Third person pov
As Kunikida and Junichiro made their escape alongside Dazai and (Y/N), a cloaked figure lurking in the shadows of the nearby containers observed them. A wicked smirk stretched across their face as their gaze followed (Y/N), who was being pulled along by Dazai's hand.
"Found her..." they muttered viciously, their smirk widening with satisfaction at having located their target.
Their attention then shifted to the unconscious figure of Evelynn, being dragged away by the men of the Port Mafia while Chuuya talked to Mori, who emerged from a concealed corner.
The figure frowned, muttering to themselves, "Tsk, this incompetent woman. She can't even do her job properly. I facilitated her entry into their territory after her initial failure with Leon, whom I previously encouraged to assist her. Yet, she couldn't even succeed in her second attempt. Must I handle everything myself?"
Just as they were about to take action, their phone rang, and they swiftly answered in a calm and assuring tone, "Yes, boss?"
The voice on the other end was distorted, but the commanding tone behind it was unmistakable.
"Did she succeed?" the voice inquired coldly.
The misterious man sighed as he observed his surroundings to not be noticed, "Unfortunely, Evelynn failed twice. Additionaly, she seem to have lost her power just after your dear subject apeared from nowhere and rushed toward her before escaping with her friends."
The voice stayed silent for some seconds before ordering, "We don't have a need for a member without its power who moreover failed twice and could risk to expose us more than we already are. It's regrettable, but you know what needs to be done: Take care of her."
The unknown figure responded with confidence and deference, "Roger, boss. It will be taken care of before she even faces interrogation by the Port Mafia. But I'm worried how the others will react once they learn her death, she is after all one of the oldest members."
"Do you mean 'Crow'?" the anonymous voice asked.
The misterious man didn't reply.
The voice talked again, "You don't have to worry about him, he will get by it quickly. And you know excatly why."
"I know" the man replied, "Anyone who doesn't respect our code, meaning would put in danger our organization by giving out intel weither they want to or not, or not obeying orders or become unsable anymore have to be taken care of."
"You know our code well." the voice asserted.
"And what about your subject? I followed her by your order and found her escaping the Port Mafia. Since Evelynn failed with the second chance you gave her, should I do it instead?" they inquired, awaiting for further instruction.
"Leave her be for now, we can't risk to be exposed too soon since the preparations aren't finished. It's a shame we can't have her for now, but don't worry, I already ordered for our best agent to keep an eye on her while the others admins will move as well to prepare the plan. Once your task is done, I will tell you what you have to do later, so don't let my trust in you down like Evelynn did Butterfly."
With that, the voice ended the call.
The figure glanced at their phone for a moment before returning it to their pocket with a sigh as they felt the sea breeze on their face. "Shall I get to work then?"they murmured to themselves.
With purposeful strides, they traversed the maze of containers before retrieving a notebook titled 'Aeonstep' in golden letters and an ancient feather pen from the left pocket of their long black coat. Opening the notebook, they inscribed something onto a page, the script glowing with a golden light. Ripping out the page, they revealed a shimmering golden gate matching their height. Stepping towards it, they disappeared along with the gate, leaving no trace of their presence behind.
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(Y/N) pov
"W-Wait Dazai! I can explain!" You exclaimed as you were driven by Dazai's hand, Kunikida and Junichiro running ahead.
But Dazai paid no heed, steadfastly maintaining his rapid pace. His anger was palpable, a tempest swirling beneath the surface. This wasn't a reaction you had anticipated. While some might interpret it as concern, especially given his history, you couldn't reconcile it with the Dazai Osamu you knew. He was the strategist, someone who would predict and orchestrate everything to make it goes as he planned to while watching his comprades fight with trust, rarely letting his emotions take the reins.
As you continued your quick pace through the streets on the way to the agency, you tried again to make Dazai react, changing the subject, "W-what about Atsushi? We saw him earlier fighting against someone, will he be okay? Shouldn't we help him?"
Dazai didn't look at you, his voice cold as he continued to hold your hand, "Atsushi has his own battles to fight, just like everyone else. He's not a helpless kitten anymore. Trust in his abilities."
Frustration and confusion welled up within you. "I trust in his abilities, but I still don't get it. Why are you so angry toward me? I'm fine, so, why?"
