Chapter 2
The grand building that operated as the Port Mafia, or rather Mori's headquarters, was heavily guarded by well armed men. Only the best for one of the three most important men in Yokohama. Dazai headed up their group, not wanting to endanger them any further, and made his way to the entrance. The hundreds of windows lining the building glittered in the midday sunshine, their brightness ironically contrasting the true darkness of the place. Too many memories Dazai would prefer to forget were associated with this nightmarish place, but for the sake of everyone at the ADA he had to swallow the panic building in his throat and follow through.
He walked right past the guards, not a word uttered between them. If it was that easy to enter, either Mori was expecting them or they were walking directly into a trap. But the coat, reminiscent of the one Dazai had burned when he'd cut ties with the Port Mafia, seemed to grow heavier with each passing step. His blood may have remained mafia black but he did everything in his power to undermine his previous nature.
The group made their way to the elevator, the bellhop not even bothering to ask which floor they were going to. The quiet hum of the car was strange in the silence, at least to everyone else. To Dazai, it reminded him of darker times. He'd often ride up this very elevator, drenched in sweat and blood after missions, and await judgement. Prideful if he had succeeded and full of well-masked terror if he hadn't. He knew he was walking into a battle of wills either way, just as he was today.
If Mori wanted him back, he would do everything he could to get his disgusting hands back on Dazai. The thought of going back to the mafia after so long relishing every day in the blinding light made some small part of him nauseous. And he knew that was a weakness. His new family was a source of manipulation and extortion. If things went Mori's way everyone he cared for would be in danger, but not because of Mori or the mafia - because of him.
Dazai was shaken from his thoughts as the elevator dinged and the doors parted, revealing heavily armed bodyguards. "Aw, thanks for the escort boys. I think I can lead us from here, though." He said in a playful voice, only to be shoved back as they walked ahead of the detectives. Kunikida caught the man, allowing him to catch his balance. Atsushi put a comforting hand on Dazai's arm accompanied by a knowing look. There was no way the kid could have seen past his perfect mask, but maybe he could sympathize with not wanting to return to the places of the past. The corners of Dazai's mouth curled up slightly, a tiny sad smile to resonate with the weretiger.
They continued down the corridor, Fukuzawa taking up the back of the group on Dazai's recommendation in case the meeting did end up being a trap. The guards flung open the large oak doors, revealing a conference room where two people awaited the four detectives. Mori sat at the head of the table with his hands folded menacingly and Chuuya to his right with feet propped up on the table.
"Hey, Chibi! I missed you!" Dazai smirked, intentionally antagonizing the fiery redhead. "Shitty Dazai - sit your ass down so we can get this meeting over with already," he sighed, trying to contain his annoyance.
"I'm so glad you decided to show up, Dazai. It would have been… unfortunate for your friends if you hadn't. How have you been? No hug for your dear mentor?" Mori smiled, the creepy vibes of the room intensifying with his fake sincerity.
"No hugging if you plan on reverting to old habits, Mori. Why did you leave all those notes, knowing I wouldn't come back?" Dazai asked, sitting down at the other head of the table and gesturing for his colleagues to follow suit.
"Naive little Prince, you'll always come back," 'to me' was unspoken. They both knew exactly what it meant. Dazai had tried running and fighting back before being manipulated into complacency. The mind games were already starting, but Dazai's focus was mainly on Atsushi and Kunikida. If Mori targeted them, they wouldn't know how to react or evade his tactics. Knowing them, he would have no other choice but to redirect all attention onto himself. The faster they got this over with the better.
"And what do you think happened to all the letters you've been sending me, hmm?"
"Burned like the coat I gave you, I presume. Speaking of which, I do hope you enjoyed your little present." Mori gestured to the coat clenched in Dazai's fist.
"Ah. That adorable little tracker. I designed that one, yes? I appreciate your nostalgic touch, Mori. But really, Double Black? Why would you need them again?" Dazai sighed.
"Do you ever watch the news? Honestly, how you almost managed to surpass me is beyond my comprehension." Mori said dramatically, eyes glued on Dazai. "An experimental gifted organization has been targeting my men, and I need them taken care of. Soon."
"And why would I get involved? Can't your executives handle it?" Dazai rolled his eyes, not seeing the true goal of the meeting just yet.
