"I imagine you have a lot of questions," Dazai's voice was resolute and tired, like he'd accepted his fate.

Tanizaki was the first one to react, his pale face flushing as he grew more and more furious, "YEA I DO, WHAT THE HELL? I THOUGHT YOU WERE BETTER THAN THIS DAZAI, BUT YOU WERE A PORT MAFIA MEMBER! DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT THEY'VE DONE TO THIS CITY, TO US?"

As if emphasizing his point, he held Naomi closer to him. He took a short fury-filled breath to continue but was interrupted by Kunikida.

"Tanizaki, there is no need to yell. I'm sure Dazai will explain."

He glanced at his partner expectantly, but was unable to hide the curiosity in his eyes at this revelation. Dazai's draw of breath was shaky, but before he could speak, Ranpo's flat voice interrupted the conversation.

"You wanted to find something."

Dazai's head shot up and he stared at Ranpo, whose bright green eyes were piercing right through his soul.

"In a way, you were bored. You were lost, possibly, and you thought the mafia could give you something you were missing," Ranpo squinted at him, "I don't think you found it."

"No."

Dazai gazed up at the ceiling, "I didn't find it there. I met some people there, who found what they were looking for, but I never did. Eventually I left, with the encouragement of a friend there and by my own admission that what I was doing there wasn't right."

"That's good," Dazai turned around to see Atsushi's face, "I'm glad you realized that. I bet it wasn't easy at all."

Kyouka peaked out from next to him, staring at Dazai, her mind racing. He's from the Port Mafia too. And he's a good person… Maybe…. I can be good too.

Dazai must have realized her train of thought, because he gave her a soft smile. Then, he turned to Atsushi, "I have a lot of regrets from that time and it wasn't easy to break away. But before I joined the Agency, I took a two year break. That gave me a lot of time to think about my actions and past. I hurt a lot of people while in the Port Mafia, but in the end, I don't regret my time there. Some people there taught me that what I was doing with my life was wrong."

He took a breath and then smiled at Ranpo, "What were your guesses?"

Ranpo held up two fingers, "Port Mafia member or part of a secret government organization. I could tell you regretted it and those were the most secretive, darkest jobs I could think of, plus both would have potential for you to have a partner."

Yosano finally spoke, "I'm proud of you Dazai," Her voice wavered, "I knew the Port Mafia boss as a kid and I know how convincing and controlling he is. Once you meet him, it's hard to break away."

"I'm glad you got out," Kenji agreed, "That kind of place seems like one that would drag you down, both mentally and morally."

Dazai nods, "There were some bright spots, my old partner, Chibi, my friend who convinced me to leave, and Akutagawa, during calmer moments."

Kunikida blinked, "You knew Akutagawa?"

"Sort of," Dazai wasn't willing to admit that he hadn't seen Akutagawa as a person during his time in the mafia, "We were….. Acquaintances."

He knew that despite working close to Akutagawa for years, he barely knew anything about him as a person, only things he would've needed for his mind games and brutal training. He hadn't cared enough to learn and although he was aware that Akutagawa was okay with that, after the two years of seclusion, he felt kinda guilty.

Naomi's mouth opened wide, "OOOHHH, that's why he stopped to talk to you! He knows you!"

Dazai laughed, "I imagine it was more shock than actual friendliness on his part. I kinda faked my death to get away from the mafia."

They all blinked at him, comprehension on their faces. Atsushi whispered, "They think you died.."

"An unfortunate circumstance," chuckled Dazai, "It was the only way for a clean break, although I bet Chibi was annoyed that I died."

Just annoyed? Ran through several people's minds

Fukuzawa finally spoke up, "After hearing all of this, I accepted Dazai into the ADA. He went to great lengths to try and break away from the Mafia and I now trust him as much as any of you."

Dazai managed a sheepish look, "Thanks President."

"That's why they wanted you.." Kyouka murmured, unaware of the silence. When they all turned to look at her, her pale face grew pink.

"Sorry!," She exclaimed, "But one of my tasks before I was rescued was to capture Dazai, Akutagawa's orders."

She looked at the floor, "I'm sorry."

The ADA's heads flipped back to Dazai, who looked slightly amused.

"It's ok, Kyouka," he told her, "I escaped anyways."

He gestured to his wrists and the slight bruise on his face, Kyouka looked ashamed.

"How did you escape?" Ranpo asked, "Don't they want you dead?"

"Sort of," Dazai's face twisted into an amused smirk, "Well, you'll see won't you?"

At that Maddie cleared her throat, "Are we done?"

They all glared at her, emotions running high and Maddie stepped back, "We need to keep going or this time loop will crash."

Although her argument was understandable, the ADA turned away from her in anger. She sighed and clicked the remote in her hand, "Let's go."

Atsushi startles awake in bed, " Where… where am I?"

He glances around him and blinks slowly as he spots Kunikida sitting besides him. He is holding his journal and his glasses are on his forehead.

"Oh, you're awake."

Atsushi slurs as he responds, "K-Kunikida?"

Kunikida sounds tired as he responds, "You really know how to mess things up."

"Wow, ok, Kunikida." Ranpo chuckles, "A bit blunt of you"

Kunikida rolled his eyes, "It may be blunt of me but nothing I said was a lie."

