Assignment 4 : A Sound Mind Still Needs A Beating Heart
Atsushi gagged comically, eyes bugging as he landed on his ass with a thud on the ground at the old geezer's feet. Montgomery herself just stared, honestly not sure what to expect from any of these people. However, she knew that there was no one else here at least. Anne had knocked over all the possible hiding places that would have remained just to make extra sure.
"I implore you to not run from this fight. Um, I know I'm just a humble neighborhood doctor, so my word doesn't mean much but, if you do listen to that girl you'll only regret it. Trusting that girl won't end like you think it will. You'll forget your friends exist and the enemy will keep advancing…" the older man spoke patiently and calmly.
Atsushi was a bit grateful actually. He didn't know how anyone could keep their head cool in a situation like this that wasn't his mentor. Of course, there was no telling what hilarious dumb crap his mentor would have pulled but oh how Atsushi wish he had been here.
"Listen, according to game theory, if a foe is advancing at full strength against you, the best action is reaction. You fight back with everything you got, understand boy?" He held out the ribbon to Atsushi. "We need to defeat her and win."
"But how?" Atsushi felt his insides churn. He didn't know how they'd win now that it was just the two of them. He didn't want to be rude but the older man hadn't revealed anything that would indicate he would actually join in the fight itself. He was ironically similar to that strange woman. But at least he was encouraging Atsushi. It almost felt like Dazai-San was here and that was enough to help Atsushi keep his head a little longer. Atsushi could feel the pressure of being expected to shoulder this burden again.
"Nothing is more advantageous than having an enemy that thinks they are undefeatable," the older man said to Atsushi firmly. He stood his ground, and stroked his stubble, now contemplative. "And from what I've gathered, you have people in that other room who are still desperate to save you, do you not?"
Atsushi felt his chest b-thump.
That's right. Tanizaki, Naomi, Kenji-kun. All of them were there. All of them were depending on him. He couldn't run. Even if he did, this man was right. He would forget them.
How can he save someone if he wouldn't even remember them?
Atsushi's heart began to beat harder in his chest. This man had a point. And Atsushi was feeling motivation kick back into himself. His blood was beginning to pump more fiercely.
Atsushi took the ribbon. This man was right. Atsushi had to stop feeling sorry for what he couldn't do. He had to focus on giving it his damn best. This time, he would save them.
Failure was not an option.
"Oh? Ready to play? Group huddle over? Good~" Montgomery tittered.
Atsushi was ready this time. Everyone was depending on him. He couldn't depend on complete strangers to save him and yet, ironically, while one had just cared more about writing than actually helping, this old man had given Atsushi the courage and fighting spirit he needed to fight back.
Atsushi was grateful.
"Too bad you've already lost," she grinned darkly.
"!?" Atsushi's eyes widened with shock. Anne came up from the floor trying to grab him. Knowing this song and dance, Atsushi dodged. But then he felt a bone-chilling shudder ripple through him. A shadow blocked the light from touching Atsushi's body and as he looked over his shoulder in horror, he realized he was about to be grabbed —- "there's another one?" He yelled in horror.
"Of course silly! It wouldn't be fair if it was two against one~" Montgomery gleefully gloated.
This was bad.
The hands gripped Atsushi tightly, as he whooshed past the deranged girl, being dragged through the door. It all happened so fast there was barely time to blink. The door shut.
Montgomery was jovial. Montgomery smiled at the old man. "Tell me, what should I do with you? I could let you go as a token of my gratitude for keeping that dumb tiger from running! I'm sure Mr. Fitzgerald wouldn't mind!" Montgomery brightly said, beaming at the old man.
"Of course, I may just let Anne have you just to see you writhe! Hehe!" She stepped closer, her doll creepily hovering. It's limbs went clack-clack-clack.
Suddenly Montgomery froze. Because she sensed something not right with this man. He was smiling. But more than that, his eyes were like staring into the face of the unforgiving night. It was like looking into the abyss before one's own death finally took them.
"Want to try me?" He asked with a sneer.
This person. Montgomery felt herself unable to move. Not even her doll could. It was like he'd struck fear into her very soul. "Oh by the way…you lost," he said casually, pointing at the door. "Take a look for yourself."
