Vol 1.
Ch. 10
As Verlaine turned his attention to Alu's body to the side of Chuuya, Chuuya's eyes widened with horror."What the hell…" Chuuya uttered, but he moved swiftly, immediately guarding Alu's limp form.
Verlaine's eyes narrowed. He tried to use his ability to crush her but Chuuya let out a feral scream.
"Don't you lay a hand on her, you bastard!" For the first time, the anti-gravity that emits from Chuuya counters Verlaine in a way it hadn't before. It was stronger, it was super strong.
"She only speaks pretty words. They mean nothing."
Chuuya hugged Alu in his arms, as Adam just flanked him.
"No," Chuuya was shaky but he was defiant too. A fire was lit within him. "They meant everything."
Dazai strolled, his hands in his pockets, replaying that small part of the fight with Verlaine earlier in his mind. Had he been present during the entire thing? Of course. He was Dazai. He had his ways of recording anything he needed.
But, what he couldn't shake was the perplexed swirl in his own mind at the moment. Dazai wasn't easily puzzled, but at this time, he was bewildered. He couldn't understand, genuinely, why Chuuya would stupidly believe the flowery language of a complete stranger. For all intensive purposes, she could actually be working with Paul Verlaine. The entire thing could have been one elaborate ploy to get Chuuya to trust more readily.
If all it took was one girl with a pretty face and strong ability to get Chuuya whipped, then there was no way he was going to last long in the Mafia. Of course, that just meant one less headache for Dazai to deal with, right?
Sigh.
Dazai groaned.
"Chuuya, you're so annoying," he complained to no one in particular, in the park he was currently strolling through. "I could be thinking about a cute girl instead but no, my head is filled with only you at the moment."
Dazai realized how that sounded and he put an index finger to his forehead, whining again. "Tch. No, let me rephrase. If you weren't such a baby, then I wouldn't need to babysit you, you know!"
He put his hands in his pockets, with a small huff. Still, if Chuuya—of all people— did decide to betray the Mafia over that particular girl, what would Dazai do? Dazai hadn't honestly considered it before. Would he kill Chuuya, personally? The thought was a dark possibility, but not one that was an unrealistic probability.
Dazai paused walking, looking out over the manmade lake over the railing. The moon was waxing, and reflected on the rippling water. Night bugs made their songs known in the quiet. Dazai put his hands in his pants pockets, lost in thought. Did the thought of having to possibly kill Chuuya make Dazai actually feel something?
Was it a sad feeling?
A numb reaction?
Dazai couldn't tell, in all honesty, it felt like the time was drawing near to put Chuuya away in a mental box on a mental shelf. If that idiot really did something stupid because of some girl—despite her apparent useful ability— then that would mean that Dazai's hard work of getting Chuuya to even join the Port Mafia a year ago would have been for nought!
Dazai puffed his cheeks, irritated.
Seriously, Chuuya was so unappreciative of everything Dazai did for him! It wasn't easy framing Chuuya so he'd have to leave the Sheep, making them lose connections with the GSS, and ending their group and blackmailing Chuuya to join so their lives would be spared—- all by his own clever tactical strategizing! That took time and preparation!
Dazai leaned on the guard rail, and stared moodily at his reflection in the water. Ah, if only it was deep enough to drown him. Actually…Dazai perked up. That wasn't a bad idea. A small smile bloomed like poison ivy over Dazai's face.
Dazai wasn't a person to give a damn about anything.
It took too much energy and processing to care. More than that, it felt like a disconnect. Even why he was here, in the organization right now, was only because he had nothing better to do. His own shrouded past would stay that way, as far as Dazai was concerned. Even when Paul Verlaine had tracked him down to kill him two days ago, Dazai had merely stated that watching the Port Mafia burn would make things less boring.
Dazai had no ties. None that would last, anyways.
Connections were about give and take. Bonds were forged only when there was a useful reason. Sometimes things were black and white. In this world you either use or get used. That Dazai believed without a doubt.
He had no interest in such useless connections based on something like friendship.
Verlaine had warned Chuuya that connections could only be dangerous. Dazai had to agree with him. Dazai rested his head on his arms, like a pillow—as he rested his arms on the guard rail overlooking the lake.
Wouldn't it be nice if just one connection wasn't meant to be lost?
"Everything I wish to obtain, will only be lost in the end. There is nothing in this world worth living for that is worth the cost of life's pain and suffering," he said, voice uncharacteristically tight. Depression caressed Dazai in a comforting way that a cat's tail rubbed against a pair of legs.
Ah, no. He did have one connection.
The only one that kept him from burning down The Port Mafia himself by his own hands.
