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Atsushi didn't know if this was the right choice, but this was how it should be because he couldn't lose the home he had found. The office where Ranpo sat, his legs rested on his desk, surrounded by a mountain of sweets, with one in the process of being consumed. Kenji helping move boxes for Kunikida. Tanizaki worked on paperwork as Naomi praised his managerial skills. Kyoko assisted Atsushi with his and Dazai’s paperwork. Doctor Yosano peering through the door that leads to her office to see if anyone needs medical attention. Kunikida working through his work with quite a vigor. Himself sitting next to his mentor as he sleeps through the day. They all knew that by the end of the day someone would have to leave. He didn't want to lose this warmth. They were finally able to return to something normal. No longer criminals in the eyes of the law. One year then he could come back. He knew what Mori really wanted. That man wanted nothing more than his right-hand man back, and the boss would do anything to get it if that might tormenting his apprentice until Atsushi caved, but he won’t cave. Atsushi would not let Dazai go back to that nightmare to the darkness. They needed an end, and this wasn’t a bad one.
The weretiger looked around, taking it all in; he was happy he could be a part of the agency. That he could be treated with such care and respect, and that was enough. It was enough. Atsushi finished up the last sentence of his report on the hunting dog incident. Sorted the papers in their proper order, then proceeded to hand them to Kunikida.
“All the forms are complete, Mr. Kunikida.” Atsushi stated as he placed them in his ever-busy hands.
“He should be lucky to have you. I mean seriously, he just slept, what did he even do then sit in a jail cell for a few days.”
“We all worked hard, Kunikida. Let him have this.” The weretiger turned to his mentor, snoring away at his desk.
“He doesn’t deserve you, Atsushi..”
Atsushi laughed, as he quietly made his way out of the main office and towards the President’s office. He gently knocked on the door and murmured, “Come in.” came from the inside. He pushed the door open, and the smell of bitter green tea and ink came to his nose. The president, with his head down, looking at another document, busy at work. It was still a lot after what he had learned about the man. He was kind. He was gentle and overly sweet. But he knew that to make a painting; you need a whole canvas.
“Would you close the door? We are overdue for this conversation, wouldn’t you agree.”
“Oh…Yes.” He hastily agreed. Atsushi didn’t realize he was just staring at the older man until he spoke. The weretiger closed the door and made his way to the desk, and sat down across from Fukuzawa.
“I know. She told you,” Fukuzawa looked up at him for the first time since he walked into his office. “about what I did.”
“Yes, sir.”
“How do you feel about it?” The older questioned.
“I’m not sure. You did what you thought was right but…”
“But…”
Atsushi shook his head, deciding not to finish his thought, and instead refocused on what he came to talk to the president about.
“It doesn’t matter now. Sir, I would like to take Dazai’s place for the transfer.”
“Why would you assume that he was what the Port Mafia’s boss wanted.”
“Because he is the only logical choice. He was an exe and was known for his planning.”
“He won’t like you doing this.”
“Yeah, well, it is not his choice; it’s yours.” The younger took a breath.
The older picked up his tea and took a sip. “I can’t do that.”
“Why…Why Not.” The weretiger tightens his fist.
He meets Atsushi’s eyes. The weretiger looked at the president and was caught him off guard by how older he appeared.
“It’s Mori’s choice if you want to stop him from taking Dazai, you will need to meet with the man himself.”
“I will.” He stood up and began to walk to the door.
“Atsushi,” He turned back to the desk. “Mori will be here at 3 pm, and I told him I would meet him at the Cafe downstairs.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Do not thank me; you wouldn’t be here if not for my choices.”
“Your right, I wouldn’t be but I would also be dead if you hadn’t let me stay.” He went into a deep bow and continued. “So thank you for everything and please take care of them for me.”
With that, he quickly left the office and went to his locker grabbing all the items he might need, and stuffed them in his letterman’s bag. He closed the door to find Dazai on the other side. The brunette stood there looking at him as if he could look through him. His face started to turn into a frown. The weretiger turned away from his mentee in an attempt to escape the older. He can hear the man behind keeping pace. Atsushi spends up, his heart pounding in his chest. Descending the stairs and exiting the building. Finally, the older spoke up.
“What do you think your doing? The work day isn’t over and I’m sure Kunikida needs you for something.”
Atsushi looks back at the brunette. He was lost for words. Younger didn’t know what to say anymore.
Dazai pushed, “What are you doing? Just go back inside, Atsushi.”
His hand tightens around the bag strap. Atsushi looked down and shook his head. Quietly, he whispers a, “No.”
“No?” Shocked by the pushback and growing frustrated by the turn of events.
“No!” He looked up. “You go back inside. I know you still have a bunch of work that needs to be done.”
“I will go back if you will. You know I can’t do it by myself.”
“I can’t live in a world where your my enemy.” Atsushi dropped all pretense that they were talking about paperwork.
“You have no idea what you are getting into.”
“I can’t let you go back there.”
