Chapter Text
Summer in Yokohama was as humid as always. Sticky warm air from the cloudy morning turned into a fresh breeze as the blue sky turned orange and the clouds of the morning had holes now where golden rays of the sun shines, creating an almost beautiful display of the sky.
It was basically heavenly.
The streets were as heavy as always. Crowded with plenty of people as the large city acted as if it never slept. The people in the streets laughing, working, shopping. All of the sorts.
The problem with the crowd is that it makes things difficult. Especially for one man who's looking for one boy. But how does one find someone they don’t know in a street so full. Whoever Natsume wrote about could be anybody. All the tall man knew is there was a small boy out there who was going to ensure the future of the mafia, the future of him, the future of the city.
His partner has long left him. It has only been 3 years since he left his old job and with that his ability to provide support and help for him. He left to adopt some young boy and now started his own detective agency. The boy is 17 now as far as he knows. Not like he could do much. He took in that small girl just a year later, the girl this man watched over in war. Things haven’t been the same ever since.
But their old master, the wise Natsume has reached out to him once more. A word of advice. Find his own mentee. Raise the new generation. But this boy must be special. Someone who will help him rise to more than he is now and more than he was before. There is one major problem as stated prior though!
Who and where does he find this boy?
The old man was always known for his unusual tactics and his very absurd ways of teaching. Despite being under his wing, it’s still difficult to understand him at times. Whoever this boy is though, they must be a powerful specimen for master Natsume to personally recommend him.
He was honestly very close to just giving up. He knew the old master hadn't taught him to be so pessimistic, especially with his missions. Maybe a break would do. He’s been walking around the city all day after all.
‘The bench by the bridge might be good. Always has a good view of the city as a whole’ he thought. A pleased hum left him as he began walking over to the bridge. Passing bystanders, unaware of the evil within the city. Of the rats that see everything and the cats that hunt them down.
The wind up here was much harsher but the view was absolutely gorgeous. Hardly ever did people walk here unless they were driving out the city. The world appeared almost small from the view, though everybody knew how horrible the illusion was. You take a look at one thing from a distance and your brain makes you underestimate the depth of every little thing that makes the little things move and function, if it’s functioning at all.
The man walked as the white coat he wore was almost taken by the wind and the golden lights that reflected off of the water kissed his fair skin. The sight alone could’ve made it all worth it but in Yokohama you should expect the worst at all times.
The moment was interrupted as he paused and noticed the red droplets on the floor, staining the concrete below. The man paused as he looked up and saw the small trail of stains. He frowned, preparing for the worst. His bodyguard is no longer by his side so he can’t be as reckless as he once was, still he followed behind it.
There are many things he expected. Maybe an animal who was struck or attacked and came here to rest and die. Maybe someone got a small injury while walking. Maybe it was some of the mafioso’s he’s been working with as of late.
Many things he expected.
What he didn’t expect was a child. A small child dressed in some school uniform with blood trailing down the sleeve. He was just staring out into the black and gold of the ocean up ahead with this almost blank stare in his eyes. As if he has yet to notice another person's presence just yet.
Before the man could call out to the boy he saw as he began jumping the railing, standing on the outside edges of the bridge. There was a concentrated look in his eyes and what this kid was planning on doing was fairly obvious now. The man’s eyes widened before he rushed to the boy, putting a hand on his shoulder and watching the boy flinch as if he didn’t expect to see another man here.
He turned his head to the man. Wide yet dark eyes that felt empty yet told a heavy story. He was going to let go of the railing to push the man away yet the older one knew if he did so that’d quickly lead to the boy's unfortunate demise.
“Why don’t we get away from the edge?” He said with an almost eerie smile. The boy did not respond. Instead glared at him causing the man’s grip to tighten. “It’s really not a safe space out there. The railing is here for a reason. Where are your parents? I’m sure they’re worried sick.”
“They aren’t here.” He finally responded. Careful to not reveal too much information.*
“Then where are they?” *He asked with furrowed eyebrows.
“Not here. Can you let go now?” The boy said, clearly with some attitude. Irritation began reading all over his face as if the man’s attempt to stop his suicide was just an annoying obstacle.
“Well it’d be very irresponsible of me to just let you go and let you jump. Just how old are you, kid?” He said, starting small talk as he knew that’s something that helped clear the mind of those in a bad mindset. Especially when they’re going to do something rash like this.
“Shouldn’t matter to you unless you’re a creep.”
“Okay kid, you’re making this difficult.” The man sighed as as he thought on how to make this easier. “Okay why don’t we get to know each other. Maybe then I’ll seem less like a threat.”
“Who told you I saw you as a threat? Maybe I just don’t want to tell you anything.”
“Which usually is a sign of being intimidated.” He chuckled. “My name is Mori Ogai. I’m a doctor in an underground clinic. Now what about you?”
The kid stared as if not wanting to respond. He paused as if thinking hard on something. He sighed before turning to him. One wrong move and he would slip off the edge, his heel was in the air. His only support was his upper feet on the edge, his hands on the rails, and Mori’s hand on him. “Osamu Dazai. There. Happy?”
Mori smiled down at him and nodded. See now they’re getting to know each other! “That wasn’t so hard now was it?”
“You’re the weird old man who insists on talking to me. I don’t wanna talk to you! If someone saw this you could get in trouble if I say I don’t know you.”
“Maybe I would if you weren’t on an edge.” Dazai paused before groaning. The older man did have a point in that.
“Maybe nobody would have to question if you just let go.” He frowned as he leaned back and let go of the railing. He was so close to falling if Mori only didnt grab onto his arms and pulled him back. Dazai stung as the wound on them felt like they opened more with the fabric of his clothes pressed on the open bleeding wounds. His arms simply bled more.
“Hey! Listen, why do you want to do this so badly?” He looked at him with concern. This kid was hardly a teenager, he had a middle school uniform on after all. What would a kid like this, young and inexperienced, would ever want to end it this early?
“…. You’re hurting me.” He groaned, the cuts from prior still aching, now more than prior.
“…. Look kid. Are you trying to get away from something? I’ll help you. I’ll get you away from it all.”
Dazai’s eyes widened at the offer before looking up from his arms to Mori. “… you'll help me?”
“Yes. I’ll help you get away from it. We don’t have to get authority involved. I can help you….”
Dazai frowned before sighing. This old guy was persistent. He can’t have a peaceful suicide this way. So he held onto Mori and let him pull him back onto solid ground and back to the safer side of the railing.
“There. And your wrists…” Mori muttered, the others arms in his hands already. He carefully lifted one of his sleeves seeing the gushing wounds on his arms. Some cut much deeper than others. “You’ll get an infection if we don’t treat this properly soon.”
“Yeah…. You know if you take me you’ll be given kidnapping charges if I’m found.” Mori raised an eyebrow at the claim but before he could answer, the boy kept speaking. “But I assume that wouldn’t matter to you right? You seem like the type to have done many things the law would look down upon. You said you’re a doctor but I think there’s more to you. More than you can offer.”
“….” Mori was stunned for a little before letting out a chuckle. So this is who Natsume wanted. “You’re really got a fascinating mind. Now come on, we should get this wrapped.”
He smiled as he gently held Dazai’s hand and directed him away from the bridge. Their next stop, the clinic.