Omertà
Summary: Kyouka is new to being a Port Mafia traitor, so she makes a few mistakes. Dazai has to step in when the Mafia come to silence her.
It had barely been a week since the Guild's attempt to burn Yokohama to the ground when the fragile alliance still upheld by the Port Mafia and the Armed Detective Agency crumbled.
All because of one careless conversation no one would heed Dazai's warnings to cease.
As was said, it happened a week after the Moby Dick almost decimated Yokohama and a week since Izumi Kyouka officially became a member of the Armed Detective Agency. She was fitting in well, though she had to be reminded a few times not to use violence to solve every problem. But she was good at solving cases and was kind besides. Her new control over her Ability made her a much-needed addition to the Agency's combatant members, but most of all, her knowledge of Port Mafia's modus operandi helped the Agency to prevent too many run-ins that could potentially strain their fragile alliance.
The problem was, out of the two former mafioso now in the Agency's employ, Kyouka was much too willing to share Mafia secrets. Dazai was usually there to redirect conversations, but this one, in particular, started while Dazai was having a meeting with the President in the man's office so he couldn't stop the catastrophe from reaching the breaking point.
It all started with an innocent question from Atsushi. "Kyouka-chan sure is good with a knife! Did Akutagawa teach you?" He asked, dreading to find out his rival slash nemesis is good at cutting with things besides his Ability.
"No, Akutagawa-san was only in charge of my field work and training Demon Snow to obey orders. Kouyou-san was in charge of a good portion of the rest of my training and she or Chuuya-san often practiced with me, but it was Verlaine-shishou who taught me the basics, since he's in charge of training the Port Mafia's assassin guild."
"Oya, oya," a new voice said, making Ranpo, Kunikida, Atsushi, Kyouka and Junichiro all turn around to see Dazai exiting the president's office with a strange smile on his face. It looked like an attempt at his usual smile but fell short due to how sharp and dangerous it appeared. "You should be careful, Kyouka-chan. The names of three Executives in one sentence ... That's really not very wise, you know? The Port Mafia has hunted down those with loose lips for far less."
"I guess it's a good thing she's no longer in the mafia," Tanizaki said jokingly.
"We can deal with whatever attempt at repercussions they may try if it comes to that, Dazai," Kunikida replied promptly. "Besides, we have an alliance; they won't attack us over something like that."
"You underestimate the Mafia's insistence to keep this kind of information a secret, Kunikida-kun," Dazai warned as he walked over to his desk. He looked Kyouka in the eye with the most severe expression anyone from the Agency has seen him wear. "Don't." That was all he said before he took a seat at his desk, took out his headphones and proceeded with ignoring everyone.
Kunikida huffed, annoyed. "As if we can't handle the Port Mafia. And this is important information that could help us to do so more efficiently! Go on, Kyouka-chan. Tell us everything you know."
"I don't know, Kunikida-san," Atsushi began, casting an uncertain glance at Dazai. "If anyone would know how to deal with this, wouldn't it be Dazai-san, considering his past?"
"He's been out of the mafia for four years, Atsushi. It's likely he's either misremembering or too traumatized to see things objectively."
Ranpo just munched on his snacks, his narrow eyes mostly focused on the other, supposedly relaxed genius.
Receiving no further resistance, Kyouka listened to Kunikida and started rattling off information. "The Port Mafia is basically run by the Boss and, technically, his four Executives, but since a new Executive received a seat recently, there are actually five seats, one reserved for a Port Mafia myth, the Demon Prodigy. The one longest with the Executive title is Ozaki Kouyou, Ability Gold Demon. She's in charge of peaceful negotiations, information gathering, the Mafia's red district and the interrogation squad. The strongest Executive and overall Ability user and martial artist is Nakahara Chuuya, Ability For the Tainted Sorrow. He's been in charge of international deals and jewel trade for a while now. He's rumored to be one half of the devastating duo known in the underworld as Soukoku, but no one would confirm it. The most mysterious and rarely to be seen Executive is Paul Verlaine, also known as the Assassin King. Rumor has it that he used to have a very powerful gravity manipulation Ability similar to Chuuya-san's, but he all but lost it. He mostly stays in the basement and trains new assassins. The newest Executive rose to his seat just before I left the Mafia, Ace. I don't really know much about him except that he basically bought his way to the position and that he has fifty men loyal exclusively to him."
