Work Text:
Ostinato
It's yet another typical day for Kunikida Doppo of the Armed Detective Agency in Yokohama.
As he inhales the smoke wafting from the newly brewed black coffee on the right side of his desk, he types in the first paperwork regarding the Agency's annual taxation. Securing that the papers are all settled a week before the scheduled filing will lessen the workload and give way to other papers and emergency cases. It's only ideal – doing stuff earlier frees more time, which opens up his schedule to spend with his… boyfriend ? Betrothed? Life Partner?
Actually, Kunikida has long given up on putting a label on whatever the fuck he has with that cretin, Dazai. Just calling him as Dazai in his brain is enough to send his blood pressure to the roof, either by sheer madness or fluffy joy, no in between.
Speaking of that menace, he's late again and as usual, the chair across him empty. Sending a burning glance to Atsushi, the kid visibly flinches and smiles at Kunikida.
"I didn't see Dazai-san anywhere," he scratches the back of his neck, apologetic for something he has no fault with.
Kunikida nods at the kid before he stands up abruptly from his seat. Any second without breathing in Dazai's toxic air gives him the jitters he cannot shake off even if he buries himself with papers. He has to see the bastard here, annoying him in creative ways, than think about him.
"I'll search for Dazai. Call me if he comes here," Kunikida says as he adjusts his glasses and walking outside, his footsteps suddenly are heavy.
There's a weight dragging his chest, his breath caught in his throat. Usually, Kunikida will run to Yosano and assess his chances of dying of some disease, but over time, he has learned (albeit painstakingly) that this sensation can only be attributed to a certain brunette.
Once Kunikida feels nervous without a reason, it means that Dazai is somewhere trying desperately to kill himself in some twisted way. He could be drowning right now, draining his blood, choking, or whatever unpleasant thing, and Kunikida is the one to fish him out in any situation.
Even if this happens almost everyday, it doesn't make it any easier.
Kunikida still feels the panic, he still runs towards the landmarks where Dazai usually attempts. With fear overriding reason, he seeks with utter desperation, praying that he'll just see Dazai grinning like a moron with just another failed attempt.
A week never goes by without Dazai shaving a huge portion of his lifespan, but he still rides with the absurdity of it all – deep inside with a clinging hope that Dazai can finally stop looking anywhere else but here, with him. Kunikida still selfishly wishes that the life which Dazai seeks is with him, but it doesn't seem to be the case. Even with all the hurt just knowing that, Kunikida cannot stop loving Dazai all the same.
It's ridiculous, Dazai is ridiculous, Kunikida himself is ridiculous. But then again, this is his life, his choices; he won't trade it for anything.
"Dazai!" Kunikida screams at the river, his eyes alert for any sign of a brown coat floating but there is nothing. The gnawing in his stomach relocated in his chest with his hand flying towards his vest to clutch it, stumbling of the shooting pain.
Dazai is not here in the river which could only trace him back to their shared dorm unit. With a burst of adrenaline, he doesn't waste any second and rushes towards their apartment despite its distance from where he is.
Reaching the intersection, Kunikida halts because of the thickening crowd. Sliding himself across waves of people while ignoring their yelps of indignation, Kunikida keeps his head high, looking over everyone and searching for Dazai amongst the crowd.
Deafening screeching and a loud crash followed by screams of panic from the crowd turns the emergency gears inside Kunikida's mind. He runs against the wave of the people and slips through until the world crumbles in his eyes.
In the sidewalk lies a haphazardly thrown body of someone too familiar , thick line of blood following it. His head cracked open, his eyes void of life and mouth curled in a final reaction from pain – Kunikida hears nothing as he mindlessly bursts towards Dazai, his partner, his everything.
Mind whirring, heart blasting inside his chest, Kunikida lets out a bloodcurling scream.
It's yet another typical day for Kunikida Doppo of the Armed Detective Agency in Yokohama.
As he inhales the smoke wafting from the newly brewed black coffee on the right side of his desk, he types in the first paperwork regarding the Agency's annual taxation. Securing that the papers are all settled a week before the scheduled filing will lessen the workload and give way to other papers and emergency cases. It's only ideal – doing stuff earlier frees more time, which opens up his schedule to spend with his…
Wait. Kunikida feels the drumming inside his ribcage as the image of Dazai's bloody body emerges from his mind. Dripping with cold sweat, he notices the empty desk before him and Atsushi beside it typing silently.
Everything feels familiar as if it already happened. He watches as Atsushi looks at him, apologetically.
"I didn't see Dazai-san anywhere," Atsushi's eyes widen as he spoke simultaneously with Kunikida.
This already happened, but…? Kunikida looks down his desk – it's as everything he remembers it to be. He's still thinking of Dazai's absence and…
"Are you okay, Kunikida-san?" Atsushi's face warps in worry, his eyes filled with concern.
But none of it registers to Kunikida. He just saw Dazai dead somewhere in the intersection along the 5th boulevard and–
Kunikida doesn't understand anything but he bursts outside anyways, ignoring Atsushi's calls. Everything has already happened, but for some reason he's back in time? And somewhere, Dazai is still alive.
With that thought, instead of going to the river as he remembers doing, the blonde heads to the intersection where Dazai probably emerged before he got hit by the truck. Things do not make any sense, but Kunikida has to do this or else he won't see Dazai alive again.
