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There has always been something strange about Ryuunosuke.
From his birth to his almost death; he felt nothing. There was not a spark of worry for his ill comrades nor was there even care for his little sister. He had no real reason to live. Living was exhausting either way—live or die, eat or die; that’s what they say, but it’s just another threat, scolding.
“I’ll give you a reason to live.” That man one day said to him, extending his hand towards Ryuunosuke as if he were offering an olive branch. “You intrigue me. I’ll let you live despite you killing my subordinates. You have two choices, be my dog and join the Port Mafia, or I’ll gift you a good sum of money to live the rest out of your life peacefully and wealthily. I can’t say I won’t hunt you for sport, though.”
Ryuunosuke looked at him, eyes darker than the night sky. There were no stars, no moon inside his irises unlike the sky. “What.. do you eat for breakfast..?”
The man tips his head to the side, a cruel grin tugs on the corners of his lips. He wonders for a moment, tapping his chin with his slender fingers. His fingernails are clean, unlike Ryuunosuke’s which are stained with blood.
“Canned crab. Occasionally coffee.” The man eventually replies, but then he adds. “Sometimes I eat scrambled eggs when my boss treats me to breakfast.” He laughs bitterly. “I’ll treat you and your sister to a good breakfast everyday, deal?”
Ryuunosuke could only nod.
“I’ll tell you one thing..” He crouches in front of the kid. “The little dogs we take in that prove to be useless and irritating. Do you know what we do with them?”
Ryuunosuke weakly shakes his head.
The man presses the cold muzzle of a gun to Ryuunosuke’s temple. He doesn’t flinch. “We dispose of them. Will you be a good doggy? Will you follow my orders? Will you kill who I’ll tell you to kill?”
“..yes..”
“Would you be ready to kill yourself? Or even your sister?”
“...I.. I would..”
“Osamu Dazai, it’s going to be a pleasure to know you.”
From that day on, after almost dying to two hands; Osamu’s subordinate and Osamu himself—he felt something. Not because Osamu threatened his life or his sister’s, no.
It was the thrill of danger.
Thus, Ryuunosuke joined the Port Mafia, and so did Gin follow in his footsteps.
At the ripe age of 17, Ryuunosuke earned himself the name “Hellhound” and many more. He learned how to effectively corner his prey, he learned how to fight, but he didn’t learn how to think effectively in battle.
He just never had a good restraint.
It was this one rainy day that he will forever remember, however, till his young death.
Ryuunosuke enters a phone booth, sheltering from the harsh raindrops pelting the people outside. Ryuunosuke glimpses out the gloomy windows, the depressing weather leaves an imprint of itself on Ryuunosuke’s face—which presents the biggest frown.
Someone else enters the phone booth.
“Huh–?”
It’s a guy. A little taller than him. His fiery ginger hair stands out in the grey, blurred outside. No, his entire person stands out from the dim and sombre surroundings. Red and green.
“You look like my dead dog—” He bursts into laughter, he covers his mouth with his hand and his other hand travels on his stomach. “Hahaha! Sorry!”
Ryuunosuke stares at him. Yet, he doesn’t move to attack him. Ryuunosuke tips his head to the side, and his hands shake; a little with anxiety and a little with anger. His eye twitches as he gazes at the guy in front of him, who smiles and grins with such joy.
“It sure is horrible weather.” He comments after calming himself down. He then blinks a few times and hides his mouth behind his hand. “Handkerchief! Please!” His head droops down, but before Ryuunosuke could talk—the boy shoots up and offers him a flower. “Ta-daa! That’s the best kinda magic! Trust.”
It’s the first time someone had given him something pleasant.
Ryuunosuke stares at the flower, as if it is some device made to explode him into pieces, to attack him! But the boy calmly takes Ryuunosuke’s hand and gently places the flower within his grasp. Ryuunosuke stands frozen, eyes open to the full—peering at the strange, ginger boy.
‘I’ll gut you. I swear.’
“Oh.” He looks outside, the sound of the rain stopped. “The rain stopped.” He turns his head towards Ryuunosuke. “I work at the cafe right by the corner. Why don’t you come? It’s my apology for calling you a dog!”
‘I’ll kill you there. In front of your friends and co-workers.’
Ryuunosuke nods after a long minute of silence.
The boy grins and nearly jumps out of the phone booth—from joy! Ryuunosuke could not believe his eyes, the cheery movement was all because of him! A person smiled at him so many times, and it wasn’t at all scary nor threatening!
'You're a spy, surely. I'll kill you. It is inevitable.'
Ryuunosuke’s legs move on their own—right to the cafe by the corner.
‘...I’ll rip you to shreds.. In a moment..’
The bell at the door rings melodiously as he enters the empty establishment. It’s a rather cozy, poorly decorated cafe. No wonder it is desolate of people—there are just better places to hang out at. Ryuunosuke sits at one of the tables, he looks over the menu but he doesn’t get a chance to read it.