"You said Nakahara was part of Soukoku, right? I've heard of them and none of it was pretty," Kunikida said gravely. "Can you tell us more about them?"
"What's Soukoku?" Atsushi asked.
"Ah, I guess you wouldn't know," Kunikida began but Kyouka interrupted before he could explain.
"Soukoku is the name for a duo also known as devastating rivals, the most feared and dangerous pair in Yokohama's history. They're known for supposedly being able to take down whole Gifted organizations in one night by themselves. They leave nothing but death and destruction in their wake. As I've said, Chuuya-san is rumored to have been one half of Soukoku because he used to have a partner that's now mysteriously gone. Other rumors suggest that the other half of Soukoku was the Demon P-"
At that moment, two things happened at the same time.
Dazai lunged towards Kyouka, slapping a hand over her mouth to stop her from revealing more information.
In that same instant, the door to their office was flung off its hinges and glowed red as it sailed across the room. Immediately, the office was invaded by the uppermost echelons of the Port Mafia, including the Boss himself. And they did not look happy.
The commotion had the rest of the Agency reacting not a second later, Yosano and Kenji coming out of her office and Fukuzawa leaving his, the adults with their preferred blades in hand - or, in Yosano's case, a chainsaw this time instead of her clever - while Kenji had, apparently, once again dragged some poor traffic sign home and was using it now as a weapon. Kunikida had his notebook at the ready and Atsushi had partially transformed, ready for a fight.
Kyouka, though, had frozen in surprise and fright, but that didn't mean Demon Snow hadn't tried to come out, if not for Dazai still holding her. Said brunet let out a frustrated sigh and made sure he kept a good grip on Kyouka. One wrong move now and she'd be as sure as dead.
After all, no one at the Agency could possibly stand up to any of the Executives of the Port Mafia - though Ace was questionable - let alone when they were all there together. And Akutagawa, too.
It made sense. He'd been Kyouka's mentor.
Still, it just meant more problems.
"Mori-sensei, what is the meaning of this?" Demanded the President as he glared thunderously at his once partner. "Are you breaking the alliance already?"
"Not at all, Fukuzawa-dono. This is, I'm afraid, an internal matter," Mori answered easily before he turned to smile at Kyouka. It was not a nice smile. "After all, we have a little traitor on our hands to deal with."
"Kyouka-chan left the Mafia! She's a part of the Agency now!" Atsushi protested bravely - or stupidly - moving as though to step protectively and threateningly in front of the girl, only for Dazai to catch his arm and stop him. "Dazai-san!?"
The weretiger's mentor said nothing, keeping his eyes on the Port Mafia envoy at all times, especially the Boss.
"Explain yourself! At once!" Demanded Fukuzawa, hand falling to his sword, but Mori just made a mock peaceful gesture of his hands to show he meant no harm.
"We're here because Izumi broke the one law those who leave the Mafia one way or another follow if they wish to live," Verlaine replied instead of the Boss. "I am disappointed in you, Izumi. You were a very promising student, very talented. It was a delight training you. But you had to go and spill such sensitive secrets ... " The platinum blond man shook his head and Kyouka flinched at the very audible disappointment in his tone.
"I taught you better, Kyouka," Kouyou murmured mournfully. "I can't help you out of this one."
Chuuya just clenched his jaw and said nothing.
"Pathetic," was what Akutagawa started with. "The number one rule of the Port Mafia and you broke it. And for what?" He scoffed. "You clawed so desperately for the light and yet here we are. I expected more from you. Should have known not to since you got involved with that jinko."
"Okay, stop," Dazai finally interfered, holding onto Atsushi before he could lunge at Akutagawa and make things worse. "Hold your horses and bloodhounds, please. No execution will be happening today~"
"Dazai-kun, surely you understand best why it has to be this way," Mori baited with a smile. "After all, it was you who made it the biggest priority to hunt down those with loose lips. We're just following the protocol you insisted on."
Kunikida looked stunned at that while Atsushi looked at Dazai, betrayed. Dazai ignored him and pushed him and Kyouka behind himself, instead offering up his bandaged arms to Mori.
"Kyouka-chan has been in the Mafia for only, what? Six months? I've been in it for four years, yet I've let her spill secrets. If anyone should be punished, shouldn't it be me, your traitorous Executive and right hand man?" The brunet challenged, in a way none but Mori would truly understand.
A sick grin spread over the Boss' lips. "Must you keep testing the loyalty of my men?"
