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It’s been a week since Chuuya’s altercation with the Port Mafia, and the Armed Detective Agency has spent it in complete and utter chaos.
Ryuunosuke doesn’t even know where to look. Kajii is locked away in his “laboratory”, cooking up new bombs to throw at “Port Mafia asshats”, as he likes to call them. Kenji has been starving himself for nearly three days, which Ryuunosuke finds highly concerning - but he won’t let himself eat, no matter what people tell him, so they’re leaving it alone for now, although Kouyou has told him that if he doesn’t eat by Monday, she’ll force feed ramen into his mouth. Higuchi has been rushing about the entire week, organizing schedules and collecting firearms and stalking several mafioso. She’s terrifyingly good at it, and Ryuunosuke doesn’t want to know what else she’s used that particular talent for. Gin is strangely calm, although he supposes she’s a nice balance for the chaotic mess that is the rest of them. He’s thankful, although he’s always thankful for her.
Oda has been continuing on as usual. He keeps saying none of this is a big deal, and that they’ll all end up alright, but Ryuunosuke’s not entirely sure that’s true. Oda’s never lied to him before, though, so he’ll trust him. He really, really hopes he’s telling the truth.
Kouyou has been on phone calls non-stop. Ryuunosuke isn’t sure who she’s talking to, but from the sound of it, it isn’t good. Her voice has an edge of exasperation to it, and he hasn’t seen her without dark circles under her eyes in months. It worries him. He remembers when they first opened the Armed Detective Agency, how young and full of life she looked. She had just cut her hair, the weight of a thousand pressures lifted off her shoulders, and had finally stopped wearing those elaborate kimonos. Now, she looks like a shell of the woman she had been three years ago.
Yumeno has been slowly going back to their old ways, to their cruel words and eerie smirks. They do nothing but cause trouble around the office. Years ago, Ryuunosuke would have found it annoying, but now, he just finds it saddening. He knows why they’re doing it; after all, expect disappointment and you’ll never truly be disappointed.
But Ryuunosuke is most worried about Chuuya. He’s not quite sure whether it’s a side effect of Corruption, or if all the talk about the Port Mafia is getting to him, but he hasn’t moved from the couch in days. Kouyou approaches him occasionally, speaking in soft whispers and carding her fingers through his hair, but he never moves. Never does anything other than just frown. Ryuunosuke wishes he knew what’s going on in his brain.
He’s having his own issues, too. His mind keeps straying to the Port Mafia - the organization he’s heard so much about, yet never interacted with. Full of dangerous, murderous criminals hell-bent on controlling the city of Yokohama.
What are you talking about? You’ve interacted with them before. Don’t think you can forget about the White Reaper you found standing in the infirmary, tears dripping down his face.
Ryuunosuke can’t forget. He doesn’t want to forget. Against all odds, he had liked spending time with Atsushi. He didn’t seem so evil, not when they sat there, drinking tea like old friends. And he’d like to think Atsushi had had a good time, too.
Goodbye, Akutagawa. I hope, for your sake and mine, we never meet again.
Well. Clearly, he hadn’t. The interaction had been completely one-sided. And besides, he’s the enemy. Ryuunosuke can’t go around acting like they’re friends when Atsushi has absolutely no interest. One hour of conversation couldn’t even hold a candle to the years Oda, Chuuya, Kouyou and Yumeno spent in the Port Mafia. He just needs to get over it.
If the Port Mafia comes for them, well, Ryuunosuke knows where his loyalties lie. If the time comes, he won’t even hesitate.
The White Reaper is nothing to him.
・・・
“Kenji, Akutagawa, I need you to do something for me.” Kouyou says quickly, bursting through the doors. The pair look up in surprise.
“What is it, Ane-san?” Kenji asks brightly.
“Could you two go to the restaurant a few streets down and pick up some food? I would go myself, but I don’t have the time. Also, Kenji, get something for yourself and actually eat it.”
His cheeks dust pink. “Maybe.”
Ryuunosuke rolls his eyes. This has gone on long enough. Ability be damned, Kenji needs to eat. “Don’t worry, Ane-san. I’ll make sure he does.”
She nods gratefully. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Ryuunosuke replies. “Really. You’re working so hard to keep all of us safe, you deserve it.”
Her eyes glisten, and before he knows it, she’s pulling the two of them into a tight hug. “I love and appreciate you both. I hope you know it.”
God, Ryuunosuke loves his makeshift family.
・・・
“Okay, so it’s just a little further.” Kenji says, pointing ahead of them. He’s smiling, as usual. “You’ve really never been here? I thought it was really popular.”
Ryuunosuke shakes his head. “I make it a point not to eat at restaurants like this one. When Gin was eight years old, we hid out in an alley beside one similar to it. When the owners spotted us, they beat me black and blue.”