"Hey— you called?"
Dazai turned his head, to gaze at that connection now. He had red-brown hair, stormy eyes that looked red depending on certain lighting, wore a simple beige jacket, striped top, with two concealed guns against his chest, three cowlicks on his head that twitched in funny ways depending on the situation, and the beginning of stubble on his jawline.
"Oh, you're finally growing into your stubble," Dazai teased lightly, tilting his head at the older man.
The other man touched his face, as though to confirm this. "Oh, yeah."
Someone who took Dazai's teasing without taking any real insult from it. Someone who came reliably when called upon—when reasonably able. Yes, out of any connection in the world, Dazai wondered offhandedly, just what would happen, if this connection were to be severed one day.
As he gazed at the other man, he pulled back from the railing, finally. He put his hands behind his head, and trotted over to the man, nonchalantly. "Ah, I need you to help me keep an eye on someone~ Odasaku."
If this person died, would Dazai finally feel something?
—
Chuuya was alone.
Of course he was.
But, at least, it was quiet.
Chuuya had left to cool his head, not wanting to lose control of his power—especially with whatever Paul Verlaine had done to him earlier, still fresh on his mind and in his bones. Being as far away from Dazai really was the best medicine.
Chuuya sat brooding on a swing in the park, a good solid walk away from where he lived. Actually, it was on the other side of the city. He liked to come to this park to relax and think. Usually at night. He was self conscious of people, in all actuality.
Seeing 'normal' people every day honestly felt like false advertising to Chuuya. Kids, running around, laughing, as though they were sheltered from the terrible reality of what it took to just survive to the next day not weighing on them.
Of course, once, a long time ago, Chuuya had also wondered, back when he was still a child himself, where he belonged. What even, his purpose was for existing. At the time, the Sheep took him in, and he learned quick that people would only follow someone who could fight their fights for them.
But.
That girl reminded him how it felt to have someone fight their fights alongside them. And.
The Flags.
Chuuya clenched his jaw tightly.
The funeral was tomorrow. Mori Ogai had made the proper preparations. Chuuya would have to bury not one friend…but five. What was left of them, anyhow. Chuuya's chest clenched tightly. His face still hurt from where Dazai had hit him. But, he hoped Dazai was in pain too! Feel something, you bastard.
Chuuya felt tired and emotionally drained.
He wasn't stupid.
Dazai had taunted him earlier about trusting too easily. He didn't know what he felt honestly for the girl. But what did it matter? Dazai said she was alive but that could just be him being a right dick and trying to mess with Chuuya. Although, Mori had seemed keen as well to gather information on her. At the time, Chuuya had mostly been only able to recall to them both that her ability must be a mirroring type ability that copies or amplifies an existing ability through physical contact. That was literally all that made sense at the time.
Chuuya furrowed his brow.
Wait.
Maybe she was still alive.
Why else would the Boss waste time collecting information?
Dazai. Had he actually said something 'good'?
Chuuya's heart felt like it beat a little harder for the moment. Regardless of that girl's real goal, as long as she was alive—at least that meant Chuuya could talk to her again. Possibly. Although it was pretty clear the Port Mafia would want to capture her. Chuuya's heart jolted at that sudden thought.
What if Dazai was warning him against forming an attachment because of that reason?
He rested his head on his knuckles, his hand gripping the cool chain against his warm skin. He had met the oddest girl today. Someone who had pointed out why Chuuya was human—and even if it wasn't conventional—that no one else had the right to determine whether or not he had a right to exist.
It was entirely possible that Chuuya would have to be the one to 'capture' her, then, if she declined Mori's polite invitation to join under the threat of total obliteration at the hands of one of Dazai's stupid schemes. That was Dazai's real good news. As veiled as ever, asshole, Chuuya thought.
Chuuya's face twisted into a pained smile. Actually, to not 'feel' human, sounded pretty damn good right now.
But he didn't want to be Dazai.
He would never be as bad as Dazai.
Chuuya's eyes watered.
A few tears fell.
And then—
"There you are. I have finally managed to detect you, Chuuya-San!" A familiar annoying robot called out to him, ruining whatever small peaceful moment Chuuya had finally managed to procure for himself.
Instant irritation replaced whatever expression Chuuya had been making before. "Ah, great." The sarcasm was evident, but Adam perked up.
"You are speaking in a tone that a human calls 'witty', although I do not understand the context for this wit," Adam prattled.
Chuuya inwardly wondered if he should just solo this Paul Verlaine revenge plot after all. This robot was seriously going to drag him down. The robot had miraculously survived today's fight, despite damage to his bodily parts but as Chuuya gazed at the robot's face now, he was impressed to see that the robot was still moderately functional. Still damaged—perhaps he'd always been physically— in the head, but functional.
