Assignment 23:

The More You Swim The More You Find Yourself Only Sinking

Awkwardly he just stood, near them both but out of arm's reach of the both of them. Chuuya Nakahara could confidently say that he wasn't afraid of much, being in the Port Mafia for so long, but these two in the same vicinity were absolutely precarious for anyone on the sidelines when they were both like this. She was clearly angry with the ADA though, something Chuuya both wanted to take advantage of and also actually held maybe a small grain of concern about.

"We met through a mutual friend," Alu said, with a shrug. "It's not that exciting."

"Um, Dazai doesn't have friends," Chuuya bluntly couldn't help but snarkily point out. The look on his face of disbelief that Dazai had friends was unmasked, despite everything. Chuuya tended to be rather honest about his feelings. He always wore them in his fist while most people wore them on their sleeves.

Dazai pouted.

"This is someone from his mafia days," Alu bluntly stated.

Both men quieted.

Alu continued to speak, turning away, arms folded, gazing up at the sky as she spoke. She sounded wistful. "I've been in this city for a while," she admitted. "To be honest, I didn't plan to stay as long as I did. I mean, I traveled, who wouldn't?" she said with a shrug. "But I kept being drawn back to this place…this city…" she moved over to the rail and gripped it again, the sea breeze rustling through her braid and bangs. She let out a small huff, as the two men just politely both kept their mouths shut to let her talk.

This was honestly more than Dazai thought he'd get out of her based on her attitude moments ago. Wow, he really wasn't as good at predicting this woman as he would like to think he was. That wasn't a bad thing though. It gave him a bit of a challenge. Meanwhile Chuuya was just wrapping his mind around the fact that Alu was someone from their past. Clearly, Dazai's, but to what extent? And the nature of their relationship clearly wasn't romantic on her end, so why such animosity?

Chuuya glanced at Dazai to see him just gazing at her from where he respectfully kept his distance. Chuuya didn't know what to say. But he found that it was better if he just didn't say anything. He found Dazai was actually focused. A rare expression on his face that made Chuuya wonder if he was dreaming.

"I know I'm a foreigner," she continued. "I know that my time here is temporary," she leaned against the rail now, gaze contemplative and downcast. "But I met this person and I guess they just kinda grew on me."

"So…was this someone you fell in love with?" Chuuya couldn't help but ask.

Dazai didn't oppose this question. It was one on his own mind.

Alu smiled. "Love?" It was bemused but also her tone echoed in an empty way a pin drops into a well. Her desolate tone made the men actually exchange a glance between themselves. They sensed it. But Alu continued. "It's nothing like that," she said, immediately disclaiming any romantic ties within this city. She tilted her head at them, leaning back while gripping the rail. "He is just someone who I admire."

"Admire…?" Chuuya's brow furrowed. She had said that about him at one point. She had mentioned that he was the kind of person that she admired the most. Wait, this mutual friend? It couldn't be…? Chuuya kept his mouth shut, but he was sweating a little.

"He is someone I met while I spent time in this city," she continued. She chuckled softly gazing up at the sky again. "I'll admit, we didn't interact that much," she furrowed her brow, glancing at Dazai and Chuuya who were both intently hanging onto her every word. It was kind of cute if she thought about it. They looked like a couple of kids, intently letting an adult tell them a story. It was this rare instance in which they could both get along that made their kismesis even funnier to watch whenever it would break out.

It's true, Dazai was intently focused. He only ever knew of one person that remotely fit that description. But, could it be? His hand had gone into his own coat pocket, to grip the box of cigarettes hidden in his palm. He said nothing, letting her continue. But even he began to feel his heart race just a little.

Alu continued. "I suppose I felt drawn to him because…he is someone who was in touch with chasing down his own reason for existence."

Alu could envision the person in her mind's eye. She gazed at Chuuya, as she spoke, her gaze soft and smile wry.