Relief washes over him as he sees Dazai's unassuming back which he quickly grasps on, wrapping him with a tight hug. Dazai tenses for a second before he settles into the embrace, the sound of his voice soothing Kunikida.
"Ah, missed me already, Kunikida-kun?" Dazai holds his arms, and even if they're practically in public and Kunikida loathed displays of affection, he cannot pass this up.
Kunikida only holds Dazai tighter, burying his nose in his shoulder as a response. He feels the brunette stiffen, probably confused of why he's behaving like this, but he's too scared to speak about it. He'll keep thinking of that image too engraved in his mind.
"Kunikida-kun?" Dazai asks softly, leaning his head on Kunikida's as he strokes his arm gently.
"Please, don't go," Kunikida says, muffled. He can feel his tears spilling out on Dazai's coat, but the sensation of feeling his warmth can only make him cling desperately. Even if that's just a dream, it's a cruel one as it felt so real.
Dazai hums and keeps his head on Kunikida's, with people passing by them. They all disappear as background noise, with the blonde basking in Dazai's touch, scent, sound, and warmth. He's here, with him. He's not dead. It's not real. It's just a dream.
"I'm not going anywhere, Kunikida-kun, but can you tell me what happened?"
Without cracking a joke and taking Kunikida's sudden breakdown seriously, Dazai allows him to hug him, until Kunikida himself lets go so the brunette can face him.
Kunikida looks down at his feet, his heart still thundering in his chest. Dazai leans down and cranes his body to look at Kunikida, his grin lopsided.
"Shall I carry you home? I hope you're not too heavy though!" Dazai keeps the smile, his eyes scanning Kunikida who feels bare under his gaze. It doesn't matter, however, as it's the one he's used to seeing.
"I can walk by myself," His voice cracking, Kunikida musters the strength to give Dazai a glare, who only snickers at however he looks like.
Dazai purses his lips, before nodding once and standing beside Kunikida, his hands clasped beside him with a smile and a weary gaze. Understandably so, Kunikida thinks. How he acted a while ago is uncharacteristic and most likely raised concern. Explaining why and how will be quite the challenge, but Dazai's always been patient.
"I'll shoot Atsushi a message so we can take the day off," Dazai starts as he loops his arm with Kunikida's right, watching his reactions. "I'm not taking no for an answer," he quickly adds once the blonde attempts to argue.
The pair starts the pecuilar silent walk with their apartment as their destination. Without pressuring for a quick answer, Dazai keeps his mouth shut, his hold firm.
Was that really just a dream? A premonition, perhaps? If it's the former, then Kunikida has to be more mindful of his sleep schedule and should probably take supplements to aid. If it's a premonition, then he is forever grateful of whatever bizarre thing caused it, no matter how traumatic. At least he saved Dazai from that future.
He notices how Dazai's on the side near the road and so he switches with him, with Dazai looking at him curiously. "Kunikida-kun?"
"Dazai, I–" Breath is caught in his throat once he looks at his bright brown eyes, patiently anticipating his answer. Gathering in the power to speak with Dazai linking their fingers together, Kunikida sighs.
"I had a dream, or a premonition of some sort. In there, you–"
There isn't even a time to process what happened – Dazai suddenly coughs blood and keels over, the sound of three gunshots registering lately in Kunikida as their hands slip from each other's hold.
Kunikida catches Dazai before he falls on the ground, his eyes narrowed and terror painted his face. People around them run away in panic, as Kunikida holds Dazai by his back, his weight limp.
This… this isn't happening again . Why is Dazai–? Thoughts in shambles, Kunikida settles in a sitting position, gently holding Dazai whose blood is everywhere.
"Hold on, okay. Hold on," Kunikida writes shakily on his notebook, staining it with Dazai's blood from his hands. It summons rolls of bandages, as he presses on the wounds on his chest, tears blurring his vision. The bandages disappear once he puts them on Dazai, cursing as he rips his own coat.
"Shit. Please Dazai," Kunikida then dials Yosano.
"Ku…nikida," Dazai speaks, his eyes glossing over.
"No, no! Yosano's coming, please hold on!" Kunikida begs, gripping Dazai's hand tightly.
Dazai smiles wistfully, and it's the last thing he does before Kunikida watches as he takes his final breath, his eyes losing their glow.
"No! No no no no. Dazai! Dazai, wake up!" Kunikida shakes him, but there is no response. It dawns to him that Dazai is dead. Again.
Kunikida lets out a cry, resonating in the entire city.
It's yet another typical day for Kunikida Doppo of the Armed Detective Agency in Yokohama.
As he inhales the smoke wafting from the newly brewed black coffee on the right side of his desk, he types in the first paperwork regarding the Agency's annual taxation. Securing that the papers are all settled a week before the scheduled filing will lessen the workload and give way to other papers and emergency cases. It's only ideal – doing stuff earlier frees more time, which opens up his schedule to spend with his…
Fuck.
This isn't happening again.
There are tears falling down on his keyboard, his entire body still trembling from the vision of Dazai all bloody in his arms.
It's the second time he's seen Dazai die in front of him and once it happens, he goes back to this exact time of the day. For some reason, something, or someone is so adamant in killing Dazai and then him going back to experience it again.
"Fuck " Kunikida says aloud, taking off his glasses to wipe his tears before turning to Atsushi.
"Can you come with me, Atsushi?"
Atsushi looks like he wants to say something, but decides not to by seeing Kunikida's state. If he can get Atsushi in the picture, maybe he can change the course of this fuckery once and for all.