Dazai 'innocently' tilted his head and blinked. "What is so testing about a deserved punishment, Mori-san?"
"You know I'll never kill you," the former doctor countered. "You know your punishments would make certain people question me. Please cease this act at once and tell me how you planned to save Izumi Kyouka and this alliance already?"
"Oh? Not in the mood for your usual mind games? How rare," Dazai retorted, voice matching the expression on Mori's face. "However, I, too, want to stop looking at your disgusting face as quickly as possible, therefore I'll get straight to the point. Indeed, according to the protocols I instilled, for spilling secrets a debt must be paid. I insist on paying it in Kyouka-chan's stead."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Ace asked cockily, arching an imperious eyebrow at the genius.
Dazai arched an eyebrow at him before turning to Mori. "You gave that an Executive seat? Am I a joke to you?" Ace bristled but was ignored. His fellow Executives did not come to his defense, which only had him bristling even more.
Mori sweatdropped at that, though he had to stop himself from shifting uneasily at the rising tension. "So, how do you plan on paying this debt, Dazai-kun? Are you perhaps willing to come b-"
"With information, of course," Dazai replied, interrupting the newest invite to return to the Mafia without a care in the world. "Pay the debt in the currency it was made, if possible, did you not use to insist on that when you were mentoring me? An eye for an eye, a dagger for a dagger, a secret for a secret. I can more than pay in the same currency, Mori-san. In fact, I could probably make you in debt to me. Well, more so than you already are, anyways."
"What is your offer, Dazai?" Kouyou asked, trying to hide how eager and how desperate she was for a way to save Kyouka.
"Since this is technically an act of treason after the Port Mafia oh so graciously granted Kyouka-chan clemency to live in the light, I'll deliver three traitors to you in exchange for clemency for all of Kyouka-chan's past, present and future transgressions. Do we have a deal?" Dazai asked, extending a hand towards the Boss while literally everyone aside from Ranpo and Mori gawked at him. Even Kyouka's mouth was hanging open in surprise at that proposal.
Mori, though, looked something between intrigued and disturbed. "Three traitors, you say ... How am I to believe you've caught them already, Dazai-kun?"
"Would you really be that desperate to get me back if you doubted my capabilities?" Dazai asked with a mocking smile. "I haven't caught your traitors for you, that's not my job anymore. What I have is information and the resources to get at least one of those traitors back, possibly even into the fold again."
"You expect us to take such a vague offer?" Ace interjected again, glaring at the brunet that had offended him.
"That is not up to you," Dazai easily countered. "In the Mafia, everyone has to follow the hierarchy. Even Executives. So unless you're trying to tell us something-"
"Why you little-"
Chuuya grabbed Ace before he could launch himself at Dazai, who remained unfazed and unimpressed by Ace. Instead, his focus was on Mori. "So, what will it be, Mori-san? Will you take my offer?"
"Three traitors for the clemency of Izumi Kyouka, right?" Mori sighed. "You always make things so difficult, Dazai-kun."
"Don't kill my best friends and I won't."
"Fine, I accept your offer," Mori agreed before anyone can question that last statement. "I hereby declare Izumi Kyouka's ties with the Mafia completely severed and her transgressions forgiven, for the information former Port Mafia Executive Dazai Osamu is willing to offer." He took Dazai's hand and they shook on it. "Now, the information, Dazai-kun."
"Would you like for me to begin with the professional or the personal?" He asked, though, oddly enough, it seemed directed at Chuuya rather than the Boss. The gravity manipulator tensed, a frown crossing his features.
"Begin with this traitor we may be able to bring back into the fold," Verlaine, surprisingly, answered.
Dazai nodded when Chuuya nor Mori opposed. "Very well. I consider this the debt for future misgivings," he commented as he took a piece of paper and scribbled down something on it while at the same time taking out his phone and dialing a number. After two rings, the other end picked up. "Hello! ... Yup, it's me~ Yes, I am ready for you to repay the favor you owe me ... Mhmm, in Yokohama! That little graveyard near Suribachi ... Yes, we have all the required conditions met: two people with a strong attachment and a personal item cared for by all three individuals involved. One of the individuals even has a spiritual connection, of sorts, so that should make things even easier for you. When can you get to Yokohama? ... Tomorrow? Splendid! I'll have everything arranged and ready! You'll be meeting two men named Nakahara Chuuya and Paul Verlaine ... Yes, the gravity manipulators and Port Mafia Executives~ No worries, though, they'll be more interested in your results than you, so they'll let you go~ And if they don't, well, the Mafia will have to deal with me," he said as he sent a look towards Mori, who just raised his hands as though in surrender, to show he meant no funny business here, though he did look confused. "Drop by the Agency after you're done~ I'll treat you to lunch before you leave Yokohama~ ... Okay, bye~" He put down his phone and handed Verlaine the note he'd been writing on. "You'll be meeting a person going mostly by Leo Tolstoy, don't assume their gender, please. Their Ability, Resurrection, has a sort of reincarnating power. It has strict requirements, which you two should be able to meet. Chuuya just needs to make sure he brings his tacky hat."
