To say life got in the way of completing this chapter is an understatement. I apologize for the long wait but I really wanted to get this one perfect.
Caution warning for anyone who read Manga chapter 101 and are still worried.
Personally I have complete faith in Dazai's plan. Lol!
If someone were to ask Chuuya which was more painful, personally gnawing off a limb or listening to a suicidal nutcase sing an infernal song about suicide?... He'd happily bite off his own hand and shove it down said suicidal nutcases throat if it would put a stop to the atrocities his ears were being forced to endure.
"Oh, you can't do a double suicide all alone. Double suicide! Double suicide! Oh yeah!"
It was Dazai's ninth rendition in a row since they'd left the carnage scene in such of Akiko, and forth since he'd decided to add sporadic dance along with his self imposed karaoke, and Chuuya's nerves long since reached their breaking point back on turn 3 of repeat.
With nothing but sky overhead and garbage underfoot, there was absolutely no way to tune out the Prince's wretched chorusing.
"Don't forget, grab a friend, then you can do a double suicide. Double suicide! Double suicide! Double–"
"EHH! WILL YOU SHUT UP ALREADY!!!!!" Chuuya shouted, clutching chucks of his hair, ready to rip it out before lunging to kick the suicide happy psychopath in the back of the head.
Dazai danced to the left, avoiding it and going about his merry sing-along, as if nothing had interrupted the last verse. "Won't you come preform double suicide with me! Yeah!"
"Just what in the hell is wrong with you that makes you so damn obsessed with suicide?"
"You just don't appreciate good music." Dazai huffed.
"I'm serious!" Chuuya rebuffed. "You're the fucking Crowned Prince, a future King. You've got a life most would kill for. Surrounded by some pretty amazing- I'll be it weird- people, with the entire city at your fingertips and a dad just itching to hand it all over to you. Not to mention an incredible sister who- for whatever reason- really cares about you. Probably don't have to look hard for potential Queen's… Yet every chance you get, you're tryna off yourself… or reading about ways to off yourself, or worst of all, singing about it. I get that you're a condescending prick, Dazai, but for the life of me I can't fathom what's so terrible about your life that'd make you want to check out so bad."
Even Chuuya was baffled by how passionate he was about the subject. He was by no means jealous! Parka shops would be sold out in hell before he'd ever be jealous of the Vogue badge model, but Chuuya despised people who didn't see the value of life, especially when a privileged life was wasted on such people. Not when there were so many less fortunate who deserved it more but fate saw fit to deal them the worst hands possible.
He'd never been the type to ask 'why me' even when he was digging through dumpsters for his next meal. Or when he was so hungry his stomach felt like it was eating itself, or sleeping out in
the rain with nothing to keep warm but an old hoodie. Chuuya refused to feel sorry for himself, he endured and vowed to stay alive, if only to spite the powers that be.
However, he had known plenty who did. And just because he didn't care about himself, didn't mean he didn't care about others and wanted more for them. Shirase used to scold him constantly because most the times he was so hungry was because he'd given his rations to some of the younger kids who needed it more than he did. Or stayed out getting soaked just in case enemy gangs thought to catch them off guard by attacking in shitty weather.
Maybe he was nothing but a bleeding heart but he'd often wish for those kids to have more than slums and back alleys.
And here Dazai was lucky enough to have been adopted by one of the most powerful men in the country, Ivy league educated, he didn't have to wonder where his next meal would come from or if he had a bed to sleep in. He was the heir to the throne yet the most enthusiasm he could muster for his good fortune was thinking of ways to escape his mortal coil. It all revolted Chuuya to no end.
The rant must've had some effect on the Prince because he'd stopped dancing, going disturbingly quiet. His grip on Akiko's medical bag tightened ever so slightly, and from behind, Chuuya saw his shoulder muscles tense.
"And I should unburdan the darkest parts of my soul to the likes of you because?..."
He spun to face Chuuya- who refused to show intimidation under his sinister eyes. "If you want to go delving into my psyche, you'd better damn well be willing to quid pro quo. Care to explain how a street punk from the slums knows how to speak so many languages? Or why The Ministry waited five years to execute you after murdering six of their officers?"
