Chapter 3
"Dazai-san, what are you reading?" Atsushi asked as he walked towards his office desk while carrying the documents he just printed.
"An information about the 'Despair' gang." Dazai replied without taking his eyes off from the papers he is currently reading. "I'm sure we eliminated them all that time but they came back so it bothers me. We even went to their headquarters, destroy every document, stole all their wealth and took over the companies they run." Dazai said laconically which made Atsushi did an awkward laugh, amused at the same time shivered with the line that his senior said without a bit of remorse. This made the junior even more curious how Dazai was like during his mafia years.
"But by looking at this situation, all I could think is that there were survivors you guys missed. And thanks to you guys, they came back more violent and seeking for revenge like madmen." Kunikida grumbled while returning the folder he picked a while ago.
Dazai tossed the document on his desk and reclined his back against the chair while putting his hands inside his coat pockets. "Well, they were so persistent that time. Even our boss got irritated and told us to annihilate them so we had no choice but to follow his orders" and shrugged his shoulders.
"Another thing that intrigues my attention is their tattoo"
"Tattoo?" Atsushi prompted.
"I don't know why but it looked something is off with this tattoo. I just can't figure out why" and started contemplating as he furrowed his eyebrows and crossing his arms before his chest, holding his chin with his fingers.
Soon, tired of thinking, Dazai dropped his body on the desk and groaned. "Ahh, Kuni~kida-kun, I'm already lazy. I think I don't have any power left to work anymore. May I skip our mission today?"
"Of course not, idiot!" his partner retorted immediately. "Every one of us are required to attend this mission. Every single person!" he repeated which made Dazai to released his heavy sigh once more. Atsushi just did his uneasy chuckle as he observed his senior's usual goofy and lazy attitude at the same time amazed by Kunikida for dealing with a person like Dazai every day.
"Dazai-san~ Someone send you a package" Kenji called as he entered the office. The cute man was carrying a small package with his two hands. Dazai raised his head from his desk and cocked his head, completely clueless. He was certain that he didn't order anything nor didn't receive any information that someone will send him something.
"Are you dating with somebody?" Kunikida asked after scrutinizing the design of the package. The box was wrapped with scarlet wrapper and it was tied with a golden ribbon.
"Are you jealous?" Dazai teased while giving his deriding grin while he received the package from Kenji.
"I'm not jealous, idiot! I have already set my plans for the future!" his partner immediately retorted and stomped off as he went back to his desk.
"Hahaha, sorry for being too popular" Dazai taunted with a chortle and pulled the string of the ribbon. That moment, he heard a faint 'click' from the box.
'What was that?' he thought as he did a discreet perplex gaze as he scrutinized the package.
"And by the way, there was also this black envelope" when Kenji showed the envelope, Dazai sucked his breath and instantly turned pale. His fellow co-detectives noticed the change of his expression and turned daze.
"What's wrong Dazai- sa-"
Before Atsuhi could finish his sentence, Dazai vaulted over the desks before him as he ignored his co-workers' calling and demands to answer to their question.
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Dazai abruptly opened the window and tossed the package out as high as he can.
2
1
Before everybody could process Dazai-san's action, the explosion shook the whole building which made them to lose their balance while the glass windows imploded, flying all the shards inside the office while some of its fragments slit Dazai's skin.
Instinctively with the impact, the co-workers managed to duck themselves behind the nearby-desks or cabinet. Pages of documents flew, files, books and fine pens dropped on the ground while some hit detective's pate.
Few seconds after the explosion, the situations ceased. They could hear faint cracks falling on the ground and the loud murmurs of the people outside who witnessed the scene. Clouds of dusts surrounds the detectives which made them to cough and itched their eyes.
"Dazai!" Kunikida called his partner's name first as soon as his vision cleared.
"Dazai-san!" the rest of the co-workers exclaimed as well.
As soon as the fog cleared, they rushed towards the man who was struggling to sit up. Dazai groaned as the impact recoiled him hard on the ground while he received slight slits to his cheeks, blood trickling down to his chin; few parts of his clothes were teared from the glass fragments.
"What a surprise gift they gave it to me. Not bad" Dazai uttered followed by a thrilled chuckle while he stood up as he supported himself with his knees.
"Why are you even praising them after they tried to kill you?" Kunikida scolded and sighed. "Great, now we have to fix these windows again. Dazai, are you alright?"
"Yup, no problem" Dazai lightly answered as he dusted himself ignoring the crimson blood that is still trickling down to his face. Few moments later, they heard the door slammed opened followed by several running footsteps entering the office.
"What happened!?" the rest of the agency members barged in the room and their faces turned pale, startled when they scanned the whole area.
"It's them" Kunikida replied. "They set a bomb inside a package for Dazai. Good thing, he noticed it immediately and tossed it outside"
Members who just entered glanced towards Dazai while the other just shrugged his shoulders as if nothing bad had happened to him.
"My, my, why the enemies we confront always wants to destroy our office?" Ranpo complained as he fixed his hat. "Based on this situation, I think this is like a greeting card to you, Dazai-kun?" he said as he entered the messy office.
