Vol. 3

Ch. 11

Stay Awake

Alu didn't sleep that night. She and Dazai both didn't really sleep well at all. The following day, they both had matching bags under their eyes and looked comically like they were really related. Dazai made himself some coffee to wake up and Alu also sipped a cup. She wrinkled her nose and coughed.

She had changed into Yosano's top again, since her new coat and shirt had been ruined by the bullet. She was a bit sad about that. She felt like moping. She looked at her coffee, forlorn. Would she ever be able to wear nice clothes that wouldn't be ruined again?

She mused that she could probably patch the hole in her coat at least, and clean the dried blood out of it. As for the shirt, maybe she could salvage it with some sewing as well. She'd have to make do.

She took a sip.

"Ew, this is black!" she stuck out her tongue. "Don't you have milk?"

"I do," Dazai shrugged. "But it's expired."

Alu sighed a mushroom cloud. "Jeez. You really suck at taking care of yourself," she rolled her eyes, pushing the cup away.

Dazai just chuckled.

After last night, they hadn't really talked about the events that had happened. After waking up this morning, they just sort of were existing in the same space. Alu took a deep breath, gazing at Dazai. His trench coat was just on the floor near his bed, and she was bemused at how slender he was. She put her chin in her hand, observing the broach he was wearing, more than anything.

"Something on my face?" Dazai asked, raising an eyebrow, peering at her from sipping his coffee. He was leaning against the small bar counter she was sitting at, on the side of the kitchen.

"That broach you're wearing," Alu pointed. "It's pretty."

Dazai blinked, and he looked down at his broach around his throat. "Oh…thanks."

Alu sighed. "So, what now?" She asked, looking at him.

Dazai blinked. "Huh? Oh…uh, what do you mean?"

"I don't know if I should lay low for a while or check on Miss Elise…." Alu said, subdued. She had the purple phone in her pocket. She was worried if she showed it to Dazai that he'd smash it. Honestly, it didn't seem far off after how he went in guns blazing last night to shoot the literal Head of the freaking Port Mafia.

"Do you really think that's a good idea?" Dazai asked, with a sigh. He sounded exasperated. "I won't stop you. I know it's pointless. But, I don't agree."

"I know," Alu said, staring at her coffee. "…But, Dazai," she looked at him, frowning. "How much does this world really understand abilities with the capability of sentience?"

Dazai quieted. He looked away, with a small huff. "I don't know," he said honestly.

"See?" Alu smiled smally, at her coffee. "There's so much left to understand about the abilities of this world, why they exist—why some are capable of being like Miss Elise and others are simply extensions perhaps of a person's individual character."

Dazai groaned and he scratched his head. Alu blinked at him. Was he having a heart attack? She quirked a brow at him. "You are going to stay in touch with them regardless, so I guess, I should just accept that," he grimaced.

Alu blinked. Then she smiled. She giggled. "You're trying so hard to be mature, it's too funny," she teased him. "Careful, that maturity may be enough to send you to an early grave!"

Dazai rolled his eyes. "It's my maturity that makes me want—" he stopped himself. He took a sip of his coffee, to distract himself and hopefully her from continuing this train of thought. Alu just shrugged.

"Ah yes, you're so mature and that's why not even death can phase you," she mused.

"Mm," Dazai didn't really expound on that. Alu sensed that the mood was going to get a bit serious and she knew Dazai didn't want to talk about it. She huffed at him.

"So, why are you so suicidal?" She bluntly asked, tilting her head.

Dazai nearly spilled his coffee on himself. That was so blunt and out of the blue. Alu watched, with some amusement. "Why are you so nosy?" He countered, setting his mug down.

"Touché," she nodded her head, sagely.

Dazai's phone buzzed. He blinked. It was in his pocket and he took it out now. Oh? It was from Odasaku. It was a text. It read:

What is your address?

Dazai blinked. Odasaku and him had both agreed to limit contact. So why was Odasaku asking for his address? It didn't seem like Odasaku. Dazai was worried. If it wasn't Odasaku who sent this, then who had his phone? Wait, did that mean that Odasaku was in trouble? Was it possible that Gide and his deranged squad had found where Odasaku and the orphans were? Another text buzzed through.

It read:

This is Yosano from the A.D.A. I went to see Oda and the kids. I want to take Alu back with me today.