Chuuya remained silent, allowing Dazai to continue.
"Or how about what your real interest is in Arahabaki, and not that cockamamy story you told at dinner." When Chuuya refused to respond with anything but a infuriated glare, the Prince smirked haughtily and turned back to the path ahead. "That's what I thought. Now let's keep moving."
"It was self defense." Chuuya said once he caught up. "The GSO officers, it was self defense so don't you dare accuse me of killing without reason."
"Typical." Dazai snorted.
"What?"
"The predictability of humans needing to justify their actions." Chuuya piqued to elaborate. "You tell yourself it was self defense so that you can delude yourself into believing you were in the right. So that you don't have to see your victims' faces when you close your eyes. So you can say 'It was them or me, I had know choice.'
Problem is that's how everyone sees it, Chuuya. Since the dawn of time, mankind has believed that what they do is right. They even invented a mythological philosophy called 'Justice' as a way to avoid the irrefutable truth about humans."
"And what truth is that?" Chuuya sneered.
Dazai halted, all too happy to answer. "That we're all killers. People deny it, run from it, like to think they're above it, when in reality there is no difference between good or evil. One side merely embraces truth while the other cowers behind a false sense of morality. In the end it doesn't matter, death is the one constant that doesn't care either way.
"You claim it was self defense but I doubt they saw it that way. Or their families. The simple fact is, they'd have said 'self defense' too had they killed you instead. Because people need to believe that tapping into their most primal of instincts doesn't paint them as monsters. Here's a newsflash for you Chuuya, your power alone means you were born a monster… But you already know that, don't you?"
Chuuya's eyes narrowed and his lip twitched. "And what about you?" He growled. "You're right, everyone's got the potential to be a killer, but they can make the choice not to be. Just because I'm not above killing people, doesn't mean I enjoy it, not like you. I saw your face while you were beating the shit out of that Cone Dog who mouthed off. Had I not stepped in, you were actually going to kill him, weren't you? You say all of humanity are just monsters living in a fantasy, Dazai? That's because you're the greatest monster of them all. One who sees no value in life other than being your game pieces."
It took a moment for Dazai's body to vibrate with suppressed chuckles, but once he let it out, he made Chuuya all the more eager to eviscerate him. "Now that's hysterical! You truly believe that you stopped me from killing him? You really are an imbecile."
"What are you talking about?"
Dazai just barely quit laughing long enough to respond. "Chuuya, when I want somebody dead, they're dead. No matter obstacles or time. Had I been serious about killing that bold little troll, you couldn't have stopped me. I was teaching him a lesson. As both commander of the army and future King, I can't allow my subordinates to feel like they can walk over me. Besides you're in no position to judge me, not after your little outburst with your old pal… What was his name?... Shirase." He paused to appreciate Chuuya's ire. "If Akiko hadn't been there, he'd be a dead pile of bloody pulp right now thanks to you. But don't worry, I get it. He basically sentenced you to death, so it was an eye for an eye. All you did was prove my point. We're all killers, Chuuya. There's no avoiding it."
Staring intently into the dark abyss of Dazai's eyes, as if searching for some form of humanity. It wasn't difficult for the redhead to discern there was none. It was confirmation that his previous theory was on point. "You really are a monster." He said, balling his fist in his pockets, if only to alleviate the annoying burn screaming to be scratched on his arm. He knew his anger pleased the Prince, which only enraged him more. Especially when all he did was patronize him.
"I know what I am, Slug. I don't contravene it at all. Why would I when the concepts of good and evil hold no relevance for me?" He pulled back and turned away, amusement faded to a far away grimness. "The only part of my existence I deny, is the part that yearns for the reason to stay trapped in this life."
What was that supposed to mean?
The Prince gave no response forwarding ahead, allowing the implication within the conversation to take root in his mind, stoking the flames of his anger once a certain piece rang louder than the rest. Knowing without a doubt that it had been directed at him.
"So I'm already dead then?" He shouted.
Dazai stopped, waited a beat, then glanced back at the shorter man with a wicked smirk. "Yes…" He said surly. "Yes you are."