"Yes, actually I received a letter from the Despair gang, right Kenji-kun?" Dazai remarked as he extended his hand toward him. Kenji flinched and immediately handed out to Dazai.
"What a disgusting taste they have. Why on earth did they choose black?" the tall man sarcastically said as he opened the envelope.
Greetings to you, Dazai Osamu.
I presume you may have forgotten about our existence already but I clearly remember you and your despiteful former partner, Chuuya Nakahara very well. From that day forward, I pledge myself that I will take my revenge from Port Mafia and your new home, the Armed Detective Agency. Your agency will not be excluded from our target list since you are already one of them.
Henceforth, I shall declare war to you and to your agency.
May you allow me to give you my special gift to you and I hope you will like it. May you spend a beautiful day with your fellow agency comrades.
Your death god,
Despair
Dazai did a dark smile and chuckled. It's been a while since his bloodlust started to arouse. He then handed out to boss as the rest of the co-workers gathered around him and read the contents as they slid their eyes from side to side. It only took less than 30 seconds before they finish reading them all.
"Aren't they cute? Now, they are declaring war on us. I wonder why do they have such confidence…"
"Well, thanks to you, everyone is dragged with your mistake" Kunikida hissed. "Anyway, base from the manner he wrote, it seemed like he is someone who experienced the incident few years ago"
"Do you think their leader survived?" Tanizaki inquired in curiosity.
"Exactly, that is what I am pondering about" Dazai said and inserted his hand in his coat pocket while he held his chin with the other hand, folding his index finger and thumb.
"If that is so, you are in the most dangerous position, Dazai" Fukuzawa remarked. "There is also a possibility of assassination."
"Let me just remind you again, Dazai." Yosano said as she put her hand on her waist, shifting her weight to the side. "I cannot do anything if you receive a serious injury since your ability will nullify mine, so please stay as safe as possible"
Atsushi and Kyouka stiffened. Yes, even though Yosano's healing ability is superb which could heal any serious or life- threatening injuries but it will be all in vain when it comes to the case of Dazai. His senior will nullify everything, no ability is an exception.
"Don't worry, Yosano-san" Atsushi stepped forward as he placed his hand on his chest. "We will protect Dazai-san no matter what happens!" his eyes glimmered with determination while Kyouka was nodding in agreement as she carried the same resolution as the other.
"Oh, how reliable my subordinates become~" Dazai reacted and twirled around while putting his folded hands on his chest. "I am just a frail princess who can't do anything but run" then turned around and stopped between Atsushi and Kyouka. "So, Atsushi-kun, Kyouka-chan, you will be my knights. Protect me from evil forces. This is your mission for today" he self-declared and ended his sentence as if he is performing a stage play.
"Of course, Dazai-san, we will protect you!" Atsushi declared, his eyes glimmering with determination.
"I will also do my best" Kyouka added. Kunikida just released a heavy sigh for he felt pity for his juniors being played in Dazai's hands.
"By the way, just few minutes ago, we received lots of request from clients. The number of requests is not only one or two but eight."
"That's quite a lot…" Tanizaki grimed as he mumbled.
"I also have to go to all the way to Nagoya today" Ranpo drawled as he placed his hands behind his head. "After that I have to go to Tokyo. Really, the investigators can't do anything with my Super Deduction ability" and released a heavy sigh then fixed his hat without even caring to arrange his hair. "Tanizaki, I don't know how to go to the station alone~ We'll be late~"
Tanizaki glanced to his boss and the other gave his nod, allowing him to be excuse. Giving his slight nod, Tanizaki immediately prepared his stuff and dashed beside the detective.
"Dazai-kun" Ranpo suddenly remarked which pulled everyone's attention to him. He then opened his eyes wider, revealing his deep emerald eyes which is also an indication that he is serious about this matter. "It's my intuition, but, err, what was the name of Mr. Fancy Hat… ah, Chuuya-kun wasn't it? He will be in a great trouble if he will not be stopped before his time will end" his words bemused the whole group as wind of uneasiness pass by them. Even Dazai's calm expression changed by his unexpected words.
"What do you mean by that, Ranpo?" Fukuzawa inquired, a question that everyone wanted to asked.
"I can't explain it into words clearly but I think we are dancing in our enemy's hands"
""""""
Few minutes ago
Gin, Tachihara and Hirotsu were walking down the back alley heading towards their nearby basement together with their subordinates until suddenly they heard a loud explosion just another block away from there spot.
Wondering what happened, the Mafiosi swiftly they headed towards that place and were startled when they saw and realized that the origin of the explosion came from the Armed Detective Agency office.
"What's the meaning of this?" Hirotsu mumbled an inquiry, still his eyes locked to the scene. Moments later his eyes dilated in realization and turned his back while reaching out his hand to get his cellphone from inside coat pocket.
He walked away from the scene as his subordinates followed behind his back.
"Hey, old man, what happened?" Tachihara demanded for answers for he anticipated that Hirotsu found out something.
"Most probably, the Despair gang gave them a surprise gift" Hirotsu answered with his deep clear voice. The rest of the subordinates understood what he meant. "Just in case, I shall inform about this matter to boss"