Chuuya

We both stepped into the dimly lit room together. My eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness as I found Mori behind his desk, illuminated by warm lamp. He put a finger to his lips as he saw us, glancing to the side. Following his eyes, I found Elise on a nearby couch, sleeping soundly.

I took off my hat and bowed respectfully in greeting while Okamoto knelt, then stood up again.

"Welcome to my office, Okamoto-kun," Mori smiled. "I do believe this is your first time here."

"Yes," came the short reply.

"Well you needn't be so formal," Mori clasped his hands together before looking at me. "Chuuya-kun, tell her to loosen up!"

I quickly cast her a sideway glance and shifted uncomfortably. "Relax?"

Mori seemed to find this amusing and let out a chuckle. Internally, I sighed. There are too many aspects of Mori that are exactly like Dazai.

"Anyway, thank you for coming here on such a short notice," Mori cleared his throat and started. "I'm sure you're curious to know why you've been summoned. So I'll just cut to the chase. Orkland Private Limited has been attacked."

I sucked in my breath. "That weapons-manufacturing company you've been investing in? How?"

"Well, just a few hours ago, the men that have been watching over Goldwire Factory called in to say it's been bombed."

"So all our investments …"

"That's why we're taking action," Mori leaned forward, a smile still plastered on his face. "You don't think I haven't prepared for something like this, do you?"

I looked away in silence and discomfort.

Luckily, Mori continued quickly. "It so happens that I've information about a certain criminal organisation that's come back to take revenge on us of late," said Mori, tilting his head slightly. "You'd remember, Chuuya-kun. Does the name 'Blood Raid' sound familiar?"

I crossed my arms. "Oh, that stinking group of thugs from Kawasaki." Then, noticing Okamoto who had stiffened beside me, I explained, "Blood Raid's a criminal organisation from Kawasaki that the Port Mafia's destroyed once long ago."

"But they're back, it seems!" Mori inserted casually. "And you two are tasked to find them and take them out, once and for all."

"Wait, just me and … Okamoto-kun?" My arms fell from my chest.

"Yes. After all, you've done it once as a pair with –"

"But this is different!" I interjected. "You're … you're not even going to give us backup?"

Mori hummed disapprovingly. "You know I don't like sending precious manpower to their deaths if I can help it. And besides, aren't you the one always going on about Okamoto-kun's talents?"

I glanced at Okamoto again, slightly embarrassed. She blinked right back at me, unfazed. "Well … I …"

"I'd be honoured to take on this mission," Okamoto said, turning her head back to face Mori.

"Ah good! So it's decided then!" Mori clapped his hands happily. "Here are your mission details: Eliminate Blood Raid completely and … destroy anyone who opposes you."

I didn't miss the targeted look he gave me, even though I'm confused why.

Beside me, Okamoto saluted while I grudgingly bowed. "If that's your order …"

Just then, Mori's phone rang and a look of surprise crossed his face, as did mine. Only a rare few people in this world have Mori's number. Who could be calling?

On the couch, Elise started to stir and Mori tried his best to clamp his hand down on the phone. "Both of you can go now, it looks like I should answer this."

Still wondering who that could be, I left the office with Okamoto. I let out an impatient sigh as we waited for the escalator to reach the ground floor. Today had been a long day and I can't believe I'm not at home resting yet.

I just want to get this over and done with by sunrise.


Dazai

I escorted the elderly lady back to her café after the Petit Mafia left. I am, after all, a total gentleman.

"I hope you got the answers you were searching for," the elderly lady said as she unlocked the doors to the building.

"Most of it," I replied honestly. "And I hope you don't lose any customers after tonight," I continued, less honestly, and recalled how she rushed the customers out of the café and closed up, to just to force me to visit that hat-rack.

Even though I did get what I wanted in the end, it was still such an irritating experience.

"Will you be going home now?" The elderly lady suddenly asked, her body already halfway behind the door.

I contemplated my answer. "Hmm … after I tie up some loose ends first."

"I can't tell if you're overthinking because you like doing that, or if it's your job to do so."

I smiled at her, "Both, I suppose."

"Well," she continued, "it suits you, I guess. Your detective job."

I raised an eyebrow of my own, a little surprised. She was after all, the first one to say that. "Goodnight, Onuki-san."

"Goodnight then, young man," she nodded at me before disappearing into the darkness of the building.

I paced outside the building for a while, pondering my next course action. Once decided, I hurried over to the nearest payphone. Though I was sure this was the best move to make in such a situation, I couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of anxiousness, dialling a certain number I know all too well.

I waited patiently for the line to pick up … but it didn't seem like the person was going to answer. Did I time it wrongly? Or perhaps the person I was calling was ignoring the call on purpose …?