In the short time Chuuya had had the misfortune of knowing Yokohama's Dark Prince, he'd come to understand that Dazai didn't make threats, he made promises. It was at this very moment he was making the solemn vow that Chuuya was going to die by his hand.
Anyone else would have run and hide, fallen to their knees begging for their lives, promising their killer anything to allow them to keep on living. Not Chuuya. Not only was he sure there was nowhere to hide from Dazai, even if he could, he wouldn't. He wasn't a coward, he'd face his death head on many times and punch its teeth in. Instead he nonchalantly strode past Dazai as if nothing had been said and waited for him to fall in step beside him.
Neither seemed bothered by the silence; welcomed it in fact. It was Chuuya who eventually broke it, "I've been on death row before, care to tell me how long I've got?"
"Until you've fulfilled your purpose."
Heavens forbid Dazai ever give a straight answer to anything, but Chuuya understood.
"Well then, guess I better make every moment count while I can." A vision of a golden hairpin and purple eyes flashed In his mind. "But just so you know, Dazai. I don't give a flying fuck that
you're the Crowned Prince. If you're going to kill me, then I'm going to do the city a favor by killing you too."
A faint chuckle left Dazai's chest, tickled. "You're welcome to try, but what do you suppose Akiko would think of you after murdering her big brother?"
"What's it matter what she thinks if I'm dead?"
"I think it matters a great deal to you."
Damn Dazai and his talent for cutting through all barriers to wound someone right to their core… Barriers even the keeper weren't aware had been erected.
Having had enough idol chatter, the two ability users carried onward to find the lost Princess in defining silence.
Sadly, the silence only lasted until Dazai's stomach started developing a voice of its own, and no surprise to Chuuya, it was just as irritatingly obnoxious. It was all he could do to ignore the beastly sounds, but of course, Dazai just had to over-dramatize by hunching forward with faux fatigue and winging.
"Eh, Chuuya, I'm hunnnngrrryyyy…"
"How's that my problem?" He gruffed.
"Because you're the reason we lost the supply bags." He rubbed his stomach pitifully. "My poor tummy feels like it's eating itself."
"Like I care. Look on the bright side, you can kill yourself by starving to death." Then at least he'd know what it was like on the streets.
Dazai rolled his eyes. "I want a clean suicide, free of suffering where I don't bother people, I'll have you know."
"You not bother anyone? Keep dreaming idiot."
~Grrrrrlllllll~
The louder Dazai's stomach got the more he slouched, and the closer Chuuya came to kicking him in it. "This suuuucks… What I wouldn't give for a bowl of udon with crab."
"What I wouldn't give to see you choke on a fork…" One could dream. "Why don't you look through Akiko's bag to see if she has anything to eat?"
The very suggestion made the Prince turn pale. "Uh… See, I would but the last time I went through Sis' personal property, I had to have my nose reset and walked on crutches for five weeks… I won't repeat what she said she'd do to me if I ever did it again, but let's just say all the lovely ladies in the world would be utterly heartbroken."
"Somehow, I doubt that." Though the thought of Akiko breaking her brother's nose did bring a smirk to Chuuya's lips.
"Anyway, there's no point. If I know my baby sister, all she's got in here are weapons, antibiotics, her stethoscope, and a flask full of our dad's rarest whiskey that's definitely not for disinfecting."
Well that was reassuring. If Dazai kept whining, there was a smidgen of hope for Chuuya's sanity in the form of booze. He'd just tell Akiko it was Dazai's idea and enjoy the show once they found her.
~Grrrrrlllllll~
Or even liquor wouldn't be enough…
"Ugh, Chuuya, we've been walking for houuuuurs. My feet are killing me…" It was like dealing with a small child. Actually that would be an insult to children. "I'm starting to wonder if you even know where you're going."
Chuuya puffed his lips in annoyance before piquing and swelved around. "Wait what?... I thought you were tracking the footprints? That's why I've been following you."
Dazai's expression turned dim, emphasized with rapid blinking. "We lost the tracks ages ago. I thought you knew that and were leading us somewhere else. I've been following you."
Several long seconds ticked down as realization settled. A ways off, a bird sat perched on a roof ruffling its feathers…
"WHHHHHAAAAATTTTTT!!!!!!"
