Vol 4.
Ch.6
When The Truth Lets You Down
With a yelp, she swung her arm, the alcohol comically just splashing all over Ango's face as he rushed forwards—to try to catch her along with Odasaku. Alu found herself awkwardly caught by Odasaku who was swifter than the other two—somehow having reacted prior to her tripping to catch her —thanks to his ability—-before she could fall and hit her head against the counter. Alu's heart pounded and she looked down bewildered from where she clung to Odasaku. "Be careful!" Odasaku said, exasperated.
"Uh, yeah," she stammered, her eyes falling onto a particularly fat looking feline with calico markings that now strolled past her. "Did that cat just trip me?" She asked, perplexed.
Dazai quirked a brow. "You just weren't looking where you were going, you klutz," he said, a bit irritated that she had taken his drink and feeling bratty.
Alu could sense he was pouting but she quickly pulled herself away from Odasaku, feeling self conscious about having been caught by him. She just quickly straightened up, and Ango was the one who snatched the empty glass from her hand. "I'm taking this before any more damage is caused," he huffed, flustered.
Alu clasped her hands behind her back, smiling sheepishly at Ango. "You were worried about me! Aw!"
Ango pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, agitated by her teasing. "It was a mistake to have you come here. We're leaving now," he said curtly, glancing at the others.
"Agreed," Odasaku said, nodding with a sigh.
Dazai moped. "I didn't even get to drink anything," he pouted, but he was already sliding out of the seat, in silent agreement with Odasaku at least.
"Hey! Don't treat me like a little kid!" Alu complained. "I was just kidding!"
"It took you tripping over a cat to stop you from behaving more recklessly," Ango pointed out. "I'm sorry, but I should have suggested us go somewhere much more appropriate than this."
"It has to be here!" Alu said loudly.
The three men paused, looking at her with some confusion. Dazai's eyes flickered however. He was starting to get a hunch as to why she was pushing all three of them into the same room—literally. "Hey," he said, frowning at her, "you're not trying to get us to actually hang out together, are you?"
Alu gave him a thumbs up, pleased that at least one of these three morons were getting the memo without her having to spell it out for them. "Yep! You three used to be friends, right?"
Odasaku and Dazai exchanged glances.
Ango grimaced. "That was then, things have changed," he said with a sigh.
"But why did it have to change?" Alu asked, frowning at Ango, and her eyes looked at all three men, as she crossed her arms.
"It's complicated," Odasaku said with a sigh.
"You three care about each other," Alu bluntly remarked, looking at the three men, "…why can't you three just communicate that? You're all just avoiding each other instead!"
"Alu, did you do something when you touched me earlier?" Dazai asked, eyeing her. Alu shifted on her feet. She pursed her lips but she nodded, looking away from Dazai. For some reason, making eye contact was making her feel guilty.
"I may have peeked into your er…feelings for Ango," she admitted.
Dazai stared at her. So did the other men. "You can do that?" Dazai asked, incredulous.
"Uh, yes?" Alu said, scratching the back of her head. "That's why I'm not quite understanding why you three can't just you know…make up…?"
"This isn't a matter that can be made up," Ango said, curtly. "Kindly do stay out of matters that aren't of immediate concern to you."
"Ango, you don't have to be rude," Odasaku said, sharply, frowning with disapproval at him.
"Why? She has no idea the complicated nature of why we went our separate ways," Ango said, icily. "Or are you saying you want to make up, Oda?"
Oda quieted.
"You three just need to talk more," Alu said but Dazai slid out of the booth, cutting her off.
"Alu, stop," he said sharply.
Alu paused, and she looked at him finally. Dazai's laid back attitude was suddenly a lot more chilly. His eyes were cold and unsmiling. He sighed, coming over to Odasaku. Alu gazed at the three disgruntled men. Suddenly, trying to get them together felt incredibly awkward. She sensed they were all upset on some level with her. Alu tried to push away the feeling churning in her now of self-consciousness she was feeling. She felt strongly these three needed to just communicate more but the sudden tenseness in the air was making her uncomfortable. She realized they weren't going to agree right now and she grimaced.
Why did people have to be so complicated?