Dazai's breath hitched quietly, but Chuuya didn't catch it, as he was currently lost in his own thoughts. Good for Dazai, because he was already starting to let his own emotions run away with him and she hadn't even gotten to the big reveal yet. This wasn't like him normally. But this wasn't a normal situation.

"Could you maybe describe him?" Chuuya finally interjected, brow furrowed. He had to confirm his own hunch.

Dazai nodded as well. Then he found he had agreed with Chuuya on something and wondered where he could find the nearest bridge to throw himself off of. He'd either die from getting along with Chuuya or this suspense that was already killing him. What a way to go out, and for once, Dazai didn't want to die just yet.

"Hm, he has dark hair, he dresses smart, and I suppose, his eyes…" Alu gazed at Chuuya as she smiled, and this smile wasn't an angry one. It was more mixed than anything. Neither man could discern just which emotion that smile represented. Whether it was happy or sad, it didn't matter. It was whimsical. "...Were the interchangeable color of a burning flame on the surface of the ocean."

Chuuya's eyes widened.

So did Dazai's.

Chuuya held up his hands. "I'm not friends with this guy! And I don't remember ever meeting you!" he declared.

Dazai paused.

His money had been on someone else entirely. But now, he just glanced at Chuuya. If he thought about it, Chuuya did fit that description in a way from how she'd coordinated the clues-to Dazai's begrudging chagrin. But it couldn't be Chuuya. He turned his attention back to the young woman leaning against the railing, looking at them both. She was still smiling.

No, there was one way to determine who she was referring to. And Dazai was not often proven wrong. He had a few leads of his own to cross-check. "How tall was he?" he asked, humorously. "That'll clear up any misunderstanding, right Chuuya?"

Chuuya anger dokied. He grit his teeth, swinging a punch at Dazai. Dazai caught it in his good palm, and just dodged Chuuya's angry chibi mode which he activated by breathing.

"Let's just say…men like him are in short supply," Alu said with a grin.

Dazai was stunned. Was that a pun or an admission or both? There's no way…His face comically showed that he was sweating with apparent disapproval of this admission.

Chuuya griped at Alu now in the meantime.

"Hey! Don't make fun of my height!" he complained.

"I can't help it, you haven't changed much since we last met," Alu giggled. "Geez, you should see your face though! Totally had you wondering who the 'mystery' man was, huh?" She teased, waving finger guns at Chuuya.

Chuuya turned red as a tomato. "That's…that's because!" he flailed. "And I don't even remember you! Which sucks because forgetting women is something Dazai does!"

But Dazai was quiet. Was he a bit disappointed? His heart clenched just a little. He let go of what he'd been holding, and slid out his good hand from the pocket of his trench coat. Alu just waved a hand dismissively.

"Well, there you have it boys. The mystery of my mutual friend with Dazai, so if you'll excuse me," she saluted, and turned on her heel to march away.

However Chuuya wasn't satisfied for a reason different from Dazai's own.

"Oi! I'm not friends with that guy!" Chuuya felt the need to clarify like a broken record.

"Okay, whatever you say," Alu dismissed him with a teasing tone, a glint in her eye. Dazai noted how she was immediately more reserved around him but strangely laid back and chill with basically anyone else…including Chuuya.

"I am most certainly not friends with Mr. Poor-taste-in-hats," Dazai felt his face contort into something of a genuine pout. Like a toddler. A big grown adult toddler. He honestly couldn't see Chuuya as the answer, but she admitted as much to them both. She had asked Chuuya to stay behind. This must have been why. Dazai inwardly sighed. Talk about a let down. Oh well, he was used to disappointment. He used to have Chuuya for a partner. But, still, he was a bit irked that she wasn't giving him a chance to explain himself about the current situation.

Alu meanwhile glanced at the ferris wheel thoughtfully. Then she glanced back at Chuuya and Dazai. "I am almost finished," she added, gazing at Chuuya. Chuuya piped down for a second. Her attitude was serious again.

He backed up respectfully.

"There's more?" Dazai asked, with comical disbelief.