Kunikida runs with clearer vision this time. He has accepted the situation – Dazai is going to die and only he knows of it. He will go back in time just to stop it again. He doesn't know if it will totally end, but perhaps if he can talk to Dazai about it, he can think of something.
"Kunikida-san, what's wrong?" Atsushi musters up the courage to ask as they approach the intersection.
"We have to save Dazai," Kunikida replies, his eyes quickly landing on Dazai.
Atsushi furrows his brows, looking around as if scanning for danger.
"Dazai," Kunikida grasps his wrist and tugs him, the relief once again easing the tension in his shoulders. He cannot let him die again. He'll put a stop to this madness.
"Oh? Kunikida-kun! Fancy seeing you here!" yelping like an annoying kid he is, Dazai is dragged by Kunikida unceremoniously into a different direction this time.
"Atsushi, scan the place for snipers. They're going to shoot Dazai," Kunikida says, confusing both Atsushi and Dazai as they enter a secluded alleyway for Kunikida to explain the situation.
Dazai lets out a humorless chuckle, pointing a hand to himself. "Me? Why would somebody kill me? I mean, it'd be an honor–"
"Shut it!" Kunikida's own voice surprises him, his knuckles trembling.
"Alright, I'll look around, Kunikida-san," Atsushi nods, his eyes still expressing concern over his outburst.
"Please. Don't say that," Kunikida feels his eyes sting, tasting iron in his mouth after biting it.
Dazai settles, his presence cooling down as he casts him a calculating gaze as if trying to unearth what caused Kunikida's distress. "You've seen the future, haven't you, Kunikida-kun?"
Kunikida looks away. "Yes, so don't make this harder for me," when he turns again to Dazai, he isn't able to stop the tears from spilling, as seeing him breathing in front of him just brings back the fear of losing him over and over again.
"Kunikida-kun…" Dazai's eyes narrow as he steps towards him cautiously as if he's afraid Kunikida might shatter once he touches him.
"I've seen you die twice. It's enough, I can't bear to see it again, so please," Kunikida lets out a sob, until Dazai finally gives in and wraps him in a hug. He breaks down in his embrace, with Dazai just rubbing soothing circles on his back.
"Let's head back to the agency so we can ask for the others' help, what do you think?" Dazai releases him, his hands on his shoulders as if supporting him to stand.
"It's where we're the safest!" Dazai grins, his fringes hanging over his eyes.
Shining with assurance, Kunikida marvels at how Dazai accompanies him without question, silently understanding Kunikida's pleas.
He truly cannot ask for a better partner.
Anxiety fills Kunikida's every cell as they head back to the Agency with Atsushi keeping a close eye over everything, his tiger ability active. Kunikida keeps Dazai behind him, holding his hand tightly. Dazai only smiles knowingly and follows, walking as closely as possible.
They fortunately reach the Agency without a scratch and Dazai's blood still inside him. After informing the present agency members, they gather in the meeting room to discuss Kunikida's predicament. The ones who are able to attend are Kyouka, Tanizaki, and the President as Ranpo is accompanied by Yosano and Kenji in a bombing incident in Tokyo.
Explaining the situation in detail, everyone listens with bated breath as Kunikida throws in his hypotheses. Confirming his initial thought, it really is only him who remembers the events, as Atsushi doesn't recall their interactions from the two incidents.
"So you're really in a time loop, Kunikida-kun," Dazai speaks, twirling the pen between his fingers. One of the office clerks puts down teas in front of the detectives, as Dazai throws in his gratitude and sips from it.
"Yeah, and it restarts once Dazai-san dies," Atsushi glances wearily at his mentor, who beams at the mention of his name.
"If we can prevent Dazai-san's death, then maybe you can be freed from the loop, is that right, Kunikida-san?" Junichirou tilts his head.
Kunikida nods, tapping anxiously on the table. "That's the current solution, but I can't sit still for some reason. I can feel like someone really wants to kill him," he turns to Dazai who suddenly looks pale, eyes unfocused.
"Oi. This isn't the time to joke around," Kunikida says, his concern rising like a crescendo by Dazai's lack of reply.
"Dazai-san?" Kyouka narrows her eyes before she bursts out of the door, her tanto withdrawn as a gust of wind passes her. The gust happens to be Fukuzawa who unsheathes his sword for the first time.
"That's poison! Dazai-san drank poison!" Kyouka yells out, as the rest scrambles to collect Dazai who has collapsed from his seat.
Kunikida stares as Dazai coughs out blood again, held by Atsushi and Tanizaki, their screaming muted.
He's frozen on his feet, unable to comprehend things until everything blacks out.
It's yet another typical day for Kunikida Doppo of the Armed Detective Agency in Yokohama.
As he inhales the smoke wafting from the newly brewed black coffee on the right side of his desk…
Kunikida retches.
He's fucking back. Again, in this hellhole. After the third time Dazai died right in front of him, helpless and unable to do anything. Kunikida will do this day again like a headless chicken and then fail and watch Dazai dying and–
"Kunikida-san!"
Atsushi is leaning over him, eyes trembling and scared. Even with his presence and the others, they still couldn't save Dazai. Yosano is far away, Ranpo cannot help solve–
"Kunikida-san! Tell me, what's happening?"
Kunikida raises his head and blinks, only to see Atsushi with the same expression, but more firm now. He's also had his hand on his shoulder, gripping it firmly.