Coming to a halt alongside Kunikida and Junichiro, Dazai let go of your hand and turned to face you, his gaze penetrating. "You want me to tell you? It's because of your actions earlier. Who in their right mind charges towards their enemies when their main objective is to escape them?"
You clenched your fists. He sounded just like Elyndor, pinpointing every flaw, and it irked you. "I understand that, but in that moment, I had this instinct telling me it was an opportunity to absorb Evelynn's power, and I felt capable of doing so."
Dazai's gaze remained unwavering. "And what did you plan to achieve, apart from recklessly rushing into danger? Go on, I'm listening."
You struggled to articulate your thoughts. "I... well... I felt that I had the ability to do so with Elyndor's assistance. You know, the entity that aids me in managing my power."
Dazai raised an eyebrow. "Really? And how exactly could she have assisted you? Is there a connection to why you suddenly appeared the moment I reached out to you from behind, and why Evelynn couldn't utilize her power anymore?"
You swallowed nervously. "T-there is! You see, I learned she had a new power that allowed her to stop the flow of time to appear before me and she used it back then to help me. I could even move when she stopped time so I used this opportunity she gave me to go absorb Evelynn's power in her coat and when I finished, I thought it would be funny to surprise you by being behind you before telling Elyndor to reset time again."
Dazai stayed silent, processing what you just said "I see... that explain why."
You couldn't let go of Dazai attitude, "But I still don't understand! Why are you overreacting like that?! You know that I have the ability to defend myself! I'm strong, so why?!"
Dazai frowned and exclaimed, "It's because I'm worried about you! Since I encountered you, you always ended up in troubles and ended hurt in the end! Even if you're strong doesn't mean you can't get hurt!"
You blinked in surprise at his admission., "You...you were worried about me?"
The thought that Dazai was genuinely concerned for you felt surreal, especially considering his usual demeanor. As you pondered his words, you couldn't help but remember the series and anime where you saw him displaying genuine concern back when Oda was on his way to his revenge.
This scene had particulary marked you because it was the first time, and the only one time, you saw Dazai show such sincere concern for someone, and as you reflected on this, the image of Dazai reaching out to Oda, desperately trying to prevent his tragic fate, flashed before your eyes. It reminded you of the way he acted the same toward you earlier when you ran toward Evelynn and Chuuya. However, it was difficult for you to believe it.
For Oda it would be understanding, considering the years they passed together, but why would he show guenine concern toward someone whom he barely knew since two weeks? The inconsistency gnawed at you. Throughout the series and anime, Dazai had never shown such worry for anyone else like he did for Oda. So, why then, did he extend that concern to you?
Dazai had now his eyes showing concern like he couldn't believe your reaction, "I was! How couldn't I, when my partner and friend get hurt, or put herself in danger?!"
You paused for a moment, absorbing the fact that you were considered as his partner and friend, before remembering it was only two weeks since he encountered you, and that was the strange for the Dazai you knew to think of you like that, "But I don't understand! How could you be worried for me, a nobody whom you only knew barely two weeks ago?!"
Dazai met your gaze earnestly. "Because you're not a nobody to me."
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Third pov (when their arguing began)
As (Y/N) and Dazai began to argue between each other, Kunikida observed in silence, his arms crossed while Junichiro glanced back at them and Kunikida, worried about the situation.
"Shouldn't we stop them?" Junichiro inquired worried that things get out of hands.
Kunikida kept his calm demanour as he looked at them and his watch, "We shouldn't. It's something between them and not something for us to intervene."
Junichiro remembered that they were normally escaping, "But won't the Port Mafia or the organization after (Y/N)-san soon catch after us?"
Kunikida wasn't worried about that, "I doubt about that. They have already their hands full with the woman from earlier, and it seemed the security was too lax around where Dazai and (Y/N) were detained, meaning they were awaiting for us to come get them, though I don't know why."
"Is that why Ranpo-san sent only the two of us with Atsushi to get them back?" Junichiro asked as he looked at (Y/N) and Dazai arguing.
Kunikida nodded, "Yeah, it was part of Ranpo's plan that Atsushi would divert the attention and come back to the agency once we succeeded in rescuing them. And it seem he also knew in advance that the security wouldn't be tight along, explaining why the tree of us only came."
"It was though rare to see Ranpo-san more serious than usual and not whine about searching for them like he did for Atsushi before; it wasn't like him." Junichiro added, pondering.
