Chapter Text
Dazai did not show up at the Agency today, or the day after, or even on the next day, which was beginning to irritate Kunikida to no vail.
His partner’s work was piling up on the table with a layer of dust resting on top of the papers showing all signs of being abandoned and forgotten for good. Atsushi must have marked the absence of his mentor too, as in silent gesture he reached out for Dazai’s paperwork only for his hand to be gently slapped away by Kunikida.
“Kunikida-san?” The weretiger blinked in surprise, “I just thought it’d be faster if I do it. I finished my report anyway.” But that explanation did not do any good in excusing why he was the one doing the bastard’s work instead of the infamous bastard himself.
“Exactly, Atsushi-kun. You’ve done what you were supposed to, so now you can enjoy your break.” Kunikida glared at the watch with a small scoff. He hated the fact that his partner always seemed to ruin his schedule no matter if he were around or not, “I’ll go bring his ass here.” Atsushi perked up at the idea and instantly wobbled behind the other.
“M-may I come with you? As I said, I don’t have much to do anyway.” It’s true that they have been quite slow on cases recently, so it shouldn’t be too bad if two agency workers would leave for a short while.
“Alright. Let’s get this over with quick. That suicidal mummy better have a good explanation for his absence this time.” Kunikida scoffed under his breath as they walked out of the building; ignoring the confusing looks being sent their way by everyone except the all-knowing Ranpo.
Unlike other detectives, Dazai was the only one who did not live in the dorms. He still kept the room, but never actually slept or spent any time in it. Which wasn’t always the case, because Kunikida can still clearly recall that in the first weeks of being hired the blond had to go through a cursed misfortune of experiencing what’s it like to be Dazai’s neighbor. After that, he never even once complained about brunet spending the night elsewhere.
There was a second apartment registered as his other address in the personal documents, which was where Kunikida and Atsushi were heading. The two of them were surprised to realize just how far the place actually was. Suddenly it explained the fact as to why Dazai was always so god damn late. Few train stops after, the two detectives found themselves in front of a huge building. It didn’t look expensive nor did it look cheap. It was average, per see. Maybe that was because Dazai always preferred simple things and less-flashy colors.
“So.. What floor and which apartment is it exactly?” Atsushi questioned while they approached the door which was when the next problem struck them.
The security system was different from what they were used to. In order to open the main door they either were required to have a magnetic key or they had to ring for the person in the apartment to unlock the entrance for them. Kunikida suspected way too well that Dazai was not going to open the door, even if they would have managed to know which one of these names was the fake that brunet was residing under.
“What do we do?” Atsushi cried out with despair already setting in.
“I’ll call him again.” Kunikida decided as he pulled out his device and pressed on the ‘useless partner’ contact. There was one ring, second, third — the shit was not picking up, “Fucking Dazai-!”
That was when a sound caught his attention behind the two of them. Atsushi and Kunikida turned around almost in sync to be met with Dazai himself (who was ignoring his ringing phone, what an asshole) but strangely, he wasn’t alone.
By Dazai’s side walked a woman that could barely reach his shoulder height wise. She looked so small and fragile (unhealthily thin), that having someone this vulnerable around such a dramatic man like Dazai seemed to be a dangerous idea since the idiot could probably by accident snap her in two and not even notice. The woman had long dark-brown hair that matched her companion’s shade put in a lazy, messy bun. However, her eyes were absolutely striking; the gentle wave of pure light sky blue.
If Dazai had noticed their presence, then it meant that he was ignoring them for the sake of paying full attention to whatever the woman was telling him. She kept chuckling from time to time, meanwhile Dazai was looking her way and.. smiling. It was barely visible, Kunikida would even claim that it was just a trick of light but it was actually there. A small curl of the lips was not the only surprising thing about their whole interaction, it was also the way how one of Dazai’s hands was sneaked around her shoulder and the other was holding onto the woman’s arm as if trying to assist her with walking. Everything about their each step was so gentle and Dazai was acting so careful that for a moment Kunikida considered that someone had replaced his partner. Or maybe this was his long-lost twin with the same obsession of bandages just like his brother.
“Dazai?! What the hell are you doing skipping work with a— Uhm.” Kunikida paused as his eyes stopped on a woman that blinked in surprise at the sudden loud noise. Once she seemed to process what has been said; she frowned and looked up at the brunet by her side.