"Are you insinuating-"
"That's right, Ane-san~" Chirped the former Demon Prodigy. "The first traitor I'm giving you is none other than Arthur Rimbaud the European spy, previously known as Randou-san, Subexecutive of the Port Mafia, back from the dead."
Verlaine had Dazai by the throat in the blink of an eye, an enraged but desperate expression on his handsome face. "You better not be messing with this, Dazai-kun."
Dazai didn't so much as flinch, far too used to such rough treatment. "I wouldn't joke about something like this. Besides, you all know I don't lie in negotiations and deals," he replied, looking to Mori, Chuuya and Kouyou as he said it.
"Why would you use such a powerful favor for something like this?" A suspicious Mori asked, skeptical of Dazai's willingness to give it up when he knows that Dazai must have someone he'd rather use it for himself.
Dazai sighed, irritated and resigned. "The conditions for a successful result are very strict: a personal item that meant a lot to the to-be-resurrected individual and two people with a strong attachment to that individual, even better if there's an attachment to the object, too. Odasaku wasn't a material person, which was hard enough to overcome, but what was even harder was two people attached enough to him for the Ability to work. As the Ability requires physical contact, Leo immediately told me their Ability in my case would be useless. Furthermore, the only other two individuals attached enough to Odasaku to make it work were reluctant to do it. I managed to guilt Ango into it, but Sensei refused. He said he didn't want to mess with life and death, that the natural order of things should not be disturbed. I called bullshit, since Leo's Ability is more natural than most others, but he still refused."
"What do you mean by that?" Chuuya questioned curiously.
Dazai shrugged. "Let's just say that Leo's a lot more like Lovecraft than he's like any of us."
"Meaning Resurrection isn't exactly an Ability, yet it still excludes you," Chuuya concluded with a frown.
The brunet shook his head and shrugged. "Don't ask me, either. It really doesn't work on me the same way Lovecraft's tentacles could still cause damage. There's just something out there in this world of ours that's beyond human comprehension and beyond human Abilities. I think Lovecraft's power was more effective because it was a physical attack from the outside; Resurrection channels energy from Leo to the ones trying to bring someone back to the person that should be brought back, therefore going through the inside and No Longer Human would be in direct contact with it. Or so we've theorized."
"Where did you even find someone like this Tolstoy?" Yosano asked, the members of the Agency speaking up for the first time since Dazai stepped in to negotiate Kyouka's freedom.
"Funny story, that. You see, while I was laying low for two years, I snuck out to Russia with the intentions to play chess with demon Fyodor for one month and instead ran into Leo and helped them escape the government trying to hunt them down. I escorted them to the wilderness of Siberia, did some sightseeing and came back. I think I pissed Fedya off by not showing up," he explained with a halfhearted shrug. "But all of that is beside the point. I do believe this is sufficient payment for Kyouka-chan's future?" He asked without it really being a question, one eyebrow arched when Verlaine finally let go of him.
"And how do you suppose that Randou-kun will return to the Port Mafia?"
"I said potentially, Mori-san. It's up to you to convince him, though with Verlaine here, I'm sure Randou-san will stay. Now, personal or professional?"
"Which is more dangerous?" Chuuya asked instead of letting someone else answer the question for him. It was apparently entirely his choice to make.
"Immediately? Professional. In the long run? Personal."
An annoyed tick appeared on Chuuya's forehead at that. "Nothing can be simple with you, can it, you stinky mackerel?"
"Just choose, Chuuya," Kouyou urged, eager for all of this to be done so Kyouka's life can be officially out of the Mafia's jurisdiction.
"Fine. Professional first, then."
Dazai nodded. "One of your Executives."
"WHAT!?" Both the Agency and the Port Mafia members exclaimed, looking between them. Verlaine looked extremely offended when Akutagawa and Kouyou stared at him accusingly and Chuuya questioningly. Mori just stared at Dazai, silently demanding a name drop.