"I can't save Dazai. He'll just die again and again and–"
"No, that's not true. Dazai-san is fine. He's doing everything to help you."
Kunikida's brain lags, squinting at Atsushi. "What…?"
"Listen– everything here is not real. An ability user got you trapped in this dream."
A few hours earlier
"This will be troublesome," Dazai mutters, scanning over the details of the result of the autopsies of seven individuals. He has his legs propped on the dashboard, biting the tip of his fingernail.
Kunikida slaps his leg with a crisp sound, making Atsushi flinch as he sits behind the pair, hands tucked on his lap like a good schoolboy. "Remove your leg or I'll cut them off," the blonde warns in a stern voice, with Dazai rubbing his limbs like a kicked puppy.
"They all died by cardiac arrest, it's like a serial murder!" Dazai then gasps, twisting his body to widen his eyes at both Atsushi and Kunikida, the latter looking at him with a raised brow.
"It could be a serial murder! How bizarre would be this ability, though? They all died in their sleep, apparently," with a sigh, Dazai settles back on the seat, throwing the paper on the dashboard like it isn't some important official document that if they misplace it, they'll get in trouble with the law enforcers.
Kunikida scoffs and flicks a finger on Dazai's forehead, making him flinch and pout. "Aw! What was that, Kunikida-kun?"
"Your probing is annoying, I know you've figured out everything already," Kunikida frowns at the brunette, who only rubs the sore part of his forehead and stares back at him with an equal intensity.
At the back, Atsushi tries to keep himself small, as not to get caught with whatever his mentors are doing. He's called as a backup, but it seems like they've got everything settled, anyways, and he doesn't have to interrupt.
But he's already here, slipping out will be too rude.
"Eh, you're no fun, Kunikida-kun! Would you at least take a guess?"
"No! We've already wasted time here chatting!"
"But, Kunikida-kun," Dazai's tone lowers, almost creating frigid air around them. Atsushi himself is shaken, nervousness creeping slowly.
"You cannot see the suspect yet. It's the reason why I brought Atsushi-kun here," Dazai says, his voice cold, his gaze blank.
In due time, Atsushi and Dazai go upstairs the unit wherein Dazai apparently set up a trap. Albeit begrudgingly, Kunikida agreed eventually into staying as a look-out downstairs.
"What did you mean by that Dazai-san?" Atsushi asks as they climb the stairs.
"Hmm?" Dazai snaps from his daze, looking at Atsushi with a serene smile as if they're not going to encounter a serial murderer upstairs. "Which?"
The weretiger purses his lips, rubbing his arm. He's unsure what to ask either, he actually wants Dazai to specify everything because not everyone is as smart as him, Atsushi's one of them. He cannot read whatever is running inside his mentor's mind, not even try to guess anything.
"Uh…"
"You'll understand once we get there," Dazai gives another smile, showing a little of his teeth. "Oh, but there'll probably be a fresh corpse there, got to warn you," the taller guy quickens his pace, not letting Atsushi raise follow-up questions.
Really, leave it to Dazai to withhold important clues and information before he throws in his subordinates to some kind of fiery pit. Atsushi huffs and breathes in to prevent himself from whining. He really should applaud Kunikida's impeccable patience. Atsushi can only imagine how much of a nuisance Dazai is as a partner.
They reach the target room, which Dazai expertly unlocks with a hairpin he pulls out from his bandages around his arm.
"Stay behind me, Atsushi-kun," Dazai says before opening the door.
Once the room is revealed, Dazai pulls out the pistol in his coat and shoots, hitting a yelping girl around Atsushi's age who's about to jump from the window. He aimed at her leg, rendering her unable to stand.
Atsushi is stunned – this might be the reason why Dazai didn't let Kunikida accompany them.
"Where are you going, ojou-san? Right after killing this gentleman, as well!" Dazai shrugs, shaking his head as he waves the gun in his hand. There's a man in a polo shirt on the sofa bed, too peacefully laid. This must be the fresh corpse which Dazai warned him about.
The auburn-haired girl with round brown eyes wearing a pink frilly cocktail dress drags herself against the wall, the blood from the wound in her leg making a trail on the tiled floor. She stares at Dazai, her eyes trembling. "I didn't kill him," she suddenly cracks an unnerving smile, her eyes darkening.
"He killed himself."
Tense silence occupies the room, with Dazai signaling Atsushi to keep back. The younger readies himself, nevertheless, in case the girl attacks.
"Oh?" Dazai tips his head, "Suicide, you say?" If Atsushi was at the endpoint of the conversation with Dazai, he'd probably just confess the crime and get it over with. His mentor using this tone is rather unnerving, and whatever this person did has already been known. Trying to dodge and make up all sorts of excuses just put the suspect deeper into her figurative grave.
"I'd love to hear about this method! Truly, it seems painless, he looks comfortable!" Dazai exclaims, leaning over the corpse of the man, his smile dangerous.
"Hmm? Will you?" Dazai turns to face the girl, who's looking at the taller man with a furrowed brow, confused at how he's acting.
"You're the police, aren't you? What the hell is happening?!"
As expected, whenever Dazai begins to act like this, most people are confused. When put into context, they should have been apprehending her (Dazai even shot her, this is practically an overuse of authority).
"You're not very bright, aren't you, Kazuko-chan? No wonder you're in this escort business," Atsushi cannot see Dazai's face as he's behind him, but hearing just the tone of his voice, he can imagine him smiling as if he caught his prey.