"WHHHHHAAAAATTTTTT!!!!!!"
…Immediately flew away, startled.
Both of Chuuya's leather clad hands slammed to his face, dragging down its length as he ground clenched teeth. "You mean to say this whole Goddamn time, we've been getting even more lost and no closer to finding Akiko… And you said nothing?"
"You mean to say you didn't notice we weren't following footprints anymore? You're the guide! It's your job to navigate!"
"You're the detective, so detect!"
Several intense heartbeats later… The men sighed heavily with Chuuya stomping his foot with heavier force then needed to leave an impression in the ground. "This is just fucking perfect. Akiko could be in real trouble right now and I'm stuck in a maze with the world's craziest royal asshole, who wants to make First-Aid the next fashion trend!"
Dazai grunted, miffed. "Oh please, the only trouble Sis is in is the trouble she's making for whoever abducted her. She's resourceful, smart, and tougher than any street thug out there, including you and me… Don't go disparaging her capabilities just because you want to play 'Knight In Shining Armor.'"
"It's not like that, shithead!" Chuuya shouted. "I know damn well she can handle herself. Hell, that woman could make a bear turn tail and run away screaming." One of many character traits he adored about Yokohama's Princess. "But that doesn't mean she couldn't be lost out there or even…" He stammered when Dazai's recent implication digested. "Hang on… You're from the streets, you?" Because really, how else was he supposed to react?
Dazai raised a single condescending eyebrow, as if to say 'Duh' like it should be obvious. "I wasn't born a Prince, slug. Mori adopted me when I was seven but before that I loitered the gutters and docks east of Cone Street. Honestly, It's common knowledge Akiko and I were orphans, you really are a dolt."
"Of course I knew that, Jackass. Everyone does. I just figured the old man plucked you out of an orphanage somewhere or… I don't know! I just never thought you'd be like… like…" He couldn't bring himself to say it.
"Like you, you mean? I'm not." No way would they be kindred spirits. "For starters, I clearly got more milk as a kid and chose to obtain a more sophisticated vocabulary. I pride myself in being absolutely nothing like you." Not to mention being the cause for Chuuya's irritation as he continued on ahead without a care.
It wasn't that Chuuya was shocked per se, it was more the prospect of having something in common with his arch nemesis that made him want to hurl. That and the anger resurfacing over Dazai wanting to waste his advantageous life. But if he had been a street kid before he was a Prince, did that also mean…
"What about Akiko," He asked, shrugging next to Dazai. "Was she a stray too?"
"No… unlike us, she comes from humble beginnings."
Something about the way Dazai looked as he described his sister's past filled Chuuya to the brim with unease, especially when recalling the incident with the storage container the day they first arrived in Suribatchi City. With this new revelation about Dazai, it was becoming more and more clear that the royal siblings' upbringing had been anything but a fairytale.
He might have theorized longer had they not turned a corner and followed the path down some short steps to another littered area that struck a cord of familiarity enough to godsmack him.
"What?" Dazai piqued.
"I… I know this place."
Before Dazai could comment on him finally effecting his job requirement, Chuuya already dashed ahead and started inspecting various rubble and spoilage around a soiled wall. The Prince thought better to stand back and let his dog continue his digging since he was so eager.
It was when Chuuya stopped after throwing a hefty wooden pallet aside that Dazai moved to investigate his findings.
Two small doors tattered tin like the entrance to a storm cellar.
Chuuya stiffened. His breathing turned shallow but deeper like he was having trouble controlling it. Without a word he yanked the doors open and sprinted down the steps.
Dazai sighed but went to pursue him. Momentarily pausing on the first step when his sixth sense warned of eyes watching him. He glanced over his shoulder to the left then right but saw no one. That didn't mean he would let down his guard, one couldn't afford to when lost in a jungle of predators.
And the current predators in question watched with elated grins as he vanished out of sight down the old caller pathway.
One whose eyes were shaded by his blonde–red hoodie covered– hair, chuckled beside his buff associate. "Well now, I wonder what number these flies will draw now that they've entered our web?... Let's go squash some gnats, partner."