"Yea, I guess," Atsushi muttered quietly, "Still hurt though."

Kyouka patted Atsushi's arm sympathetically.

Atsushi jolts awake in bed, remembering what happened.

"I...I was attacked by… the mafia."

His flashbacks increase showing Naomi getting shot and then Tanizaki getting stabbed by Akutagawa.

"Kunikida!" Atsushi shouts in desperation, "What happened? Where's Tanizaki and Naomi?"

Dazai gives Atsushi a smile, He thinks of other people before himself. He settles back down and looks at the sky, I'm glad they accept me.

"Atsushi," He says and the boy in question glances at him, "Good on you for thinking of Naomi and Tanizaki, but you are important too. Don't underestimate your importance."

Atsushi nods quietly, "Yea."

"Don't worry," Kunikida reassures him, "They'll be fine."

"Are.. are they really?" Atsushi stammers in relief.

"Yes," Kunikida closes his book, "Tanizaki is being treated by Yosano in the next room."

The camera shifts over to Tanizaki strapped down to a operation table with Yosano walking around him.

Naomi turns her head slowly around to glare at Yosano, "What is this?"

Yosano gives her a mysterious smile, "It's all part of the procedure."

"Sure it is." snarls Naomi, "You have to do that to my brother."

Yosano chuckles, " Sure do!"

As the two women argue, Tanizaki's face gets redder and redder with the awkward conversation. Dazai hides a smirk at Tanizaki's misery and Kenji tilts his head to the side, confused but amused at the odd scenario.

"Look at you all battered and broken. Do you really like my treatment that much?" Yosano coos.

"Uhhh."

Tanizaki struggles against his restraints but it's evident he can't escape.

Yosano grins, "Let's try something exciting this time!"

She begins to pull off her shirt and laughs.

"WHAT KIND OF MEDICAL PROCEDURE ARE YOU DOING?" Naomi shrieks, her pale face flushed as Yosano starts laughing.

Tanizaki tries to speak up, "Uh.. Dr. Yosano didn't actually…"

Naomi whips her hair around quickly, and give her brother a literal death glare. Tanizaki shrinks backwards at the look on his sister's face.

As Naomi continues raging at a hilariously calm Yosano, the other ADA members watched in a sort of twisted amusement at Tanizaki's obvious embarrassment.

"Huh? UHhH?"

Tanizaki screams as Yosano pulls out a weapon.

"Is it really medical treatment?" Atsushi questions the camera showing his face.

Kunikida swallows, "I heard, kid, about the seven billion bounty the black market has on your head."

"What?"

Kunikida glances at Dazai, "I still can't believe Akutagawa just told you that."

Dazai smiled as mysteriously as he can, "He just loves me that much."

Kyouka narrows her eyes in suspicion, Akutagawa doesn't give up info easily. If Dazai was in the mafia, I wonder what Akutagawa meant to him.

"You've moved up in the world!" Kunikida beams, "Seven billion! No wonder the mafia are after you!"

"Seven.. Billion?"

He thinks back to Akutagawa's words, "You are my target."

"So that's what it was about?" Atsushi looks at the floor, "What should we do? They might attack us to get to me."

"There's no doubt that they would," Ranpo took a sip of his ramun, "But you need some faith Atsushi, we are the ADA for a reason."

Atsushi slowly nods as Ranpo stares him down, "Yes, Ranpo."

Ranpo's piercing green eyes bore into him, and Atsushi shifts uncomfortably. Kenji beams at Atsushi, " Have some faith Atsushi! I promise we're quite strong!"

Atsushi laughed weakly, "Yea.. you're right."

Atsushi looks incredibly ashamed, "Why are they after me?"

Kunikida glances at his journal, "Don't let it break you."

"What?"

"The mafia might take their violence to the extreme but don't let that shake you," Kunikida says calmly, turning a page of his book.

"What an excellent philosophy!" Kenji claps his hands together, "Don't let the Mafia break you!"

As he smiles, he gives Kyouka a side glance almost saying the words to Atsushi, almost implying that he was speaking to Kyouka as well.

Dazai nods empathetically at Kenji's enthusiasm, his smile still as mysterious as normal.

"A shaken warrior is one who dies...' Words of wisdom." Kunikida's hands turn another page.

"Uh…" Atsushi raises a hand, cautiously, "Your book.. It's upside down."

The ADA began laughing as Kunikida's blush grew, "I DIDN'T NOTICE!"

"How didn't you notice, Kunikida?" Tanizaki asked, genuinely.

"I WAS VERY STRESSED!"

"Aren't you always?" sighs Dazai, "You are very uptight."

Kunikida slams his notebook down and starts shouting, "I AM NOT UPTIGHT!"

"Are you sure?" Dazai sings, "You seem like you need a massage."

As Kunikida shouted at Dazai, a smile crossed Yosano's face, The ADA was back to normal.

Kunikida closes his book, and stands calmly up. He then starts screaming, "I AM NOT SHAKEN. I would not lose my cool over something like the mafia! In fact, if they were to burst in here right now! I would destroy them!"

Kunikida is really stressed out by this, Atsushi thinks, His expression is so animated!"

Atsushi's head drops down, as if bothered by something.

"It's all because of me."

"Not really?" Yosano observed, "We've been targets of the Mafia forever, this is just one more thing that they hate us for."