“Oh.” Kenji looks down. “That’s not very nice of them.”
“No, it’s not. But it’s life.” He shrugs. “Rich people look down on the poor. It’s how it works.”
“It shouldn’t be.” Kenji says, fiercer than Ryuunosuke expects. “Everybody should live in a nice home with a loving family. You and Gin-san deserved more than what you got.”
He feels strangely sentimental at this. “Thank you, Kenji. That means-”
A flash of white. A golden-purple eye, peering up at him from the darkness.
He grits his teeth. “The Port Mafia are here.”
Kenji stays silent, but Ryuunosuke can see his fists tighten. Quickly, he reaches out, ripping a signpost out of the ground. With a nod, the two move forwards.
He had seen him in an alley. It looks empty, quiet and unassuming, but he knows better. They move silently, turning into the alley. It’s got a dead end, but that’s alright, because Ryuunosuke is going to catch-
“Hello, Armed Detective Agency members.” The voice rings out from behind them. It’s cold, harsh, and painfully familiar. “I hope we’re not interrupting anything.”
Black clothing, a heavy coat similar to the one he had seen Chuuya burning four years ago. A thick choker decorated with spikes. White hair, chopped into messy diagonals. Eyes a mixture of molten gold and royal purple. But they’re not eyes Ryuunosuke recognizes. The ones he had seen that day, a year ago, had been full of sadness and pain and happiness all at once. These are empty and harsh.
He needs to keep his guard up. Atsushi clearly won’t be pulling any punches.
“Nakajima Atsushi.” He keeps his voice carefully neutral. “The White Reaper of the Port Mafia. What are you doing here?”
There’s a girl beside him, one he recognizes from pictures. A white kimono, dull blue eyes and black hair pulled into a half-updo. She stands as still as a marble statue, soft features reminiscent of a porcelain doll. The Port Mafia Murderess, as she’s known to Yokohama. Kyouka, as she’s known to the Armed Detective Agency.
If only Kouyou were here now. She would know what to do.
“Well, to be honest, we were looking for other members of your organization.” Atsushi says off-handedly. “But unfortunately, you two are the only ones who’ve left the building all day.” An animalistic smile stretches across his face. “That’s alright. I’m sure Dazai-san won’t mind, as long as we get somebody.”
“Get ready, Kenji.” Ryuunosuke murmurs quietly. “These two are dangerous.”
“Chuuya-san warned me about them.” He replies, usually bright expression uncharacteristically stoic. “I’ll be careful.”
They get a few seconds of preparation, before-
The tiger pounces.
Kenji bats him away, wielding the signpost like a baseball bat. Atsushi goes crashing into the wall, but he recovers in an instant. Kyouka raises a hand, and Demon Snow shoots forwards. Ryuunosuke readies himself. He’s sparred with Kouyou before; taking her down shouldn’t be too difficult.
Blades clash with dark matter, over and over. Rashoumon matches Demon Snow in speed, strength, and skill. He grits his teeth. If Kyouka isn’t going to go down, winning this battle is going to be harder than he expected. Even Chuuya wasn’t able to defeat this pair in battle.
“Kenji!” He shouts. “Can you take Demon Snow?” The weretiger is waiting to attack. He wants to fight him. He wants to win .
Kenji nods, and the pair of teenagers move to the side. Now, it’s just Atsushi who Ryuunosuke is left staring at. “I’m going to rip you to shreds.” He says viciously.
Atsushi’s smile is empty. “I’d like to see you try.”
・・・
“Hey, Ane-san. They’ve been gone for a while, haven’t they?” Chuuya mutters quietly. His gaze is pinned on the door, his eyebrows pinching together.
“I’m sure they’re just waiting in line, Chuuya. It’s a busy place.” Kouyou replies, not lifting her attention from the pile of papers sitting in front of her. She’s busy. He knows that, but there’s something off about all this. For the first time all week, he stands up from the couch.
“Still, I get the feeling something bad’s happening…” He’s worried. And he doesn’t know why.
・・・
“Ah, Atsushi-kun. What sort of trouble have you gotten yourself into now?” Dazai says with a chuckle. The view from their office is quite large. The ocean sparkles brightly, and the sky is clear. The streets are vibrant and the people are happy.
So unlike the dark atmosphere of the battle they know is taking place.
“It looks like you’re going to need some help.”
・・・
The tiger is strong.
Atsushi never fully transforms; no, it’s always just a forearm, or maybe both, perhaps his legs as well. Ryuunosuke’s not sure if that’s by choice, or if the choker digging into his neck has something to do with it. It looks painful. He’s glad he doesn’t have to wear something like that.