Kunikida nodded again, "Right, it's rare for him to act like that. We can assume that he care for (Y/N) more than we thought."
Junichiro searched a possible reason about why Ranpo would do that, "Because she loves sweets?"
Kunikida shrugged, "Who know? Ranpo was always a mystery and it's still difficult to grasp what he's thinking, but it's good news for us since we could find them quickly."
Then they heard something in (Y/N) and Dazai's arguing that took them aback.
"But I don't understand! How could you be worried for me, a nobody whom you only knew barely two weeks ago?!" (Y/N) exclaimed baffled.
Dazai spoke earnestly. "Because you're not a nobody to me."
"...Kunikida-san, did I heard that right?" Junichiro asked perplexed.
Kunikida reajust his glasses, troubled, "I can't believe this waste of bandages could say something like that."
(Y/N) widened her eyes at Dazai's words, "Y-you really mean that?"
Dazai looked at her more sincere than he ever was, "I will repeat myself again, I care for you because I consider you as my friend and partner, not as a nobody I only meet for two weeks."
(Y/N) appeared somewhat relieved as she heard him that, "Is...that so?"
Dazai gaze softened as he looked at her and nodded, "Yes. And what about you? What did you think of me since our first encounter? Was I a stranger to you during all this time as you think I thought of you?"
(Y/N) processed Dazai's words, her head down for some seconds before looking up again right into his eyes, "I will be honest with you. At first, I thought of you as a really crazy and complete jerk."
Both Kunikida and Junichiro had some difficulties to keep their laughter to themselves because of how (Y/N)'s words were unexpected but true.
Dazai was surprised by her words, but chuckled some seconds after "Ah ah, it's true that I'm considered like that by most of people." He then smirked "But I suppose it evolved now? Since you said 'at first'."
Kunikida and Junichiro calmed down and listened attentively, curious of what (Y/N) would reply since not many people have a different point of view toward Dazai than what she said at first.
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(Y/N) pov
You looked into Dazai's eyes which glowed with what seemed to be impatience and... expectation? You wondered if it was the right time for you to say what you had in your heart for a long time, but decided it wasn't really the moment for that since you were originally escaping the Port Mafia.
You replied with assertance "Well...now, I think you're a better person than I thought. Despite the fact you act so childish, you become serious when you need to and are always there to protect your comprades. In fact, I think you're someone I would be able to trust my life to if necessary."
Dazai raised his eyesbrows while Kunikida and Junichiro had their mouth wide open, not believing what they just heard from you.
You tilt that maybe something is wrong with what you said, "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Dazai came back to his senses and smiled at you "No, not at all, on the contrary, I didn't know you would think of me like that and pint point a big part about myself." he then chuckled before smirking, "That took me aback. Who would have thunk that a little squirrel I just meet two weeks ago would already know me so well?"
You laughed awkwardly, thinking it's time to change the subject, "Ahah, well then, now that we explained ourselves how about we go back to the agency?"
The three of them nodded and followed you to the way of the agency, Dazai smiling now like he heard some good news and Junichiro and Kunikida still surprised of what the witnessed in those minutes of discussion.
However, as you marched with your colleagues towards safety, you couldn't help but feel as if something was still wrong; it was too easy to escape. And you knew from your memories that if the Port Mafia wanted to, they could have guarded your cell better or would have already noticed you escaped. Moreover, Mori could have choosen a better place to keep you out of sight, but he didn't. He could even have stayed earlier with you and Dazai to keep on his interrogation about your memories while Chuuya would take care of Evelynn, but again, he didn't.
"Why?" you questionned yourself before thinking that bringing this topic to the others if a meeting were to occcur later about your situation with Dazai would be a good idea.
It was a mystery that you couldn't find the answer yet, but you knew that all questions have their answer through time, and it would come eventually one day to you.
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-Time skip-
You successfully arrived safely at the agency and as you entered, you gathered the attention of the members of the agency.
Naomi jumped at Junichiro and hugged him too tightly, "Brother!"
"N-Naomi....Can't breath...." Junichiro pleaded through her sister's tight hug.
Kenji sitting on a desk, exclaimed with a smile"(Y/N)! Welcome back!" his worry evident in his voice despite his smile, while Kyouka enveloped you in a tight embrace, her expression filled with concern.
