Chapter Text
'Crazy things keep happening today. My life is about to get screwed up it seems.'
-Oda, Sakunosuke
The Day I Picked Up Dazai (Side A)
March 8th
It's a quiet morning. I stand in the small kitchen of my even smaller apartment, staring out through the window that's even smaller than that. I catch my neighbor pulling their garbage container to the curb for public pick-up. I take a sip of my coffee while watching that. His progress is pathetically slow. I take another sip.
For a moment, I consider helping him.
But then, I think better of it.
His trash is really none of my concern.
...it's best if I don't get involved....
The apartment across the street casts a long black shadow on the pavement in front of my view of the street. The trumpet vines planted in the hedge rustle in the breeze, and whisper to each other in a way that humans can't decipher. Somewhere in the distance, I hear the sound of the long-distance trucks scraping against the road surface.
And then-
My phone rings.
I glance at the number, and see that it's one I don't recognize.
Don't answer it. It's bad news.-I can hear the voice in my head ominously warn. There's nothing more stupid than taking a call from a suspicious number. I guess I should probably listen to that voice.
...that is what a wise man would do...
Before following the angel’s advice, I take one more glance at the ringing phone. And then, against my better judgment, I pick it up and answer anyway.
Perhaps I'm not that wise, after all...
'Oda-san?' I hear the unfamiliar voice along the other end of the line address me.
“Yes.” I confirm.
'Oda, Sakunosuke?' The person asks again, with more detail, as I give my reply.
“Yes. This is he.”
'I'm calling from Yokohama Chuo Hospital.' The caller proceeds after making sure they have reached the right person. 'I'm so sorry to bother you at this hour, Oda-san.' Their voice sounds grim when offering this apology to me. 'But, regrettably, I must inform you that there's been a terrible accident.'