The girl named Kazuko pushes herself farther up on the wall, her eyes narrowed at Dazai. "Who are you?" she asks, voice trembling.
Dazai sighs in exasperation, scratching his head with the nozzle of the gun. "Just someone who wants to die. Oh, and Atsushi-kun. He's also here," he turns around for a brief moment, gesturing vaguely.
Atsushi doesn't want to be reduced to somebody slow so he utilised his entire brainpower to decipher whatever those gestures mean. Reviewing what he saw, Dazai is making a rough circle with his hand while his eyes dart around. Frustrated, he furrows his brows before seeing the corpse on his right
Maybe Dazai meant something about the corpse and supporting evidence around it! With a hypothetical bulb lighting up, Atsushi tries to stay low-key and unnoticeable, scanning the place for any sort of murder weapon or clue.
"How did you know I was here?! How did you know my name?! How did you know what I was doing–?" There's a budding craze within her eyes, her entire body trembling as Dazai takes a step forward.
The brunette clicks his tongue before aiming the gun at her head. Atsushi doesn't try to stop him, he trusts his mentor that he knows what he's doing. On his side, he tries to find a remnant which would indicate Kazuko's skill on the corpse, as usually, abilities as dangerous as this could leave traces.
"Something tells me that you're going to piss me off so I'll say everything to shut you up," Dazai takes another step, keeping the gun pointed at her.
"We're from the Armed Detective Agency. Ringing a bell?"
Kazuko lets out a light gasp, her eyes lighting up in recognition.
"It's over, you see. Too bad I really wanted to see that painless way to go."
"You won't catch me alive!" Kazuko springs up despite her wound and jumps over the window.
"Atsushi-kun!"
Atsushi fuels his legs, transforming into his half-tiger form and then follows promptly, catching Kazuko mid-air. He has his grip around her midsection using his tail as Dazai yells out to Kunikida below who has been waiting with a tranquilliser gun in hand.
They fall from the 14th floor, but this height doesn't faze Atsushi. He can crash with minor injuries, but this girl won't. During the short moment he looked at her, she's pulling out a red ribbon from her hand. It doesn't look dangerous but it feels like one so Atsushi snatches it and rips it before he prepares to land.
"Don't move too much, Atsushi!" Kunikida says as he fires the gun, hitting Kazuko in her neck and collapsing completely.
When asleep, she looks innocent with a slight knit on her forehead. It's as if she did not have a kill count of 8, and with a typical pattern as well, being most of them middle-aged men. The murders also happen in a hotel or something similar which might be related to the escorting job Dazai mentioned earlier. Carrying her on her back and legs, Atsushi approaches Kunikida, whose eyes widen when he sees Kazuko.
"Yoshiyama Kazuko?" Kunikida says, his eyes narrowed.
"Do you know her, Kunikida-san?"
"Yes. She was a student of mine years ago. This is probably why Dazai didn't let me see her," Kunikida clicks his tongue, "that bastard."
Atsushi has almost forgotten of Kunikida's previous occupation. He didn't expect schools would produce such dangerous individuals, however. The last time he knew of a student of Kunikida was from that bomb threat in the train station weeks ago.
"I… finally found you," startled, Atsushi looks down to the suspect he's carrying who has stretched out her hand to Kunikida, gripping his wrist tightly.
Kunikida looks down at her, his eyes reflecting sympathy. "Didn't expect you to walk this path, Yoshiyama."
Kazuko cracks a smirk, as a red ribbon wraps itself around Kunikida's wrist. "Goodbye, sensei."
Light engulfs Kunikida, blinding Atsushi as it happens. Before he regains his vision, he feels the weight lifting off of him as he stumbles on his backside. Meanwhile, Kunikida is collapsed on the ground, as the suspect bursts running.
Atsushi is torn between following her and checking on Kunikida but he ultimately kneels before his senior. Just in time, Dazai runs out and sees the situation. He follows Kazuko, catches up quickly, and pins her down, cuffing her wrists behind her.
Kunikida won't wake up – he's not responding to Atsushi's calls and jostling. He looks asleep, his eyebrows tight at the centre. It dawns to him that Kazuko used her ability on Kunikida. The thought settles heavily in his heart, Atsushi's eyes narrowing.
"Dazai-san!"
Approaching while dragging Kazuko with him, Dazai frowns at Atsushi and then casts a blank look on Kazuko. "What did you do?" There's no playfulness in his tone anymore, his grip on her arm tightening.
Kazuko turns to him with a smirk, "The painless death you've been asking."
Shoving her harshly against the car, intending to hurt her, Dazai leans towards her ear, "Will my partner be freed if I kill you?"
Atsushi stares at Dazai, bewildered. If Kunikida is affected by the ability, then he would have woken up by now since Dazai is holding the source. But there is no sign of it, and the ultimate way to stop the effect of an ability is to kill its user.
This is bad. If nullifying it is impossible, then they have to take the answers from the user itself. The ability kills people and Kunikida is affected by it while they have no idea how to stop it.
Kazuko snickers, not showing fear from Dazai's threat, "I don't think Kunikida-san would like that."
Crossing Dazai's eyes is a dark shadow as he steps back. Without a word, he hits the back of her head with an arm, knocking her unconscious.
"We'll take her with us in the Agency. Tell Yosano-sensei that her service is greatly needed."
Dazai is pissed, and Atsushi cannot find it in himself the will to ask questions.
