded it if you had an injury or two.”

“Thanks…?” Atsushi wasn’t sure what to say.

Knock Knock

“It’s open!” Naomi-san cheerily acknowledged the visitor first.

“Then, please excuse us.” Hearing that familiar rough voice, the other members tensed almost immediately. The door swung open and, as expected, Akutagawa had entered the office.

It was odd seeing him use the door this time, he always used to arrive through the window nearest to his desk.

“Oh, Akutagawa. You’re here.” Atsushi’s heart thumped like crazy as if he was about to sing in a live show. He veiled the excitement though, and pretended to scan the disbursement summaries in a casual way. “What do you want?”

He swore to God he heard all their eyebrows move in both shock and confusion at his nonchalant remark towards a person who was a part of their rival organization. Well, not rival per se, they remained neutral for a while.

“Jinko, I’ll leave Risa in your hands for now.”

At that, a ten-year-old silver-haired girl appeared to his side and dashed towards Atsushi shouting ‘Leo!’ as she did. Atsushi on the other hand began to talk her through why she should remain silent at an office.

Seeing as she understands, Atsushi then turns back to Akutagawa. “But I have work to do.”

“Would you rather her witness my work instead?”

Atsushi let out a little sigh, “Ha…you’re right. Fine, but you better meet me about this later. We still need to talk. Can I have your number?”

“You’re a detective, you can find it.”

“Just save me the trouble...?” His tired voice pleaded.

“Alright, I’ll find you later.” Akutagawa snickered and after their compromise, he turned to the other people in the office and bowed to them before he closed the door and left. “Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Clack

Luckily, there was an extra chair for Risa-chan to sit in. She happily drew beside him with a spare pencil and some draft papers that were discarded.

In all honesty, Atsushi tried to avoid all the gazes of his fellow detectives and forced himself to be immersed in the paperwork displayed in his desk. Curious stares and ominous looks alike glared him down until his self could no longer take it.

Sigh…

Of course, he had no plan to mention the fact that this all managed to conclude with him dating the Mafioso. At least, not yet. Atsushi started to open his mouth. Boy was this going to be a long morning.

Mini play for chapter 32:

Atsu: Ha…how exhausting. I want to die right now.

Aku: Perfect! I want to kill someone today.

Chapter Text

“I don’t understand why you needed me to interfere. They obviously care for each other enough.” Yimei casually said as she drinks her own cup of latte.

“Let’s just say it was the safest way for them to realize that.” Dazai replied.

“No, no.” She snickered, “We found Risa, the mafia dog is finally living for himself instead of you and the weretiger helped him by showing him his validation out of his job. Heh, so you do care about your allies.”

The man across her just shrugged.

…

“Remember the request you promised to grant me?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“I wish to use it up.”

“Alright, what do you want?”

“A date.”

It was the weekend.

Lucky for Atsushi, he has finished his paperwork the week before. He eagerly sits in his living room waiting for Akutagawa to pick him up. They both agreed to have lunch at some kind of floating restaurant today with Risa-chan.

The child had been staying at his apartment since then and Kyouka-chan decided to move out because of that. Well, Lucy did offer to share her residence with Kyouka-chan because as it turns out, she had been living alone in a house that she recently won.

“I’m going to grab myself some water then we’ll leave.”

Akutagawa entered his apartment without knocking, approached him closer and gave him a quick yet breathtaking kiss before continuing to the kitchen.

They do that every time they meet but Atsushi still gets butterflies every single time. Not to mention that the kiss was longer on some occasions when they have moments to spare. Needless to say, he cannot get used to it and will always feel lightheaded after one.

“Atsu-san! He bought me a beret on the way here, does it look good?” Risa followed shortly and handed him an octagonal beret just her size. Atsushi didn’t understand fashion but hey, if it looks good, it’s good.

“Yeah, it’s really cute.” He sat up and plopped the hat back on her head.

“You two ready?” Akutagawa came back to the living room and opened the door for them both. Risa left running first. Atsushi followed but as he was about to leave, the Mafioso stops him by the waist and places another more kisses on his lips.

Now, it was getting easier to lose himself in those…Atsushi pulls back, quite reluctantly. Panting, he said, “Stop that, you’re going to turn me on. We agreed to have fun with Risa today, alright? Leave your antics for tonight.”

“Sure thing.” With a lopsided smile, he returns another peck on Atsushi’s forehead.

The place wasn’t what he imagined. Although to be fair, he wasn’t sure what he had expected. There were these wide cottages that floated near the shore, and they carried all these tables and people who obviously enjoyed the cuisine there.

It wasn’t anything fancy. The entrance to the place looked very humble and the floating open cottages were all made of varnished wood. Hell, they even had roofs that looked like turtles.

“Wow, for once, a place that doesn’t look expensive.” Atsushi whispered to Akutagawa.