"Alright, alright," she held up her hands, in defeat. "Jeez, you guys are so serious," she huffed, leaning against the wall near the stairs. She didn't really look at any of them though. Each one of them had a similar expression of disapproval. Alu decided to change the subject. "Ah, would you look at the time? Really nice chatting but I have another arrangement so ciao!" She zipped up the steps before the men could respond properly.
Dazai blinked where she left. "She's gone," he said, with a sigh.
"I'm going after her," Odasaku said, surprising the other two. Odasaku didn't wait for any further explanation from either of the others before he left himself.
Dazai was left standing awkwardly with Ango. The cat meowed, rubbing against Ango's legs and purring. Dazai pursed his lips, gazing at the cat and Ango. Ango stood, stiffly, honestly trying to process what the ever-loving-heck just transpired. He rubbed his forehead, frowning. "Dazai—why is that girl trying to get us together?" He asked, exhasperated.
"I have no idea," Dazai said, smiling with a flowery aura around himself as he beamed at Ango. "I honestly would much rather see you grovel for forgiveness more than anything!"
Ango gulped.
Outside of Bar Lupin, Alu took a few deep breaths of the cool night air. Oh thank god she got out of there when she did. She was feeling suffocated as it was by three strikes of disapproval hitting her all at once from them as it was. Alu jumped a little when she heard the door open again behind herself. Turning, she saw Odasaku. Her heart dropped. Oh no, had she caused a fight? "I'm sorry," she said quickly, worried. "Did you leave because of me?"
"I just wanted to make sure you weren't upset," Odasaku said, gazing at her, with a small concerned frown.
Alu blinked, confused. "Huh? Me? No, not at all. Why would I be upset?" She waved her hand, self-conscious, feeling her face warm a little. She felt embarrassed. "I'm fine! I mean—Dazai is right I suppose—it's your business. I just tend to stick my nose where it often doesn't belong…" she trailed off, turning away and hugging herself.
Odasaku was quiet for a moment but he came over to her, and he hesitated. He didn't know why this girl was invested in his life or the lives of the other two like she was. But, he wasn't angry with her. He got the sense she was upset about something. He didn't want to push too much into her own space bubble though. He hung back finally.
"But um… Why isn't Tomoe with you?" Alu said, glancing to Odasaku with a frown. "I thought he was staying with you?"
Odasaku sighed. "It would seem that because he's undocumented, Officer Chief Taneda wanted to merely confirm he isn't an ability user before figuring out where to place him."
"Eh? Can't he stay with you?" Alu asked, puzzled, frowning.
Odasaku was quiet. He scratched his head. "…His living arrangement was going to be discussed…but I don't know if I'm the best fit for him," he admitted, finally. "At least for the long term…"
"Not true!" Alu said, clenching her fists, looking at Odasaku fervently. "You've got one of the kindest hearts I've ever seen, if he can learn anything about becoming a good man—it's from you!"
Odasaku felt his emotions stir a little. This girl had so much faith in him despite not knowing much about him. If she knew what sort of life he's led until now, would she still think that? Although she knew about his assassin history—no doubt— and if he didn't have those orphans in his care he wasn't even sure she'd have even gotten involved with someone like him. Before he could say anything else, the door opened again, and Dazai popped out. "Ah, you're both still here?" He blinked, but he seemed pleased at this outcome.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow about Tomoe," Alu said, glancing to Odasaku. "Sorry again," she turned on her heel.
Adah, Adah, Adah!" Dazai made a funny tutting noise before grabbing Alu by her arm, grinning at her mischievously. Alu blinked with confusion. What was with Dazai's Cheshire Cat smirk? What was he plotting? That was his plotting face—she just knew it. Odasaku knew it too because he immediately tugged on Dazai's shirt collar, yanking him back from Alu. Dazai let go, with a small comical choking noise and Odasaku let him go.
"Odasaku! I was just going to ask her what her plans were for the evening!" Dazai said, rubbing his neck.
"Try not to bother her too much," Odasaku said, concerned.
Dazai pouted at him. "Me? Bother? I wouldn't! I'm not mad at her either! I just wanted her to know that!"