"Oh," Atsushi mirrored his on-screen counterpart, "I didn't know."

"It's fine, Atsushi," Dazai says, "You were new and you hadn't seen the ADA's power yet. You had every right to be skeptical."

Atsushi didn't agree internally, but he forced himself to nod.

Kunikida glances at him, "They'll come for us.."

"You brought this on us." Kunikida tells him, "The worst case scenario could occur. Think about what you can do when that time comes."

He turns to leave, and Atsushi watches him, What can I do?

"By the way?" Kunikida looks back, "Have you seen my glasses? I've been searching for them all day."

The ADA's laughter filled the room as Kunikida sunk into his chair, absolutely red-faced.

"I was very stressed…."

Ranpo laughed even hard, "Yea, but it was still funny!"

Kenji and Kyouka giggled almost simultaneously and Atsushi cheerfully patted him on the back, "You'll be ok, Kunikida."

"Thanks Atsushi," squeaks Kunikida.

Dazai's small mysterious smile grew until he couldn't control himself, He was beyond happy. He joined into the laughter, his smile widening.

Kyouka watched him, her calm blue eyes glowing as she came to a realization, If Dazai can be happy...Then I can be too.

His glasses are resting on his head, gleaming in the sun as he looks at Atsushi.

The camera goes to a scene in a back alley, standing there is a middle aged man. He is about to smoke a cigarette when he is interrupted by the arrival of a man in a suit.

"It's time," the suited man tells him.

The monocle man smiles grimly and turns on his heel, a group of about ten men clad in black following him. They reach a grimy door and the man turns to his subordinates, "Stand down."

"Dazai?" Yosano cocked her head, "Since you were a member, What can you tell us about this guy?"

"Hirotsu Ryuro," Dazai exclaims, "The Leader of the Black Lizards and an ability user, He's quite respectable and well-liked by his subordinates, even if he can be brutal with his enemies."

Kenji scratched his head, "It's odd to think all these Port Mafia members know each other, It makes you wonder what they act like when they aren't on the job."

Yosano snickered to herself, "I hope they all hate Motojiro."

For a brief second an image of Akutagawa and Motojiro interacting entered Atsushi's mind, but he quickly pushed it away, repulsed by his own mind. Ranpo laughed at Yosano's idea, sipping his ramun with pleasure.

They obey, clearing away from the doors as the man stands in front. He closes his eyes and takes a breath, then gently touches the door. His purple ability activates and the doors fly off the hinges. A group of men stand inside the warehouse, shock all over their faces. They appear frightened at the sight of the black-clad men and the man leading them.

"Excuse the interruption," Monocle man says politely, getting a frantic yell back from a random worker, "WHO ARE YOU?"

The man smirks back, "I'm here on some business, I won't be long."

Kenji eye-rolled, "Those men seem all too shady to me. What are they even doing?"

"Stealing from the Port Mafia," Dazai pointed out, "Hirotsu is probably there to end them for interfering in Mafia business."

Atsushi blinked, "Really?"

Dazai nods solemnly, "The Mafia is very territorial, It's a slight advantage to being located here. The Mafia will exterminate some threats for us, making our jobs a bit easier."

Kunikida smacks him with his book and he finishes in a rush, 'Of course that doesn't excuse their shady business and general villainy, but it's still nice."

Atsushi nods stiffly and looks back to the TV.

He walks menacingly closer to the worker, "It appears that some people have been selling the Port Mafia's goods on the black market. Rumor has it, this is their operation area. We are here for evidence."

He glances at the crates they are packing, "May I look?"

Behind him, a worker grabs a loose pipe and attempts to smash his head. The man calmly catches his swing with ease. His fingertips glow and the worker is flung backwards, the pipe twisted and melted.

"WHOA," Kenji gasps, "His ability is so cool!"

"Sure," Yosano agrees, "But imagine what he could do with a human body, That's not as cool."

Kenji's cheerful face becomes crestfallen as he thinks about what Yosano said, "Oh I didn't think about that."

Ranpo shrugged, "Most abilities can be used for violent means, it's the mindset that counts."

"That's part of the exam, after all." Kunikida scratches his head with his pen.

"I believe I've found the evidence."

"What the hell?" says the blasted worker, "This is steel!"

"Is this your first time seeing a supernatural ability ?" the man asks, putting his hand on the worker, who begins to melt and contort just like the pipe.

The worker screams and other workers watch in shock as the body hits the floor. The man puffs on his cigarette.

"Cool, calm and collected," Dazai observed, "He's very experienced."

"This is horrible," Atsushi says in a way of reply, "He killed so many people."

Dazai wanted to roll his eyes, but restrained himself, "That's kind of the mafia's job."

"Yea, but…" Atsushi trails off, "Nevermind…"

He turns around calmly, "Kill them all."

As soon as he speaks, the men in black raise their guns and fire into the workers. The man doesn't even turn around as the sound of bullets and screaming fills the air. He puffs on another cigarette.

"Nothing like a cigarette after a job well done."

A few minutes away, Atsushi startles from the sound of an explosion. He looks out a window to see smoke from a good distance away.

Yosano narrowed her eyes, "That's a threat."

Atsushi looks at her startled, "A threat?"