“Are you missing work because of me..?” Her voice was barely louder than a whisper, yet the undertone was so melodic and gentle that all of a sudden Kunikida was hit in shame at shouting a moment ago, “You need to go—“
“No.” Dazai instantly cut her off with his hand around her shoulder squeezing tighter, “Kunikida-kun, please stop staring like that or I will think that you are crushing on her and then I will make sure to fire you into a different dimension.” He said in a low, cold tone all while keeping his smile like a creepy maniac. Just as he finished saying that the woman tugged at his ear.
“Don’t be rude.” She warned him and strangely his face instantly melted into an apologetic expression, “Let’s go in.. I’m tired.” Atsushi and Kunikida exchanged a look while both of them tried to figure out the relationship that the two of them had, “Oh. And you should invite your co-workers inside! I’d love for them to taste the freshly baked pumpkin pie.”
“But I just cleaned in there! Kunikida’s germs are going to stain the perfectly fresh air!” As Dazai was about to go on with insults the woman lightly slapped him on his chest.
“No arguing, Osamu.” First name basis? Was anyone in the whole world on the first name basis with Dazai? It almost sounded weird hearing someone say that name, because Dazai was.. Dazai. No matter how close or distant you were to him, everyone called him Dazai.
And strangely he did not fight back further with the woman, instead he concealed the eye roll while reaching for the magnetic key in his pocket and opening the door.
“Dazai-san, if you really don’t want us to interrupt then we could-“ Atsushi spoke after the prolonged silence as they stepped into an elevator and brunet pressed the button for the third floor.
“Nonsense, my boy!” The woman spoke instead as her face melted in the warmest smile, “Aren’t you a young one? Already working must be so tiring in your age.. And goodness, you’re just as thin as my Osamu. Where is your mother looking?” Her eyebrows knitted in worry while observing the frail boy in front of her. Atsushi couldn’t hold in a surprised gasped at being addressed with so much care. Also, why did she say, ‘my Osamu’? What did that mean?
“Miss, I don’t have parents.. I was raised at the orphanage.” Atsushi awkwardly stated as he scratched the back of his neck.
“Oh, my apologies.” The woman instantly reached out as if to comfort the boy with a pat on his shoulder or head (they never got to find out), when Dazai suddenly grabbed her hand to stop her.
“You’re not wearing your gloves.” Brunet pointed out, which did not make any sense to anyone apart from the woman herself since she quickly pulled away and pressed her hand closer to her chest.
Before any questions could be asked, the elevator dinged notifying them of their arrival and the doors opened to reveal a milky white hallway with three doors in front of them. One of them having a plate: ‘Shuji Tsushima’ which was the one that Dazai had approached as he pulled out another set of keys and unlocked the door.
The apartment that got revealed was surprisingly large. By the entrance was a small closet for coats with a sofa to sit down on and take off your shoes. Then, by the right side there was a guest bathroom that surprisingly revealed a cat’s litter box inside. At that Atsushi sniffed the air and just as he thought, there was a very weak scent of a small fury friend inside who was not showing up yet.
“Take off your shoes and make yourselves at home. I am so excited! I haven’t had guests for such a long time.” The woman beamed in excitement, and just as Kunikida was about to ask her for her name she already disappeared further into an apartment leaving them alone with an exhausted-looking Dazai.
“Dazai, what is the meaning of this?” Blond asked as quietly as he could; not wanting for the woman to hear.
“Just.. Play along for a bit. I know you don’t want to be here.” It was so typical for the bandaged man to always avoid giving a clear explanation.
“No, Dazai. I want you to explain who the hell is that woman—“ Kunikida could feel himself getting more and more irritated.
“Are you two perhaps in a relationship?!” Suddenly Atsushi exclaimed and although the blond detective was suspecting the same; the absolute horrified expression on Dazai’s face told them otherwise. He even made the dramatics to gag like a real drama queen, which instantly made the other two feel bad for the woman.
After all she was really pretty and seemed to be an extremely kind person just with the way she spoke and acted, “Or is she your sister..?” The weretiger suggested another theory which also made sense seeing how similar the two looked like.
Atsushi’s mentor finally sighed in defeat, “She’s my mom.”
“WHAT?!” The two detectives practically screamed because that was the last thing that they had suspected.
For some reason Dazai always had a vibe around him that he was the mysterious type of person with a dark past and no alive family members. And even if he had family members everyone expected for them to be some sort of abusive bastards, because how else could Dazai’s past with the Port Mafia be explained?
“S-she’s your mom?!” Atsushi stuttered in complete disbelief to his ears. There was absolutely no way that someone as kind as that woman birthed the man in front of them. Actually, it was hard to believe that Dazai was indeed created by the cooperation of two people instead of being somehow artificially built instead.
“But— what—“ The tiger boy was so lost at the information that was just now given him.
