To conduct the singing misfortune [Dazai and Reader]

An Alliance From the Past

That is until Kunikida quietly mutters his confusion, "Oi, Dazai..." Kunikida loses his temper once the President returns to his office, "A secret meeting with the Port Mafia?!"

Osamu refused to face him, slumping his posture, and my head moved to rest on his arm. I sulk. "Atsushi's idea has turned into a huge deal. Even though the Guild's now our biggest threat—"

"Wait for a second! I have no idea what's going on. First of all, why are you the one arranging the meeting?" Osamu answers, practically singing, "Because I'm originally from the Port Mafia." I laugh, hugging Osamu's side, "Everyone knows about it apart from you, Kunikida!" Osamu grins, returning the embrace with his uninjured arm, "Heheheh!

The man draws a blank, standing there stiffly. His head was racing a million miles an hour to think back on everything that could have ever hinted at Osamu's past occupation, expression shifting subtly. I reach over, "Hey...hey, kunikida." I poke him, and he falls over like a plank of wood.

I expect he'll leave us alone for a while.

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

Osamu had sent off Kouyou with the invitation to the meeting with our Agency to repay the costs of keeping her here.

The secret spot was peaceful, surrounded by forests and a creaky windmill working beside us. Its sound is monotonous and calming. Birds chime from the trees with their delicate song. The midday sun, slightly clouded with the early-year chill, casts soft shadows. Osamu sits on a planter, kicking his feet slightly with a less-than-enthusiastic frown. I rest my head on the smooth stone he sits on, the rest of me on the bare planter and dry mud.

I'm not looking forward to meeting the Port Mafia boss again. This man is one of many who'd partook in aiding my father's suicide. Sakunosuke and my orphaned siblings would still be around if Mori Ogai hadn't driven his hand into our lives. I'm sure my brother has a few more resentments for the man than that. Many, many more.

Footsteps and fog take me from my daydreaming and I climb to sit beside my brother, who pats my head, "They're here." I groan, joining him in walking the short distance to the group. Osamu gives a cheery greeting, "Welcome, boss!"

Mori has the Black Lizard behind him, the squadron poised with their subordinates to attack if need be. The boss himself seems to be in a sunny mood, though, giving a small wave over to us, "It's been four years. I see your little one has grown. Say, do you still wear the coat that I bought for you?"

Osamu coldly sighs, "Well, naturally, I burned it." I remember the day as if it were yesterday, how the flames and the heat coated our faces.

There's silence, the pleasant gait that Mori had breaking as if we'd hit a soft rock with a hammer. I suppose for however horribly Osamu's treatment might have been in the Port Mafia, the boy was still one Mori Ogai had taken in. Mori, a man of more logic than feeling, could never have anticipated that Osamu would take such a liking to my father or Ango, nor could he have predicted that the coldhearted boy he raised would end up being human, after all. His mistake cost us all.

The President steps forward, "Port Mafia boss, Mori Ogai." Kunikida is at his side, and I hold my brother's 'uninjured' arm. "Armed Detective Agency, Fukuzawa Yukichi." They walk towards each other, and the air becomes tenser. Kunikida's eyes are blown wide, the Black Lizard widening their stances. "So the time's come..."

"If the Government higher-up catch word," Mori chuckles, "the heads of the two largest ability organizations in Yokohama are having a secret meeting, they froth the mouth." Fukuzawa's stern expression is a cold, refreshing and honest difference to the calculated friendliness of Mori Ogai. "I'll get straight to business. A new member of the Agency proposed an alliance with you, the Port Mafia."