Dazai blinked. Oh, so that was all. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath until the air forced itself rapidly out of his lungs like a deflating balloon. He looked to Alu. His expression widened to surprise. Alu had her head in her arms, and she was fast asleep. He smiled smally though. It was good to see that she was able to rest. He walked over to his corner and he grabbed his coat. He placed it over her like a blanket, over her shoulders while she let out a small snore.

Turning back to his phone, he texted back. He pocketed his phone. He gazed at Alu. He thought about what she had said. She was such a deep thinker. Worrying about abilities —of all things —having personalities like a human. She was so childish. And yet. Dazai found himself, actually considering the possibility that her questions opened the doors for. "I have no doubt that this world is a little bit more worth living in… at least to try to understand better…what the point of it all is." He said this to no one. Maybe it was just for himself to think out loud.

Dazai sighed and he took her cup to the sink, dumping the contents. He watched the black liquid go down the drain. Could he, a non-ability, also find more to the meaning of his own existence? As a human being, had he been taking just existing for granted all this time? He hated pain. He chased death in creative painless ways. The only reason he had shown up to that girl with a knife wound before was because he'd been stabbed by a third party. But, that wasn't relevant here. And she'd proven to be really helpful in bandaging him up. It had actually been a coincidence, the timing of their meeting.

He still remembered who had stabbed him too. A man with silky black hair, piercing dark purple eyes, wearing a fuzzy Russian hat and outfit had been the one to attack him. Of course, Dazai had been the one to pick the fight. He'd tailed that man who had been tailing Alu. He may have managed to scare him away from Alu's home at that time, but not without being stabbed for it. Luckily, he had medical stuff he usually pocketed for being on the go as it was, and he spent the rest of the time the girl had been absent gathering up some more medical stuff for his injury. It was ironic that the one time he wasn't trying to kill himself she thought he was.

Not wanting to alarm her or send her off searching for that dangerous man—she seemed the type— he had let her believe he'd just been trying to kill himself in her home. Hilariously enough, for being so sharp, she actually didn't question it. Dazai didn't know whether to sulk or not about that reaction.

Still, Dazai had been trying to keep an eye out for any more activity from that Russian rat. So far, nothing. And that was more troubling than he was willing to admit. Actually,with the way things had gone down in the factory and Ranpo's deduction that there was someone else pulling the ropes based on what Odasaku had told him in their recent phone call, Dazai had reason to believe that this man was making his next move to capture Alu. Dazai's eyes flickered. He hadn't told Odasaku about that Russian man, because he didn't want that man to target Odasaku or the orphans if Odasaku felt the need to get involved. It was better that Odasaku and that agency not tango with him.

Dazai was going to handle this man by himself.

He had no doubt. This entire situation stank of that Russian man.

His phone rang.

Dazai blinked and he saw it was Odasaku calling. He picked up. "What's up, Odasaku?"

"Oh?" A silky voice leered, causing Dazai's face to turn as white as a sheet of ice. "Hello, Dazai. Been a while."

"You're—" Dazai felt his panic practically shove his heart into his lungs like a boulder crushing his ribs.

"What a warm reception, it's a pity it isn't meant for me~" the voice continued on the other end. "Actually, I was enjoying the conversation I was having just now, with my new friend," he hummed over the phone.

Inside Odasaku's home, Yosano and Odasaku were currently tending to something out of earshot in another room. This Russian man in question however, lounged in a chair at what appeared to be a tea party set up with stuffed animals and the little girl, Sakura. Honestly, he fit into the display in a creepy way. One could see him as the Mad-Hatter from Alice in Wonderland if they cared to. He smiled at Sakura.

She smiled back, and pretended to pour him tea. "Make sure to drink it all!" she said, with a bubbly smile.

"Thank you, Sakura," the man said.

He spoke with a sweet tone of voice that made Dazai's skin crawl. His voice caught in his throat. He put a hand over his mouth to stop his breathing from giving him away. He didn't know where Odasaku was—-how the hell did this man get there?

An even better question— How the hell had Odasaku and that woman from the ADA allowed this suspicious man anywhere near themselves and the children? Odasaku had given this man his phone. Dazai had no means to contact him otherwise. He knew exactly what this man was doing. He was showing his hand, because he knew he was winning.

Even if he took the time to inform the president of the ADA to contact the woman, Yosano, that wouldn't give anyone enough time to actually plan anything that wouldn't risk harm to the children in Odsaku's care! This bastard was tying their hands with the timing alone.

