Chapter Text
Dazai Osamu had felt as though he had fallen into an endless void when Oda Sakunosuke died.
"Be on the side that saves people."
Those had been Odasaku's final words to him. But it wasn't that easy. It wasn't something Dazai could simply do. So he made a decision. He hid the few belongings that truly mattered to him in a place no one else knew about. Then he left the Port Mafia and walked straight into a police station. The moment he revealed his identity, his arrest happened surprisingly quickly. In the end, he was transferred to Meursault, the prison built for ability users. He had expected that much. Even so, he couldn't help but be surprised. Countless thoughts raced through his mind, yet despite all of them, there wasn't a single trace of hesitation.
Four years. Dazai spent four years inside that prison. To say that unpleasant things had happened to him during that time would be an understatement. It was one of the reasons he despised himself so much. Still, very few things could truly affect Dazai anymore. So when Natsume-sensei appeared one day as a visitor, the only thing Dazai did was tilt his head with quiet curiosity.
"It's good to see you, Natsume-sensei."
He knew the shapeshifting man was aware of something important about him. Dazai liked him and respected him. He also knew Natsume cared about him in return.
"Dazai-kun, you've been here for a long time."
Dazai merely nodded and tugged at the oversized prison uniform hanging from his frame. Unfortunately, he hadn't grown much over the years. He had remained at 165 centimeters. Though, since it was perfectly normal, he didn't care much about it.
"Yes, Sensei. I'm surprised you came to see me, but I can already see the gears turning in your head."
Natsume smiled faintly before removing his hat and holding it between his hands. At first, he said nothing, yet even that silence spoke volumes.
"You're as perceptive as ever, Dazai-kun. Neither of us likes wasting words, so I'll get straight to the point. I think it's time for you to leave this place."
Even as Dazai raised an eyebrow slightly, his fingers absentmindedly brushed over the bandages wrapped around his wrists while he waited for the older man to continue.
"You've spent four years here, and that's enough. I won't allow you to rot away in this prison. I spoke with Chief Taneda about you, and we've decided that the best course of action is for you to join the Armed Detective Agency as an advisor. That way... you'll also be able to fulfill Odasaku's final wish."
Dazai took a slow breath and straightened his shoulders. To be honest, he had started growing tired of this place. Of course, atoning for his sins hadn't been the only reason he chose prison. He knew Natsume was fully aware of that.
"What does the Agency president think? And the members?"
He had no objections to joining the Agency. He trusted Natsume-sensei just as much as he had trusted Odasaku.
"Fukuzawa was hesitant at first, but Taneda managed to convince him. The rest of the Agency will be informed as well. However, you'll have to wear a tracking bracelet at all times."
Dazai slowly pursed his lips. So they would always know where he was. Well... he would probably spend most of his time inside the Agency anyway. And if he were ever allowed out for some fresh air, they'd most likely end up dragging him out of a river. How amusing.
"I understand. If you believe this is the right decision, then I have no objections, Natsume-sensei."
Dazai lowered his head slightly in respect and noticed the gentle smile on Natsume's face. Before he had met Odasaku, and during the time Mori had inflicted countless wounds upon him, it had been Natsume who reached out to help.
"Then let's go. Since I already knew you'd accept, I've taken care of your release and paid your bail."
Dazai said nothing. He could have paid it himself. It wasn't as though he had thrown away the fortune he'd earned in the Mafia. He had more money than he could ever reasonably spend.
"Can we stop somewhere first?"
He needed to retrieve the belongings he had hidden away. They had been left unattended for far too long.
"Of course. We also need to buy you some clothes. And a phone. Fukuzawa will give you one for Agency business, but that's strictly for work. We'll get you another phone so you can contact me, and I can contact you."
As Dazai began following him, a quiet chuckle escaped his lips. This was exactly why he liked Natsume Sōseki. The man was as cunning as a cat. It really wasn't surprising that he stood above every major organization.
—
After spending several hours with Natsume-sensei, Dazai found himself standing inside the office of the Armed Detective Agency's president, Fukuzawa. The man's eyes seemed capable of peering straight into his soul. Although he had agreed to accept Dazai into the Agency, it was painfully obvious that he didn't trust him.
"Dazai-kun, please put this on your wrist."
Looking down at the tracking device held out to him, Dazai accepted it without the slightest hesitation and fastened it around his wrist. Thankfully, it fit perfectly.
"You're here because of Taneda-san's insistence. Out of trust in him, I've agreed to accept you into my Agency. However, if you show even the slightest sign of hostility, I reserve the right to send you back to prison—or kill you."
Well... both were perfectly reasonable conditions. Apparently, Fukuzawa still didn't know that the real reason Dazai was here was Natsume himself. Not that Dazai had any intention of telling him.
"I understand, President. What would you like me to do?"
Being cooperative was undoubtedly the smartest approach. Dazai already knew he wouldn't be welcomed here. The number of people who genuinely cared about him couldn't even fill one hand... and one of them was already dead.
"It's obvious that you possess extraordinary intelligence. You're almost as intelligent as Ranpo."
Almost? Hah. Dazai had no issues with Ranpo. In fact, he liked geniuses. But the way Ranpo's mind worked and the way Dazai's mind worked were fundamentally different.
"Your ability is also exceptionally rare. Because of that, you'll only participate in field operations when I deem it necessary. The rest of the time, you'll remain here."
That was perfectly reasonable. Dazai simply nodded without saying a word.
"And outside working hours?"
As his fingers lightly traced the tracking bracelet around his wrist, curiosity flickered across his face. Apparently, four years of constant surveillance in prison hadn't been enough.
"Naturally, you're free to leave. However, you must always inform both me and Ranpo of where you're going. If you fail to return home before midnight, the police will immediately begin searching for you."
Pft... Losing the police was child's play. He could remove this tracking device just as easily if he wanted to. But he wouldn't.
"I understand... Speaking of home, I suppose I'll need to register an address?"
Maybe he should simply buy a new house. Somewhere close to the Agency would be ideal. The Agency dormitories didn't seem particularly hygienic to him.
"About that... Ranpo, Yosano, and I discussed it at length. We've decided that you'll be staying with us."
...What?
What kind of nonsense was that? Dazai hated crowded places. Suddenly, the dormitories sounded much more appealing.
"I can tell you're not happy about it. Neither are we. But this is the most appropriate arrangement. You'll have your own room in my house."
Apparently, the decision had already been made. Dazai simply let out a quiet sigh before nodding. It wasn't enough that he'd be working in a place where he wasn't truly welcome—now he'd be living in one as well. Wonderful.
"Very well... as you wish, President. Thank you for allowing me to join the Agency."
The two of them stood and walked toward the door together. It was time to meet his loving(!) new coworkers.
"Dazai-kun. I want you to understand something. You are not a part of this Agency. Yes, you'll be paid, but you don't truly belong here. Everyone who works under me is my family, so you'd do well to be mindful of how you treat them."
Dazai understood every threat hidden beneath those words. He merely smiled faintly before following the man out of the office. Threats like those no longer frightened him. It had been a very long time since anything like that could affect him.