The bigger man cracked his knuckles then nodded for the smaller to lead the way.
"What is this?"
The caller pathway had led down what appeared to be a catacomb that Chuuya had no problem caning and leading them up into a wide berth storehouse of sorts. Possibly remnants from the failed attempts to cultivate Suribatchi City that was deserted long before the great cataclysm.
Though appearing uninhabited, remnants left behind showed it had sheltered many at one point in time. Things like torn blankets and empty food cans. Old newspapers and milk creates. Even a few busted up kids toys. Dazai noted all of it.
Worn spray painted graffiti adorned the walls. Mostly of childish imagery or inspirational sayings. But some parts had rows of misspelled words written in faded marker, crayon and chalk.
Judging by height ranges, they had been done by children.
"This… this was the Sheep's home-base." Chuuya said, dazed as he poked an old chocolate bar wrapper with the tip of his boot. "Where I used to live." My home. He thought, then motioned to an old ladder leading to a second story level. "The younger kids slept up there while the rest of us made due down here."
"Meaning if any undesirables invaded, they'd have to go through you first." Dazai observed.
It was becoming insufferable, how Dazai always managed to hit the nail with the hammer. Chuuya doubted he'd ever get used to it.
"I'm guessing pens and paper were hard to come by so the walls were the next best thing to learn to read and write?"
"You really were a street rat if you know about that." After all, writing tools were more valuable than money to orphans because they were the ultimate escape, a way to be anything they wanted to be, if only in their imaginations. "Do you know about chocolate bars?"
"Currency, you mean?" The anti-gifted asked, taking a closer look at the scribbles. "Common as they are, they basically have their own stock market in the slums. You can earn three or more for giving reading lessons, then use those bars to buy potato seeds and clean water. Wasn't really my thing but I did know how to manipulate the market, if you catch my drift?"
Chuuya rolled his eyes. Of course he did. Just his luck that the first person he can talk to about the stray dog life was the last person he ever wanted to talk to period. Normal people just wouldn't understand. "You can earn more as a bodyguard or backup in turf fights. I once saved up over three-hundred bars that way."
"Well, weren't you the billionaire," Dazai chuckled mockingly. "Too bad you gave them all away, the extra calories might've helped your growth."
Rather than evaluate how Dazai, who mosied over to the second story ladder, discerned his previous philanthropy, Chuuya scuffed, refusing to grant him the satisfaction of a vexed reply. Instead he let his mind drift back to the days he lived on only one candybar a day while he let the other kids gorge themselves. He can still recall Yuan's incessant nagging the time he'd collapsed from malnutrition, how she'd practically force fed him both her and Shirase's rations for that week.
His hand absentmindedly sought out the bracelet in his pocket that once belonged to his former pink haired lover. Wondering if it had led him back home. The twinge of pain that had started blooming in his chest from the moment he'd uncovered the pathway was beginning to blaze his heart.
In the five years he'd spent locked away from the world he'd never allowed himself to feel anything but anger. As long as he focused on that, he could ignore everything else. Returning to Suribatchi City had cracked the door open, seeing Shirase again had released the bottled rage… but now, standing in the center of what once was his home made Chuuya realize just how much he missed his old friends.
It was the first time he allowed himself to grieve his former life.
His eyes grew blurry and chest was too heavy, but he refused to let the tears fall. The last thing he needed was to give Dazai more amo to make his life a living hell.
Speaking of: He thought best go make sure the suicidal Prince didn't do anything to cause trouble when…
A suspended pulse rippled through his body and his right hand began to glow from inside his pocket. When he removed his glove, his brows furrowed seeing something that could only be described as a projected lottery number ball in the center of his palm, landing on the number 50.
Suddenly, a large purple circle illuminated under his feet projecting the same peculiar lottery balls rolling about before shrinking away, then Chuuya found himself being lifted off the ground– amazingly not due to his own ability– and was sent sailing back, slamming into the wall, falling into a heap on the floor.
Momentarily disoriented, shaking his head like a dog out of water, ears ringing, yet still able to make out the sound of approaching footsteps and amused cackling that definitely wasn't Dazai.