Alu watched these two interact. They really got along well. She noticed that Dazai was easily almost an entirely different person when was with Odasaku. He almost seemed genuinely capable of being happy. But Alu got the feeling she had upset Dazai. No, of course she had upset all three of them. She knew she couldn't force them to a place they weren't ready to be in yet. But, she didn't honestly think they were better off no longer friends. She actually felt that was more detrimental. Ango clearly didn't want to cause Odasaku to be put into harms way. Yet, he refused to voice this to these guys instead feeling the need to shoulder this inner self-loathing he gripped onto. Alu could sense it, even now from Dazai himself. Dazai's past was locked tightly away, but Alu knew if she snooped enough, she'd see more into him. What she didn't understand was if he understood her ability to read emotions and draw on memories— why was he insistent that he stick close to her? Alu would think Dazai would want to hide his reservations even more fiercely with knowing what she could do.
Odasaku eyed his eccentric friend, before he just shook his head. "Didn't you say you have to keep a low profile considering everything?" He frowned, concerned. "Why did you come to Bar Lupin?"
"Oh," Dazai blinked, putting his hands behind his head, casually. "I just felt like it," he shrugged.
That told Alu and Odasaku nothing but Dazai wasn't exactly someone who liked to give straight answers to begin with. Odasaku sighed. Before he could speak, Ango opened the door. Ango had been hoping that giving it some time, that the other two would be gone but to his chagrin, he saw both of them and that girl standing outside the Bar Lupin, apparently in the middle of a conversation. Not wanting to impose, Ango turned on his heel, lips pursed, and began to walk away.
Odasaku turned towards Ango. "Hold on, Ango," he said, serious.
Ango paused. He looked over his shoulder. "If you need money for a cab, I'll lend it to you, I understand you don't want to ride with me considering what's been brought to the surface," Ango said, stiffly.
Alu felt that guilty feeling return. Of course Ango would be thorny after she'd tried to force him to make up with these two. Ango must be mad with her. Even if Odasaku and Dazai claimed they weren't, Alu didn't believe any of them. They all held such strong resentment for Ango—Ango himself included. Alu tentatively reached out and she grabbed Ango's sleeve. He stiffened, but looked at her. "I'm sorry, for earlier," Alu said, upset.
Ango pursed his lips but he could tell she was upset. He sighed, and he just gazed at the downcast girl. "You mean well, but there are some things you shouldn't poke into," he said, finally, not mean but just a little cross. Alu was quiet. Ango realized—no he sensed— Alu's prescence wasn't just physical. Something pressed on his mind. He pulled away from her quickly, breathing hard. "!?" He was pale.
"Did you use your power to learn his dirty secrets?" Dazai asked, hands in his pockets, eyeing Alu curiously. It was hard to tell if he was merely teasing as his tone was almost a jab at Ango's character.
Alu didn't speak though. No, she had found something much more serious. She breathed hard, stepping back from Ango, eyes wide. The other two men quieted, sensing that something was wrong. "What did you see?" Odasaku asked, alarmed at Alu.
Alu didn't speak. She couldn't. She looked at Odasaku and Dazai. She bit her lower lip and then just shook her head. "I have to go!" She turned on her heel and before any of the men could stop her—or question her— she leapt with the grace of a gazelle up onto a building like she had the legs of a coiled spring, dissapearing from sight.
The men were stunned. "Did she just run away like some anime ninja?" Dazai asked, eyeing that, fascinated. Though his gaze did fall back to Ango who was standing still, bewildered and very worried about what that girl may have seen that caused her to run off like that. Dazai's eyes narrowed. "Now that I think about it…why are you and Odasaku hanging out again?"
Odasaku sighed, running a hand through his hair. If it wasn't one drama it was another. He looked to Ango and then back to Dazai. "I'm working for the Division of Unusual Powers," he said bluntly.
Dazai's expression froze in the smile it currently had. His entire body felt cold to the bone. "You're what?" His voice was absolutely horrified.
—-x—-x—x—
You didn't look suspicious at all, running away.
Alu didn't have time for Juubi's taunts. She couldn't breathe. She clutched Ranpo's hat from her jacket pocket. She finally breathed again, standing on top of some random building, far away from those three. Her mind was spinning. She hadn't wanted to be right. She hated when she was right sometimes. This was one of those times.
Alu saw something else, gazing at the three men.
Memories of them drinking together.