Montgomery had no other option but to obey. She looked as the door that Atsushi had gone through just fizzled and revealed that it was not only still open—but Atsushi had used his tiger arms and feet to ensure he didn't get dragged through too easily.
"Impossible! That door closed!" Montgomery cried out with alarm on her face and rampant in her voice.
"You were wrong," Atsushi declared. "It was two on one… from the start!"**
"But how?" Montgomery took a step back.
"The moment you caught Tanizaki, he used his ability —'Light Snow'— to create a false door in its place!"
"No way…you just used your muscles alone to fight against being sucked through the door?" Montgomery was understandably completely floored.
Atsushi's voice quivered but he felt he had to speak, regardless. He had to say this. To at least clear the air on this jealousy she seemed to have over his relationship with the agency. "You got the wrong idea," he said, "I'm not strong. Or popular. Up until now my life has been a curse. I know better than anyone the feeling of envy and hatred for those around you that seem to have it 'better'…But," his voice shook as he shouted at her.
Montgomery continued to stare with wide eyes.
"I can't help you! I really don't want you to fail and lose your place! But I'm not experienced enough to think of any other option!" Atsushi wanted to say he could help her. But he couldn't. He didn't have any logical solution to this. He could only protect that shaky foundation that he was standing on. There wasn't room for the both of them to make it.
Kunikida had been right. There were some times when rocking the boat just wasn't an option. If he tried to save Montgomery and that capsized them both then he wouldn't be able to save anyone at all! He had to prioritize. Atsushi had to choose a side. And he chose the Armed Detective Agency's wellbeing first and foremost. Besides, she was on the opposing side. There was no telling what repercussions would be brought down on the agency if he even did manage to pull off something.
He sympathized with her predicament. He really did. But they both couldn't win. That just isn't how life works. There's always a loser. And Atsushi couldn't afford to be the one on the losing side this time around.
Just then, Montgomery felt a tug. "What—?"
A ribbon* was tied to her slender waist.
Atsushi yanked her to himself. She cried out in alarm. "Cancel your ability and let everyone go!" Atsushi commanded.
"L-let me go!" Montgomery cried out. But his arms were strong. She couldn't get out of them. And her mind and soul felt frozen still from that other person just standing there, watching. It was a terrible feeling. For Montgomery, it didn't feel like two on one. It actually felt like three on one from the beginning.
But this other person was a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"If you don't, I'll drag you inside!" Atsushi said fiercely. Even if it did fail, he had to at least try. Tanizaki was depending on him. So were the others. Even the old man. That old man had given Atsushi the push he needed to not give up. He knew he was bluffing, but at the same time, a part of Atsushi feared being alone again with nothing more than death.
"You can't be serious!" Montgomery exclaimed.
Atsushi spoke, his voice deeper than it's ever been. Honestly it felt like puberty hit this one hard in that moment and it would have been funny but the situation was serious as it were. "Without a key to open the door once it closes, and no one on the other side to free you, you'd be trapped forever. Even if you cancel your skill at that point it'll be too late and you'll be trapped, right?"
"Urk…..That's…" Montgomery had no idea how this boy had become so perceptive in so little time.
*"These skills aren't handy tools for world domination, I know that fully well, but…" he glared, his tiger eyes sharp and glinting. "How badly do you want to die in this world you made? Or worse, be trapped here even after death?!"
"I can't! I really can't mess this up!" Montgomery cried out, realizing she was losing. But so was he. It was a stalemate. How can someone win and also lose at the same time? She was utterly baffled.
"I'm letting go…" he said, still gripping her tightly. His tone was resigned. He had to trust that she would make the right decision. Not for his sake. Not for anyone else's sake. But for her own sake. "You only have one chance to decide before the door closes…"
She would have to save herself or she too would have 'lost the game'.
"No! Wait!" She yelled, eyes brimming with tears. If she lost she would lose her home. Her only reason for making it this long in this cruel unforgiving world. Everyone at the Guild were there for their own reasons, and the fat paycheck that Fitzgerald wrote them. They were not a family. They were just individuals put together for the sake of convenience. What Atsushi had at the ADA was unique.