"Well, who is it?" Ace dared to ask, looking a bit shifty.
"Why, you, Ace," the genius replied with a 'pleasant' smile. "I must commend you on the amount of balls you have, to think to conspire against Mori-san, the Assassin King, the most dangerous and powerful Ability user this side of the globe and someone as skilled, intelligent and crafty as Ane-san. And that's just the uppermost echelons of the Mafia. Hirotsu-san and Akutagawa-kun would hardly let you take the Boss seat, considering who was the previous candidate for it. You'd be a disgrace. Moreover, you'd lead the Mafia back into its dark age and after all the time and effort Mori-san had me spent reforming it into the respectable if morally questionable business it is today, only an utter fool would believe that I wouldn't step in. Besides," all traces of a smile vanished from his face. "What kind of fucking idiot keeps such important information like the Mafia's Ability users' files somewhere only fifty people are guarding?"
"What?" Hissed an enraged Chuuya, glowing red with the For The Tainted Sorrow.
Golden Demon, Elise and Rashoumon had already manifested and hovered threateningly around Ace, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Mori, however, kept his focus on Dazai. "How much information did he manage to steal?"
The look in Dazai's eyes would make an army buckle at the knees. "Enough that, should someone like me get their hands on it, the Mafia could easily be done for in under 72 hours."
Mori stiffened at the implication, getting the message. He'd assigned Ace with capturing Dostoevsky. A man too similar to Dazai to believe he wouldn't be able to escape a fool like Ace. Meaning all that confidential information was in grave danger.
"Thankfully, the rat is still on the loose, and that's a sentence I never thought I'd say unironically," the former Executive said with a grimace.
"Explain yourself," Chuuya commanded Ace, a growl in his voice.
The newest - soon to be former - Executive was looking from one face in the room to another in a panic, knowing his fate won't be a pretty one if he can't find a good excuse. "Are you seriously going to believe someone who basically started this whole farce by calling himself a traitor?! He's obviously lying!"
"Oh, so I suppose it's also a lie that the cruiser down at the eastern dock 35 is your private headquarters where you keep the majority of your men, a good part of your wealth, mostly jewels and, of course, the compromising files?"
Mori immediately had his phone out and was barking orders for an immediate destructive raid. Dazai just smiled at Ace's horrified expression. "H-how!?"
"They didn't call me the Demon Prodigy for nothing, you know?"
All color drained from Ace's face.
The Agency's, too, but no one was paying attention to them at the moment.
"Take him in for questioning," Mori ordered Verlaine, who only nodded and went over to manhandle Ace out of the building and into one of the waiting cars, a knife to the other blond's neck. "I believe I can entrust the interrogation to you, Kouyou-kun?"
"Of course," the redhead gave the vicious oath. "I'll wring him dry of everything he's ever known."
"Feel free to contact me if you get stumped, like in the olden days, Ane-san."
The grin stretching over Kouyou's face nearly made Yosano swoon. "Come for tea sometimes, lad. We've not chatted in far too long."
"It would be a genuine pleasure."
"So, who's the third traitor?" Chuuya asked wearily and warily, already so done with this draining day. "The 'personal' one?"
"Well, I guess it would be business-personal, if I'm being honest, but I'm taking personal offense since this idiot decided to dare to get close to both my dog-"
"Oi!"
"-and Hirotsu-san and Gin-chan-"
Akutagawa immediately stiffened.
Mori's face grimed in realization.
"And this person has a grudge against Yosano-sensei when, really, it's all, as always, Mori-san's fault," Dazai said with an aggravated sigh. Yosano stiffened at being mentioned and Ranpo and Fukuzawa automatically moved as if to shield her.
The rest were just either flabbergasted or tiredly waiting for the second name drop. Kyouka just kept quiet behind Dazai. She's been quiet this whole time, considering her not being quiet had resulted in this whole mess. The only move she'd made since the Boss, the Executives and her former mentor had arrived was to stop Atsushi from intervening when Verlaine had lunged at Dazai, knowing that Atsushi might not survive that encounter with the blond. It was best if no one interfered with this impromptu Executive meeting.
"Dazai-san-"
"Who are you talking about, Dazai?" Akutagawa and Chuuya began at the same time. Yosano was listening intently, wondering if her past had come back to haunt her after all these years.