"Poor little lost lamb sadly wandered right into a lion's den…" Chuuya turned his attention towards the entrance, where two new uninvited guests stood, grinning as if they'd stuck gold. One was a blonde teenager not much bigger than Chuuya, the other an older hulk of a man who looked like he bench pressed semi-trucks in his spare time. It was the former who did the talking. "You're a long way from home, pal, and I'm afraid we don't take kindly to trespassers."
Chuuya's lips formed a fox-like grin from both irony and excitement, soft chuckles vibrated from chest and he fixed the newcomers with arrogant elation. "The only ones trespassing here is you… talk about nostalgia!" He lifted his legs and hopped to his feet with ease then sent a gravitational pulse to the ground, crumbling it for added display. "Tossing trash like you out on its ass was part of my daily routine, your timing couldn't be more perfect. After the day I've had, I could really stand to blow off some steam."
"You sure talk a big game," The blonde chortled, "too bad you won't be able to back it up. Now that you're caught in my web." He pointed to Chuuya's hand. "I'll bet you got a really good number. You might wanna check what it's at now."
Chuuya chanced another glance and saw 39 where 50 once resided.
"See, when that counter hits zero you'll die an agonizing death and there's no way out of it. My ability is just awesome that way." He shrugged his small shoulders with mock modesty.
Another arrogant gifted brat with a big mouth. Chuuya could have laughed, it was like looking in a mirror that showed one's past-self. Fortunately he was certain there was know way he had been this full of himself. "Before I shut that cocky mouth of yours up for good, answer me one question. Are you the bastards who took Akiko?"
The blonde piqued a moment then his lips twisted pompously. "So what if we did?"
Chuuya's expression darkened. His blood thirsty aura made the two goons momentarily lose their confidence and step back uneasy, and his voice was low but cut through them like razors. "Then I should warn you… If you hurt so much as one hair on her beautiful head, I'll only allow you both to live long enough to watch me stomp a hole through your chest."
Despite the glint of fear now sparked within the blonde teens eyes, he quickly forced his nerves down and responded with his previous bravado. "Oh Yeah? Just try it!" He flicked his wrist and, much to Chuuya's surprise, flung him back as if he'd just been hit in the face with a bat.
The teen moved his hand again, sending Chuuya sailing one way, then another, then back down, hard. It was then that Chuuya realized he no longer had control over his body. The gleeful laughter echoing throughout the base from his controller only confirmed it.
"I forgot to mention, as long as you have that number, I also get to remotely control you. I can control anyone anywhere, even if they're on the other side of the world. Nobody escapes my ability. Nobody. Nobody. Nobody."
A loud whistle rang through the air, gaining both goons and Chuuya's attention to the upper level where Dazai stood with his thumb and middle finger pressed to his lips. He snickered when he lowered his hand to address the new comers. "Oh please don't stop on my behalf… I was just wondering if either of you delightful ruffians brought any refreshments to enjoy with the
entertainment? I'm awfully hungry and would like the full complimentary package with the front row seats to the show."
Something between the lines of a sneer and a growl passed through Chuuya's clenched teeth. "You stay outta this! These little piss-ants are mine."
"As if I'd lift a finger to help you."
"How about we kill two birds with two stones?" The blonde announced, glancing at his goliath comrade. "I'll handle the twerp, you deal with the mummy freak."
The large man nodded and headed towards the ladder leading to Dazai.
"Oh no you don't!" Chuuya called, about to sprint, only to be thrown back once again.
"I don't think so. You're dealing with me, shorty." The blonde said, stepping forward to obscure Chuuya's view. "Let's see how long we can make the fun last before your number's up…"
A crater formed around Chuuya's body from the crushing gravity, this punk was really starting to annoy him. "You know, normally I don't like to hurt kids… However, I've got no problems with beating some manners into a bratty little shit stain like you. You're in no place to call anyone shorty, you maggot!"
A barrage of gravity infused stones went flying at the blonde teen, amazingly he dogged most, but it was a diversion. He was in the midst of shielding his eyes when Chuuya flew straight at him, fist pulled back about to punch. The blonde just barely swiped his hand in time to send Chuuya flying back. And this time he wouldn't set him down. Instead he took his time to enjoy spinning him every which way through the air and over his head like a kid with a kite on a windy day.