“Okay, okay. Now you know one of my biggest secrets, but you can’t tell anyone.” Dazai suddenly got very serious, “She’s.. In a difficult situation right now. Okay? Also, don’t mention anything bad. Just.. Enjoy the food or whatever.”
“Wait, Dazai.. You live with your mom? Aren’t you a bit too old for that?” Kunikida’s question made the other glare at him.
“I am taking care of her. Mind you, I live with my partner and not here. But my mom’s doctor has notified me that she really hasn’t been feeling well so I showed up.”
And that was when the other two finally noticed something odd in the way Dazai was acting. It was the way how his eyes kept glancing behind him as if he was watching out for anything bad to happen. It was the way how his fingers kept nervously rubbing against one another. It was the way how he was speaking with a tension in it; the ease and carefree attitude that everyone would normally associate with Dazai was gone.
“Is your mother.. sick?” Kunikida tried asking carefully this time as if sensing that this was a sensitive topic. Before brunet could give any answer, the woman appeared in front of them with a smile and a towel in her hands.
“Come on in! No need to stand at the door step. You should have a chat with a hot cup of tea instead.” And suddenly they realized that they could not refuse her.
In a silent agreement Atsushi and Kunikida took off their shoes and hung their coats as they followed further inside to be met with a beautiful dining room. In the center stood a glass table that could fit at least six people on it but instead the servings were made only for three. Atsushi quickly took a seat on one of the soft chairs and Kunikida sat beside him, meanwhile Dazai and his mother sat opposite of them.
“How about you introduce yourselves, boys?” The woman smiled as she put her hands in a lock, carefully watching them eat.
“My name is Nakajima Atsushi. And—“ As he bit the piece of a pie his eyes widened in huge surprise, “—this is absolutely delicious!” He exclaimed while reaching for another bite.
“Good, good. You can have as much as you want since my Osamu won’t eat any.” She chuckled to which Dazai sighed; not commenting on the remark.
“My name is Kunikida Doppo. We are very honored to meet you and I apologize for my rude language in the beginning.” The blond decided to approach the situation with a lot more respect.
After all, no matter how sweet she seemed they shouldn’t forget that she was indeed the mother of the Demon Prodigy. It wouldn’t be surprising if in the past this woman had connections with the Port Mafia or other illegal organizations. They should be as careful as they can with what they do and say.
“How formal.” The woman smiled; seeming to be charmed by both guests, “My name is Akari Dazai, I am Osamu’s mother.” She gently patted the brunet on his arm like he was the most precious thing in the whole world, “I apologize for not knowing beforehand who you are. Osamu doesn’t like to tell me much.” Although she was smiling, Kunikida could tell that she was hiding sadness behind her act, “Oh! But he’s so good at listening, sometimes I spend a whole day talking to him and I don’t even notice the time pass.” She chuckled while trying to lift up the depressing mood that began to slowly settle in.
Dazai? Listener? Goodness, the suicidal maniac that they knew never knew how to shut the fuck up. That was definitely odd. Maybe it wasn’t as strange that he did not like to share, but he seemed to have a good relationship with his mother. So why was he acting this way? Kunikida opened his mouth to bark a question at his partner only to be met with a small warning glare from the other that instantly reminded him to be careful with words.
After that, the conversation went on smoothly. Akari for sure spoke a lot, but none of her sentences held much information. Even after an hour of useless chatter Kunikida did not find out a single solid thing about her apart from the fact that she was a teenager when she birthed Dazai and that Dazai was her only child. Also, since she never mentioned having a husband Kunikida assumed that Dazai’s father was out of the picture.
“Ah, Atsushi-kun, would you like more tea?” She asked even though she was already standing up to go fetch some from the kitchen. To be frank, Kunikida being the responsible adult could already sense that they were overstaying their welcome, meanwhile the weretiger was more than happy to be in a company of such a sweet and motherly woman.
Akari soon came back into the room with a beautiful white teapot that had an illustration of birds in gold. Yet as she was in the middle of pouring more hot water in Atsushi’s cup, all of a sudden her hand jerked forward. Atsushi gasped in surprise as he grabbed her wrist while trying to steady her which was when Dazai was finally up on his feet with worry evident all over his face harshly pulling Akari away from Atsushi.
“Dazai-san?” Atsushi asked in complete confusion as he set the teapot down on the table which was when the two guests heard a pained cry from the woman who Dazai was currently holding, “What is—“
The bandaged man reached for his mother’s forehead and in an instant the room got wrapped in a white and blue light of No Longer Human with the woman sighing in relief and falling limp in her son’s arms. She seemed to be unconscious.