"Black Lizard battalion leader Tachihara Michizo is, in actuality, one of the five members of the Military Police's Grade A special tactics unit, the Hunting Dogs. A bit of digging suggest he joined the unit to avenge the death of his older brother in the Great War, where his brother served in a certain someone's 'Immortal Regiment'," Dazai revealed, shooting Mori a dirty look at the end while Yosano had lost all the color in her face and Ranpo had to steady her before she collapsed from shock of the sudden info dump and unfortunate digging through her past.
Meanwhile, Dazai turned his attention to Chuuya, looking at his partner with barely hidden concern as the hat wearing Executive hid his eyes in the shadow of his hat. Kouyou was also looking at him worriedly while Akutagawa was fighting the urge to immediately call his sister to check on her, knowing the random call might alert the traitor if they were together, which is likely since the Black Lizard were usually always together. The Agency were trying to connect the name with the face, guessing he was the ginger in the green jacket Kenji had eventually dropped out of the window because he simply didn't seem like a 'Gin'.
"It's always fucking something, isn't it?" Chuuya asked bitterly and Dazai could only sigh. "Wait, why is he a long term problem?"
"Yes, that is a good question, isn't it?" Mori hummed.
Dazai rolled his eyes at him but turned to Chuuya with a serious expression. "Besides being basically another government spy, the leader of the Hunting Dogs is suspected to also be Kamui, the leader of the terrorist organization the Decay of Angels. They've not yet made any big moves in Japan, but they're plenty infamous."
"Well, shit."
"Dazai, what the fuck!?" Was all Kunikida could say and it pretty much summed up the Agency's reaction.
"Hey, Shachou, isn't that old friend of yours the leader-"
"Yes."
"Yeah, I suspected as much," Ranpo said with a tired sigh.
"Why haven't you told us any of this before, Dazai-san?" Tanizaki asked and now Dazai gave a tired sigh.
"No offense, Tanizaki-kun, but the Agency can respond in an appallingly insufficient way. Besides, the last tidbit about the leader of the Hunting Dogs is, unfortunately, unconfirmed. I couldn't tell anyone here without having the government breathing down our necks. The Mafia, though, can react as they like. How the Mafia treats its traitors is more than well known, with two exceptions now," he commented dryly. "And the Mafia finding out would be a lot less weird than the Agency."
"But we have Ranpo."
"And the Mafia had Dazai-kun," Mori replied dryly.
"Besides, Mori-sensei used to be a black market information broker on the side besides an underground neutral doctor," Fukuzawa added with a sigh, rubbing at his forehead as a headache started developing in his temple. "Really, the Mafia knowing is the least suspicious course of action. Dazai acted correctly."
"Not that I needed that confirmed, but my humble thanks for supporting me, Shachou. That aside, though," Dazai turned back to Mori. "I've delivered my end of the deal. I want it in writing that Kyouka-chan is now and forever officially free of the Port Mafia's retaliation as a former member."
"You did, indeed, deliver, as expected of Dazai-kun. And a deal is a deal," Mori agreed as he took out a pen and Dazai handed him a contract that he had, apparently, drafted up after he realized Kyouka wouldn't heed his advice and stop spilling secrets. "Honestly, Dazai-kun, you're wasting away in this silly little organization. You should come back to the Port Mafia. None of your enemies would stand a chance against you with the Mafia backing you."
"Save the persuasions for Randou-san, Mori-san, and just sign the damn papers and leave. No one wants to look at your ugly face for longer than necessary."
"How cruel."
"I've earned the 'demon' in my moniker."
Nevertheless, Mori checked the contract for any traps or loopholes - he knew better than to think Dazai wouldn't be tempted to screw him over with a technicality - before signing the papers and handing them back over to Dazai, who checked Mori's signature for any other tricks - disappearing ink, purposefully forged-looking handwriting etc - before they shook hands again and the mafioso turned to leave. "Well, I'd say it was a pleasure. Dazai-kun, as you know, you're always welcome back to your seat. Izumi-kun, I wish you the best in your new life. Fukuzawa-dono," he nodded to the man on his way out.
"Mori-sensei," the older man nodded back. With a smile, Mori exited the office, the others slowly following.
"Thank you, lad," Kouyou said with a small bow to him to show her gratitude. "Take care of yourself, Kyouka," she said to her former charge before nodding to the Agency amicably and leaving.