"Your student - the angry one, what's his name again, Chuuya?" Mori snapped his fingers, grasping for information he clearly already knew. It was a cheap ploy to rile Chuuya up and, unsurprisingly, it worked.
"Akutagawa! He's in the hospital right now because you didn't know what to expect and sent him in anyway," he huffed, sitting correctly and crossing his arms.
So that was his plan. "It's honestly funny you think I'd drop everything to avenge that weakling. Maybe this will be a valuable teaching moment, Chuuya~" Dazai scoffed.
"Wait! Is he going to be ok? Dazai, maybe Yosano could -" Atsushi jumped from his seat, face pale from worry. "Mr. Chuuya, please…" He whispered, soft enough so that only Dazai could hear.
"He's in critical condition, weretiger. And at this point, she wouldn't be helpful since he's been affected by an unknown artificial ability." Tears clouded by disbelief welled in Atsushi's eyes as he clamped his hands over his mouth and sat down. Clearly, the two of them were closer than Dazai initially thought. Which Mori probably knew. From what it sounded like, Mori had knowingly sent Akutagawa in expecting him to get hurt and help their case.
"You may also like to know, Fukuzawa," Mori glowered, "that they plan on targeting the agency next. If you don't allow for Double Black to reunite, you put all of us at risk. Of course, it's completely up to Dazai whether he would like to come back to the mafia or not." Dazai could feel the boss trying to worm his way under his bandages. He knew he wouldn't have a choice walking into the meeting, but he could at least bend whatever agreement they made to his advantage.
"Mori, we can't -" Fukuzawa started.
"I'll do it." Dazai stood, slamming both hands on the table. "But, you'll have to meet some conditions first."
"It depends, but I'll hear you out," Mori sighed happily, head resting on his palms.
"I remain a full-time member of the agency, otherwise I will remain here with you. No harm will come to any other agency members or innocents during this agreement. I assume I'll receive my executive status and privileges again. Do you have any conditions, Mori?"
"Wear the coat I got you, show up on time, and I'll reinstate you as an executive. Oh, let's not forget you'll need to stay with me to brush up on your skills." Dazai opened his mouth to object, only to be silenced by a projectile being flung at him. The thin scalpel was held between bandaged fingers mere inches in front of Kunikida's glasses. The idealist squaked in surprise, not sure how to react. "Don't kid yourself, Dazai, you know you've gotten rusty. If I'd thrown that four years ago you would've caught it far before then and flung it right back at me."
"Fine. I agree to your conditions." Dazai said smugly, clearly not happy with the outcome of their negotiations.
"Do we need to get the contract ability user in here to verify our agreement?" Mori said, gesturing for the guards stationed at the door to let someone in.
"I don't think this will work because of my ability," Dazai shrugged, to Mori's displeasure. "Unless it activates in under a second, which is how long it takes for mine to activate."
"Yes, it will," Mori clapped, a timid looking man entering the room on command. "Mr. Adams, I assume you were listening to our discussion?" Adams nodded curtly, "Yes, sir. If both parties consent to the terms, please shake hands to create a binding agreement. If either party breaks the terms of the agreement, they are at the mercy of the other."
Dazai nodded, hesitantly walking towards Mori. He never wanted to be close enough to smell the doctor's expensive cologne again. Green light flashed as soon as their hands met, resulting in a rotating band around each of their right wrists. It must have worked similarly to the virus ability the ADA had encountered before, he thought. Mori held on a little too long before pulling Dazai close, his sticky breath uncomfortable on his ear.
"Have fun getting out of this one, Dazai." He chuckled, his hand sliding a little too low on Dazai's back before turning to retake his seat. A bottomless pit seemed to take the place of Dazai's heart, engulfing his emotions in a tranquil nothingness, before he made his way back to his friends.
"If that's all, we'll be going now," Dazai said, motioning for everyone to follow him.
"Tsk tsk tsk, not so fast Dazai. You need to stay so I can debrief you on our new enemy," Mori said, Dazai noting his ulterior motives immediately.
"I'll see you all at the office later. Atsushi," Dazai smiled softly, ruffling Atsushi's hair again to his annoyance, "everything's going to be fine, okay? You have my number so call if you need anything."
And so the Demon Prodigy returned.