(A/N: Thanks so much to PinkiePieParty122894, olapiorro77, Nikoukot, and guest for your reviews. And to those who followed and favorited as well! Sorry about being so slow when it comes to updating. I'm working on multiple stories and life in general just gets in the way. There isn't much Dazai and Atsushi in this chapter, but I hope you all still enjoy. x3)
"Dazai has disappeared?"
Atsushi nodded. She couldn't understand how Kunikida could keep typing away on his computer when she had mentioned something troubling.
"He hasn't been answering his phone, and he hasn't returned to the dorm, either." Atsushi voiced, clasping her sweaty palms together. While she wasn't surprised that the other members of the Agency had residence at the apartment like complex, she had been shocked to learn Dazai was her next door neighbor.
She remembered how stupefied she had been to find him trying to hang himself just outside her apartment from the upper floors railing. When she had mentioned this after helping him get free, he just nonchalantly mentioned that technically he was trying to commit suicide in front of his dorm, not hers. But he had been happy she woke when she did because being choked like that was more painful than he assumed it would be.
"He's just floating in some river again," Kunikida brought up unperturbed.
"Or he could be in prison this time," Kenji hummed out while admiring a potted plant he had been growing.
"My guess is he left to flirt with a woman," Ranpo said through a mouthful of the potato chips he was eating upon.
While Atsushi could understand where the others were coming from, given Dazai's rather colorful history and personality...Atsushi still wondered how they weren't more concerned about their fellow companion. She could barely sleep from the fear that something terrible might have happened to him.
"B-but isn't he targeted by the Port Mafia? What if they..."
"That man's ability to sense danger and stay alive approaches nightmarish proficiency," Kunikida claimed, not even sparing Atsushi a glance.
Kenji gave a small nod. "Just think about how he's as healthy as can be despite numerous suicide attempts,"
"I doubt the Mafia alone will be enough to get the better of him," Ranpo added.
"Still..."
"Don't worry, Atsushi-chan. I'll investigate into it."
At the familiar thoughtful sounding voice, Atsushi turned; the others surprisingly looking away from what they had been occupied with.
"Are you all better now, Tanizaki-san?" Atsushi inquired, her eyes brightening at the sight of the male she hadn't seen for days.
"Yes, thankfully," Tanizaki reassured while raising up his hand and smiling at the concerned female.
"I was really worried when it all happened," Atsushi confessed softly, recalling how brutal Akutagawa's attack upon the male had been. "I'm relieved your fine."
This caused Tanizaki to rub sheepishly at the back of his head while he approached the group. "I'm sorry I worried you,"
"So you've finally recovered," Kunikida addressed.
Tanizaki unleashed an awkward chuckle. "It's all thanks to Dr. Yosano's treatment..."
"So, how many times did she get you?"
At these words, the smile on the orange haired male's features fell and his face turned blue. He recalled being strapped to an operating table with a sadistically smiling Yosano hovering over him. She had even removed her top to more than likely not stain her clothing. Most men would have been thrilled at the sight of a half-naked woman in front of them, but he had only been left scarred.
"F-f-f-four times..." Tanizaki lamented, having gripped at his face while falling to his knees. "Atsushi-chan...As long as you remain at the Agency, remember to never get injured!"
Atsushi felt both confused and disturbed by the hazel eyed teens honestly ominous words. "Erm, alright..."
"If you think you're at any risk, run," Ranpo even suggested. "You should cultivate your ability to sense danger every day." He then pulled out a pocket watch. "For example, ten seconds from now..."
Hearing a yawn, Atsushi turned her attention off Ranpo and onto the physician of the Agency who was standing at the entrance.
"Oh, Dr. Yosano. Good morning," Atsushi politely greeted. She found herself smiling meekly when hearing Tanizaki letting out a frightened squeak, sounding far too similar to a mouse.
"Ah, Atsushi-chan. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Huh? Oh, no...I'm fine."
Yosano clicked her tongue, almost seeming annoyed by this. "Damn..."
"D-damn?" Atsushi mumbled, her right eyes giving off a small twitch. Dazai had once said similar words to her. Was that a common reaction around here?
Placing her arm-length black glove covered hands on her hips, Yosano gazed around the room. "I was hoping to have someone accompany me on a shopping trip, but I guess you're the only one available. Though I'd rather not have a young woman do all the heavy lifting, but oh well..."