"Tch. Is that bastard Dazai at the apartment?" Chuuya scowled.
"No. He left to make sure you were not brought to any harm!" Adam said.
Chuuya's eyebrows nearly left orbit using anti-gravity abilities of their own. "Are you —no nevermind. I'd ask if you're joking but you don't know what a good joke is," he deadpanned.
"I am speaking the truth. His heart elevated indicating he was being honest when he stated as such." Adam opened his mouth again in that creepy fashion.
"Me? Lying? No, I mean it, Mr. Robot. I, Osamu Dazai, plan to ensure that Chuuya remains safe from harm!"
"End quote," Adam finished.
Chuuya stared. And then, he began to laugh. It was from the bottom of his gut, and bubbled up like vomit in the back of Chuuya's throat. It was honestly so absurd that it was sickeningly funny to think about. Dazai? Being honest about protecting him? "Oh man, you did it. You actually cracked a good one!"
The laugh was broken, angry, and yet held the air of bemusement.
Somehow, it was a haunting noise to Adam's robotic ears. It was a sound he couldn't quite compute into his database. It was not just one distinct emotion, but a few twisted together and tangled, hard to discern one from another.
"Well, if he's going to be out protecting me, he's going to be gone a long while," Chuuya dryly said, cracking a wry grin. "He's gonna be protecting me from the bottom of a canal somewhere, most likely."
"That would be highly insufficient," Adam commented, furrowing his brow.
Chuuya pursed his lips. Okay, maybe the robot made two good jokes tonight.
Oddly, despite all the upset, Chuuya didn't feel nearly as heavy as when he left the apartment. He still felt heavy, but this felt like a weight he'd have to suck up and shoulder, and he would. He got up from the swing. "I'm going to sleep."
"Understood. Do you wish to exclude any persons from entering your apartment? I can politely decline them," Adam offered.
Chuuya paused. Huh, while the idea amused him to fill Dazai with holes, he knew that it would be pointless. He grimaced. And he didn't want to make the Boss angry just because he hated Dazai. "It's fine. Just let it be."
"Understood," Adam nodded.
Chuuya couldn't believe it and wryly he could. It would seem, his only friend now really was a useless hunk of junk that was borderline stalking him.
—-
Alu couldn't do it after all.
She managed to slip inside of Chuuya's apartment, undetected, without having to break any locks. How did she manage such an illogical task? Simply by 'ghosting' her way into the apartment.
While she was back to being less powerful than before, she could still utilize some of her demonic capabilities. Being able to change between a physical and spiritual form was something incredibly useful in times like this, although, because of her human half, she could only do it in small bursts and she couldn't remain in spiritual form for too long either.
Honestly the limitations could be a headache. If she was actually Juubi, it wouldn't matter because his physical form and his spiritual form were the same thing. In Alu's case, her humanity made it so she still had a 'meat' suit on this plane, so to speak.
However, it had proved useful in her ability to come to Chuuya's place. She had sensed it earlier. Chuuya's anguish and pain. It had been like a blip spot on a map. Like a pendulum drawn to the location by its point, Alu had found herself instinctively back here.
She stood now, inside the quiet space, looking around. They say a home can say a lot about a person.
There was the sound of footsteps suddenly and Alu gasped, hearing the voice she wasn't expecting. Ah, in this instance, the closet would have to say a lot about Chuuya, instead! She zipped to hide in Chuuya's closet, in a panic. She was super low as it was on demonic energy—-she had used a good bit left over just to transport herself here to talk with Chuuya!
"—back soon, for now let's wait here."
The door clicked open.
A boy with a lean frame, bandages over one eye, in a dark suit, entered with a man with red hair, beige jacket, and three cowlicks on his head that bounced. The apartment was empty. Dazai clicked his tongue, with a sigh, before flopping on the couch.
"Should we come back later?" Odasaku asked, frowning. He was actually very considerate. God Alu hoped he would help Dazai in a major way.
"Nah, I'm staying here for the time being. So technically, it's my space too," Dazai said cheerfully.
Shit. Dazai was going to live here? Why? Alu grimaced. Did it have to do with staking out to locate her? Probably. Otherwise Alu had a feeling that Dazai would much rather share a room with Odasaku.
Huh.
It felt weird.
Seeing Odasaku up close after what felt like forever ago. But this Odasaku was different from the one left behind. Alu felt another pang. Both of these men, really didn't know her, at all. They really were complete strangers. Did Odasaku even have his orphans yet? Azuki, again, hadn't specified anything.
