Chapter Text
The air was tense. The quite deafening to the ears. In a small room, both Mori-san and Dazai sat alone.
"Looks like you chose the short end of the rope. I am still alive and as the sole person who was there to testify to the old boss's will, your plan was almost flawless." Mori-san looked over at me and I matched his gaze.
"I made no mistake. We were successful" he spoke with a grin.
"But it isn't. I haven't been silenced yet."
"You remind me of someone" I cocked my head to the side, confused at Mori-sans words. An audible huh escaped my throat.
"I could have ended you already, yes. But if you like... I could make you something that would end your life peacefully." Perking up I sat straighter than before. A glint of hope in my visible eye.
"Really" I can only hope Mori-san is not pulling my leg.
"Of course, I just need a small favor. Nothing serious. You won't be in any danger. Not a big deal" I don't buy what he says for a minute. "You know the incident that happened in Suribachi city, in the Yokohama settlement." He fully turns to me and he is still wearing that creepy smile. "A certain someone has been spotted. I want you to go in and investigate. Take this contract with you it will allow you to take control of the port mafia members."
"Who is this about?" Mori-san simply tells me to take a guess. Ah, I see. Someone that needs to be taken care of that would get in the way of Mori-san, needs to be silenced. "It's him. Our previous boss."
"Very good Dazai, I trust you understand where I am coming from. This will be your first job. Welcome to the port mafia." With this I take my leave but not before asking him what he meant by "you remind me of someone."
His lame answer was him. For a moment his eyes pierced into me.
"Tell me Dazai, why do you wish to die"
"Let's turn that question around, is there really any value to this thing we call living" Spinning on my heels I make my way to Suribachi city.
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People are so fascinating and even more so when coming up with ways to die! Oh to feel the sweet relief of death kissing me on the lips before I sleep.
"Dazai" Hirotsu called to me breaking my train of thought. Mori-san assigned him to me to gain more info. "This area is in a state of conflict, you ought to be careful" but there was no kindness or worry in his voice.
"How so?" He explains how we are against 3 other organizations. But before he can go into detail I get a call from Mori-san. But even that was cut short the moment I was thrown against the wall with the speed and the ferociousness of a jaguar.
"This is pathetic. Seems they are scraping the bottom of the barrel. I'll give you 2 choices. Die now or die after giving me information." God this kid sucks. What a pain.
"If you can kill me painlessly that would be appreciated" he looked at me like I was crazy.
"What kind of suicidal punk are you."
"You're a punk too, you know." He still resting his foot on me but I make no attempt at leaving.
"Unlike you, I am not just any punk. Enough of this. Tell me about this arahabaki you are looking for" How interesting. But I tell him nothing and that gives me a solid kick to the face.
"Ah, I see. Unwelcomed people who step foot in the lair of the sheep meet with hostile retaliation. You must be the sheep leader, Chuuya Nakahara, gravity manipulator."
"I am not their king. But I do have a card up my sleeve."
"So you are a cocky, overconfident child then. I hate people like you so much."
"Oh yeah? I hate condescending little pricks like you. More than anything in this world." Hirotsu finally came and they began to fight. The way he moved was agile and graceful. It's almost like a dance. But every waltz comes to an end and I had him cornered. Stupid kid. But not as stupid as Hirotsu as he used his ability causing me to let go of Chuuya. And then he was back at it again moving quicker than before. But before anything else could happen an explosion and the old boss emerged. with glowing red eyes. Lucky for us this was the distraction we needed to subdue Chuuya.
"I heard you put up quite the fight. But I see you and Dazai hit it off well" Huuuh was the only thing I could say before he began to speak again. "Now, are you interested in being an affiliate with the port mafia? I believe our goals are alike you and I." Mori has a smile playing on his lips.
"Why would I want to partner with the port mafia. I mean the rumors are going around that you killed the last boss. So I'll decline" Chuuyas eyes glint the way a predatory looks when cornered, the predator was finally caught.
"Listen one thing is right, I did kill him but you see his ghost was caught on tape. But we need to investigate. So how about we make a deal?" His eyes were cold but Mori-san simply showed his best smile before telling him what we could offer, but Chuuya was reluctant to agree to the union so a tape was played. The voice of a male played begging for help. I assume these kids are part of his little gang. I wonder how Mori-san got a hold of them. But the short stack seemed to only get angrier. "Why not join our investigation I assure you we both will get what we want in the end."
He reluctantly agrees but by the look on his face seems he will cause me more trouble than it's worth.
"Both of you guys will work together on this case i'll send you guys out to find someone who survived that explosion. He was there and he could hold important information. They should be able to tell you what you need to know."
"Hold on, why do I need to work with the little punk!"