Dazai breathed out, forcing himself to calm down. With a cold smirk of his own, he hummed back into the receiver, "Is there a reason you couldn't just ask for my number?" He asked, casually. Perhaps the interaction between these two could be mistaken for flirting. Maybe it was flirting. But at this moment it was very clear that these two were sizing each other up in every possible way.

"I left my phone in Russia," the man replied, with a small humorous chuckle. "Don't fret, I'll return this phone to your lovely little friend," he hummed. "Of course, I can't promise it'll be in one piece~"

Dazai had to keep the conversation going. His mind raced. "If it's about meeting with me, I'm free now."

"Meeting with you? Oh no, you misunderstand," the man chuckled. "I am already on a date with my sweet little friend here, Miss Sakura. It'd be rude if I left, don't you agree?"

Dazai grit his teeth. He had to get to Odasaku. He had to get to him. Looking at Alu sleeping, he realized this may be a ploy to separate him from her. Force her out of hiding and then she'd be easy pickings for this rat to swoop in and grab her while he ran to Odasaku's aid. Dazai wasn't an idiot. He knew this was most likely the kind of plan that this bastard had set in place—because it was something he, himself, would do. Dazai took a shaky breath and then he just began to laugh softly into the phone.

"Alright, Fyodor," he said finally. "I'll give you my address."

The man, Dostoevsky Fyodor began to giggle himself. "You're still wet behind the ears," he chuckled. "I don't need your address. I already have it~"

Dazai grit his teeth. That's right. He'd texted Yosano on Odasaku's phone. Dammit, he'd actually forgotten. Shit, shit.

Shit.

"You know who I want. And unless you want them all to die, you'll deliver~" Fyodor hummed, and he hung up on Dazai.

It smelled like a rat had entered the chat.

But Dazai was going to be the cat that used his claws to catch him by his tail.

Dazai's expression was cold, hard, but determined. Looking at the girl, asleep and actually looking peaceful, he took a deep breath. He knew what he had to do.

—x—-x—

Fyodor looked around the living room he was in. The boys were outside playing ball, and Yosano was talking with Odasaku about something. Fyodor had cooked up an excuse to get himself alone for the time being with the little girl, Sakura. Frankly, he was bemused at how dumb these people were. All he had to do was come in looking like a wet—-well rat— and instantly he was taken in by that man to rest here, last night. This Oda Sakunosuke was so easy to manipulate. What a gullible fool.

What a stroke of luck he just so happened to have a way to contact Dazai Osamu. After all, Fyodor needed Dazai to understand that in this game of cat and mouse that they'd started, he was always the one in the lead.

Not one to pass up the gift horse presented to him, he'd taken the opportunity to observe all he needed to know about his targets. This little girl had been far too easy to rope in. But what did he expect from a five year old? As for the boys, they didn't have any particular opinion about him. That woman, Yosano, and Oda Sakunosuke however, seemed to be distracted with their own problems. While the woman wasn't completely on board with his presence, when he'd met her this morning, he'd made sure not to come off as dangerous at all. After all, he wasn't dangerous. When he wanted to be.

As far as those two knew, Fyodor was just a lost Russian tourist who had been mugged by some mean folks the previous evening and had wandered into the garden to collapse. From there, the children had found him and alerted Odasaku. After Fyodor explained that he was lost, and merely needed a place to rest after the trauma, Sakunosuke Oda had just allowed him to crash on the couch. Honestly, Fyodor had to wonder— just a little —how much of a dense doormat this man could be.

In order to delay his departure, he had gotten close to Sakura, in order to buy time and "hang out" so to speak. How easy it had been.

Sakura looked at him, pouting. She had no idea what was going on but she was frustrated. "Mister Elphie wants you to share!" she pointed to the blue elephant next to Fyodor's left leg sitting propped up in a chair. Fyodor smirked. What an adorable way to symbolize the real elephant in the room, he thought to himself, as he chuckled, sharing his tea cup with the elephant.

"Fun!" Sakura giggled, looking at Fyodor with bright eyes. "Having fun, Mister Dory?" She nick-named him and he hadn't bothered to correct her. It was something dumb he'd tolerate for the sake of cornering his real prey.