"What did you see when she activated her ability?" Dazai asks, glancing at the mirror as he drives rather carefully. Beside him lies the unconscious Kazuko, while Atsushi keeps Kunikida upright with him at the backseat.
"There's a ribbon and then a flash of light," Atsushi furrows his brows and looks at Dazai's reflection on the mirror. He suddenly feels like it's his fault now, guilt gnawing his gut.
"It's not your fault. I intended both of you as bait to see her ability. I just came in too late."
Everything suddenly made sense.
Kunikida was asked to stay back because he knows the suspect and it may hinder Dazai's plan; Atsushi came into picture because of that. A while ago, Dazai was attempting to corner Kazuko so she would use her ability on him, but she tried to escape. With Kunikida waiting downstairs, he had to immobilise Kazuko so they could still take the information regarding her ability.
But having her attack Kunikida with her ability might not be a part of the equation, Atsushi thinks. Perhaps he's wrong with that assumption too, since Dazai conjures dangerous plans.
"What should we do now? Kunikida-san might–"
"He won't. I got it under control," Dazai cracks a smile, this one a little softer than his other ones.
The heaviness is lifted from his heart, as Atsushi returns the smile. It's going to be alright once Dazai says so. He can trust him more than he trusts himself.
"I'll carry Kunikida-kun. Please get her for me," Dazai tips his head towards Kazuko beside him once they arrive the Agency building.
"Okay," Atsushi moves to open the door as they go in the lift in haste. Dazai is beside him, clearly struggling with Kunikida's weight as evident with the beads of sweat trickling down his forehead and the tension in his arms.
However, he doesn't speak of it, as within Dazai's eyes is an emotion he hasn't seen from his mentor. Glossing over his eyes is a look resembling guilt, haze of pooling tears that will never fall down under as he stares at Kunikida. Despite successfully assuring Atsushi, it seems like Dazai himself bears the regret. He managed to convince Atsushi, but he couldn't do it to himself.
The white haired guy purses his lips and inhales. It's now or never, he thinks.
"You can do it, Dazai-san. You can save Kunikida-san, I believe in you," Atsushi will never live it down if he wouldn't say these words. His mentor has saved countless of lives including his, so if a few words can help him even just a little, Atsushi will gladly spew as many as he can.
Dazai turns to him, his brows raised a few centimeters. A smile lifts up the side of his lips, "It's not me, it's Kunikida. I trust him to be able to fight this."
"Oh…" Atsushi purses his lips and looks to his side, with the lift chiming indicating that they've reached the fourth floor.
Questions rain the two of them as they arrive the Agency but all of them are hushed when Ranpo stands, his eyes glinting dangerously.
"Strap that girl into a chair," Ranpo declares, chilling the entire office into stale and frigid temperature.
Inside the infirmary gather the detectives and the President, each of them warily looking at Kunikida's sleeping form. Near the medicine cabinet is the chair where Kazuko is strapped, as Dazai sits across her. He clicks his fingers once she stirs, bringing the attention to her.
"The sleeping beauty is finally awake!" Dazai exclaims as he slams his hand on Yosano's table, shaking the glass containers of various drugs.
"Now, be a good girl and tell us what's happening to Kunikida," he grabs the scalpel and twirls it between his fingers, cutting some of his skin.
"He's going to kill himself as usual. He won't be able to handle it," Kazuko says, her voice low.
The Agency sends her different degrees of glares with the same murderous intent. Beside Atsushi, Kyouka brandishes her own weapon.
"Oya?" Yosano struts towards Kazuko, a hand on her hip. "While asleep? That's a wonder for a doctor like me," she grins, mirroring Dazai's dark look.
Kazuko still doesn't falter, returning Yosano's grin, "It starts now."
Like a cue, Kunikida suddenly thrashes in his sleep, his scream tearing through the tense silence. Junichirou and Atsushi promptly holds him down, as he gradually settles with tears running from his tightly closed eyes.
"D–Dazai," Kunikida mutters, as everyone turns to the aforementioned in shock.
Dazai's eyes light up in realisation, turning to Kazuko as he stands abruptly to graze the blade of the scalpel along her neck, letting a thin cut ooze with blood.
"Dazai-san!" Atsushi steps forward, intending to stop Dazai from murdering the suspect but he halts by sensing the brooding atmosphere around him.
Everyone wants to kill Kazuko as well, and Dazai is just the one acting upon that urge. The gravity of the situation dawns on Atsushi as he looks at Kazuko, his own tears spilling.
"Please, Kazuko-san! Tell us how to stop this!" Atsushi pleads, with the girl sending him a blank look.
"It's either him or me," Kazuko speaks, with Dazai still looming over her with an intimidating aura, the scalpel on her skin.
"That is, if Kunikida-sensei can bear someone dying for him to live."
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Junichirou hisses, fists trembling.
Dazai sighs and pulls away, discarding the scalpel on the table. "You're right. Kunikida-kun won't allow such thing. You truly know him by heart, don't you?" He sits back on the chair, crossing his legs.
"I got an idea," Ranpo steps forward after observing the situation silently.
"We can't possibly interfere with the ability since it isn't here. It's all in there," Ranpo gestures at Kunikida, "... in Kunikida's head. Therefore, the key is going in," he walks towards Kazuko, his glasses catching the glint of the light.
"Am I right?"
Kazuko glares at Ranpo, her posture tense.