After what seemed like forever, I finally heard the crackle of a familiar voice over the line. "May I know who is calling?"

"It's me," I stated plainly.

Immediately, the tone of the voice lightened, "Dazai-kun! Oh my! How nice of you to call!"

"Mori-san," I continued, not caring to observe much pleasantries. "Where is Chuuya … and his new subordinate?"

I could hear the grin in the Mafia Boss's reply. "Ah, well, I just sent them on a mission! It's certainly unlike you to care … unless you are investigating something?"

"Where did you send them to?"

A low chuckle bubbled from the line. "Seems like it's urgent."

"Mori-san," I said, my tone hardening, "you're putting Chuuya in danger."

"And you don't think he can handle himself? I put Chuuya-kun in danger every day."

"This is different!" I insisted, fighting to keep the urgency in my voice down. "Chuuya's too dumb to suspect anything about that new subordinate!"

Mori laughed again. "I see. So we are both investigating the same thing. How … predictable."

I swallowed, my mind furiously working to keep up with the Mafia Boss. Then, it came to me suddenly.

If we were both investigating the same thing … that means Mori is too, investigating that new subordinate. And if he knew what I already knew about a certain criminal organisation (which is very likely), then he also knows there is one sure-fire way to test someone's loyalty.

"Thank you, Mori-san," I smiled into the phone. "Always knew you cared."

Even over the line, I could hear the smirk in his voice. "I'll be counting on you to bring Chuuya-kun back, safely."

Then, there was a click and the line went silent.


Chuuya

I leaned back into the black leather seats of the car speeding us away to Kawasaki. This wasn't the first time I had gone on a mission with Okamoto … but it was the first time I had gone on a mission with her alone.

Usually, she would be a bit more chatty – in the productive way of course. From what I've noticed so far, Okamoto's always prepared, and always had a detailed plan outlined. But tonight, she was strangely silent. She was sitting at the far end of the backseat, and was either looking out of the window or tapping on her phone quietly.

"Are you okay?" I asked finally, turning my head to the side to look at her.

Evidently, Okamoto had not expected me to say anything because she jumped a little, startled by my question. She looked up from her phone. "Yes, thank you. I'm just trying to come up with a plan for this."

"Oh, right. This would be your first time sent out on an impromptu mission like this."

Okamoto nodded. "But it's okay. I think I've more or less worked it out. Kawasaki's full of alleyways, right? If you walk in front of me, it would be easy for you to take out people as they come at us through the narrow alleyways. I'll stay behind so I can watch the back."

Silence fell again. It wasn't a bad plan. I didn't think I'd do it any other way. I'm quiet because I'm just not sure how to express the current emotions I was feeling at the moment.

After a minute of struggling, I spoke up, hesitatingly. "Hey, Okamoto-kun."

"Yes?"

"Thanks for being such a capable … partner."

Beside me, she laughed unexpectedly. I looked up at her in surprise.

"I'm honoured but … I'm no partner," she smiled.

I furrowed my brows. "Rank doesn't really matter to me –"

"Oh look," she suddenly pointed. "We're here."

And sure enough, the car slowed to a stop at a quiet street, a while away from the heart of Kawasaki.

"Ah … oh. Thanks," I said to our chauffeur before getting out.

As I surveyed our surroundings, Okamoto checked our location against a map on her phone. Then, once we've got our bearings, we set off to the underbelly of Kawasaki.

I walked down vaguely familiar alleyways and suppressed my slight discomfort. The last time I was here, I came with a certain person whom I thought was going to be my lifelong partner. Now, 4 years later, I find myself in the same place with the same purpose … but this time, with someone new.

"Ahem, Nakahara-san," Okamoto cleared her throat softly behind me. "We're being tailed."

I paused in the middle of my tracks and turned around warily, ready to take on the enemy.

Okamato immediately lifted her gun, just as our stalker lifted his.

"Step away from her, Chuuya," said an annoyingly familiar voice, with one dark-coloured eye glinting dangerously in the moonlight.


Chuuya could scarcely believe his eyes. First he shows up at the café, then he makes a house visit and brings another uninvited guest, and now he appears at his mission location? What the hell does Dazai want? Was he here to mess with him? Why is he putting in so much effort into making his life a living hell nowadays?

"Oi," Dazai smirked (and immediately Chuuya felt like punching it off right there and then), "maybe your hearing's lacking like your height so I'll repeat myself. Step away from her, Short-stack. She's not who you think she is."

Chuuya's face flushed with anger. "HAH?! What are you talking about? Okamoto-kun's my mission part –"

"She's not your partner!" Dazai suddenly yelled in frustration, stopping Chuuya in his tracks. "She has never been and will never be your partner!"