Rashoumon fends off every attack, but he’s stuck on the defensive. Behind him, he can hear Kenji grunting. He can’t turn around, can’t offer any bit of help to his coworker. His only solace is that Atsushi can’t either.
“You’re stronger than I expected.” Atsushi says, lunging at him. “Like a black dog, the natural enemy of my tiger. Dazai-san always said you didn’t matter. That you were weak and pathetic.”
“The Armed Detective Agency is stronger than you think.” He replies, using Rashoumon to lift himself out of harm’s way.
“Oh, I know that.” Atsushi says with a slight smirk. “I worked with nearly half of your members. I just didn’t think you were on par with any of them.”
Before Ryuunosuke can answer, the very ground begins to shake.
Fighting immediately stops. He turns around, nearly jumping with relief that Kenji looks relatively unharmed. He drops the signpost, rushing over to Ryuunosuke. Kyouka quickly makes her way over to Atsushi. “What’s happening?” She whispers quietly, latching onto Atsushi’s arm.
“I’m not sure, Kyouka-chan. But don’t worry. We’ll be fine.” He says reassuringly. Ryuunosuke watches the interaction with furrowed brows. Once again, the weretiger is acting weirdly kind. He doesn’t understand it.
“You been fighting my family, Atsushi?” A loud, cocky, familiar voice says as a figure steps into the alley. He almost melts with relief.
Chuuya.
All the color seems to drain from Atsushi’s face. His arm slips away from Kyouka, and he takes a step forward. “...Chuuya-san?”
Are you happy, Chuuya-san? Are you finally satisfied? I’ll admit it. I’m miserable. Does that make you feel better? Is that what you wanted to hear?
A year ago, Ryuunosuke found him in the Agency’s infirmary, crying.
What exactly happened between these two?
“Ah-ah-ah, stop right there, chibi.” A new voice says. A person Ryuunosuke’s never seen before steps out of the shadows. This time, it’s Chuuya who turns pale. “Has nobody ever told you that abandonment is bad? It leaves psychological scars, you know.”
Dark brown hair, bandages wrapped around their body and eye, heavy black coat and terrifying eyes. A gun hangs loosely in their hand. Ryuunosuke’s blood runs cold.
This must be the Demon Prodigy.
Chuuya recovers quickly. “Dazai.” He growls. “What the fuck are you doing here? Finally got off your high horse and admitted that you’re just a useless asshole?”
“Why, Chuuya! I’m simply helping a subordinate! I’m insulted that you think so lowly of me. Quite cruel, really.” They mimic a tear slipping down their cheek. Atsushi and Kyouka seem to be frozen in place. Chuuya is nearly vibrating with anger.
Ryuunosuke has no idea what’s going on.
“Well, maybe you should tell your subordinate to stop attacking Agency members. Leave them out of your sick grudge.” Chuuya says angrily. “Okay? If you want, we can settle this between you and me. But leave them out of it.”
Dazai looks positively delighted. “Oh, chibi! Do you truly think I’m the only one holding a grudge? That’s just the funniest thing I’ve heard all day!” They smirk. “Why, there’s Akiko, Mori-san, even Atsushi-kun here! The Port Mafia wants the entire Armed Detective Agency obliterated, and there’s nothing that’s going to stop that from happening.”
Ryuunosuke doesn’t even have to look at Chuuya’s face to know the fear written across it.
If Dazai is telling the truth, then that would be bad, really bad. Kouyou is already overworked, and to have the entire might of the Port Mafia thrown against her would be too much. Besides, they’re just a small Detective Agency. Strong, yes, but strong enough to fight the Port Mafia and win? He doesn’t think so.
“You’re not going to do it now, though.” Chuuya says quietly. “This is just a warning, isn’t it?”
Dazai smiles. “Bingo! See? Even stupid little slugs like you can come up with the right answer sometimes.”
Chuuya’s shoulders shake with anger, but he doesn’t act on it. “You can tell Mori-san to fuck off. The Agency won’t go down without a fight.”
“I don’t expect you to.” They say in return. “I’m quite looking forward to this. Exciting, isn’t it?”
“Shut up, asshat.” He says viciously. “Kenji, Akutagawa. We’re leaving.”
Dazai gives a little wave. “Bye-bye, chibi. See you later!”
And so, they leave - with Chuuya stomping angrily, Kenji running to catch up and Ryuunosuke close to falling over. Atsushi is still standing there, shell-shocked, arm outstretched like he wants to chase after them. Kyouka looks frozen with fear, eyes never moving from Dazai’s frame. Dazai themselves are still waving, a smile that seems just a tad too wide on their face.
“Chuuya-san,” Kenji asks, quietly, “What just happened?” Ryuunosuke is scared to hear the answer.
Chuuya grits his teeth. “The Port Mafia just declared war.”