Chapter Text
September 23
I’ve tried everything to find his whereabouts, and this time they’ve actually worked. He's a florist, someone I can’t go close to…… Atsushi wants me to extract information from him only to obtain a certain type of flower; it's ridiculous. I can probably use this to my advantage and stall.
He might not even be the right person but that doesn't matter.
I wonder if he’ll recognize me?
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From the outside, all the way to the inside, the shop was surprisingly small, and rain drenched the outside; my umbrella was soaked. I believe this place would make a suitable setting for a story.
“Hello sir I am sorry to tell you this but I actually was just about to close the store given the weather but since I don't really want you to waste your time you'll be the exception,”
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Just his luck…It was pointless to even think he had a single chance but it wouldn't hurt to stir up a conversation?? That must’ve been his downfall as it only brought drama from that day forward…….
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“THEY’RE HERE!?!!”
Cars were lined up outside the armed agency crowding the doors of the front building. They were all black with tinted windows, men with suits exited out, wearing black sunglasses even on a windy day.
Crosses were drawn on a book that they held in their arms, it was the same notebook Kunikida used for his ideals but there were fifty of them. “That’s where they all went!” Kunikida yelled, pointing at the men as if they were a disgrace to the world.
“What is this a protest or something?! I can't believe my eyes—! AHH!? Stop that Ranpo!” The stick of Ranpo's lollipop poked Kunikida in the eye, and Ranpo's gaze hardened on the window.
“Everyone. Out. Side. Now.” Ranpo said sharply, he didn’t even wait for Kunikida to follow him before running out. Atsushi’s eyes trailed after him to the door where he was cut off.
“Kunikida, is it really happening today? A reunion with the Port Agency? That doesn’t seem right.” Atsushi trailed off, turning to where Kenji used to be only to meet with nothing but cold chilly air. “That’s what it looks like Atsushi, it sucks to admit that even I don't have a plan. We can only follow through with what Ranpo said.”
“You’re right Kunikida-San but if there’s one thing I have to tell you, I’m sorry on Dazai-san’s behalf, I really don’t know what goes on in his mind it’s hard to calculate, if I weren't such a pushover and asked for his help for such a simple task this wouldn’t have happened.” Atsushi’s shoulders were hunched forward, his hands balled into fists that were shaking.
“I should’ve asked someone I could actually rely on and now I’m just being a burden! I got Chuuya-San hurt no, I hurt everyone’s reputation over something so little!? I’m so selfish!” Tears pooled in Atsushi’s eyes, stinging.
His eyes crinkled when they met Kunikida’s to Kyouka who had a fierce expression on her face. Her feet slid on the ground of the Armed Agencies offices to Atsushi, her hand grabbed his hard.
“You're not selfish, Atsushi! Have you seen what you are capable of? If not for you I would’ve never been here! I wouldn’t be standing where I am right now! You taught me how to forgive, patience, and most importantly you taught me that friendship is the most valuable thing you can have in life! I wouldn’t, I would never trade it for the world!! I know we may have ups and downs but that’ll never change my mind!”
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Gathered outside of the Armed Agency were Ranpo, Kunikida, Kyouka, Kenji, Atsushi, Naomi, and Tanizaki along with other members of the Armed Agency. Fukuzawa was nowhere to be seen yet and of course, Dazai.
“What do you guys want from us!?” Kunikida’s voice carried through the wind filling the atmosphere. “What do you think? Kunikida Doppo, you know exactly why we are here, don't play dumb.” A voice of a woman said suddenly, it was coming from the group of men that were forming a crowd for them to move to the side, Kouyou Ozaki the woman with dark pink hair, the same woman who had been causing the Armed Agency problems.
“You….” Kunikida’s eyes darkened, a smirk splayed across Kouyou’s lips that were painted with red lipstick.
“Hmm? A grudge I see? That's pretty rich coming from you Kunikida when you are with the same people who are holding MY BROTHER HOSTAGE!” Kouyou’s tip of her heel dug into one of the notebooks that was now on the floor, a dent beginning to form.
“You should understand how hard it is, you always do good deeds right? Providing books for a group of orphanages except you let a brat like Dazai take advantage of him! You disgust me.” The change in atmosphere was undeniable.
“Do you even really know who Dazai is? He is a mistake in this industry!” Kouyou snapped, her voice turning higher. “I’ve tried to stay equal with you guys though you guys just want to do a low blow!”