He nodded. He was actually having a bit of fun. Well, now that his cards were dealt. He smirked, darkly as he put his tea cup down and he smiled at her warmly. Without any warning, a black hole opened under Sakura and her eyes widened with shock as she fell into it before it closed up again before she could make a sound. Fyodor got up from his chair, putting his hands in his coat pockets, smirking at where the little girl had been moments before.

"This is fun."

Yosano stood with Odasaku in the kitchen. They were both looking at her phone. On the screen was a message from Ranpo. It had come in just a moment ago. It read:

That man with you is Fyodor Dostoevsky. He is dangerous. Act normal. Whatever you do, don't leave him alone with the children. The President and I are on our way.

Odasaku flinched. "Sakura," he said, in a low —almost a whisper— tone of horror. Yosano put a hand on his shoulder. Despite the somber turn, she put a finger to her lips, reminding Odasaku that he had to be cool. If he wasn't, then the others would also be in danger.

Everything in Odasaku screamed that he had to get to Sakura. Suddenly, he had a vision. In it, she was being sucked into a black hole. Before Yosano could stop Odasaku, he wordlessly turned on his heel, already dashing for the living room.

But—it was too late. Fyodor stood up, just smiling at Odasaku, as Odasaku watched with horror the black hold taking Sakura right before his eyes. His expression changed to rage. "Why—?" Odasaku found himself shaking but he couldn't help the question that tumbled from his panicking lips. What did this dangerous man have to do with him or these kids?

Fyodor merely beamed, as Odasaku continued to look at him like a man barely holding back his ability to unleash his temper. "Oh? She wanted to be like Alice, from Alice in Wonderland. Your little girl has a very active imagination," his thick accent was laced with innocent amusement.

"Don't screw with me," Odasaku grit his teeth, seeing white. "Just give her back! What do you even want!"

Fyodor just continued to smile. "Your little girl is safe. She will remain safe as long as we do not resort to violence, agreed?"

Odasaku growled in his throat. He could hear the boys playing outside still. Just then, Katsumi came in, and he glanced from Odasaku to Fyodor. He looked confused. "Is something the matter, Odasaku?" He looked at Odasaku. "Where's Sakura?"

Odasaku could feel Fyodor's taunting look. Turning to Katsumi, though every bone in his body was telling him to tell them to run, he just ruffled Katsumi's hair. "Sakura is playing hide and seek with Mr. Fyodor," he said, for lack of a better excuse.

"Oh, okay," Katsumi said, and he turned around. "I'll go tell them Sakura is busy!"

"Did the boys need something?" Odasaku asked, for the sake of trying to act like everything was okay and they didn't share the room with a dangerous man.

"We were going to play freeze tag," Katsumi said. "But if Sakura is already playing a game then we'll wait!"

"Oh, I think that sounds wonderful!" Fyodor said, beaming at Katsumi. "As soon as I find Sakura, I'll be sure to let her know that we all want to play a new game!"

"Sure," Katsumi said, blinking. He looked at Odasaku for a moment, and Odasaku just kept his expression as neutral as he could muster amidst his internal screaming for Katsumi to get far, far away. "See ya, Odasaku!" He waved and he went back outside.

The sliding glass door slid shut, and Fyodor hummed, "Miss Yosano, I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said casually, turning his head to smirk at the dark haired woman now brandishing a bread knife at him. He casually dodged her movement. "I said no violence~" he hummed.

"Screw you," she snarled.

Fyodor's eyes glinted with manic glee. He reached to touch her.

Odasaku had a vision just then. If that man were to touch her—Yosano would die.

His eyes flashed with horror. He tackled Yosano just as she reached to grab Fyodor. "No! Don't!"

He rolled with her thudding to the ground with a groan.

Startled, she looked up at him. "Oda?"

"That man…wanted you to touch him…if you touch him—no if any of us do—he can kill us from his touch alone." He said darkly. He glared at where Fyodor stood, smirking, just casually lounging in the middle of the room. Yosano's eyes flickered and she understood the situation. Straightening up, they both got to their feet, and Fyodor just hummed.

"I do hope we can all get along civilly," he simpered.

"That dark hole power from before," Odasaku asked, glaring, "It's that little girl's—the one who works with Ms. Austen, isn't it?"

"Oh? You're sharp," Fyodor hummed. "Well, in some areas," he chuckled, adding.