"Oh! It's a bingo, Ranpo-san," Dazai throws in a cheery smile. "But I bet she won't make it easy for us," he says darkly, his hand itching to grab the scalpel again.
"Ojou-san," Fukuzawa's voice booms inside the room just before Kunikida screams Dazai's name, the heart monitor ringing wildly beside him. Yosano runs to inject something in his veins before he settles down once more, his breathing relaxing.
"What is your motive of doing this?" Firm but authoritative, he casts his unnerving gaze on the tied up girl, his hand on the hilt of his katana.
"Kunikida-sensei comforted me when my father died. He told me how life is something to treasure and all that bullshit," Kazuko glares at Kunikida's direction, her frown deep.
"He didn't know that it's because of me, my father died," she looks down her lap. "My ability killed my father," she then turns to Fukuzawa, her eyes gleaming with anguish tears.
"So because of Kunikida's kindness, you thought he deserved to know it this way?" Atsushi wasn't even finished processing whatever Kazuko said, but Dazai's already spoken too soon, his voice laced with venom.
"You want him to kill you, or he dies not doing so. Both situations are favorable to you, aren't they? You're one insane young lady," Dazai says with a mirthless chuckle, grasping the blade of the scalpel with his bare hand, drawing blood from the wound.
Kazuko casts a glare, "You'll do the same, I can feel it."
It's Atsushi's bizarre talent for some reason, that he hears shattering whenever someone snaps from something. The latest one was from Akutagawa, and this one is from Dazai.
His mentor stands up, hands inside his coat pocket, eyes void of light and a chilling smile on his lips. "Kunikida-kun would be disappointed. I'm sorry, we're not the same."
The girl smiles, one which doesn't have the usual cockiness and Atsushi sees it as genuine for some reason. "There's a way to go in."
Atsushi tells the situation in detail to Kunikida as they run towards the intersection which his senior says Dazai will be found before he gets hit with the truck. Kunikida stays silent for a moment, concentration evident on his face before he turns to him.
"So we have to wait until Dazai can join us here? But how is he going to do that if he nullifies abilities?"
A valid question, Atsushi thinks, but he fears he'll get the angry end of Kunikida if he explains it to him now. The Dazai in Kunikida's mind appears just in time to save him from that so the blonde is distracted for a while.
"Hi, Kunikida-kun!" Dazai waves a hand, cheery smile on his face. Atsushi remembers his mentor's clue about him doing a wink to signify that it's the real him, so this Dazai isn't it.
"There's a sniper around and you're not allowed to eat anything, you hear?" Kunikida says, an arm behind Dazai and his hand gripping him firmly, holding him close.
"Oh wow, how am I supposed to 'get healthy' now, Kuni–" Dazai stops in mid-sentence, his eyes narrowed before he blinks as if he snapped out of his reverie.
"Dazai?" Kunikida cautiously asks, looking around and checking if he has wounds somewhere. Meanwhile, Atsushi anticipates the sign.
"That hurt…" Dazai mutters, rubbing his neck absentmindedly before sending Atsushi a wink.
"Dazai-san!" Atsushi exclaims, reassurance and comfort blanketing his heart.
Technically as of now, Dazai is around 90% dead. Seeing him inside an ability-conjured space is worrying, so Atsushi has to hurry and find signs of Kazuko.
"Is that really you, Dazai?" Kunikida looks at him as if he's going to vanish any moment, reaching out a hand to poke Dazai's cheek.
Dazai giggles, leaning into the touch, "Come on now, Kunikida-kun. Is there really a need to scream out my name like you're being–" the finger on his cheek relocates to his lips, stopping him from whatever absurd thing he was about to say.
"Shut up," Kunikida frowns, his cheeks and the tip of his ears burning red.
"Aw, you're so–"
Atsushi turns away as his mentors kiss right in front of him, in a place not really existing but it still does, in a time when they should be searching for Kazuko or else they all die.
The ticket to enter is the ribbon tied around their wrists, which Atsushi and Dazai have. It's a part of Kazuko's ability that allows other people to enter the realm of someone's consciousness. In order for Dazai to go, he has to be three-fourths dead, or at least his ability stops working for a very small timeframe. To prevent him from completely dying, Yosano will use her ability and then heal him completely so Dazai can regain his nullifying ability. Once they succeed, Dazai only needs to touch Kazuko in this realm and everything will be over.
If it works perfectly. The chances of succeeding are very low and it scares Atsushi to the core.
"Hmm, I have an idea where Kazuko might be," Dazai says, his cheeks still flushed. Kunikida and Atsushi look at him, anticipating his answer.
"At the Agency," he winks and in no time, the three of them rush towards it.
However, in the way, multiple black cars surround them, with Atsushi releasing his claws to fight back.
"Ah, this is the gimmick now. Don't worry about killing them here, Kunikida-kun. Also, don't worry about me, I am good at dodging bullets," Dazai raises a thumb up, as Kunikida rolls his eyes.
"We only have one chance in this, you better be not joking," Kunikida leans back to back with his partner, a gun drawn out.
"Have a little faith in me please!"
"It's not you – I've always trusted you, Dazai."
Atsushi perks up, hearing the same thing from Dazai a while ago, just a bit different with the choices of words. They're truly something extraordinary as a pair, as if they're a part of the same whole. Both with unwavering trust with each other, Atsushi is even more pumped up to do better.