“What happened..?” Atsushi whispered; startled out of the domestic play that he had been indulged in for the past hour as he watched Dazai carry his mother bridal style into the other room and placing her on top of a bed.
Kunikida and Atsushi followed behind their colleague like ghosts, waiting for him to speak first. After a tense silence has passed, Dazai finally sighed and cocked his head to the side in a gesture for them to talk back in the living room.
“My mom has a brain tumor.” He began and both men deeply frowned, “When it was discovered, the doctors told me that it was too late to try and do anything, especially due to her ability getting in the way. The worse her cancer gets, the less control she has over it.”
Atsushi’s whole body was trembling at what he was hearing. The realization that such a sweet and lovely woman barely had any time left was settling down on him.
“What’s her ability?” Kunikida asked, “Did it have something to do with you reminding her that she did not have the gloves on in an elevator?” Atsushi blinked; he almost forgot about that. Right, when she reached towards him Dazai instantly stopped her, but this time his mentor did not have enough time to prevent the contact.
“Originally her ability allowed her to access memories of anyone who she made physical contact with. In the past, she was able to control when she would like to activate her ability.” Brunet sighed while leaning against the wall, “The thing is, when she accesses memories of people she also experiences everything that they did. It is somewhat like.. She completely dives into their head but for everyone around it looks like a one second deal.”
“As her cancer progresses, the less control she has over her ability. Now even the smallest touch causes her to dive in, which began to cause a form of an.. overdrive on her brain.” Dazai’s eyes never left the floor as he spoke, “The doctors told me that most likely her ability is what caused the tumor to develop in the first place, but they are not sure.”
The man groaned, talking about this was seriously draining him out, “She normally doesn’t walk, just lays in her bed as I visit her when her caretaker isn’t around. Sometimes I am being called in to nullify her ability. It got so bad that it even spread on animals and not just humans.” Which instantly explained why there was a litter box but the cat was missing.
“But few days ago I got a call from the doctor that she doesn’t have long left.”
This time Kunikida couldn’t hold back a gasp of shock. Dazai crossed his hands over his chest as if subconsciously trying to shield himself away from their stares.
“She suffers from huge pains and she forgets the majority of what happens to her. Sometimes she tells me the same story over and over again, but then goes silent because she forgot the word that she wanted to say. There are times when I finally manage to make her eat something but she ends up throwing it up anyway. There would be days like today when she can get up but the moment I let go her legs give up under her.”
“Dazai-san..” Atsushi was too scared to interrupt but at the same time he wanted to say at least something comforting; but nothing was coming to mind.
“Dazai.. If there is any way that we can help..” Kunikida spoke in the softest tone that any of the detectives present ever heard him use. At that the brunet let out a small chuckle.
“Go back to the agency now, okay? Just send paperwork to this address, I’ll do it from here for a few days.” Suddenly Dazai’s eyes widened when he heard a sob.
“H-how can y-you stay s-so calm, Dazai-san?” Atsushi was crying. For some reason the realization of that was making Dazai’s brain short circuit as he froze in his place; his eyes glued on the shaking boy, “A-aren’t y-you sad?”
“Atsushi!” Kunikida scoffed while already lightly slapping the weretiger at the back of his head, and before he could scold the other further Dazai shook his head and sneaked his hand under the boy’s jaw to make him look up. He was instantly greeted with red, puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks.
“My mom would hate to know that she is being mourned before she passed.” That was all he said, but for some reason these words explained a lot more than what one would expect, “Now can you please go back? She might wake up very soon.”
Kunikida nodded in understanding and hooked his hands around the weretiger boy while dragging him out. They both had many thoughts swimming in their heads, but blond knew that now more than ever Dazai deserved to be left alone. Still, they should prepare to comfort him when everything will come down to a crashing point. Which according to the doctors — was soon.
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself too, Dazai.” Kunikida reminded him and the other nodded, not saying much to it. He watched his colleagues leave as he finally allowed his smile to drop.
The small steps behind him alerted him that Akari was already awake and looking up at him surprised. He tried to ignore the sharp pain in his chest at seeing how she had to lean against the wall while dragging herself slowly towards him.
“You shouldn’t get up from bed like that. You might injure yourself.” He reminded her, but couldn’t force himself to sound too harsh.
“Who are you waiting for?” She asked while peeking into the corridor and completely ignoring his concerns from before.
“Ah, I was just telling our guests the goodbyes. They had a very good time here, it seems.” Dazai explained while closing the door and helping her go back to the living room.
“Guests?” Akari questioned.
“Silly boy, nobody visits me except you.”