Dazai sighs, “Okay, let’s calm down and go into the Cafe at least. I will buy you a drink.”
Atsushi thought it over and then nodded his head. He followed after his mentor to their usual sitting area. The brunette ordered two cups of coffee and a blueberry muffin. The two sat in awkward silence as the sounds of liquids being poured and a bakery item being heated. Atsushi could feel Dazai all piercing gaze as he looked at the order making the coffee. To get away from the incoming conversation, the weretiger started one with the owner.
“Have you had many customers today.”
“Not really, it’s been a slow day…”
“What brings you two in?”
“Well, we–” Atsushi was cut off by Dazai answering the question for him.
“Atsushi and me need to have a conversation.”
“Oh, well, I will let you two get to it.”
A return to the awkward silence. And they sat in it until their order was placed in front of them. The muffin was placed on Dazai’s side, which eyed for a moment, then pushed it to Atsushi.
“That man will make you feel that all your actions are our’s, but they’re not. He will twist you into something horrible and by the time you come back you won’t be you.”
“Do you really have such little faith in me.”
“It’s not about my faith in you. He is…” Dazai broke off. He took a sip of his coffee.
“I trust you, Atsushi. I think your a strong person but I also think that the Mafia is not a good place for you.”
“Why?”
“Because you are a lot like me.”
Atsushi found himself confused by the statement. ‘“A lot like me” How was he anything like Dazai. He couldn’t see it.’
“You would thrive there.” He sounded broken by the words that came out of his own mouth.
What did that make him? He took a long sip of his coffee. He couldn’t make heads or tails of it. So he sat there with Dazai.
The doorbell rang to signal someone entering the Cafe.
“Hello, take a seat. I will get your order in a moment.”
“No, need I won’t be stay long.” Mori walked to the table and was pleasantly surprised by Dazai’s presence.
“Oh, to what do I own the pleasure.” His usual crypt smile on full display.
“I decided I would be the one going back with you.” Showed a smile that matched the grin being shined down on him.
“Oh, really… I was unaware of such a thing.”
“You asked me to come back, so here I am.”
“It’s my choice Dazai, not yours. You are always welcome, I just don’t want to force you by my side.”
“Force me.” His anger starting to show.
“Atsushi,” Looked up at the man. “I would love it if you could be a part of my organization.”
“You don’t want Dazai?” Atsushi wondered out loud.
“Well, I would love to have him back at Mori corp; however, it would be a waste to drag him back.” Mori paused for a moment and turned to the window by the door. Atsushi and Dazai followed his line of sight to see Chuuya leaning on a black car.
“Do you have everything, Atsushi?” He said, turning back to the other two.
“Yes, sir.” The weretiger fumbled out as he gathered his bag.
“Great, then let’s get going…”
“Can I say goodbye to Dazai.” Mori eyed the boy for a moment and then smiled.
“I will be waiting in the car.” He gestured to Dazai and proceeded to the exit.
“Do not think this is over Atsushi.”
“It’s a year. One Year, then I am back. I will text you everyday if that will keep you away.”
The older man's hand tightened around the cup of joe. He relaxed, unclenching his jaw. “Every Day. You miss a day and I will go find you and I expect a detailed report, you understand me.”
“Thank you.”
The older man just stared at the weretiger. Then he raised his hand and gently settled it on the younger head. Atsushi let the warmth of his mentor’s hand ease his worries and stress. Dazai’s fingers entangled into the white strands. And they sat there in the warmth of one another presence. Then, he let go.
“You should get going…”
“Hmm…” The weretiger nodded and stood up. He didnt know what to say, goodbye felt like something was ending but in many ways it was, this peace he had found was vanishing. The soon-to-be-mafiosa didn’t want to leave, his eyes grow hot as he took in a shaky breath. Dazai raised from his sat. Now, at his full height and towering over him. He looked up as his eyes’ started to shed tears. He reached out to Dazai who welcomed the embrace.
“Promise you will take care of yourself an-And that you will be here when I come back.”
“You ask a lot–”
“Just say, yes. Damnit.”
“Yes. I will be here,” He pulled away to look at Atsushi now red and teary face. He held the other inbetween his two hands. “waiting for you.”
Atsushi scrubbed at his face with his sleeve. “Good.”
He took in more air as trying to re-gain some level of dignity.
“Owner, can I get a towel, please.”
“Of course, Dazai.”
Soon a cool towel was wiping away the evidence of uncertainty that Atsushi had displayed. Once, Dazai had clean the evidence, he fully removed himself from the other.
“Okay, get going… and tell Chuuya he is a short pipsqueak.”
“Okay.” He walked to the door. “I am not saying that.” Which got a chuckle out of the detective.
The sunlight graced him once out of the cafe. It was blinding and all consuming. Would he be the same after all was said and done most likely not but as long as he kept the most important parts it would be okay. He wouldn’t look back, he wouldn’t cry for himself. Atsushi will protect the family he found and come back. That’s the choice he made.
‘Goodbye for now, everyone.’