"Indeed," Dazai agrees, his hair a bit messy from his hands running from it, "It's close to us. Too close."

"An explosion?" He mutters aloud.

The warehouse that the man had blown up is now being investigated by the police. Smoke flows out from the remains, the police are swarmed around the area. Atsushi joins the crowd of citizens watching the destruction. Atsushi remains silent.

"Oh Atsushi," sighs Kunikida, "I forgot."

"Forgot about what?"

Kunikida heaves a sigh, "That you didn't know what the "worst case scenario" was. You probably thought we are going to get killed."

Atsushi manages a sheepish nod and Ranpo laughs through his mouth.

"Do you really think we'd be so unprepared?" He asks Atsushi, who smiles at him.

"I suppose, looking back on it, I was just trying overthinking everything.. As always."

"Nothing wrong with that!" Kenji says, brightly, "You just need a more positive attitude!"

Dazai rolls his eyes at Kenji's enthusiasm, but Atsushi looks happier.

"Do you really think that would help?"

"Nothing would help more!" Kenji beams as Atsushi looks somewhat excited.

"Positive… attitude?" Kyouka murmured.

"Everyone was killed," a man near Atsushi, says, "It's so brutal.. Done by the Black Lizard too. They're vicious even by Port Mafia standards."

"They're supposed to be as tough as a military unit," another man chimes in.

Dazai nods, "The Black Lizards actually receive similar training to a military unit. They're trained to not hesitate."

"Oh?" Kunikida raised his eyebrow, "Do you know them?"

Dazai shrugs his shoulders, "We've worked together before.I doubt the commanders know me but Hirotsu might."

"This is still so weird to me," sighs Atsushi, wondering what else Dazai has been hiding from him.

Ranpo scratches his arm as he thinks, Worked with them before? I wonder what he was doing with them..

hmmm…

The Black Lizards, thinks Atsushi eyeing the destruction, If they attack the agency….

His mind generates an idea of the Port Mafia kicking down the doors of the Agency and shooting everyone inside.

Worst possible situation….

Atsushi stands in front of a telephone booth, staring at his own reflection. He reaches for the phone..

"I'm sorry!" Atsushi blurts out before the scene concludes.

As they all glance at him, his sunset eyes get darker. "I called Higuchi.."

Yosano and Tanizaki both shout, "WHAT?"

However both stopped their yelling when they saw the look on Atsushi's face.

"I thought it was for the best," Atsushi swallowed, "Kunikida made it seem as though the worst case scenario was happening. I thought it was my fault."

Kunikida meets Atsushi's eyes, "I'm so sorry, Atsushi. I should've made it clear what I was doing."

In a dimly lit office, Higuchi answers the phone. She looks bored, "Who is this?"

"It's me." Atsushi answers back.

Higuchi's eyes widen, "Were-Tiger!"

She looks nervous, He must have gotten my number from the business card I left at the agency.

"Serves her right," Naomi sniffs haughtily, "She messed up her job and it was her fault."

Dazai laughed, "Our policies actually worked in our favor. We now know Higuchi's phone number."

Tanizaki sighs, "I'm surprised that you remember the phone number, you have a good memory?"

"I suppose," Atsushi sighs, "I don't really think about remembering numbers or books, I just do."

Naomi snaps her fingers, "Like how you remembered what Dazai said about Tanizaki and I when you guessed our job."

"See?" says Ranpo, "You're a great detective!"

"The last time we spoke, your friends were there to help you. I don't think you'll be so lucky this time, What do you want?" Higuchi snarls back.

Atsushi's voice is filled with fury, "I'm quitting the detective agency… I'm running…. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!"

Higuchi's hardened face softens a bit, "You would like to leave your friends out of this."

Kyouka smiles, "That's very nice of you Atsushi!"

"Nice?" questions Atsushi, "I was going to leave everyone behind. I was a coward."

"There's something genuine in your reasoning." Kyouka whispers, gently, "It's honest."

"Thanks Kyouka," mumbles Atsushi, flustered

Atsushi slams the phone onto the receiver, anger in every movement.

Higuchi smiles to herself and stands up. "Call the Black Lizard," She orders.

Atsushi clambers up the stairs, a bag over his shoulder. His glare is determined and dedicated to his task. He almost bumps into Kunikida, who is carrying many documents in his arms.

"There you are," Kunikida says in relief, "Things are a big mess cause of you."

Kunikida slowly blinks before it dawns on him, "From your perspective.. It must seem like I'm blaming you."

He turns to Atsushi, "I'm so sorry.I didn't think before I spoke, this is just like the "worst case scenario."

"It's ok, Kunikida!" Atsushi reassures him, "I'm sure you were very stressed out."

Dazai nudges Kunikida, "You should write this down."

Kunikida stares at his partner, trying to decipher if Dazai is tricking him. He eventually relents and scribbles down some notes.

Atsushi doesn't respond and keeps walking.

"We might actually face the worst case scenario. Why don't you help me with these?"

Atsushi continues ignoring him and tries to keep walking.

"Hey!" Kunikida sounds indignant. Atsushi turns towards him with a small smile, "Don't worry!"

Kunikida's eyebrows raise.

"The worse case scenario isn't going to happen. The agency is safe now!" He seems reassured.