"Welcome back," Ranpo chimed in since the top of his desk, a lollipop dangling from his mouth, his confident smile hinting at his satisfaction with the outcome, which had unfolded just as he had foreseen.
"Did they hurt you anywhere?" Yosano inquired with a worried tone as she observed you, though you sensed an underlying motive behind her concern.
With a reassuring smile, you replied as you hugged back Kyouka, "I'm fine. Just a few bruises and feeling exhausted and hungry, but alive."
Yosano's expression shifted to disappointment, while Dazai pouted dramatically. "Why does no one worry about me? I was captured too, you know!"
As Kunikida passed by, he remarked in his usual cold tone, "Nobody cares about you or your antics." while Junichiro laughed awkardly.
Dazai dramatically acted hurt, as you chuckled at this moment you would usually witness through a screen or book, thinking it was a nice experience to see this scene unfolding in front of your eyes.
Then Fukusawa entered the room, putting a serious atmosphere as he walked his stence firm toward you and looked at you, "I'm glad you returned without a problem (Y/N)" he then looked at Dazai "You too Dazai." he after looked the both of you, "We will have a meeting later to talk about what happened but in the meantime, go rest, you deserves it. That's all."
With that, he returned in his office.
As Dazai was about to say something the door of the agency burst open with Atsushi short of breath, showing he ran quite a lot.
"(Y/N)! I'm so glad to see you here!" He sighed of relief as he tried to catch his breath.
You broke from your hug with Kyouka, "I'm glad to see you too Atsushi. But are you okay?" you inquired worried upon seing his breathless state.
"Yeah huf huf...I'm fine huf huf, I just ran a little too much." Atsushi smiled reassurantly.
Once calmed down a little, he let out a last sigh, "It's a relief that Ranpo plan went well."
Ranpo smirked proudly, his lollipop in hand, "Of course! My plans always go as I predict them."
You turned over to Ranpo, rising your eyebrows, "You did that?"
He grinned as he nodded, "Yep! I wouldn't leave alone my sweets-loving colleague when she is in need of help."
"This isn't like you Ranpo-san, to involve yourself in searching for (Y/N)." Dazai noticed with a smile.
"I agree with him, you didn't go to such extent back at Atsushi disappearance." Kunikida added since his desk as he taped on his computer.
Atsushi laughed awkardly while Ranpo stayed silent for some seconds, still smiling as he put back in his mouth his lollipop before replying, "Well! I'm like that!"
You chuckled at his words, thankful that Ranpo was close enough to you to concern himself in case you disappeared.
"Well, thank you. You're truly the greatest detective." You smiled softly.
"Of course I am!" Ranpo replied proudly.
Everyone laughed at that and some time later, everyone went back to their task after talking with you.
Dazai looked at you, a smile on his face "So (Y/N), since we're out and free now, should we go out eat?"
You looked at the clock and saw it was past noon, "You're right, it's been hours since I didn't eat something, I could eat an elephant right now." you replied as your stomach grumbled.
Dazai took your hand with a smile, taking you a little aback "Nice then, shall we go?"
As you marched toward the exit, you hear Kunikida voice since his desk, making you stop, "You two! The meeting is schreduled in two hours! So don't you dare be late, especially you Dazai!"
Dazai turned to look at him, a playfull smile on his face, "Don't worry Kunikida! We will be back in no time!"
Before Kunikida could say another word, Dazai rushed out with you while still holding your hand as you chuckled.
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~One hour time skip~
After eating out and feeling finally full, the both of you went to Dazai's place to rest and recuperate from all the emotions you went through since last night.
In the meantime, feeling you had replenished enough energy, you summoned Looki and Jumper back to your side. After all, you missed them and it seem it was the same for them too.
Once you entered your bedroom after taking a shower and changing, you jumped on your bed, "My comfy bed! I missed you!"
You then fell asleep.
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Hey guys (・∀・)
It's been a long time hasn't it?
I hope you're doing well, and sorry for the long wait.(◡ ω ◡)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I passed a long time on it when I could and I think it worked out quite well, what do you think?( ꈍᴗꈍ)
So I organized a little game. What do you think about it? For the following chapters you will have to find out who crow and butterfly are before our protagonist does!<(￣︶￣)>
Good luck in it and wish you a happy day.(人 •͈ᴗ•͈)
See you next time! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