"What?" Atsushi said, her tone confused. Peering behind, she found that everyone was gone. They must have ran out the side door. The only question was why had they fled so abruptly? Yosano seemed rather friendly, so Atsushi couldn't understand the men's' fear.
"Erm, Yosano-san? Do we really need this much?" Atsushi was currently carrying multiple boxes, struggling to hold onto them. They were starting to resemble the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Yosano chuckled. "Honestly, Atsushi-chan. You act as if you've never been on a shopping spree before."
That's because I haven't. The orphanage wouldn't even let me go on any of the field trips and made me do all the chores while everyone else was out having fun Atsushi thought, feeling her stomach sink at the depressing memory.
A petite female garbed in a traditional red kimono, her long black hair pulled back in twin-tails with flower pins, passed by Atsushi. She found herself glancing at the girl; the unknown female's dull blue eyes staring back at Atsushi before turning away.
She wasn't sure what had caught her attention about the girl, but Atsushi's distraction caused her to bump into a man who seemed to be in a heated conversation with someone on his cell. Falling to the ground while the boxes scattered, Atsushi looked at the man in worry.
"S-sorry! Are you okay?"
Dusting off the brown suit he wore, the male snarled out, "Why did you do that, you damn brat? This is a custom suit from Europe!"
"A-again, I'm sorry!"
Kneeling down in front of the business man, Yosano started to dust off his pants.
"I'm very sorry for the trouble. Were you hurt?"
Atsushi gasped when he rudely slapped Yosano's hand away, shouting out, "I'll file a complaint with your employer! Hey, what's your job? Are you a tea server? A receptionist?" He then gripped Yosano's chin, saying in a more lewd tone, "Or perhaps you're something more specialized?"
Yosano gave a dark smile, gripping at the man's hand hard enough to cause him to yelp out in pain as she removed it from her chin.
"I'm a doctor, you pervert. What's this? You have two arms?" Yosano's rather unique magenta eyes had taken on a crazed look within them while her hand had slinked further down the panicked male's arm. "That's too many. Would you like me to remove one?"
A-amazing! She actually broke his arm Atsushi realized, hearing a snap while the man let out an earsplitting scream. She wasn't certain whether to be impressed or greatly alarmed by the calm female's drastic change in demeanor.
One thing was certain, she could understand why Tanizaki and the other men seemed to almost be intimidated by her.
The two now sitting on the subway train together, Atsushi squirmed awkwardly in her seat.
"I'm sorry about...um..earlier," Some of the boxes had been damaged, and she figured Yosano was angry with her due to the fact that she hadn't spoken since the confrontation.
"Don't worry about it. By the way..." Yosano started to say, causing Atsushi to squeak as the dark haired female was suddenly examining her leg; her cool and long fingers trailing up and down it. "Hmm, you have nice legs. I heard your leg was bitten off by the Port Mafia when Tanizaki got injured."
"I-is there some sort of problem?" Atsushi stuttered. She wondered why Yosano was staring intensely down at her skin that didn't even have a scar upon it.
Releasing the girl's limb, Yosano grumbled, "Oh, I'm just sad I couldn't treat you. But there'll be no mercy from me next time,"
"Huh?" Atsushi said, sitting back up rather quickly; afraid Yosano might grab her unexpectedly again.
"The Mafia is known for surprise attacks. You should watch yourself at night," Yosano warned, closing her eyes. "You never know when they may strike next."
Atsushi looked down at her hands that she had clasped together in her lap.
That's right. I'm their prime target. I should know how to defend myself...
"Testing, testing. This is your train conductor," a rather excitable male voice greeted over the intercom. "We apologize for the discomfort, but we shall now conduct a minor physics experiment! The topic: Evaluation of an Explosion Reaction and Sensory Response in a Non-Inertial Reference Frame. The test subjects will be our current passengers! We greatly appreciate your cooperation! So, without further ado, please listen to this!"
An explosion seemed to have been set in one of the other trains compartments, this causing those onboard to scream as the vehicle badly shook from the impact.
"Maybe two or three of you died from that one? But that will pale in comparison to the next one! We've rigged enough explosions in the front and back cars to blow everyone clear to the moon! Now, test subject Atsushi-chan. Unless you surrender yourself, all passengers will go straight to heaven, maybe even the moon!"