Chuuya's expression hilariously mirrored Dazai's current tone. He was still trying to wrap his mind around this person who apparently knew him years ago. She wasn't in love with him or anything but she seemed extremely downbeat when she talked about him. Chuuya had this funny feeling that felt like an itch to scratch in the back of his mind.

"The reason why neither of you remember me, is actually one that I'm sure Detective Edogawa has gone over with you," she said, gazing at Dazai now.

Dazai's eyes flickered. Oh? She was using his last name and formal title? He was also in the dog house in her mind, it would appear. But he had an idea of what she was hinting at. He nodded, crossing his good arm over his injured one. Chuuya just looked completely clueless and Dazai was satisfied to know the status quo was still in effect to some degree in this universe.

"He mentioned that you are someone that cannot be explained through logic and reason," he said, tilting his head at her. "He is about as in the dark about you as the rest of us," he admitted with a shrug. "Someone as mysterious as you can't possibly be from this world," he added teasingly. Ranpo hadn't been able to deduce much but this person seemed convinced he'd already told Dazai at least about her origin. May as well poke some fun and theories while he was at it!

Chuuya just glanced between these two. They were still at odds with one another, he sensed. Chuuya was still processing that this girl knew them.

"Well, he deduced correctly as usual," Alu said with a nod. "I know you both…but not from this known universe."

The declaration hung in the air like dirty laundry about to be aired out.

"Not…from this universe?" Chuuya repeated comically, his face computing about as well as his brain at the moment. "You're just yanking my chain, right?" He glanced at Dazai to confirm that she was just messing with them but the look on his face made Chuuya's own half irritated look fade to a grimace.

Dazai was staring at Alu. His smile was frozen on his face. To say his teasing had been literal was indeed a pun in this instance.

But he was analyzing this new bomb dropped. Processing. Uncharacteristically quiet.

Chuuya's jaw dropped outwardly. Dazai actually believed her words? Oh man, if Dazai was considering it a real possibility then…Chuuya sweated comically, his own brain feeling like it was ready to burst.

Alu continued to speak. "The truth is, this world is like one big tree," she folded her arms again, but began to walk over to where Dazai stood. "Its roots rest in the flow of time itself."

Dazai blinked but allowed her to get closer. Also her analogy was intriguing. On some level, Dazai actually knew what she was talking about too. She was proving to only be more fascinating.

"There are branches which open up countless possibilities," she continued to explain, stopping before Dazai. She gazed at him. Dazai noted her height for the first time. She really was around Yosano's height. Her bouncy cowlick on top of her head honestly added the extra few inches. "Where I came from…was one of those branches," she said like a storyteller. Her voice was calm and had a sleepy quality to it and yet it was sharp enough that one was inclined to still pay attention.

"Hold on…if you're saying you're from an alternate universe, then does that mean you already know what happened in this one?" Chuuya inquired, eyes widening like grey saucers.

Alu shook her head. "Yes and no. I have some idea but I'm sort of along for the ride at this point, same as you," she held up her hands. "For instance, I have no idea how the war with The Guild will conclude, just like I can't suddenly predict where you and Dazai will be in ten years," she explained to Chuuya. "I just come from one reality where you both met me. In this one, of course you wouldn't remember, as it never happened. In this reality, you both and I were never friends." The last bit she said with a deeper emotion of almost sadness that Dazai and Chuuya both picked up on immediately.

"Hold on…that…" Was what she was saying even true? The absurdity of her claim was just far out there. And yet, it explained how she knew things already about them. It explained how Rashomon didn't want to fight her. Perhaps abilities could detect she was not from this universe? "So when you made Rashomon retreat before…it's because his ability recognized you somehow?" Chuuya uttered.

She gave him a small pensive smile. "You're really smart," she put her hands in her pockets and gazed out at the ferris wheel's direction again. Dazai pouted because he was deducing things way faster than Chuuya and all the praise was for that guy. Chuuya however, seemed more confused than thrilled at being praised. His expression looked like his brain hurt. "Yeah, in a sense, certain abilities are tied to emotions and mine were calm. Rashomon's job is to 'protect its host' from all threats. I didn't deem myself a threat, so technically, even though Akutagawa wanted to attack me, his ability sensed that attacking me was not actually going to benefit his host at the time."