Odasaku didn't know if this guy was insulting his intelligence but it sure felt like it. Not one to care about taunts, he still found it annoying. But, Sakura was in danger. And Fyodor had his phone.

Fyodor hummed, and he smirked at Odasaku and Yosano. "Now, I know for a fact the others are coming—after all, you're so predictable. Be sure to let them know the rule for our little game, won't you? I dislike having to repeat myself," he said, his voice silky.

"What do you want?" Odasaku asked again, weary.

"I already said," Fyodor smirked. "I merely want cooperation."

—X—

Ranpo stood outside of Dazai's apartment with President Fukuzawa. Dazai had Alu's sleeping figure in his arms. He looked wordlessly to the President. Fukuzawa nodded, and gestured to the car that was prepared. Dazai placed Alu in the car.

"Take her somewhere safe," President Fukuzawa said curt. "We cannot let the enemy get their hands on her at any cost."

"You don't know what you're up against," Dazai frowned. "I should go—no I need to go to Odasaku. Can't you take her?"

"It makes more sense if you do," Ranpo said, tilting his head at Dazai. Ranpo wasn't wearing his glasses, but he definitely had his squinty eyes more furrowed than normal.

"How?" Dazai was rarely thrown for a loop but he didn't see how it was beneficial for him to not be the one going to Odasaku.

"Fyodor is calculating," Ranpo explained, impatient. "He'll expect us to fall into play from the sounds of what you've described. Since he asked you to bring the girl—that's not a coincidence. The President and I will go to back up Yosano and Odasaku."

"Where does that leave me? Hey, I'm not going to run away!" Dazai said, frustrated.

"We're not asking you to," Fukuzawa interjected, sharply.

Dazai quieted. He looked from Ranpo to the president, honestly trying to figure out what they were saying. His eyes flickered. Wait.

"You…want me to use her as bait?" He asked for clarification.

Ranpo grinned. "Yep! We gotta use whatever resources we have at our disposal after all to outwit this guy!"

Ranpo looked unaffected but it was the clear the president didn't exactly like this idea. Dazai had to wonder if Ranpo was being spontaneous. Dazai wondered how ethical using her was in this case. It seemed funny considering this organization was a government one. He assumed all government agencies were stuffy, but clearly some of these people weren't conventional thinkers.

"Huh, I woulda thought you'd want a job that helps people," Alu's words echoed in his mind. Was this possibly someplace that someone like him could actually belong? Dazai didn't see the point in hoping. He was just glad that at least Odasaku had this agency looking out for his best interests. Dazai didn't know if he even deserved to do work that helps people after everyone he'd ever hurt. But, working together with them was alright.

"So, I drive away from the area Odasaku is, and get the enemy to target their focus elsewhere," Dazai said, gazing at Ranpo.

Ranpo nodded. "Yep! He's expecting her to be moved, but he's also most likely considering that she'll be brought in exchange for the safety of that little girl. According to Yosano, he already took her, so we need to make it feel like we're just "walking" into his trap while really, we're buying time until Alu wakes up."

"I tried to wake her up now but it's like she's in some deep trance," Dazai sighed.

"Whatever the reason, Ranpo and I are going to aid Oda and Yosano," Fukuzawa said, brusque. "We can't afford to waste any time."

Dazai gazed at the white car he was supposed to drive. He could drive—just not legally. He wondered if now was the time to bring that up. "Don't worry about not having a license," Ranpo cut in, "just make sure she gets the rest she needs so we can get started on the real plan when she wakes up."

Alu stirred just then. The men quieted, as Alu sat up, stretched, and yawned. She looked at everyone. "Whoa, hey, how did I get out here?" She asked, surprised. Then she saw Ranpo and Fukuzawa. Her face looked surprised. She looked to Dazai. "What's going on?"

"It would appear that Sakura, is being held hostage by a man named Fyodor Dostoevsky," Ranpo said, conversationally. "Now that you're awake, I assume you have a plan?"

Everyone else looked in surprise at Ranpo. He sounded unperturbed. Alu blinked and then she got out of the car, straightening up. She looked at everyone. "I do." There was a glint in her eyes.

Ranpo smiled at her.

"Then we're back in business." He grinned at Fukuzawa.

Dazai realized that this girl must have already jumped ahead to the future! Which meant, he was in a rewrite. He looked at her, determined. "What do I need to do?"

"I need you to take me to that man," Alu said seriously, gazing at Dazai.