"No way..." Atsushi breathed out, her pupils growing wide in horror.
"Speak of the devil..." the bob haired female mused, standing up from her seat.
"Wh-what should we do?"
"Option one, turn yourself in. Option two, jump off this train with several dozen passengers to escape. Option three..."
"...fight the enemy back." Atsushi finished for Yosano who had paused and turned to look at her with a knowing smile.
"Excellent. After all, we are the Armed Detective Agency. Okay, Atsushi. Let's split up and locate the bombs. I'll take the front. You take the rear,"
Standing up from her own seat, perspiration running down her face, Atsushi brought up, "What if we find the enemy?"
Yosano began to walk ahead, what Atsushi assumed to be her medical bag clutched tightly in her hand. "Terminate with extreme prejudice."
"Roger!" Atsushi agreed without hesitation, considering she understood the people they were dealing with. Rushing past the panicking riders, she just hoped Yosano would all right. The woman was clearly stronger than her delicate frame showed her to be, but she wasn't too certain what Yosano's ability was.
Would she be able to survive against someone who seemed to enjoy using bombs as his weapon?
No...I have to focus on removing these bombs. If we can't, these people will die Atsushi told herself, gritting her teeth when seeing a mother rushing by with her crying baby. But can I do this...?
Moving into the next compartment, Atsushi was startled when someone ran by her. "W-wait! Don't go that way! There's a bomb!" The girl stopped, causing Atsushi to slowly approach her. "Please go back to the central car. There's a bomb in the rear car."
She's the girl I saw back there when we were heading for the station Atsushi realized, watching as the younger female answered her flip phone.
Not knowing what was being said, Atsushi gasped when the girl began to unleash an ability. She had summoned what appeared to be some sort of a phantom of a female wielding a sword; the phantom unsheathing her blade and slicing at Atsushi before the gray haired female could react.
Her side and arms now bleeding, ignoring the pain, Atsushi dashed at the girl. It was hard to believe, but she appeared to be involved in the hijacking of the subway train.
It...it's no use. I can't dodge her attacks Atsushi thought as the yellow eyed apparition had landed a far more serious wound on her, causing blood to spurt from Atsushi's midsection. After unleashing a pained yell, Atsushi slowly began to fall face forward. But why...is she doing this?
The young girl's eyes may have seemed lifeless, but she didn't have the outer appearance of a murderer.
"My name is Kyōka, an orphan like you," she introduced. Her voice held no emotion behind it. "I like bunny rabbits and tofu. I hate dogs and lightning. After the Port Mafia took me in, I killed 35 people in six months."
Atsushi couldn't respond, her eyes only becoming bigger in both disbelief and dismay. Hearing another explosion going off, she struggled, but managed to sit up onto her knees.
It's impossible. I can't win. Will I die here? Hearing the door opening, Atsushi noticed the passengers. They must have ran back this way to avoid the explosion that had happened near the front. Are people going to die again because of me? Just because they boarded the same train as me? Just for that simple reason, they'll all die...
"That is your karma, weretiger. You cause harm to everyone around you, just by existing."
"Get out, you failure!"
"The world would be a better place if you'd just die in a ditch somewhere!"
"We don't need worthless louts!"
A slap being placed upon a then small Atsushi's tear stained cheek, the director's voice uttered out coldly, "Why are you alive? You accomplish nothing, and cause inconvenience and misfortune for everyone around you. Those who can save no one do not deserve to live."
These detrimental words that seemed to be embedded into her self-consciousness caused tears to form in the corner of Atsushi's eyes. She was almost ready to give up, but a sudden idea hit her. Knowing it was stupid, Atsushi also understood it was the only way to save those who stood behind her. The hopelessness disappeared from her fair face and instead had been replaced with one of resolution as she gradually pulled herself up.
If I can return everyone here safe and sound to their homes...wouldn't that mean its okay for me to live?
"Stay away," Kyōka said softly as her phantom, Demon Snow, began to unveil her blade.
"Sorry. I can't do this anymore," Atsushi said, her features softening for a moment. She then made a fast sprint toward Kyōka. Nimbly dodging Demon Snow's first slice, it seemed she still didn't have the speed to dodge all of the strikes. She was useless without her ability, yet was uncertain how to activate it...
Expecting her arm would be cut off when she held it up to defend herself, Atsushi was stunned to see that her limb had transformed into that of a white tigers.