"You wanna say that again, I'll beat the shit out of you kid."
"Stop talking like you are older than me, you're still a kid. A very small one at that"
"Why you-"
"You ought to drink more milk might help you get bigger.'
"Lay off about my size jackass, Im only 15 I am still growing!"
"That's enough for both of you. Get going now. I trust you won't disappoint" Mori-san gripped my wrist and leaned in close. "Don't forget what I need you to do."
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"Why do I have to work with you" This was only the beginning of his whining. The whole way he whined. I was so close to smacking him upside the head. But we needed to work together so I held myself back. He's a pipsqueak anyway. "Dumb ass tell me where we are going"
"To interview the person who also was in an explosion similar to us."
"I know that but where the hell are they"
"You already met him." And out of nowhere a loud explosion was heard, almost enough to startle me."Oh my" the house we were so close to was up in flames. "Seems the culprit got to them first. Why don't we greet our new friends." Chuuya began to run to the scene leaving me to chase the short mouse.
For a half-pint, he sure can run. I almost had to start running. Almost. A few steps behind him I fall in sync with his rhythm. He sure is tiny. I bet I could scoop him up and throw him a good few feet. Should I try? click. Oops. The man in armor held his gun tight in his grasp, aiming at Chuuya.
I couldn't help but feel a tug at my lips as they went into a grin. A gun was aimed straight at him yet his reaction showed no hint of awareness. Is he stupid or is he like me. If anything he seemed almost pissed. His brows furrowed a bit and his lips pulled down to half frown. That expression made me shudder a bit. If not for an aggravating voice I might have considered pouncing on the short stack to watch that expression change.
"Listen here you brats, you aren't getting out of here alive " he spoke calmly yet he shifted a little, almost as if he was doubting himself. How weak.Chuuya stepped forward and I followed close behind.
"Let's save us both some time, how about you shoot me then I'll be my turn to do something" he went and stood a few centimeters from the head of the gun. Standing next to the man, Chuuya had to look up and I couldn't help but let out a strong exhale, careful to avoid letting the much older male know I was repositioning myself to be behind him.
By the time I was in an adequate position, I figured out what the short stack plan was. I can't tell if he was playing stupid or he is stupid. With the way it's going, we're gonna get nowhere with this. So I decide to butt in just a bit.
" Or maybe get some information out of him. You're from the GSS tactical team, aren't you. Your uniform. Well, Chuuya why don't we get our guest comfortable." As I spoke he shifted his weight as if to get in position to grab something, like clockwork he reached for his second gun and aimed for me. Chuuya just as quickly pressed his forehead straight on the muzzle of the gun before activating his ability. Seems like the shrimp cares for me.
Using it he dragged the gun pointed at him to weigh down. Forcing the man to drop the one pointed at me so he could hold the other with both his hands. Chuuya used the gun to weigh him down further even though the man had both hands on it.
He got to his knees before Chuuya decided to use his ability on his whole body. Now Chuuya was the one looking down at him. Taking the chance he put one foot and pressed down on him. He must be into that type of stuff. Can't blame the boy but looking at him. He still had this frown on his face.
"You're that Sheep, Chuuya Nakahara," he said in a strained voice, Chuuya seemed happy as a smile got a hold of his lips. "I see that the port mafia got a hold of you, seems they got the bitch on a leash" That was short-lived as his eye twitched and the frown was back again. He forced his foot and slammed the man's face down. Now to put the icing on the cake.
"Excellent work Chuuya you sure are helping us a lot" I knew this pissed him off as he started to speak his voice came out steady and angry. Of course, I smiled at this I can get under his skin in seconds. I think that's an all-time best! Hearing all his yelling had me looking around for a distraction.
"What were you doing this whole time!" Since I was facing to the left I turned to show him what exactly I did. Dangling the communicator in front of him I gave him a smile with my head tilted. He seemed dumbfounded as if he couldn't believe I did this.
"Well, you see I swiped this thing off our new friend here" I point to the man who is now dead. "And he was here to kill our lead. Most likely to silence him. Plus he got more backup coming, you just created more work for yourself Chuuya" I sighed. This should not be taking this long but it is the most fun I have had in a while.
If he hadn't killed the man then nobody would have come. Soon people surrounded us, and Chuuya activated his ability once more. They all loaded their guns and one said to aim just for Chuuya. I heard their name call him to pip squeak from one of them and Chuuya started to go on a rampage. I laughed and he spared me a glare. "I'm still growing dammit" One by one they all fell by their own bullets. Quite amusing really, pushing the wrong buttons when helpless is idiotic. Guess they didn't know any better than to get near a mad dog. Too bad- I heard someone groan out in pain.