The redhead could only stare. The smirk was gone, replaced by a bowed head and darkened expression. Dazai seemed … mad. But wait, how did that happen? Chuuya knew of course, that Dazai like any other human, was capable of feeling emotion, but he rarely lets it show. For the most part of his life, Chuuya has learned to deal with his fake smiles and smug grins used to mask how he really felt. Heck, Dazai was so good at crushing his own feelings that he probably fools himself.

However, now he's letting what seemed like genuine anger show on the surface and Chuuya just did not know how to deal.

Chuuya swallowed thickly. "Dazai," he began.

But just then, three dark figures jumped down from above. They hit Dazai to the ground, and as he groaned, pinned him down and kicked the pistol from his hand.

"DAZAI!" Chuuya started forward but immediately felt the press of cold steel on his forehead.

"He's right you know," Okamoto said coolly, her index finger stroking the trigger. "You should have listened earlier, when you had the chance."

Chuuya's eyes widened in shock, in utter disbelief. How was this happening?

But in a mere few seconds, that disbelief quickly turned into rage, taking over his entire body as he trembled with anger. "How could you?" He spat out.

"She was never on your side in the first place," one of the guys holding Dazai down laughed.

"Araki," said another man, smirking. "Don't tease him now."

Dazai strained his eyes to focus on Chuuya. It had been about half a minute since he pulled the trigger on his gun before it was kicked out of his hand. Chuuya had to stop his agitation somehow or at this rate, they won't make it out alive. And judging by Chuuya's quickened breathing, he had to act now.

"Chuuya," he croaked. "Lights out …"

Instantly, he felt a sharp blade pressing on his left arm. "Keep your damn mouth shut if ya don't want to lose your arm like how you took mine," growled the third, and the heaviest man sitting on him.

A few metres away, Chuuya grit his teeth. What was Dazai trying to say? Lights out? What's that supposed to mean? Dammit Dazai, he thought, clenching his fists. I should just crush everyone here now like how I did it the last time!

And then, that memory came to mind. He recalled it in a flash as if it were like yesterday.

"This place stinks," said Dazai, holding his nose. "Can we just set fire to the place?"

"Follow the plan, you idiot!"

"Alright, alright," came the reply. Then, Dazai took a spherical object from his coat and lifted the lock before rolling it to the ground.

"Lights out," said Chuuya as he watched it roll into the darkness ahead.

Realisation hit Chuuya like a bullet train now, followed by the instinctive urge to cover his nose and mouth. How did Dazai … was it his gun? Did he fill it with gas instead of bullets? Chuuya willed himself to resist looking at it and instead, concentrated on holding his breath and his angry expression, lest any of them realised what was going on.

"Okay, let's take these two away to the boss. Then he can decide how he wants to make the Port Mafia pay," said the man who was currently holding a knife to Dazai's arm.

"Yes, Hamada-san," the other two replied while Chuuya's captor nodded.

As the three holding Dazai down, now attempted to tie his wrists together, Okamoto instructed Chuuya to turn around slowly.

And so he did. But just as he was about to start walking as instructed, the sound of a body falling to the ground behind alerted the both of them.

"What the –" Okamoto frowned as the other two started to sway before hitting the ground. Then, she started to notice that her vision was getting hazy …

"You …" She began, straining to keep her gun level. But Chuuya now, feeling both impatient and furious, punched a pressure point on her neck swiftly, causing her to lose consciousness too.

Then Chuuya dashed forward to pick up the brunette detective and swiftly hopped up onto a building top.

He coughed as he put Dazai down. Chuuya had breathed in some of the gas, but he was fortunate enough that Dazai was able to signal him in time.

"Oh, you're still alive," Dazai remarked, straightening himself up. "Looks like your memory didn't go with your hearing loss."

"Who exactly is she, shitty Dazai?" Chuuya demanded furiously, grabbing Dazai by the collar.

"Sure, shoot the messenger. After he just saved your ass, too," Dazai's smirk was back. However, noticing their surroundings, his eyes narrowed. "So how about you repay me by destroying this stinking place?"

Chuuya let go of Dazai, facing the ring of men that had formed a circle around them on other building tops, all their guns pointed at them.

"Ah," he said in a low voice, fists shaking with anger, "it would be my pleasure."


A/N: The storm's in full swing now! Also it may not seem like it, but the scene with Mori and Dazai was incredibly hard to write. You have no idea how many times I've rewritten and revised it. It was so nightmarish because the two of them are so terrifyingly similar. It was genuinely hard to keep up with their thoughts, haha. Hope it wasn't awkward or strange for you to read!