Yosano chuckles, "I still cannot believe Atsushi though we couldn't handle ourselves."

She smiles at the confused boy, "Honestly Atsushi, We've been in business a long time."

Atsushi rolled his eyes, "I think I was more worried about you guys getting hurt and it being my fault."

Yosano pulled a scalpel out of the bag at her feet, "Remember what I said," she began cleaning the weapon.

Atsushi swallows with fear, "Yes mam."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kunikida sounds completely confused now.

He watches Atsushi walk down the stairs and leave, confused emotions all over his face.

"GET BACK HERE AND HELP! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?" screams Kunikida at Atsushi's back.

As Atsushi walks away, he thinks of the orphanage. The voices from the orphan leader's echo through his head. His head slumps.

"Fuck those orphanage guys," Ranpo swings his ramune wildly, "They can't appreciate Atsushi's existence."

Atsushi kept blushing as all the ADA members voiced their agreement.

Kenji puts a hand on his head, "I wonder why they hated you so much."

"Probably my ability.." Atsushi says sadly, "They knew."

Dazai looks at the ceiling ,"Sometimes people just hate others for no reason at all, except that the person reminds them of themselves."

Yosano nodded agreement and responded but Kyouka drowned her out in her mind.

I wonder…

If that's why…

He hated me so much...

In a back alley, a familiar man watches the passerby. He is about to light his cigarette when he is interrupted by a younger guy in a fluffy jacket and a band-aid on his nose.

"You are late." the older one informs the younger guy.

"You should relax old man," the young guy snarls, a title card appearing next to him revealing his name, "Tachihara Michizou, Black Lizard Commander."

"Tachihara?" Tanizaki asks, "Huh.."

"What do you mean by that?" Naomi asks him, and he shakes his head.

"It's odd that we haven't known his name before this." explains Tanizaki, "It makes you wonder what kind of lives the villains have."

Ranpo rolls his eyes, "You don't feel that way about Higuchi or Akutagawa."

"Yea," Tanizaki acknowledges, "But they're monsters. They are born to kill."

He runs a hand through Naomi's hair, "But not everyone is."

Dazai laughs, "The Port Mafia is not always so bad. If you know where to look for the humanity."

He thinks of Chuuya, screaming at him for almost getting killed, angrily telling him he doesn't care about Dazai, while his eyes betray him.

He thinks of Akutagawa's calm moments where he sits with his sister and they talk, both with small smiles on their faces as they relax while near each other.

He thinks of Odasaku. Odasaku and the kids. Odasaku and the curry. Odasaku's promise to become an author.

Atsushi doesn't miss the sad smile on his face.

I wonder what he's thinking about.

Tachihara laughs, "This place isn't so bad. Now where's Gin? Is that jerk late again?"

The older man chuckles, "She's behind you."

Someone moves from behind Tachihara, her title card reading, "Gin. Black Lizard Commander."

Tachihara is startled but then shakes it off, "You're as creepy as ever, you know?"

"She is pretty creepy," Kenji laughs, "That's funny Tachihara!"

Kyouka nods, "Creepy.."

Dazai wonders if it would be appropriate to tell them that creepiness and emo runs in the Akutagawa family.

He decides it would be better kept secret.

Gin moves so fast that Tachihara barely has time to blink before a knife is at his throat.

Tachihara glares into Gin's cold eyes, "You wanna make this something?"

Gin doesn't respond, only narrows her eyes more. She glances down to see Tachihara's pistol aimed at her side. Her face fills with fury as she looks back up at Tachihara.

Fukuzawa speaks again, making several people jump, "A stand-off."

"They are trying to impress Hirotsu." He observes.

"What makes you say that, sir?" Kenji asks.

"Gin's entrance and Tachihara's way of showing off with his pistol," Fukuzawa sniffed, "They're both trying to impress their boss."

"That's very observant of you sir," Kunikida gushes while Ranpo snorts.

"Enough" The older man raises his hand, his ability flashing, his title card reads, "Hirotsu Ryuro, Black Lizard Leader. Ability: Falling Camilla."

"Would you like to be reported, "killed on assignment"?"

Both commanders fall silent, fear in their eyes. They put their weapons away.

"Ok. Ok," Tachihara's voice wavers, "Chill out."

"Hmm," Kunikida scratches some notes down, " Does the Port Mafia normally enforce through fear?"

Dazai shakes his head, "Only in certain situations. Most of the lackeys are given incredible paychecks, keeps them around."

Kyouka grips her phone tightly. Certain situations.

Tachihara begins to speak again, but is interrupted by Hirotsu's phone ringing, "Everyone is here," he says turning his back to his companions.

"Good," Higuchi's voice sounds distorted through the phone.

Hirostu smiles, "Who is our target this time?"

"This time?" Tanizaki mutters, "What other organizations have been ended because of them?"

Yosano smirked, "The Black Lizard typically targets underground organizations like smugglers. They're responsible for eliminating other organizations from the city."

Atsushi scratches his arm, "The Lizards do that?"

"Yes," Dazai assures, "It's oddly helpful of them. They do some dirty work and it keeps the city cleaner."

"That doesn't change the fact that the Port Mafia needs to be stopped," Kunikida adjusts his glasses, "They're still criminals."

"I suppose," Dazai shrugs.