It was something Lucy Maude Montgomery could only dream of. A place that would take someone even when they made mistakes. A place where you weren't only wanted for your ability—but did such a place actually exist? It seemed that the boy had something she did not.
He had friends.
Atsushi shut his eyes. With a furrowed brow and resolve to see this through—despite the consequences of it ending in failure— he let go. If he could make it so he could save her too he wanted to. But he couldn't make a promise he couldn't keep.
Dazai-San… if it was you…I'm sure you would have thought of a better way.
Atsushi's expression was twisted in emotional pain.
…I'm sorry…
He finally let go.
He didn't want to die.
But he didn't want others to die either.
His hands were tied.
The joints of the doll arms all rattled: clk-clk-clack—-clk—clck! It was the feeling of falling. It was a feeling scarier than hitting the ground.
The sound of people chattering.
Everyone was sitting in the street.
The light turned red.
Tanizaki.
Naomi.
Kenji-kun.
They were all freed.
Immediately the siblings reunited.
Kenji-kun helped out some confused passerby.
It was like a dream. Foggy. Dissipating easily like a cloud.
Life resumed.
But the girl sat on the ground now, quivering.
Atsushi spotted her. His heart twisted with guilt. He didn't know what he could do. But he felt like he should try to do something. He should at least apologize. "Ah…I'm sorry," he said, reaching out as though to give her a hand. "If you want me to…"
He was only met with a glare and the girl ran off, in tears. Honestly, Atsushi didn't think it best to pursue her.
He sighed and just then heard the older man wailing, "Elise-Chan! There you are!"
Atsushi turned around to comically see a grown man crying over a little girl from the photo. And being bullied. Weird. But, besides that, Atsushi realized something else. "That person…"
Alu was quiet and contemplative. She got to her feet in the street, dusting herself off. She replayed the events of what transpired in her mind during the fight.
Flashes of painful memory…from both sides.
That boy certainly was an interesting one. His logic was all over the place. He meant well despite it all but… she closed her eyes, sighing. "How disappointing…" The fight had worked out in the end but it was an empty victory for Atsushi as far as she was concerned.
In the meantime, a cute little girl—Kyouka-Chan— came dashing onto the scene. She saw Atsushi and immediately glommed onto him. "Ah! Kyouka-Chan!" The boy flustered.
Kyouka-Chan spotted the young woman and her eyes widened. She defensively went in front of Atsushi, instantly on guard.
"Oh my," the young woman chuckled. "You have a cute bodyguard, Atsushi-kun!"
"Ah! Kyouka-Chan, it's alright!" Atsushi flustered. "I mean, she's not bad…I think." He wasn't quite sure which side she was even on or if she was just some chaotic wild card.
"Your vote of confidence in me is thunderous," the woman laughed.
"Well, we don't know anything about you," Tanizaki said curtly. He came over with Naomi while Kenji was helping out people still.
"Oh, well, ask away then~" the woman beamed.
"Okay, who are you?" Tanizaki countered, weary. He was already on edge about losing Naomi once.
"I'm a neighborhood 'good samaritan'~" the woman said brightly.
That told the ADA and the older man absolutely nothing useful. However, the older man wanted to be included in this little exchange so he came over now.
The older man spoke up, his little girl in tow now.
"Well, we should be going," he said meekly.
"Oh? Hey, thanks for your help, you said you were a doctor?" Atsushi asked, scratching his head meekly. He moved away from Kyouka to talk to the man.
"Oh, I used to be," the older man said brightly, "now I just run a little outfit of my own!"
Atsushi was grateful this person had been there, despite everything.
"Boy, no matter what the stakes are, there's always a logical best solution, the more you find yourself falling into a confused panic, the more important it is to remember that." The older man said, thoughtfully.
"The heart trumps logic every time," the young woman stepped over, with a smile over to Atsushi.
"Oh, you think?" The older man blinked, tilting his head at the young woman who bluntly and unapologetically countered him.
"I don't think," she said brightly.