I walked over and Chuuya was standing over him. The man got shot once and was bleeding out. Pretty nasty if you don't fix it. Not like I really care how boring. Plus what a painful death. I was gonna walk away but he grabbed my leg. I looked down at him confused. Was he not getting the sweet release of death, how I envy him. Death is too good for him if he clings to life like this.
"Kill me please.... end my misery" between life and death both are still cruel. Yet to die is to truly live. I took his gun and started to shoot at him. Laughing as I do so, life is meaningless and death but a charming getaway. Why are they privileged with this while I'm stuck here in this shit hole. I never asked for this. I didn't ask for any of this. Yet here I am. Still alive.Why, why ,why...I felt a cooling touch and a sweet voice.
"He's dead you can stop now" I looked at him and back at the now corpse. I gave him another smile and dropped the gun. He had a weird expression on his face. I could almost detect what it was but what people think of me is none of my concern, in the end, we are all meant to die. We are here for our witness and this is taking too long for my liking.
Sure enough, Rando was there and in good shape. He didn't seem to notice us as we went into the now burned-down house.
He had layers of clothes on him and a fire going. Not a care in the world for what had happened around him. Seemingly cold even with all that on him. We asked him a few things and he answered us without taking time to try and remember. We told him about a paper we found with one of the soldiers.
The details entailed how to make the perfect black explosion. A cheap trick no doubt.
"So let me get this straight they wanted the port mafia to turn on each other and if they killed Rando then it would further cause complection within the group?" Chuuya said. That was enough filler and so I simply questioned Rondo.
"Can you describe what you saw in that city, you're the only lead we have."
"I can remember it as clear as day. The black flames started on our way to battle the young sheep members. I held on with my ability but it was hot and warm almost like a burning sensation, but then it went out and I became so very cold. In the middle, the creature did not resemble the old boss. It was a beast of black flames. Its eyes were like the flames of purgatory. Everything around it burned up, all except the sea as it basked in the sunlight. That is my most vivid memory. Its voice was devoid of emotion, it was absolutely terrifying. I'm sorry, you came to see if the resurrection of the old boss was all a hoax. Apologize."
"Not at all, it was an interesting story. Thank you. Our mystery has been solved." Chuuya let a huh as I signaled for Chuuya to follow which he did without so much as a complaint. But when we got far enough the short stake started to speak again. Being more annoying than ever.
"Tell me who's behind it now!" he begins to close in on me. But I try to prevent any type of herding from a sheep.
"No way!" I am having way too much fun with this. But with a small misstep, Chuuya collided with me and he managed to kick me down. Bracing my hands for the fall I bend them and use the momentum to flip myself back up to my feet. This twerp needs to calm down and so I try to hook him but he puts up both hands. Swiftly he knocks me down with a swipe of his leg and he pelts me with punches.
"You don't get it, do you? You don't even know what's going on. Ha! I got it didn't I!"
"No, I do, unlike a grade school kid, I actually know." Standing back up on my feet I put distance between us and he once more goes for a jab.
"If you're always on the defensive you will never win, so come on." God he sucks, just spamming buttons like a 3rd grader. I decided I had enough and finished him off. "Oh come on that is cheating!" A loud and bright K.O. shows on his screen.
"You know our little bet. Remember the loser has to obey the winner's order, just like a sick little love puppy does to its master. Hmm, what ingenious thing could I have you do." I pretend to contemplate it but then the shrimp just goes on to complain. "I mean you rely on brute strength so now you can't even do a simple riddle, how embarrassing" I love the way he becomes unruly with each insult.
"I never even done a riddle before besides I'm not gonna be your dog!" He exclaimed. Of course, he would whine just like a dog, stomping on the arcade game, he starts to go on about having a trick up his sleeve.
"I've noticed when you fight you have your hands in your pocket, why is that? Could that be a trick up your sleeve. " He glares at me before putting his foot on the game and shouting at me. Sticking his hand out and pointing at me like a criminal.
"How I fight is none of your damn business." I just shrug before looking over to him. He seems to be a bit calm shifting his hands back in his pockets.
"So you're just being lazy then. Fine then, how about another wager? The first to find the one responsible for making the black flames wins and will be declared the master of the loser. This time it's for life. Actually, why are you so keen on finding arahabaki anyway?
"Why are you so hell-bent on dying youn-" Suddenly the shrimp pulled his hood up and started to turn the other way. What weirdo but then I caught a glimpse of the pests that seemed to startle the poor feline.
"So tell me why are you hiding from them? Is there a problem going on?" I wiggle my finger at him and he glares at me which really riled me up. His eyes almost resembled a trapped beast which quickly turned to fear then anger once more
"Oh, chuuya~," I say with a loud sorrowful tone, catching pest's attention.