"Your target," Higuchi takes a breath, as if knowing the suspense was building, "Is the Armed Detective Agency."

She's sitting in a blood red office, a phone to her ear and a determined look on her face. Her face doesn't change as Hirostu's voice comes through the phone again, asking why the agency and not the 'weretiger'.

Her voice is frosty, "The agency's interference was the cause of our failure last time. We're not going to let it happen again. Destroy the agency, the were-tiger's only support, and then we will go after him."

"A good strategy," Ranpo puffs, "I can probably outsmart it though."

Kenji grins, "Of course Ranpo can! He's the smartest!"

He missed the eye roll from half the people in the room. Yosano bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"Should we kill them all?" asked Hirotsu, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Of course."

He nods, "Very well."

Higuchi hangs up, her voice sullen. Her brown eyes seem almost saddened. They narrow quickly and flash brightly as her anger returns in full force, "Akutagawa-senpai will not be stopped by the detective agency!"

"What's her deal with Akutagawa anyways?" Atsushi asks.

Dazai shrugs, "I never knew her in the Port Mafia so I couldn't tell you."

"You didn't?" Atsushi says, almost startled.

Dazai shakes his head, "She must've joined after I left."

As she says this the screen fades to black and several coughs are heard.

A young girl is shown by herself in a cell, her back to the screen.

Kyouka's eyes widened, "It's…"

"It's you," Atsushi says, his voice fearful..

"And Akutagawa." Kyouka finishes.

"Fear death…." Akutagawa's raspy voice informs her, "Fear slaughter….. Those who seek death, shall have it as they wish."

"What is his deal?" snarls Tanizaki, "He's said that twice now."

Dazai doesn't speak.. but he feels a small pulse of guilt.

Protect the orphans. Oda told him and although he's protecting Atsushi.. He knows he failed the Akutagawa siblings.

My fault.

He coughs harshly, the girl doesn't react once. Rashomon roars to life, two tendrils go next to the girl's face. She still doesn't react at all. Akutagawa doesn't react either, instead choosing to remain silent.

His coat shifts and Rashomon emerges, a blade closing in on the girl's chest. It stops before touching her. The girl just blinks, and continues to stare at the wall.

"I'm assuming he trained you not to react to being attacked." Dazai asks Kyouka. He knows his own methods too well.

Kyouka's voice becomes monotone, "My life is not important. All that matters is the mission, the objective."

The ADA stare in silence. Dazai is frozen. It's all the same.. It's everything I said to him..

"You have a strong resolve," Akutagawa observes, "I will give you something to live for."

The scene shifts to a cafe, the same one from the first episode. Dazai's eyes sparkle as he gazes at something.

"I have finally found something to live for! A reason! or perhaps… 'I've learned why I'm alive. THAT'S RIGHT! I've been alive all this time, JUST TO COMMIT LOVERS SUICIDE WITH YOU!"

Although there were slight chuckles at the comedic tonal shift, the mood in the room was subdued.

Kyouka ate some food silently, unaware of the several thought processes that were happening simultaneously.

She was just stating facts. Right?

He's holding hands with the young waitress who works there, She smiles at him, "Feel free to do it on your own!"

"But it wouldn't be a double suicide if I do it alone!"

Kunikida sighs, "You need to back off of that waitress. She's clearly tired of you."

"But she loves me! I swear!" Dazai sings, trying to lighten both his own mood and the room's.

It didn't really work.

The waitress lightly laughs, "Do you have life insurance, Dazai?"

"Why do you ask my bird?" Dazai coos at her, she smiles back at him, "Your tab with us is getting quite large Perhaps I can find you something? A big life insurance plan?"

"You should really start paying off your debt, Dazai," Fukuzawa observes, "I still get emails from the cafe about you."

"Yes, sir.." Dazai sighs.

Fukuzawa sighs and turns to look at Dazai's face. As per usual he gives nothing away. His brown eyes were as hard as stone.

As the president's eyes fell across the people behind him, he saw the pain in Kyouka and Atsushi's eyes and the sadness in Yosano and Kenji's.

Are we going to fall apart over this? He wonders, I told Maggie that they could handle it… but

He laughs to himself Why am I saying this? They'll make it..

"AH," Dazai shouts, "YOUR ZEST FOR LIFE IS SO INVIGORATING!"

The waitress still manages to keep a smile on her face, "If you are going to avoid my question like that, then I should invite myself to your office on the fourth floor, no?"

Dazai chuckles while still holding her hand, "The way you take charge is invigorating as well!"

"If you're so invigorated by that," Kunikida flares at his partner, "Then maybe you should actually listen to the people in charge for a change!"

"Yes," Dazai agrees, "But who's going to entertain everyone else? Definitely not Kenji!"

Kenji broke out of his oddly sad state to make an offended spit sound in Dazai's direction.

Dazai burst into laughter, the room brightened a bit as Kenji joined in.

The Black Lizards approach the ADA's building, Tachihara, GIn and Hirotsu lead the charge, with the men in black surrounding the building.

"There aren't even any guards," Tachihara observes, his face uneasy, "What a sloppy operation.."

"Rude," huffed Ranpo, swishing his ramune.

Yosano just chuckled, "It's because all the people in the ADA are the guards."

"Basically," Ranpo sighs, "Honestly they're being so ignorant for a gang. Come on Port Mafia do something better."