Ah, these coats were expensive. Alu noted the expensive coats offhandedly, gingerly sitting around some boxes in the closet, and pressing her back to the wall. She just hoped Dazai would go to sleep or something after Odasaku left so she could sneak out. Clearly speaking to Chuuya here wasn't an option.
Alu did entertain the idea of saying hello to Dazai like a troll, but found she didn't have any idea how he would actually react to her. Capturing her sounded most accurate. And at the rate her power was depleted, Alu knew that she couldn't take on an ability user on Verlaine's level at the moment. At least she could take on Odasaku if she had to.
But, she didn't really want to fight him.
The door opened again. "Ah, bastard, you're here," Chuuya huffed stomping inside.
"Chuuya, we have guests, do mind your manners!" Dazai chastised lightly.
"Don't tell me what to do, you shitty Mummy," Chuuya scowled, storming to his bedroom.
"Ah Chuuya, we already talked about this earlier!" Dazai said brightly, glancing at Chuuya's back.
"You're on the couch," Chuuya pointed out.
"Yes, yes, but your bed is the floor," Dazai smiled.
Chuuya was going to snap Dazai's neck. But Odasaku was the one who spoke up. "It's pretty late, perhaps I should go so you all can go to bed."
"Hm, but Odasaku, I was going to let you take the bed!" Dazai brightly said, as Chuuya realized with horror why Dazai had invited Odasaku over in the first place.
Odasaku looked momentarily surprised and just stared at Dazai, not sure what Dazai actually wanted him to do. It was clear Chuuya was riled though. Odasaku didn't want to make it worse. "I am alright with the floor," Odasaku tentatively offered.
"No, no, Odasaku," Dazai chided. "Chuuya is like a puppy~ We must keep him off the furniture for the time being—for his training!"
"You—-!" Chuuya was speechless.
Dazai really intended to make him sleep on the floor.
Alu pursed her lips tightly in a thin line. Wow, Dazai was a little birtch here. And yet, hilariously, she wondered if there was any way to 'accidentally' have him and Odasaku end up on Chuuya's small bed together. Then the thought of having Chuuya just awkwardly having to share a bed with Dazai was perhaps even funnier. She could just picture their charged expressions, lying awake, taunting the other to fall asleep first —both with bags under their eyes—or some other dumb boy rivalry thing.
The thought made her cover her mouth so she wouldn't start to laugh. "Pfft," escaped her despite her best attempts. However, though she made a teeny sound, it would appear Chuuya yelling was thankfully covering it up.
"I am not going to sleep on the floor!" Chuuya glared at Adam. "And you are not going to watch me all night like some weirdo. Go into 'sleep mode'!"
Adam blinked. "Ah, I will enter sleep mode but I just have one question."
"What?" Chuuya huffed, crossing his arms.
"Where will the last person sleep?" Adam asked curiously.
"Well I am not sleeping on the floor, but you're welcome to," Chuuya rolled his eyes.
"Ah, I apologize. I was not being clear enough. I mean, there are four humans here, excluding myself as a robot," Adam stated.
"Yeah, as I said—-wait…did you say four people?" Chuuya trailed off as it dawned on him what Adam said.
Adam nodded and pointed in the direction of Chuuya's bedroom.
Odasaku and Dazai exchanged eye contact.
Odasaku nodded.
Alu began to sweat. Oh god no. Nope. Nope. Wasn't going to deal. She summoned her spiritual power to try to phase out of the wall and get up to the roof or something but found out something terrible as the sound of footsteps became apparently too hair-raisingly close.
Her juice was empty.
Alu had no spirit juice.
As the doors to the closet opened, she found herself staring up, at the red-haired man who looked momentarily surprised to find a girl sitting in Chuuya's closet. Dazai on the other hand, bounded over, as it was immediately clear that nothing was happening between this new addition and Odasaku's ability wasn't activating.
"K-Konichiwa…" Alu sweated, speaking with an apparent English accent, giving Odasaku a little salute.
"Oh well, this is something," Dazai said, peering around Odasaku to see Alu—the girl they were looking for— just sitting in Chuuya's closet with the funniest expression on her face that looked like internal screaming and smiling had a love child. Heh. How entertaining. "Chuuya~ most people hide skeletons in their closets ~ But it seems yours holds cute girls instead!"
"What the hell!" Chuuya yelled, eyes widening. "But the lock isn't broken! I didn't even know she was here!"
He immediately starts to come over but Dazai blocks him, holding out his hands, with a smile.
Chuuya's vein pops. "Let me pass! I want to talk with her!"