Meanwhile, Dazai had his own problems.
The larger thug stomped up the ladder, making it splitter and crack with every step. Not that he cared, he pinned the Prince with murderous eyes– a look he received on a regular basis oddly enough, though Dazai had yet to figure out why.
He tried to remain calm as the mountainous figure advanced closer, but even Yokohama's Dark Prince could have bouts of apprehension. Not that that would hinder his infamous condescending quips. "Oh… Someone sure likes to hit the gym." He remarked, "You should give some serious thought about going into the luggage porter business, I'm telling you, you'd make a killing…"
The brut wasn't amused, he charged like a bull, honestly Dazai couldn't see much difference between him and the bovine creature, except that he was positive this guy could give the animal a fair fight. He wasn't sure why he thought a punch to the gut would have any effect other than a feathers tickle on his attacker, perhaps it was just a reflex?
What he did know was that his fist felt like it hit a brick wall instead of a tub of lard. How can someone with muscled arms like that have such a beer belly? He thought just as a beefy hand lifted him up by the bolo-tie and used the other to punch him back into a pile of old empty crates.
Dazai coughed blood, he wasn't entirely sure his spine hadn't snapped but he could still feel his legs, that would be promising if every other part of him didn't hurt so bad. "O…kay. Maybe not a luggage porter… You'd be better as a wrecking ball."
The brut grabbed Dazai by the neck, hefting him into the air as easily as if he were lifting a rag, heck, that's all he was in comparison to this guy's strength, a rag doll. To make matters worse, the brute wasn't gifted so he had the Prince at the worst disadvantage possible.
It was as he was dangling over his assailants head, kicking and struggling to breath that the makings of an epiphany began to form in Dazai's mind.
He cracked his eye open just enough and spotted Chuuya below, still pitifully in the clutches of the gifted teenager's ability, being flung about like a toy… Then his own torturer shifted and slammed him into the metal railing so hard, it left an impression of his body. He had to think quickly or he really would end up paralyzed, or perhaps…
That's when his epiphany was made clear. He and Chuuya were both at major disadvantages against these opponents and the clock was running out for both of them. As much as he hated to admit it, if he wanted to get out of this to find his sister, there was only one solution.
He wasn't sure how or why, but something deep in his bones told him that Chuuya had concluded the same thing despite neither conveying it.
All they had to do was time it right.
The brute pulled Dazai back up to finish the job, this time the Prince didn't struggle. Instead, he grabbed the arm holding him with both of his and planted his feet to the brutes stomach to gain momentum. Deprived of oxygen as he was, he managed to pull himself up enough to shout the signal…
"CHUUYA!"
"Right!" About damn time, shithead! Chuuya thought, starting to feel nauseous from all the spinning. He was tossed closer to the wall– only for a split second– but long enough for his foot to tap it so his gravitational ability could pull out a shoe size bit of debris and hurl it at the blonde brat. He wasn't surprised the kid dogged it haughtily, but the kid was surprised when Chuuya used his momentary distraction to fly past him, directly towards Dazai and the berserker.
Dazai took the opportunity while the brute was gawking in confusion to twist his body and break out of the crushing grip then shot himself out like a slingshot by using his enormous attacker as a launchpad.
There was a second in time that slowed to a near halt as Dazai and Chuuya were passing by each other midair. A freezing moment where they shared a knowing smirk of impression. The solution was obvious but for these two to realize it at the same moment was astonishing given their history. The even more absurd thing was how natural their collaboration came.
As if working in perfect tandem without quarrel made their paths clearer. Invincibility the likes of which Chuuya had never felt before even with his ability. Exuberance that Dazai was foreign to due to a hollow void.
For one solitary moment the unlikely team-up had absolute faith in the other, failure was no option.
Time resumed and Chuuya had the berserker in sight. He raced over the damage railing, concentrating tons to the sole of his boot then spun to roundhouse the larger man. "Say goodnight, tubby!" One kick to the head sent the brute and most of his teeth barreling below, cracking the floor as he landed an unconscious mass.