This is...
It was as if a new confidence had taken over her. After pushing back Demon Snow, she expertly dodged every single one of her quick strikes. And when the sharp sword came at her once more, she broke it with a swipe of her paw. Moving past the phantom, she was upon Kyōka in an instant; her claws directed at the female's vulnerable throat.
"My name is Kyōka. I've killed 35 people," the child repeated.
"Where is the bomb?" Atsushi asked firmly.
"The last victims were a family of three, a father, a mother, and a boy. Demon Snow slit their throats," Kyōka continued, her voice remaining despondent. The girl than opened up her red kimono, displaying a bomb strapped to her chest.
"What have you done?" Atsushi got out in in complete horror at the disturbing sight. "Who are you? I can't feel any emotion in your words, nor even in you. You're like a killing machine. If you feel anything, you must put it into words." She closed her eyes and cried out emotionally, "Otherwise, a fool like me won't understand! Do you really want to go through with this?!"
"This is the conductor's office. Atsushi-chan, you still breathing?"
Relief washed over Atsushi even with the still critical situation they were in. "Dr. Yosano!"
"According to this frail-ass bomber here, your bomb has a remote detonator," Yosano explained, gazing apathetically down at said bomber who wore a rather goofy grin on his unconscious face despite having literally just suffered through immense pain. "If you make one mistake trying to defuse it, it'll explode in a matter of seconds. You must press the detonator's stop button to defuse it. The Mafia agent there should have it."
"Do you have it. Give it to me," Atsushi demanded, holding out her still normal hand.
Kyōka started silently up at the slightly taller girl, soon placing the remote into Atsushi's hand.
Pressing the button, Atsushi's eyes grew large, as did Kyōka's, when the light on the device lit up. She couldn't hear the voice on the other line before, but realizing it was Akutagawa that had been instructing Kyōka, Atsushi gritted her teeth. The words he spouted only added to her anger.
"You pressed the button, Kyōka? Defusing the bomb is unnecessary. Die along with the passengers and show the pathetic masses that the Port Mafia should be feared."
"We have to get that off!" Atsushi exclaimed, trying to figure out how to loosen the complicated device.
"There's no time!" Kyōka shouted out. Atsushi was stunned. This was the first time she had heard the girl show a genuine reaction. She further alarmed Atsushi when Kyōka shoved her away and moved toward the part of the wall that had been destroyed just as they were passing over the ocean.
I should have realized it sooner...She was on the phone the entire time we were fighting. It wasn't her that activated Demon Snow...It was the person on the other line...She must not be able to control her own ability.
"My name is Kyōka. I've killed 35 people," She looked at Atsushi, tears in her blue eyes. "I don't want to kill anyone else!"
Feeling her heart clench at the unfortunate girl's confession and watching Kyōka throw herself off the train, Atsushi was able to transform her legs and leapt after the child. She managed to rip the bomb off of Kyōka's body, throwing it high up into the air. Atsushi took Kyōka further by surprise when she was holding the smaller female close to her frame; hoping to shield Kyōka's body from the explosion that was still far too close to them.
"Atsushi!" Yosano screamed out as the two fell into the ocean below.
Doing her best to ignore the further pain that hit her when the salty water mixed with her wounds, Atsushi managed to pull Kyōka and herself to the surface. She at least didn't have to swim far to reach land, and she yanked Kyōka up onto the bank; panting heavily while she rested on her hands and knees once they were both safe.
Thank goodness...she's all right Atsushi thought with a soft smile when Kyōka was taking large gasps of breath.
Slowly sitting up onto her knees when no longer being choked by the water that had entered into her lungs, Kyōka just stared at Atsushi. She was uncertain why she was looking at her with such kindness.
"Um..."
Startled when Atsushi fell forward, her face now resting on her lap, Kyōka could only stare down at her surprisingly peaceful looking senior. She was uncertain what to do...but at least Akutagawa had silenced the line as her open cell phone continued to beep.
Akutagawa stared indifferently down at his own cell before closing it as the sound seemed to echo in the basement-like room where he stood.
"No matter how powerful it may be, a pawn is just a pawn. What about you? Are you a pawn or the master? Or are you a pawn who is waiting to be crushed, Dazai?"
The man, who was chained to the wall, remained silent. His only response to the question was the smirk that had curved upon his lips.