"So that's your ability then…the weird pressure with me before preventing me from using my anti-gravity, and the control with Rashomon…your ability allows you to counter whatever your opponent's ability is?" Chuuya was very overstimulated in his mind. He looked like he wanted a drink. No, he looked like he was already thinking about cracking open one of his expensive bottles of wine back at his place. Alu was inwardly rather impressed. Chuuya was smart in his own right, even if he was often the one to throw the punches.

"Ah that pressure that was placed on you? Was spiritual," Alu brightly said, waving an index finger at Chuuya. "You manipulate gravity…I control spiritual power," she explained.

"S-Spiritual…pressure…?" Chuuya sweated. Somehow, the explanations were more confusing than being left in the dark. Alu gazed at the short gingersnap. Because yes, if Chuuya had to be described as a cookie it would be as a gingersnap. Pun intended.

Dazai was silent. Just observant.

"I suppose it's more of a yes and a no sort of situation," she beamed at Chuuya. "What I can do doesn't have to do with having an ability of my own."

"What? Again with that? It's totally obvious your ability is some sort of defense counter type!" Chuuya spluttered, eye twitching comically.

"It could be that…Or I'm just someone with a lot of heart and soul," Alu cheekily teased, holding up her hands with a cheerful grin to Chuuya.

Chuuya groaned.

However Dazai knew that Alu was withholding something. It was apparent she didn't want to just spill everything and that meant that whatever she could do, was not something she wanted Chuuya to bring back to Mori—this was his best hunch. Good at controlling the conversation, Dazai decided to help her distract Chuuya."I think if you explain any more, Chuuya here is going to combust," Dazai said, bemused, gazing at Chuuya's blue screen of death. "Oh wait, I spoke too soon. He's already lost."

Dazai waved a hand in front of Chuuya's face, humorously. But Chuuya didn't register it.

Dazai reached for Chuuya's hat.

A small arm snapped out and a gloved hand grabbed Dazai's wrist menacingly. "Ah, he's still in there somewhere," Dazai remarked, humorously.

Alu raised her eyebrows and let out a small puff of laughter, because despite her disgruntled anger towards him, watching those two interact always was a comical experience. It was hard not to laugh at least a little. It certainly released a little bit of the tension and Dazai was inwardly pleased that he could make this person actually crack a genuine emotion other than apparent disapproval. As Dazai comically freed himself from Chuuya's grasp, he just smiled, enjoying the momentary lapse of hostility between himself and Alu. Oddly enough, Dazai found he really didn't like to be on her bad side… and he normally didn't care how he rubbed people.

Chuuya just crossed his arms again, and began to pace, to process what Alu had just dropped on them both. Dazai gazed at Alu.

Alu gazed back before she ran a hand through her hair with a sigh. "Yeah, I should probably let it register. Don't want him getting his brains scrambled like Edogawa," she agreed with Dazai.

Chuuya just looked back and forth between them. Dazai was so much more calm. He had always been the one to be cool minded when it came to situations but even this one had to alarm him to some degree! Chuuya furrowed his brow at Alu. He knew she had stated before she wasn't an enemy of the mafia. Was she telling him all this so he would tell Mori? Or was it meant for just him? It didn't matter, he'd have to report it to Mori, regardless. And Dazai hadn't indicated anything else to indicate otherwise that Chuuya had to keep this to himself.

"So, from another universe within our own, huh?" Dazai said, raising his eyebrows at Alu, with a tentative innocent conversation starter.

Alu glanced at him. Technically she was a person who wasn't from their world to begin with. However, she'd spent enough time so to speak getting acquainted with this world that she may as well be a resident, to some degree. Going along with Dazai's analysis saved her the headache of coming up with her own excuse. It wasn't like it was that off. She nodded. "Yes, although I've only been around for a few months. Think back to when Atsushi first arrived."