The blonde watched in disbelief then was startled by Dazai landing in front of him. Standing tall and unfazed with his hands tucked in his coat, as if he hadn't just been throttled like a rag doll.
The kid acted fast, activating the lottery circle under Dazai to tag him but the Prince smiled and the circle vanished as the blue light of No Longer Human erased it from existence, taking the death counter on Chuuya's hand along with it. The kid's expression mirrored Chuuya's the first time he'd used it on him, amusing Dazai.
"Sorry, but that's not going to cut it for me." The Prince said, striding forward, making the teen fumble back in panic. "You said nobody escapes your ability? Funny, that's usually my line."
"H-hang on… what is this… what in the…"
People's first reaction to his nullification never ceases to delight the Prince. Especially when they start out so confident. He raised his fist high over his head, closing in… "You should tell your friend to take my career advice." Punching the brats' daylights out without elaborating his meaning.
Several minutes later Dazai and Chuuya stood over their now conscious, bruised, and bound assailants, all of whom had had much better moods.
"Let's make one thing clear…" Chuuya grumbled, securing his hat. "I had everything under control."
"Sure you did." Dazai patronized. "You absolutely meant to be rung through the air like a clothesline. Another minute and you could've been folded and iron pressed."
"Shut up! At least I made an effort. Were you just off picking your nose somewhere?"
"The magnitude of your vulgarity truly is incredulous."
"And your laziness could set records!"
The subdued thugs shared a baffled look as the two men continued their bickering. As if to say, How did we lose to these clowns? Because it really was incredible. Before they were like well oiled machines, now they're at each other's throats like piranhas.
It was the blonde who made the mistake of asking, "Um, do you lovebirds want to get a room?" Which earned him another punch to the face, this time from two separate fists in unison.
"ABSOLUTELY NO WAY IN HELL!!!"
"ABSOLUTELY NO WAY IN HELL!!!"
With the brat now seeing stars, Chuuya turned back to Dazai, both now focused on their original objective. "They said they were the ones who took Akiko."
Dazai snorted. "I very much doubt that."
"How can you be sure?"
"If a couple of hoodlums like them had a pretty girl like my sister in their possession, why would they be here trying to kill us?"
Fair point.
"Alright then." Chuuya shrugged, "But just because they don't have her doesn't mean they don't have useful information on who does" He kicked the teenager again gaining his attention then pressed his boot to the brats chest gradually increasing the weight. "Start talking, twerp. What're you doing in this part of the slums and why were you trying to kill us?"
The blonde struggled against the heavy force holding him down. "F--fu--ck you!" Would've screamed from the added pressure if he could get the needed breath.
"Sorry, I didn't catch that. Care to try again?" Chuuya let up enough for the teen to get a few coughs of air. "You know, it's been my experience that arrogant punks like you don't last long out here, even with an ability, without some kind of benefactor…" His eyes went wide, confirming Chuuya's suspension. "Who do you work for?" He demanded.
All the while Dazai observed the brute. He was more tight-lipped then earlier, even with some of his teeth missing. He refused to look the Prince in the eye or even acknowledge his partner currently being tortured next to him. There were a few other telling mannerisms that affirmed one conclusion.
"You're wasting your time, Chuuya. They're not going to talk." Dazai concluded.
Chuuya wasn't hindered. "Oh, they will, I guarantee it."
"No they won't. I know loyal foot soldiers when I see them. Believe me, these two would rather die than divulge. I'd wager you're correct in assuming they answer to a higher power, but they're not going to cave using your methods alone. We may have to resort to mine if we want answers about their boss."
"Or you could just ask him yourself!"
Four pairs of eyes followed the direction of the new voice, falling on a ruggedly tall man with cold callous eyes, holding a gun aimed directly at the Prince's head.
So yes, I took everyone's favorite Dazai/Kunikida scene from canon and made it Dazai Chuuya instead... I'm not sorry. Lol!
And yes, I absolutely had to give them Atsushi Awkutgawa's sweet conversation from Beast. Again, not sorry.
Plot reasons demanded both.
But I think it's time Dazai got a BFF, Don't you?..;)