Memories of them just having conversation together.
Dazai goofing off with Odasaku. Odasaku and Dazai ganging up comically on Ango and getting in his space comically. The first time they met had been in a small room Ango worked in and they had bothered him with their smelly group hug until he caved into going for a drink with them. These three, really had been unlikely friends but their friendship had been the best thing they'd had together. They had all believed in it.
Alu felt Officer Chief Taneda's face loom in her mind. Suddenly, his voice echoed in her mind, as though talking to her but she knew it wasn't her that his words were being directed to.
"You understand what must be done. This is a matter of civic duty, Ango." Officer Chief Taneda sat at his desk, gazing at Ango who held a report. Ango looked agitated.
"Yes, sir," Ango said, glancing at the report, "…And I informed you all that I know about Mimic's involvement in Yokohama!"
"Then why are you still standing there, confused?" Officer Chief Taneda asked, calmly.
Ango grit his teeth, looking at the report. Clearly stated on it was an order: Kill Sakunosuke Oda.
"He has nothing to do with Mimic!" Ango stated, confused. "He is just some lowly grunt in the Port Mafia! I've been keeping tabs on him for over a year, sir. I wouldn't lie to you!"
"I understand that," Officer Chief Taneda said, grave, "however, you understand as well as I do, that the leader of Mimic is targeting him. You said so yourself— Mori Ogai plans to use him to sniff out the leader of Mimic. However, I find it hard to believe that someone like Mori Ogai would allow someone dangerous into this city without some sort of ulterior motive of his own."
"What are you saying?" Ango asked, confused.
"I'm saying," Officer Chief Taneda eyed Ango, "That Oda Sakunosuke is the key Mori Ogai hopes to use in order to obtain a legal license. Your job is to take that opportunity away. Understood?"
A silence hung in the air.
"He's innocent," Ango tried to say, finally.
"He's a criminal," Officer Chief Taneda said coldly. "You haven't forgotten have you? His rep sheet is enough to have him serving multiple life sentences," he sighed, eyeing Ango who was all but shaking in front of him. Ango was stiff, but at the same time, still as a statue.
"He may have been one in the past," Ango said, voice strained, "but he is caring for some orphans now, and he hasn't killed since joining the Port Mafia!"
"A man like him, will be driven to kill again," Officer Chief Taneda said curtly. "Do you want someone like Mori Ogai to have legal license to commit crimes as he pleases because he managed to use this one man to gain access to our government loophole?"
Ango couldn't speak. The right words wouldn't come out. Had his past few years of getting close to Odasaku come down to this? A simple kill order to prevent the head of the Port Mafia from obtaining an important piece of paper? Ango felt like his lungs couldn't pump out air anymore. He was drowning even though he was dry. He was suffocating even though there were no hands around his throat. Finally, he answered with the correct response. "Of course not, sir."
"Good, you know what needs to be done," Officer Chief Taneda's expression was stern. He gazed at Ango. "You know him better than anyone else here. His ability will make taking him out difficult—but I have complete confidence that you'll find a way around that, won't you?"
"Sir, what would you have me do?" Ango asked, strained.
Officer Chief Taneda reached into his desk and he pulled out an innocent toy ball. He placed it on his desk before he interlaced his fingers. "Test him. If he really is your friend, he'll come to your aid if you're in trouble. When he least expects it, have him pick up this ball. You said so yourself—the only blind spot in his ability is if he learns too late the consequences of his actions."
"Sir?" Ango asked, frowning at the ball.
"It'll be laced with poison," Chief Taneda continued, unperturbed. "I am no monster. I don't want him to suffer. But, he needs to be eliminated, for the sake of that snake to lose his one golden trump card against us," he eyed Ango. "You understand, don't you? Sacrifices need to be made—and he's not someone anyone would miss."
"I understand, sir," Ango said, mechanically. But internally, Alu could feel him screaming because he would be missed. He would be missed dearly.
Alu stood in Ango's memory, in the office, gazing at Ango, struggling with the reality of what he would have to do. She realized that her hunch hadn't been wrong. The real villain wasn't just Mori Ogai or even Mimic.
The one who had plotted to have Odasaku killed in the name of 'preserving' justice and the 'natural' order…had been Officer Chief Taneda.