“You got here so fast!” The ginger boy notes, but he simply smiles. Ryuunosuke gazes at his red cheeks, tipping his head to the side like a curious puppy. “Scoot over, make some place for me.” The boy laughs and sits next to Ryuunosuke. “Boss, some coffee for me and our special guest, pleaaaaase!”
“You’re supposed to give coffee, not drink it!”
The boy sticks his tongue out at his boss before he turns towards Ryuunosuke. “I’m Michizou Tachihara. It’s really nice to meet you…”
“Ryuunosuke.” He says. For some reason, anxiety cages his heart, which thumps against his ribcage. “Why are you talking to me?”
Michizou blinks a few times, caught off-guard by the question. But a grin tugs on his thin lips. “I like you.” Michizou then leans his head on his hand. “I especially like you.”
‘I don’t! Which is why I’ll… rip you apart right now..’
Ryuunosuke had to fight every cell in his body not to react positively to such a blasphemous reply. “How so?”
“I haven’t met a quieter person than you. I like that.”
The coffee gets brought by the boss to them. He looks at Michizou, giving him a warning gaze, to which Michizou begrudgingly nods.
“Do you like coffee?” Ryuunosuke asks, his voice cracking in the worst possible moment. He wants to bury himself deep in the ground. “I do.”
‘I’ll kill you and then myself… that was really embarrassing. No, I’ll just look like Dazai if I did so..’
Michizou shrugs his shoulders. “I mean, I dunno.”
His country accent slips. Ryuunosuke looks more awe at the sight of him each second that passes. How could there be a person who truly enjoys his presence?
Michizou takes a sip of the warm coffee, following Ryuunosuke’s lead—both of them scrunch their features at the bitter coffee.
“..I prefer a little sugar and cream.” Ryuunosuke attempts to play it nonchalantly. “I’m used to drinking bitter coffee, though.”
“Haha! Just admit you totally don’t like bitter coffee, mister hellhound!”
“I do like coffee, just with a little sugar.”
“You don’t!” He sticks his tongue out at Ryuunosuke.
That’s how the days of joy started. Each day for a full week Ryuunosuke hung out with this strange but pleasant boy, Michizou. Each day he came to this little place, and each day he conversed with his new companion.
“You’re studying.” Ryuunosuke notices one day, glimpsing at Michizou’s notebooks. “I mustn’t disturb you, then.”
“I’ll disturb you then.” Michizou drags Ryuunosuke down to sit with him. He smiles, his white teeth shine in the poor lighting. “It’s nothing, actually. Just some quizzes, y’know.. Don’t you go to school, too?”
“I’ve.. never been to school.” Ryuunosuke states, as if embarrassed of his poor, horrid upbringing. He’s never seen a normal school day nor has he even been in a school before. “I like my job. I like being in the Port Mafia. It doesn’t matter.”
“Does it?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I think it would be fun to go to school with you, Ryuunosuke.” Michizou taps his pen against the table, he lays his head down on his arms, which rest on the table. He looks up at Ryuunosuke. “School is boring. A lot of people think so, at least.”
“Do you?”
“I have no opinion, really. It’s just a place where I have to go and study. That’s all. I’ve got some friends, so it’s not too bad.”
Ryuunosuke then reflects back on Michizou’s words. “Going to school with you… it might’ve been fun, I agree.”
“Why don’t you—” Michizou suddenly leaps up and grabs Ryuunosuke’s hands. “Come to school with me? At night.”
It all happens so suddenly.
Night. The dim moonlight showers Michizou’s features with a silvery tone, and his amber eyes glow like the sun—the opposite of him. Ryuunosuke blends in with the dark night, his pale skin nearly glowing in the silver glare.
Michizou’s soft fingers lay on his cheeks.
“I know you’re a mafioso.” He gently says, his amber eyes reflecting in Ryuunosuke’s. “But— why don’t you run away with me?”
“Run away with you..?”
“I’ll make you happy!” Michizou almost pleads, his hands trembling as they hold on to Ryuunosuke’s face. “I’ll protect you! I know someone who will mask your past, so just… please say the word and— and we’ll be gone in no time!”
“Huh..”
“Please!”
Ryuunosuke stares at the boy he loves. He loves him, yes, he has learned of this quite recently. His heart learned how to beat in rhythm with Michizou’s. But…
“I can’t.” Ryuunosuke says. “I’ve begun to get along with the executives and subordinates. I’ve finally earned a name for myself recently. Why can’t I work and.. See you?”
“I see.”
Inside Ryuunosuke’s bleak eyes sparkles a star of hope—which only ignited because of Michizou in the first place.
“You just don’t love me.”
Michizou leans in, stealing a kiss from Ryuunosuke’s lips! Ryuunosuke’s eyes slowly close, and he relaxes in their embrace. It’s a genuine kiss, it must’ve been—perhaps it means Michizou does accept his idea…
“Why can’t you run away with me..?” Michizou softly murmurs, his lips gaining a little bit of distance from Ryuunosuke’s. “Why? Do you really not love me enough?”
Ryuunosuke remains quiet. No, for the first time, he’s so sure of something. He’s genuinely sure of his feelings, despite them seeming so strange before. “I do. I really like you.”