Dazai blinked.

That's right, she'd mentioned before she had come to this city because of Atsushi. Huh, so she must have been plopped from her 'universe' into theirs around then. But why leave her own universe? He eyed her. He didn't particularly want to give all these answers to the Port Mafia but well, it wasn't his information to withhold. If she wanted to talk, stopping her would just spell him getting punched, and Dazai would rather commit a sexy double suicide with her than get on her bad side. He was apparently already there, as it were.

What he couldn't fathom was her desire to stay in touch with people like Akutagawa and Chuuya. She wanted to tell Chuuya-of all people- for some reason beyond Dazai's own comprehension.

It must be an alternative universe, he agreed comically in his mind. There was no way he and Chuuya were friends in this one. Actually, he assumed they wouldn't be friends in any universe but clearly this alternate universe had literally spoken by dropping this girl into their current world.

"So, you're here because of Atsushi?" Dazai inquired. He knew that tiger boy was special-weretigers don't just come out of the woodwork normally and he had his own reasons for picking up Atsushi that day- but he had no idea that when he picked up that boy during his attempted suicide in the canal that had been thwarted, that it had triggered such an interesting person into arriving to their world.

Who knew picking up one inconspicuous orphan could lead to so much drama?

That question was rhetorical.

Dazai knew exactly why he'd picked up Atsushi.

But what were her reasons for taking interest in the boy? That was what he had to find out.

Alu didn't immediately answer him. Dazai knew she was withholding the information. Alu nodded.

She gazed at Chuuya and Dazai both now. "I know it's not my business to get too deeply involved with what is going on with your personal life," she sounded apologetic and distressed, "But… I just can't condone it…what you did to that government agent just to get some leverage over the D.O.U.P!," she glared at Dazai. "You're older now. Did you really not grow up enough to not resort to underhanded violence to talk with someone who clearly was willing to talk back?"

Chuuya just kept his mouth shut, gazing between the two angry brunettes. Well, one was clearly chewing Dazai out and boy was Chuuya not gonna get in the middle of that. No one had the balls to chew out Dazai Osamu and yet, there was little 'Miss Alternative Universe' doing just that. Aw man, Chuuya was low-key, wishing that the Port Mafia could recruit her. It was funny to have someone that could actually lecture Dazai -despite knowing his dark history-around.

"He's just some government agent," Dazai leveled at her, dismissively, with a shoulder shrug.

"Some government agent?" Alu's voice was angry again and Dazai found his shirt grabbed in her fist as she glared at him. His jeweled ocean-toned brooch jostled but didn't come undone. "If you don't learn to value the lives of others who put their trust in you, then you haven't changed one bit!"

The way she spoke, it was clear she definitely knew him from his Port Mafia days. But in which universe? Certainly, Dazai indubitably could reassure himself that he would not have easily forgotten someone like this little spitfire. And Chuuya was watching with the hilarious expression of someone who wished they'd met this person sooner in their own universe.

Dazai made a small mental note that he was going to smack Chuuya later.

Dazai went comically cross eyed with how close they were. They were practically nose to nose. Huh, not a bad position to find himself in, in all honesty. She was captivating when she was angry. Dazai knew he shouldn't— but pushing her buttons suddenly seemed more interesting than self-preservation. What a charming man.

Chuuya wasn't sure whether to break this up although the thought of her strangling Dazai seemed far too entertaining to pass up. Additionally, Chuuya didn't know about this drama going on with the ADA and Dazai so why not just stick around a little longer?

"You weren't there to say otherwise. Something I believe Detective Edogawa pointed out before," he said with a shrug, like 'that's the brakes'. "You talk about communication but you're the one-"

Dazai was cut off.

"Don't use me as an excuse to justify your own actions," Alu's voice thundered and her eyes shifted for the first time. Was it the lighting of the sun's rays hitting her face? Or was it her anger with Dazai showing through? But her eyes held a dark ochurus glow, and for a moment, Dazai could have sworn her eyes were as dark as his own.