“You seem to be uncomfortable with extravagant areas and well, I passed by this diner when I was out for a mission yesterday and I thought you might be pleased with it.”

“I am, thanks.” Now it was Atsushi’s turn to send him a small peck to the cheek. The latter seemed stunned for a while but that’s only because it’s not often that Atsushi initiate the intimate stuffs.

Not his fault that they were embarrassing.

After the uplifting lunch, the three of them went to shop for books. Risa went to get ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ by Stevenson. Atsushi found one with an interesting cover but didn’t get it, as he still wasn’t finished reading a novel his Mafioso had lent him. Speaking of, Akutagawa bought ‘Romance of Three Kingdoms’.

As the two rang their books up, Atsushi had grabbed some ingredients they didn’t have. The three were planning to bake some carrot cake tomorrow.

After walking out of the rowdy stores, they all settled by the public benches near the sea to read and have a little talk. It overlooked the wonderful sunset which went to envelop Yokohama with its aesthetic shade of orange and purple.

“This is nice.” Atsushi muttered to himself.

For a while, there had only been his hectic paperwork, a few outings with the agency and a lot of time spent with Risa and Akutagawa. He wishes the next trouble was still far from occurring but of course, most wishes don’t come true.

He warily looked at Akutagawa as they both heard footsteps coming their way. Two pairs of it. They turned around and saw who these people were. Ah, allies.

“Atsushi-kun.” One was Dazai.

“Akutagawa.” The other was Chuuya.

“Yes, what is it?” Atsushi asked for the both of them.

Dazai-san and Chuuya-san looked at each other with a glint of resolve hidden somewhere before turning back to their associates to state their case in sync.

“The President is calling for us.”

“The Boss is calling for us.”

Ah, damn…

Mini play for epilogue:

Akutagawa: Alright, I have made the decision to trust you.

Atsushi: A horrible decision, really.

Dazai: Oh well, onto Plan 2.

Chuuya: Don’t you mean Plan B?

Dazai: Chibi, that would imply I only have 26 plans.

Chapter Text

I. Introduction

Greetings and good day to everyone who is reading this at the moment. First of all, thank you for staying through and through with this fic. I appreciate it a lot, especially the comments! They fuel me with motivation and will to apply more effort in the making of this fic.

Also, there is an intended sequel for this. Where the reason for Risa-chan’s hiding in Yimei’s ability is to be revealed. However, I will humbly leave the rest to your imagination, reader-nims. I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish the sequel if ever I start one.

II. Enlightenments

Regarding the title, ‘The Great Keyseekers’, it’s named that way because their IGNs are inspired by these historical figures:

-Alexander the Great, Former King of Macedonia

-Leopold II the Great, Former King of Belgians

-Joannicius the Great, Byzantine Christian Saint

-Catherine the Great, Former Empress of Russia

-Frederick the Great, Former King of Prussia

As for the other characters:

-Julius Caesar, Former Roman Dictator

-Charles was from Charlemagne, Former Holy Roman Emperor

-Elizabeth I, Former Queen of England

-Mikhail and Erika’s were intended to be of Russian and German origins

-Iris’ name was from the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow

III. Oversights

I hope the ending wasn’t too disappointing. Alright, I jest you along with myself because it really was quite unsatisfactory.

As some have noticed, the last three chapters were kind of rushed and by Jove! It actually was. As I neared the end, there had to be a few, no, a lot of changes. My first draft of the plot took too much time focusing over the story of Iris, Fred and Charles, leaving little room for the AkuAtsu development.

Moreover, I was considering rewriting everything from chapter 20 last March 1st. A week after I finished, I realized that I could have done so much more with this concept.

Here are some flaws I found in this work:

-The side characters are too flat despite having a lot of screen time. Indeed, I am referring to Catherine and others.

-There were a lot of random shit that could have been used to work out the side character’s personalities.

-Also, there’s the fact that the whole ‘gaming’ concept was thrown off the wall as the fic neared its end.

-I could have used a little bit of time mending Iris and Frederick’s relationship.

-I could have placed some conversation between Julius and Alexander, revealing how Julius actually cared for his lil’ brother despite their envy for each other. (Alex is jealous how much the Duke cherishes Julius and Julius, in turn, is envious of how Alex can just be himself since no one expects anything from him. Thus, no disappointment.)

-One more thing I wanted to change (but didn’t have enough time to execute) was that, shin soukoku’s confession at the train compartment should’ve been an argument so that Akutagawa’s “death” have a bigger impact over Atsushi.

IV. Conclusion

In my next fic, I will take note of my mistakes and will strive to focus more over the progression of their relationship to balance it with the other stuff well. This message was written on the third of March, 2022 and currently, I am choosing between writing two types of AUs for another fic of this pairing. Hopefully, I can manage to write the next one out better than I did this fic.

Once again, thank you to you, reader-nim! Have a pleasant day ahead!