With a battle cry, Atsushi launches himself forward, ripping out the first person he encounters along with their weapon. He proceeds to tear off the next ones, hearing gunshots fired around him.
Kunikida and Dazai remain close together, shooting and kicking the armed men who get close, working fluidly as they shield each other's backs.
"We need to hurry!" Dazai yells, showing his disappearing hand.
Atsushi's eyes widen as it indicates that they're running out of time with Dazai's ability gradually returning. The weretiger is fully transformed now, his eyes glowing and his fangs bare. He shoots through the remaining attackers like a cannonball with blinding speed, until all that remains are the debris of cars and scattered carnage. Atsushi hasn't used his ability to destroy this much and actually kill people but he reminded himself that this is not real. It's more important to save Kunikida than linger with guilt about murders of people who didn't even exist.
"Wow, you'd kill more people than Akutagawa can if you actually try, Atsushi-kun," Dazai comments, looking around the bloodbath with an amused grin.
Atsushi scoffs with the mention of the name, "I'm not a murderer like him," he selectively forgets that one time he accidentally killed Shibusawa but that's not related. It wasn't murder, he was just defending himself.
"Don't put silly ideas into the kid's head, you idiot," Kunikida slams a fist on Dazai's head who only pouts as he follows the taller man.
They reach the Agency uneventfully, all of them intact. Dazai led the way to the infirmary wherein Kazuko is tied to a chair, her head bowed down, similar to how they left her in the outside real world.
"Oh, you're here," Dazai approaches her as he lands a hand on her shoulder.
"Huh? It's not working?"
"Look out!" Kunikida suddenly jumps towards Dazai, wrapping him in a protective embrace as they stumble on the floor.
"Kunikida-san! Dazai-san!" The white haired boy rushes towards them as he gasps at the sight of a scalpel embedded on Kunikida's back, blood seeping from the stab wound.
There isn't any time to understand and process what's happening as a blinding light consumes the place, numbing all of Atsushi's senses.
Atsushi wakes up with a gasp, throwing the covers off of himself. Followed by his outburst is a stern hush from Kyouka, who is reading a familiar red book beside him.
"Why are you reading that?" He settles on asking Kyouka, who looks back at him with a blank expression.
"I'm bored. And it's funny." Kyouka answers and proceeds on reading Dazai's favorite book about suicide.
Atsushi just concedes and sighs. "Where's Kunikida-san and Dazai-san? Are they alright?"
Kyouka doesn't lift her eyes from the book, "See for yourself."
An imaginary question mark appears on top of his head but he stands up from the infirmary bed anyways and heads outside, Kyouka in his tail.
As soon as Atsushi opens the door, the noise from the loud voices of Kunikida and Dazai assaults his ears, making him cringe. They're in the reception corner, arguing about something. Atsushi also sees Kazuko sitting meekly on the other side of the table, her hands cuffed.
"I'm not leaving you with her, Kunikida-kun! I don't trust her! She might stab you again in the back!" Dazai glares at Kazuko before his demeanor tones down, his eyes flashing a murderous look.
"You see, I won't hesitate to kill you if you do anything funny," Dazai leans over the table with a smile, lifting Kazuko's chin with a delicate finger.
"Get the hell away!" Kunikida manhandles Dazai and throws him against the server room's door, as Kyouka and Atsushi dodge to avoid being hit.
"I'll be at my desk," says Kyouka before walking silently towards her work desk.
"Atsushi," Kunikida calls him, before he sends Dazai, who hasn't recovered from being thrown, an awkward smile.
"I'm sorry, Kunikida-sensei," Kazuko starts even before Atsushi and Kunikida are seated properly.
"I'm sorry, too," Kunikida says, as Kazuko looks up at him. "I'm not accepting your apology. The first time might be an accident but the other eight?" The blonde adjusts his glasses, shaking his head.
"You killed them to satisfy your curiosity. You're a murderer now, Yoshiyama. I can forgive you with what you've done to me, but I cannot do that in behalf of others," Kunikida adjusts the ribbon hanging around his neck.
"I know," Kazuko smiles, "I didn't want to have this ability, either but–" her smile turning forlorn, Atsushi looks at her in pity.
Due to unfortunate situations, children like him and her get tangled with whatever consequences come with having such dangerous abilities. They carry the burden of something they have no control over and beat themselves over it as if it's a mistake being born.
Atsushi knows the feeling too well.
"As long as you're willing to change for the better, I think you don't have to throw your life, Kazuko-san," Atsushi says, giving her a reassuring smile.
"Will other people be as forgiving as you?"
Atsushi and Kunikida both look at Dazai, who still has stars spinning over his head. "Everyone deserves another chance," Kunikida explains.
"I know people who killed more than you can count with all of your fingers and both of them are here, working with us," Kunikida means Dazai and Kyouka, both from the Port Mafia with undeniable loads of heinous crimes.
"Heck, everyone here has some sort of trauma that's enough to make them international criminals but they're still trying to live this second life in a better way," Kunikida pinches the bridge of his nose before sighing.
"I think it's up to you, Kazuko-san. Since the thought occurred to you already, it's already a huge step!" Atsushi beams, "You can do it, too!"
Kazuko's dull brown eyes light up, her face looking younger, "You think?"
Atsushi nods enthusiastically. "Yep!"
Kazuko chuckles heartily, "Purity is cute."
Blushing, Atsushi scratches his head, and smiles when the laugh he hears from her is lighter – one that is filled with newly found hope.