Shadowed like two dark stars catching on brilliant gold fire —-racing towards him, threatening to suck him in.

Dazai felt his heart thud. This person was stroking his intrigue in so many ways. He wondered if the tingly sensation she was giving him was similar to the one she apparently gave Atsushi. Dazai was willing to bet his own tingling was far less innocent in nature.

He had questions.

Questions he wanted to ask without the small audience.

He meant Chuuya. Heh, he loved his height jokes when it came to that guy.

Dazai took a deep breath before he extended out his good hand, and grabbed her wrist. Alu's eyes widened as Dazai hugged her to himself, while he beamed at Chuuya. "It would appear we've hit the private point of our conversation!"

Alu was going to hit him in his private point if he didn't let go of her. Acknowledging his injured arm, she tried to get out of his grasp but his arms were surprisingly strong, even with the sling. "Let me go!" she yelped as Dazai just began to tug her off away from the harbour area. "Dazai! I swear! I don't want to go anywhere with you!" she complained loudly.

Chuuya honestly considered stepping in, concerned with Dazai's sudden shift in attitude towards Alu but at the same time, the look Dazai gave him made Chuuya shudder as well. Chuuya wound up just standing there, as Alu was dragged off by the maniacal trench coat billowing suicidal enthusiast.

That guy despite it being four years since he'd left, still exuded 'Mafia' energy as naturally as breathing air when he wanted to. And it was clear that he didn't want Chuuya to interfere. Chuuya hated feeling useless and still under that person's manipulative control even now. It wasn't even about standing up to him and taking Alu away from him. Dazai was just someone that Chuuya knew he wouldn't beat.

But before Dazai could get very far, Chuuya watched with abject horror and amazement as Alu just grabbed Dazai by his uninjured side and threw him over the rail. Chuuya ran to the railing, as Alu dusted her hands off. Chuuya's jaw dropped with comical apprehensive concern. He saw the splash of water and bubbles in the distance indicating where Dazai must have landed.

"D-Dude, you just threw him in," Chuuya spluttered, eyes wide at Alu. How many secret abilities could one person have? His jaw remained open.

Alu huffed. "He's Dazai. He's a cockroach. He'll float back," she waved an arm dismissively.

"Uh, normally I'd agree but he's injured," Chuuya pointed out, hilariously the voice of reason.

Alu paused. "Oh yeah…I forgot about that," she deadpanned. Then her head swiveled on her neck. "Oh shit! That's right!" Her expression was priceless.

Well, belated as it was, at least her concern was real, Chuuya thought, as he grit his teeth. He wasn't one to help out the enemy, or unknown alternate reality people. Despite his own internal thumbs up of approval to this girl for tossing Dazai into the Yokohama harbour, he knew Mori would not be happy if something fatal happened to Dazai. Chuuya's eyes flickered.

But he pushed it down.

He was used to it by now.

Coming in second place to Dazai in everything-including gaining Mori's approval.

Before Chuuya could say or do anything, he felt something like air brush against his face. When had the wind picked up? But as he looked with eyes flashing with surprise, Alu leapt the railing like a gazelle, appearing to sprint and glide like a mountain goat with wings, down towards the water where Dazai's air bubbles were starting to become less frequent.

Alu's heart pounded.

Crap, she lost her temper.

She didn't mean to but it was just so damn difficult. And somehow she was the one who was being blamed for why things didn't turn out differently with the agent of the government? How did this happen? She wasn't supposed to be the one to hold everyones' hands when they were having a moral crisis!

"Damn it!" she exclaimed, as she leapt from the railing, passing by Chuuya's stunned expression, and with a splash, she landed in the water, leaving Yokohama and the dazed mafioso behind in her pursuit to retrieve the worthless lump floating to the bottom of the bay. True, Dazai could most likely get out himself- but knowing Dazai- he'd use it as an excuse to die or something dramatic.