"Nope~ You may hinder the process so Chuuya, your order is to stay out of this and leave it to Odasaku and myself, okay?" Dazai's smiling face told Chuuya all he needed to know.
If he interfered.
Dazai would seriously kill him.
Stepping back, Chuuya felt all the fight just leave his body. This one person was alive. This person who saved his life. But Dazai was going to just capture her like she was prey? Dammit… did Dazai really think he was already in her corner or something just because he was a little moved by meeting someone that wasn't a complete psycho? Ugh, Chuuya growled.
"I'm not dumb enough to suddenly throw caution all to the fricken wind, jerk!" He crossed his arms with an angry huff.
"Chuuya-San, do you wish for me to obtain that girl for you?" Adam asked, frowning at Chuuya.
Dazai and Odasaku glanced to the robot, knowing full well it would be a problem to handle.
Chuuya felt his breath hitch. If the mafia did catch this girl then what if she was just killed? Normally Chuuya didn't butt into matters Dazai was personally involved in but Chuuya was involved too, dammit!
He was going to do something incredibly stupid, after all. Did this girl not realize the trouble she was in if she got caught by Dazai of all people? Chuuya didn't sense any fear from her. He didn't want to stupidly let some kind words make him look easily bendable and he could just hear Dazai's leering voice in his head, taunting him about her involvement.
"Whoa boys, I know I'm popular, but please, enough fighting," Alu said brightly, startling all of the men who had been honestly in a tense spot. "I propose we all just sit, have some tea—or whatever floats your boat at 1 a.m. in the morning, and just talk things out like civilized folks. Does that sound good?"
Chuuya didn't know what she was doing. But he kept his mouth shut, regardless.
He could tell the look Dazai gave him with just his one good eye was enough. Chuuya looked away, at the ground. "Adam. Go away."
Adam looked confused. "But I am here to—!"
Chuuya grabbed Adam by his collar and glared at him. "I said, give me some damn space!"
Adam blinked. Then he nodded. "I understand. I will give you space. I will return in eight hours. Use that time to get in one full REM cycle. It will be restful for your stress levels which are a bit high. Oh and do watch foods that can raise blood sugar, yours is pretty borderline as it is," Adam added.
"Noted, now get out." Chuuya shoved the robot out of the door before shutting it again.
Meanwhile, Alu just wondered if she could somehow get past Odasaku while Dazai was dealing with Chuuya. Glancing towards the window of Chuuya's bedroom, she knew it was a reasonable escape, though the door was probably the safer option—all things considered she didn't enjoy falling from heights.
"I wouldn't, if I were you." The voice was quiet but Alu knew who it was even without looking.
She glanced at Odasaku. Had he just used his ability? It looked like it, because he was relaxed while also keeping a hawk-eye gaze on her. "Ah, I wonder why you would say that…" Alu said, holding up her hands. "I'm not interested in fighting any one of you, ya know?"
"Oh, we know," Dazai said brightly, coming over. "But that's the extent of what we know. So, will you allow me to help you up? I doubt sitting amongst his stinky clothes is comfortable!"
He extended a bandaged hand.
But Alu knew what Dazai was really doing. He was going to test to see if she would activate her ability. Or perhaps —since none of them knew whether or not she knew of their abilities yet— he was waiting for her to panic and do something impulsive so he could gloat that she couldn't do anything at all.
Alu inwardly could just see Dazai, taking her hand only to proclaim as he trussed her like a turkey with Odasaku 'how he tricked the foolish naive, mwahhahaha.' Oh and they were dressed as medieval fencers lol. Odasaku even had a feathered cap.
Alu put a hand over her mouth and burst out into a fit of random giggles.
Dazai blinked.
Okay, not the reaction he had been expecting.
He glanced at Odasaku to see if Odasaku was detecting a sudden shift that would indicate she was laughing to distract them to pull something. But Odasaku looked bewildered too.
Chuuya meanwhile hung back, begrudgingly.
"Sorry, I just thought of something funny," Alu said, wiping a tear from her eye. "Ah… I would like to stand up though, my legs are kinda cramped."
"It's a small closet. It's meant for a smaller person," Dazai cheekily said.
"I think small is nice sometimes," Alu said, moving out of the closet finally. Dazai still offered his hand but Alu didn't take it.
Dazai just let his hand drop to his side as Alu stood now in the small bedroom, her only good exit where Chuuya was in the living room, and Dazai near the bedroom door, and Odasaku honestly poised to stop her from going out of the window if she did go that route.
Ah man, Alu thought inwardly with a sigh. Looks like she was caught after all.
Well, to call this awkward was an understatement.
—