Well, on that, he wondered if that could be taken as a self-inflicted insult on some level comically enough. But he didn't tell her that.
Elise-Chan however pouted. "Don't ignore me!" She waved her arms.
"Ah! My darling! I could never ignore you! You're just too cute!" He immediately whimpered.
The ADA members thought this man was hella strange.
The older man took Elise-Chan by the hand and just waved. "We're off then, perhaps we'll meet again," he said, eying the young woman. It was hard to say if he was looking at her with the eyes of a mere person …or something else.
The young woman blinked. "I should hope not. You're creepy and old enough to be my dad—ugh, gross," she deadpanned. Her facial expression was blatant unrestricted disgust.
Elise-Chan burst out laughing at the older man's depressed expression. "You're too easy to bully! You're letting your feelings get hurt by someone younger than you? Wow~"
The man sighed dejectedly.
However he left with Elise-Chan.
Just then, Kyouka dropped her phone.
It was a loud sound.
"Kyouka-Chan?" Atsushi was alarmed to see Kyouka standing there frozen in place. "Hey? What's wrong?"
Kyouka-Chan couldn't speak. Rather she couldn't. If she did, she'd scream. If she didn't she'd scream anyways inside.
Her anxiety. Everything. She was going to fall. Suddenly, arms caught her. She looked up, past her haze of panic to see Atsushi holding her. The others were crowded near her.
"Remember to breathe," the young woman said, cutting through Kyouka's internal panic as smooth as a knife through butter. But, it wasn't disconcerting. It was comforting. Kyouka looked at her like she was desperate to not drown in some unspoken feeling. "You're alright now. Your friends are here, right?" She brightly said, ruffling Kyouka's head.
Kyouka teared up. "My…friends…?" it was barely audible.
"Y-yeah," Atsushi said quickly, cradling her in his arms while Tanizaki and Naomi looked on with concern. "If you're not feeling well, just tell us! Do you need something? I-I can carry you if you like!" He was floundering.
Alu smiled, straightening up. "She'll be alright," she said, patting Atsushi on the head.
Atsushi looked like he was the one that needed pets right now, lol. Kyouka fainted in Atsushi's arms, finally letting her emotions let her tug her into a listless sleep. Or maybe it had been because of the touch of that woman. Who could say. But it was a comforting feeling. Oddly enough. Kyouka just didn't feel like she was in danger.
"Why don't you kids go back to your agency now," Alu said brightly. "I'm sure you've got lots to report!"
"Why don't you come back with us?" Kenji-kun brightly asked, raising a hand. "We'd love to make your acquaintance, miss!"
Alu took one look at that bright smiling farmer boy. She had no idea what compelled the Armed Detective Agency to 'legally' deploy children into their service but you know what, logic isn't always sound and usually goes into the gutter if you give it enough time and alcohol which is probably what Fukuzawa did anyways. Hahaha.
At least he was cute as a button.
She tilted her head. "I sadly have a date~" she said brightly.
"Our apologies then," a baritone voice suddenly said, cutting into the conversation from behind them.
Alu froze.
"If you don't mind, could you postpone it and take the time to just answer a few questions?" Kunikida was standing there, alone, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
Ah crud. Not this guy. He could pass for a demonic prosecutor in a court of law.
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A/N: at the end
—
*You could dominate Akutagawa's world with your skill boy XD Lmfaoooooo
** No. No it wasn't . You tried to bail, kid. X'D It was literally canon. It took Mori grabbing your sorry ass by the NECk to get you to stay. LMFAO. I'm rolling. I'm just imagining Tanizaki still holding his illusion pose, waiting for Atsushi to finish the fight and not even realizing that the kid BAILED. :'D Just like 'any day now,' looool.
Suspension of disbelief is great—-but it has to be plausible :'D the plot holes in this are delicious. ~OMNOMNOM~~~
*A ribbon that according to my friend's humor: 'Only appears when Kafka wills it so' because again, how do you NOT notice a ribbon being tied onto you even if it's loose, she's always gripping her dress—she's not a complete fool ;' D and on top of that Atsushi was quite a bit of distance away from her. That is one extendable ribbon lemme say. ;'D
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