Michizou stares at him.
“Oh.” He forces a smile. “I like you too.”
A few days pass by.
Ryuunosuke’s heart beats against his ribcage, yelling to get out—to meet Michizou’s heart and mingle once more! Ryuunosuke coughs into his hand, his mood instantly drops by at least half.
“Akutagawa.” His boss stops him. It’s the first time they’ll talk one by one. “I have a gift for you.”
“Yes, boss?”
Ryuunosuke turns to look at Mori. Mori smiles without revealing much. Instead of talking, he places a hat on Ryuunosuke’s head. Ryuunosuke takes it into his hands, and his eyes widen.
“The Hunting Dogs..?” Ryuunosuke asks. “Do you suspect me to be a spy, boss?”
Mori shakes his head, intertwining his hands behind his back. “No, not you. I’ve noticed your little friend, Akutagawa.” Ryuunosuke’s heart drops. “I’d like it a lot if you were to get rid of that spy. In fact, I’d promote you.”
“...I see.”
“I’ll do it.”
That day, they meet perhaps for the last time.
“Michizou.” Ryuunosuke leads him away, to a quiet, isolated alleyway. “You ought to run away. Go to Osaka, go to Hokkaido. Anywhere but here.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re being targeted.”
“Why?”
“...are you truly from the Hunting Dogs?” Ryuunosuke asks, hoping—oh so hardly hoping for the answer he wants to hear! “Say the truth.”
“No, I’m not. Have you looked at me? I’m not fit to be with them.” Michizou glances suspiciously at Ryuunosuke. “I see. You were sent to kill me, but you’re too much of a coward to do so.”
“I’m not. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You know, it really is pointless to lie to an idiot for longer than it is necessary.” Michizou’s kind and giddy facade drops. Instead, his face is stoic and even cold! He glares at Ryuunosuke. “All of this was an act. I never loved you. All the smiles and laughter was staged and just an act. I was sent to kill you, but I see that you’re not at all a hard target. I’m aiming for a victim which will make my co-workers respect me.”
“Michizou—”
“I should’ve never kissed you, you know.” Michizou huffs, as if he’s trying to tell himself that it really is nothing. “I should’ve saved my first kiss for someone actually special. Y’know, thanks for the info though. Coulda been more careful, y’know, ya.”
‘I knew it. I should’ve killed you then!’
“See ya never.”
Life flashes in front of Ryuunosuke’s eyes. Michizou will be killed, surely. If not by him, then by someone else! Ryuunosuke coughs, still unable to attack the one he loves with Rashomon.
“Today! At.. 5PM! Meet me at the cafe, and— and I don’t know. We’ll fight…”
Michizou is far out of his sight by then.
‘I should’ve killed him then.’
That is a thought which travels to both of their minds.
When it’s finally 5PM, Ryuunosuke kept his word—he sat in the cafe with flowers, like a good, trained dog would. Ryuunosuke kept fighting himself in his thoughts; should he have or should he not have killed Michizou then and there?
As for the other one…
‘You know, I’m not the type of person to fall in love so easily. It really takes some time for me to like someone.’
Michizou walks down the familiar path towards the cafe.
‘It’s cute how you act like a dog. It’s pitiful, too. Because I'm just like you. Orders make me, me. Orders make you, you. You act like a rabid dog sometimes. I should’ve gone with you to a veterinarian, no? Haha. It’s not funny, I know. Why am I talking to myself?’
Michizou reaches the alley. He stares at the building which he has ‘worked’ in while gathering intel on Port Mafia.
‘The truth is, you were right—why didn’t we fight when we first met?’
‘I should’ve killed you then, or you should’ve killed me. That’s the rule of violence in this world.’
A gunshot roars and Michizou falls to the ground, his thoughts scrambling to finish a good response to Ryuunosuke which he will never hear.
“I do like the country more, too.” The demon prodigy says, hiding the gun in his pocket. “There really is something about exterminating rats there that makes me giddy. Like you with my mentee.”
“I really hate when people mess with my stuff, like, I’m the only one allowed to make him upset, you know.”
‘Why? Why didn’t I kill you then?’
‘I haven’t told you everything yet..’
‘I have never been to school, either, Ryuunosuke. I want to go to one with you.'
9PM.
"Hey. You gotta get out of here, mister." The owner of the cafe mutters under his nose as he glares at Ryuunosuke, who holds a bouquet of purple flowers. "You gotta accept it, he don't love you! We have no place for that kinda relationships anyway... get over it!"
"I'm supposed to be a Rabid Dog.." Ryuunosuke says to himself, looking at the ceiling. "What do I do..?"
The bell chings and through the door enters a nicely dressed lady with long black hair and in a white dress. She looks worriedly at Ryuunosuke. She steps closer to him and sits next to him. She glances at the flowers in his grasp.
"You're not planning to eat them, are you..?" She asks, tipping her head to the side. "Brother, let's go home."
"You can eat them." Ryuunosuke takes a bite of one of the flowers. It still tastes better than dirt they used to eat. "Home. Yes, let us go home. What happened does not matter anymore..."