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Dazai called it two weeks ago. His lovely detective coworkers couldn’t outsmart him, hah! He declared it to the agency the second he figured it out. They all complained for a day or so before they all dropped the facade and started asking him how he wanted the party to go. He wouldn’t say he’s picky, but since it’s his birthday, he decided he could be a freaking primadonna about it. Who could really blame him? This was basically his reward for figuring the scheme out early.
He decided it would only make sense to have the celebration in the ADA building; there are so many memories there. There needed to be tons of alcohol and juice for the children, of course. Yosano and he came up with a bunch of ridiculous games that get even wilder when everyone is drunk. All in all, Dazai would say he did good. He and his friends had an excellent time, the kiddos were sent home early to avoid the drunken adult shenanigans, Atsushi confessed to a dark-colored tablecloth, thinking it was that Port Mafia brat he used to train.
The entire night was entertaining, amusing, you name it! Hell, Dazai is half convinced he’ll find a video of Kunikida kissing the agency cow when he wakes up. What an interesting prospect. Still, Dazai wishes he was also sharing a drink with two impossible people right now. He’s brought back to the present by Ranpo waving a lollipop in his face like it will cure cancer and bring his dead friend back to life.
“My gift to you.” he proclaims, as if it’s the grandest reward one can give.
“Gee thanks, I’ll treasure it.”
“Good, it’s worth like ten of your heads or something, super limited edition.”
“If by limited edition you mean washed in with your laundry because you forgot to take it out of your pants? Then yes.”
“See, you always get it.”
“But of course.”
Then his phone is buzzing. Just this once, Dazai begins to wonder who it is. Since most of his coworkers appear to be gone or heading home, he sneaks a peek at his cellular device. On it is a location drop to a familiar bar from a certain slug. Should he go? Would it make things worse to go there? Dazai doesn’t know. His sour expression must have given away his mood, or maybe Yosano smells it on him. Either way, she rounds on him with her interogation, “How’s your party birthday boy?”
“It’s everything I imagined it to be.” he answers.
“That’s great; otherwise, you finding out and planning it yourself would’ve been a waste.” she jokes.
“Yes, now get on with it, I know your going to extract the information you want from me whether I like it or not. “
Yosano rolls her eyes but obliges him, “So whats got you all twisted up on your birthday?”
Dazai sighs and hands Yosano his phone.
She takes it and looks over it, confused, “A random location drop from ‘Slug’?”
"Yes, well, it’s not actually so random. Chibi wants to meet up at a place that used to be very important to me.”
“It’s not important to you anymore, then?” she asks, handing the phone back.
“It’s complicated.”
“Right, well, if you don’t want to go, don’t. But if you’re gonna sit here sulking about it, then I think you should just rip the band-aid off and go. Party’s practically over anyway.”
Dazai nods, and Yosano takes that as her sign to leave. He lingers a bit, before getting on with it and heading to Bar Lupin. Getting there is easy. Opening the door is not. He’s stalling, he knows. This place was once his escape, and now he wants to escape from it. Then, someone walks out, and Dazai sees the inside long enough to spot Chuuya, smooshed against the bar counter with a glass of.. whiskey?
His confusion propels him into the establishment, and he shakes Chuuya by his shoulder.
“Chibiiii, chiiibiiiii.”
Chuuya groans and takes a swig of his drink before addressing Dazai.
“You’re an idiot.”
“Hey! It’s my birthday, you can’t say that!”
“Try and stop me.” he challenges.
Dazai smiles, "Okay!" and steals Chuuya’s drink, draining it in record time.
“Hey! What the fuck, give it back!”
“Little late for that, slug.” he grins.
“Fuck you.”
“So, what are we doing here?”
“Reminiscing, I guess.” Chuuya says.
Dazai casts a questioning gaze, and Chuuya sighs.
“I guess I just wanted to see you.”
“Wow, that’s-”
“I know, just shut up about it.”
The silence lasts until Chuuya speaks again, “I’m tired of celebrating your birthday alone, you prick.”
“...I see..”
“Whatever, this was stupid. I’m going home.” he gets up and turns towards the door.
“… It was.. good to see you, Chuuya.”
Chuuya sniffs loudly, still facing the door, “You suck.”
Then he’s gone. Dazai orders a drink and smiles fondly.
“You too, chibi.”