Neither Gin or Hirotsu respond, but Hirotsu snaps his fingers and the men in black raise their guns. Hirotsu smirks and presses his hand against the door. The door flies off its hinges and the commanders and the men in black swarm into the room.

Everyone sitting in the ADA startles backwards.

"WHOA!" Kenji says, his eyes wide.

"Aw Kenji!" squeaked Naomi, "You still manage to be cute even when you are scared!"

Kenji's freckled face flushed, "R-really? You think I'm cute?"

"In a way," Ranpo says, "It hides your pretty brutal ability."

Kenji goes from flustered to indignant, "My ability is only brutal when nescessary!"

"What about that one time we played dodgeball and you literally destroyed us all?" Yosano sighs.

"That wasn't brutality, that was trying my best!"

Kyouka watches in fascination, Hmm The ADA is very violent.

"Forgive my intrusion," Hirotsu says, politely but with a hint of sarcasm, "I should've made an appointment."

Kunikida glares at them, "The Port Mafia's Black Lizards…"

"I'm sure that you'll forgive us. This won't take too long."

Ranpo started laughing as the Black Lizard's threats echoed through the room.

"I can't believe how the show builds them up," Naomi smirks, "Considering we beat them in a solid five minutes."

Tanizaki blinks, "I'm just glad I wasn't there. I don't want to be shot at again."

"Something tells me," Dazai answers, "That we'll all probably get shot at before this show is over."

There was a general consensus on his statement as the ADA thought about the circumstances of a TV show and how their lives would shape around this.

Tachihara pulls out two guns and Gin's knife is drawn. The men's guns are loaded and they prepare to fire.

The scene shifts to Atsushi walking down the street. He blinks tears out of his eyes and has several flashback to the orphanage.

"They.." He swallows, "Were right… There's no place for me to go.."

"LIES" Ranpo shouts wildly, waving his ramune around and dumping half of it onto Kenji.

Kenji just smiled and put a napkin on his lap.

Atsushi, startled at Ranpo's statement, just blinks rapidly.

"Thanks Ranpo." He mutters, ignoring Yosano's "be nice to yourself or I'll maul you" glare from across the room.

His eyes shake with tears and his head is down. But he whips around when gunfire erupts down the street, pedestrians turn around in fear. Atsushi's face is flooded with fear.

"Gunfire?" It sounds like its coming from…"

He follows the gazes of the pedestrians and it slowly dawns on him that the gunfire is coming from the ADA building. The windows of the fourth floor, explode and bullets rain down

"I feel bad for all the civilians," chuckled Dazai, "We must be so annoying to them."

"They already complain about YOU on a daily basis," Kunikida gripes, "A couple more complaints won't hurt us. As long as no one gets hurt."

"Of course!" Yosano agrees, "We are doing a ton for this city, a couple more complaints is nothing as long as everyone is safe."

Fukuzawa gives Maddie a devious smirk and she rolls her eyes.

I knew they'd be fine.

"No.. THE DETECTIVE AGENCY!" Atsushi takes off running towards the ADA building

Is this my fault?

As Atsushi runs in the agency, he begins screaming almost afraid of what he would find, but trails off as he watches Kunikida literally flip Hirotsu over his head.

Atsushi burst into laughter as he viewed his own shocked face.

"I DONT KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING WOULD HAPPEN!" He gasped through his laughter, "BUT IT WASNT THAT!"

The sight of Atsushi literally crying with laughter allows Kyouka to start laughing, albeit quietly.

"Kunikida is quite adept at hand to hand combat," Dazai says with a smirk, "The Black Lizard never stood a chance."

"What the…" Hirotsu mumbles as he is slammed onto the floor. He lays on the floor, a completely bewildered expression on his face.

"Huh?" Atsushi's face contorts in confusion.

A gun flies through the air and Kenji grabs it laughing, "There we go!"

Gin, Tachihara and a group of the men in black lay in a disheveled pile as Kenji pounds a man with his fist.

Kenji watches his own combat skills with a hilariously odd expression on his face.

"Well," Tanizaki asks him, "Do you accept the fact that you're pretty brutal?"

Kenji clasped his hands together, "It's for their own good! I'm just doing them a favor!"

He's in denial, thinks Tanizaki turning back to a nagging Naomi.

Yosano basically slaps another man onto the floor and then turns and kicks down another, looking quite bored. Ranpo doesn't even react, just sipping on his ramune and watching the destruction.

"Huh," Kunikida says, noticing Atsushi," You finally decided to come back, huh?"

Hirotsu grunts in pain, his arm twisted behind him.

"Serves him right!" Naomi says, tossing her hair, "He's interrupting Kunikida's schedule too!"

"Thank you," Kunikida says exasperated, "Finally someone gets it!"

As he says this he makes a pointed glare at Dazai, who makes a face back, mocking him.

"What the…" Atsushi looks completely confused…

Kunikida straightens up and begins to write in his notebook, "I hate surprise attacks.. My schedule is so messed up now."

He glares at the pile of Black Lizards, "Reforming this office and replacing everything isn't cheap!"

"It really isn't," Kunikida jots down calculations of the cost of attacks, "Almost half a million everytime they attack. Counting the apology gifts."

