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The meadow stretches out before you and Dazai, a shade of green and gold, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Soft strands of grass tickles your skin as you're lying down on your back.
It's your favorite season and the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze.
Beside you, Dazai is lost in the pages of his favorite book, 'The Complete Guide to Suicide,' his eyes moving steadily along the lines with a focused concentration.
Dark brown hair falls in soft waves around his face, a sharp contrast to the vibrant colors of the flowers that surround you.
You watch him silently, a soft smile tugging at the corners of your lips as you admire the way the sunlight catches in his hair, casting him in a warm glow.
Dazai turns a page and as if on cue, you reach out to pluck a small, delicate flower from the sea of greenery around you.
You tuck it behind his ear with a delicate touch, taking note of the faint differences of petals against his dark locks.
“You're beautiful, Dazai.” you whisper softly, the words barely audible even to your own ears.
As they escape your lips, you slap a hand over your mouth. A flush of warmth spreads across your cheeks, betraying the vulnerability of your confession.
Your hand remains firmly pressed against your lips, a futile attempt to contain the words that has already slipped past your defenses.
Beneath your trembling fingers, you can feel the rapid flutter of your heartbeat, a frantic rhythm that seems to echo in the stillness of the air.
Dazai looks up from his book and watches you with a curious tilt of his head.
There's a gleam of understanding in his eyes, suggesting he comprehends the significance of the moment more deeply than you ever could.
“Say, what?”
“Nothing!” You exclaim, gathering more blossoms.
You place each one as a tiny gesture of affection, scattering them throughout his hair, like jewels adorning a crown.
Dazai observes you with a playful glint in his eyes, his lips curling into a grin. “Okay, if you say so.”
In this fleeting moment with Dazai, time seems to stand still as you bask in the warmth of the evening sun, content in each other's company.
“Hey, [Your name]-chan.”
Dazai's words shatter the tranquility of the moment. He turns to you with a serene expression, his voice tinged with an unsettling determination as he suggests the unthinkable— highly predictable offer.
“Hm? What is it?”
“Would you like to cross the River Styx with me?”
“No.”
“Aww.”
“What's that, by the way?”
“A river named Styx.” Dazai replies matter-of-factly.
“I know but it's not here in Yokohama, right?” You turn to ask him but Dazai remains silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
You can sense his struggle, the effort it takes to keep his emotions in check.
And then, you see it— a flicker of amusement dancing in the depths of his eyes, a suppressed grin threatening to break free. But he refuses to give in, his jaw tightening even further as he forces his gaze away from yours.
You sense the laughter bubbling within him, a force ready to erupt at any moment.
“What's wrong, Dazai? You're scaring me.”
Dazai can no longer suppress it and bursts into a hearty laugh. His laughter, infectious and warm, seems to ripple through the air around you, drawing curious glances from passerby.
It brings a smile to your lips, though you genuinely wonder what has amused him so.
There's a playful glint in his eyes, and Dazai reaches out to tousle your hair, his touch gentle yet teasing. “Ha-ha-ha! You never fail to amuse me.” he says.
Furrowing your brow in confusion, you can't help but wonder how a simple question could elicit such boundless amusement from Dazai.
Ah, well. I've never quite grasped Dazai's way of thinking.
Tearing your gaze away from Dazai, you find yourself lost in thought, reflecting on the unexpected impact he has on your life.
It's strange, really, how someone who started as little more than an acquaintance has become such an integral part of your world.
Dazai is a strange person.
You vividly remember the first time you met, how his quiet confidence and strange charm drew you in like a moth to a flame.
Dazai's presence is like a lifeline, anchoring you to the present moment. You find solace in the simple act of being together, knowing that with him by your side, you are home and that there's nowhere else you'd rather be than here, in this moment, with him by your side.
Shaking your head, you push aside your thoughts and watch the sky changes from variety of bright colors to a dark sky full of sparkling stars.
Lost in the mesmerizing beauty of the night sky, you're caught off guard as Dazai leans over to you.
“What is it, Dazai?”
“I'm starving, [Your name]-chan. I think I'm going to die from starvation.” he declares, his voice laced with exaggeration. “You know how much I like suicide but dying from starvation is a big no no for me. You understand, right?”
Before you can even react to his words, he springs to his feet with unexpected swiftness, a mischievous grin stretching across his face.
“Now, what?”
Without warning, he takes off running, his laughter trailing behind him like a playful melody.
For a moment, you're left rooted to the spot, stunned by his sudden burst of energy.
But then, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the thick clouds of your thoughts, realization dawns on you.
Of course, you think to yourself.
He's up to his usual tricks again, isn't he? The one who ends up last will be the one to treat to dinner.
The world around you blurs as you race through the familiar streets of Yokohama with Dazai.
“Hey, Dazai! Wait for me!”
“Hahaha! You're such a slowpoke, [Your name]-chan!”
“[Your name].”
“[Your name].”
“Hey, [Your name].”
A gentle shake rouses you from the depths of sleep, your eyelids fluttering open.
You struggle to bring the world into focus, the lines between past and present blurred in the haze of your deep slumber.
Slowly, your vision clears, and you see Chuuya standing in front of you, holding a stack of papers in his hand.
“The meeting with the executives will start soon.” he informs you.
You nod in response, the fog of sleep still clinging to your thoughts.
Stretching your hands in the air, you shift your gaze toward the window.
The world outside is alive with color, cherry blossoms adorning the trees and the air is filled with the sweet scent of flowers. But as you take in the beauty of your favorite season, a pang of sadness washes over you.
It's the second spring without Dazai and the memory of his departure from the mafia still leaves a fresh wound in your heart.
“I miss him so much... I think I'm going crazy.” The words escape your lips in a soft murmur, carried away on the gentle spring breeze.
Chuuya's attention is drawn to the soft murmur that escapes your lips. His brow furrows slightly in curiosity, sensing that you've uttered something yet the words didn't reach him.
“Did you say something, [Your name]?”
A heavy sigh escapes your lips. You push aside the bittersweet nostalgia and rise to your feet.
“No, nothing. Let's go, Chuuya-kun.”