"Thank you for looking out for Gin and Kyouka, Dazai-san," Akutagawa said respectfully with a deep bow, surprising some with the second half, before he left, completely ignoring the rest of them except with a halfbearted glare at Atsushi and a nod to Kyouka, who stared after him as though he'd grown a second head.
That only left Chuuya, who ran a hand through his hair under his hat. "Geez, it's always a mess with you, huh, mackerel?"
"This one isn't on me, slug."
"I suppose not ... "
"..."
"So, the arcade, usual time?"
"You betcha~!"
With that, Chuuya nodded, bid a farewell to the other Agency members and left with a last hair ruffle to Kyouka's head. Almost immediately, Dazai was bombarded with questions that he mostly ignored, even as Yosano threatened him with 'treatment' - torture never bothered him anyway - and Kunikida shook him like a rag doll for having kept it all a secret for so long. Fukuzawa just sighed and asked Dazai for a more detailed report now that he'd spilled the beans, anyways, to which Dazai could only agree to as it was a reasonable request. Eventually, though, things calmed down and everything went back to more or less normal with Dazai lazing about on the couch, preparing for a 'nap' or whatever it was that he did to avoid paperwork. Only he sensed he wasn't alone and cracked open one eye to see a timid Kyouka standing beside him, a fidgeting Atsushi shadowing her as though he didn't know whether he was even allowed to stand there or not.
"Can I do anything for you, Kyouka-chan?"
The former assassin, unsurprisingly, gave him a deep bow. "Thank you, Dazai-san, for standing up for me and once again helping me remain in the light. And I apologize for not following your advice when you told me not to share Port Mafia secrets. I really owe-"
Dazai stopped her by placing a hand on her head, ruffling the silky midnight locks affectionately. "You owe me nothing, Kyouka-chan. You're young, it's okay to make mistakes; it's why you have adults around you to help make things right." He couldn't help the subtle bitterness in his voice. Kyouka looked up at him through her bangs and offered him an understanding look, which prompted Dazai to ruffle her hair more because she had no place trying to comfort adults when she was so young herself. "Besides, I know what it's like for your past to come knocking and no one knowing how to help you deal with it. So if I could help you deal with it since I've more or less dragged you out of the darkness when you yourself weren't ready to fight for this life because everyone kept telling you you can't have it, I'm more than glad I was able to do it."
"I don't know who you were in the past," she began. "But I'm glad I met the Dazai-san of today."
Thinking of the Executive Dazai Osamu, the brunet could only agree. He was glad none of his new colleagues met the him of the past. The Demon Prodigy will forever lurk within him, because it is him, but he weaponizes that part of himself for the greater good. "Me, too, Kyouka-chan. Me too. But, in the future, for the sake of this alliance and making things a bit easier on your senpai," he said both teasingly and seriously. "Don't spill any more secrets."
"Only if you do Chuuya-san a favor and actually talk to him," she replied with amusement. "I didn't know him for long, but it was rare he didn't talk about his partner. Now that I know it's you, I feel the need to push. I owe you both enough to meddle."
Dazai laughed. "Meddle all you want, Kyouka-chan. I'd be disappointed if you didn't! But let's keep it a se~cre~te~" He said with a wink and another hair ruffle before settling in for his 'nap'. "I'll be sure to buy the new Boy And The Dog sequel and some good wine on my way home."
"Good." With that, Kyouka left to go on with her day, though she would most certainly not be gossiping anymore. Atsushi went after her, though not before bowing to Dazai and thanking the man in the most sincere and genuine show of gratitude the man had ever received. The little interaction with his cute student and the even cuter former student of his former student left him warm all over. For once, it lingered, as well as the image of the evening to come.
But then Kunikida approached to berate him for not doing any work. Instead of indulging his usual antics, though, Dazai felt that something stir within him. And it was baited to the surface by annoyance. Because he wouldn't have had to give up three of his trump cards so soon, even if he didn't regret it since it saved Kyouka, if only Kunikida hadn't insisted of the girl to keep talking. "Ne, Ku~ni~ki~da~kun~, let's have a chat, hmm~?"
Kunikida stopped his tirade, feeling a chill run down his spine as Dazai got off the couch and, for once, was the one to drag him into a separate room so his behavior could be dealt with. No one came to his aid, fearing they might get dragged into it and none of them were suicidal enough for that after what they just witnessed.
If Kunikida came out paler and looking more traumatized than he'd been before, no one said anything.
They knew, after all, it was better to keep their mouths shut.
OWARI