Atsushi glances with concern at Kunikida, "How often do they do this?"

"About once every two months," was the reply.

Atsushi swallows hard at the notion of being attacked every two months.

Yosano sighs, "They brought machine guns this time, that was exciting!"

She turns to Kunikida, "It's your turn to go apologize to the neighbors. Make sure you bring gifts!"

"UGH," Kunikida's eyes roll, "The worst case scenario could not be avoided."

"I hate giving people gifts," Kunikida snarls, "It's annoying."

"Anything is better than Dazai doing it," points out Ranpo, ignoring Dazai's indignant noise.

"Agreed," Yosano says, "He begs for the neighbors to kill him."

Kunikida sighs.

Dazai lean over and whispers into Kunikida's ear, "How do you know that I don't do that to get out of delivering gifts?"

At that Kunikida flies into a rage, the other ADA members watching in confusion.

Kyouka blinks, The ADA is definitely more violent than the Port Mafia.

"Worst… case… scenario." Atsushi trembles.

This is worst case scenario, He looks at Hirotsu on the floor, What about the Port Mafia combat squad that literally just attacked?

"Really?" he asks aloud.

Kenji stands next to a pile of bodies, "What should we do with these guys, Kunikida?"

Kunikida just looks even more annoyed as he responds, "Just toss them out the window."

"Now that I think about it," Kunikida muses, "We should have just arrested them there and then."

"We can't," Fukuzawa huffs, "Even if we did, they'd be out quickly. The Port Mafia Boss has a Gifted Business Permit, They'd fly under the radar and their crimes can't be proven. There's no point!"

"He has one?" Yosano asks surprised, "When the ADA was formed he didn't have one."

She swallows, " Did he get one?"

Dazai nods suddenly, "Right before I left, the boss acquired one."

He can't go on and nobody forces him to. He can appreciate that.

"Sure!"

He begins tossing the men out the window, counting happily as he does.

"This happens all the time," Kunikida informs Atsushi, "And it's starting to get on my nerves."

If this happens all the time, Atsushi contemplates, Then the ADA is definitely more dangerous than the Port Mafia.

"We can be!" Kenji says cheerfully, "Only if we want to!"

Atsushi nods, "I think I've become aware of that."

Yosano just sharpens her knives and smirks.

"DON'T JUST STAND THERE!" Kunikida shouts turning away, "Help us clean up!"

Atsushi remains silent, his eyes are not shown..

Kunikida continues complaining, "Wandering about when we're so busy. You're even a member of this agency.. Didn't I tell you to think of what you can do? Which is probably cleaning this place up now."

"You didn't notice where Atsushi was mentally?" asks Dazai, but already knows the answer.

Kunikida shakes his head, "I just assumed he would be fine and carried on."

"You weren't required to know that," Atsushi murmurs to himself, but Kyouka shakes her head at him.

"I should be," Kunikida closes his book and gazes at Atsushi, "As the second-in-command of this agency, I should be aware of my partners' mental states and feelings."

Atsushi just watches his passionate superior with an odd expression on his face.

He writes frantically in his notebook.

Atsushi watches, remembering Kunikida telling him to think about what he can do.

A realization begins to hit Atsushi as he understands the meaning of Kunikida's words, "Oh…"

He begins to cry and laugh, the tears dripping down as he begins to understand…

"AWW," Dazai smiles at Atsushi, "You don't need to cry Atsu-"

He trails off as the real Atsushi starts to cry as well, seeing his own realization on screen having brought up the memories. The ADA immediately head over to a sobbing Atsushi, finding themselves in a tangled hug.

They don't say anything, but that's ok.

Kunikida turns around, "Damnit if you've got time to laugh then.. Huh?"

He notices the tears. "Wait you're crying now?"

He doesn't seem to notice the breakthrough Atsushi has just had, irritation in his voice as Atsushi denies it.

Naomi laughs, "Classic Kunikida."

Kunikida jolts up from where he had been settled near Ranpo, "I take offense to that!" He says boldly, which causes more laughter.

Atsushi even hears small laughter from where Kyouka is squished next to Yosano. He looks down to see a small smile on her face and his tears fell faster.

"I AM NOT!"

"What do you call tears then?" Kunikida counters.

"I'M NOT CRYING!"

"That's the problem with kids like you these days. GIve them some work to do and they wander off, you call them out and they start crying."

Atsushi appears more flustered as the camera fades out, "NO! THAT'S NOT IT!"

"Are you trying to tell me you aren't crying?"

"I AM, BUT IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!"

"You're bad at comfort Kunikida," Ranpo says dryly as he pulls away.

Kyouka emerges from where she was buried, "Are we going to cry and hug more?" She asks Kenji, "It's nice to be comforted,"

Kenji scoops her up onto his back and swirls around, his hat bouncing and down as Kyouka laughs.

Kunikida watches for a moment and then turns to Atsushi, "I am sorry that I missed your inner turmoil, kid."

"It's ok," Atsushi assures him.

"No," Kunikida says, "It's not."

He sighs and rubs his head, "I should've noticed before you left the agency, I should've been aware of your emotions as both your friend and your superior."

Atsushi stares as Kunikida bows to him, "Do you accept my apology?"

Atsushi blinks back several tears and then nods, "I do, Kunikida."

"Good."