“You think I didn't try!? I’ve tried to stay on equal grounds with you, you were the one who started this whole scene! It's been only a few days and you're freaking out over the wrong people! You think I am completely indifferent to Dazai’s actions because I am not! I don't even know what he is even thinking?! If I could kick him out I would!” Kouyou’s smirk twisted into a wide grin.
“It's just as I expected, you're quick to double down. That's exactly what I like about you, Kunikida, to waste so much potential when you could easily obtain it in the Port Agency just like Dazai once did, but what do I know? I haven't been here for long, you know?” Kunikida’s body became rigid, his eyes darted at Kouyou, and his chest rose up and down fast.
“Kunikida-san! Dazai-san can't be kicked out—!”
“Enough.” A voice from nearby said, it belonged to a man, it was hollow, cold, the men in black suits froze, lowering the books. “I don't go for petty banter, not to say it isn't amusing.”
“Boss!?” Kouyou turned to the man who stood a few feet away from her. The man had jet black hair that was slicked back, his hands were worn with years of age with ink and books.
“Kouyou.”
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“Rintaro.” Another voice said, Fukuzawa was staring at Mori, and it left members of the Armed Agency freezing in shock. “Yukichi” Mori said, he flashed Fukuzawa a smile that was all teeth, it left him not even fazed the slightest like this was the norm. “You're still harassing my members?”
“I’m merely helping them. Especially your womanizer who can’t keep his hands off a man.” Laughter started to erupt bursting, Kouyou was cackling in her sleeve, taking her heel that was still stabbing into the book, kicking it as it traveled down to Kunikida’s feet.
“Mhm well isn't it odd that what I have heard from Ranpo is that Chuuya-san is back at his flower shop? You love to leave that out though? Not to intrude but caring about a complete adult for what he does with his life isn't my problem, Ozaki it doesn't give you the right to disrupt my agency.”
“Not a problem, are you serious!? My brother has become a target for many people, I never wanted to bring him into this world!”
“This is soooo annoying! Hey Kouyou! I think we really got the wrong people when knowing Mark Twain from the guild wrote that magazine.” Tachihara interrupted, grumbling beside Kouyou.
“Mark Twain! Higuchi why didn't you tell me that!” Kouyou screamed, her eyes were turning into slits.
Higuchi gulped, sweat beading on her bangs that were now sticking to her forehead. “Hah! Got you guys!” Atsushi stated boldly, a smile curving his lips.
“Shut up! What are you a child, who even hires an 18-year-old for the job!” Akutagawa muttered the last part to himself with a frown.
“And!? At least I am not a man who dresses in all black and listens to gunshots!”
“Fine but one thing we can agree on is I don't like the way you guys are putting Dazai-sensei under the bus.” Glares were shot into Akutagawa's neck.
”I mean who cares if he is potentially dating the redhead? I think he's finally found his match.” Akutagawa said with the straightest face ever. “You're going to get killed for that!” Atsushi nudged Akutagawa's shoulder, he was now standing in front of him and Kyouka looked every bit suspicious about the interaction.
“I don't care.” Akutagawa's face dusted a slight red. “Yuck you even look like you’ve been crying. I hate whining babies.” Akutagawa nudged Atsushi away, addressing Gin. “I see there is no business for me here.”
“See I knew it! Now he's just walking away like the true loner he is!” Tachihara yelled, wiggling his eyebrows at Atsushi teasingly. “Don't say that Tachihara!” Higuchi scolded, the color in her face was now back.
Kouyou shook her head while Mori was now looking at his watch before a girl with blonde hair pulled on his sleeve. “Rinataro! Let's goooo I’m bored!” The girl with blonde hair whined. “Yes Elise-chan it does seem that work is done.” Mori glanced at Elise, his gaze returning to Fukuzawa as he turned away, his coat blowing through the wind.
“Good luck finding your grand prize, Yukichi, I’ll give you one hint, it's somewhere cold and forgotten, if you are thinking in a field of grass you might just be on track.”
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Rain Droplets fell down on the pavement, it was just about 8pm, the time Chuuya should be closing.
His body dragged across the floor, his heart sinking to his stomach, that magazine on his phone brought nothing but dread for these past hours, he couldn’t even bear to look at the comments, no one came by thankfully but even Baki was hiding under the table like a potato sack.
Earlier when Chuuya found him massaging himself on a pile of daises Chuuya had to pull him away. Baki even seemed so excited to see him but now was growling. Does he stink? Is someone outside?? Wait no that has to be it! Baki wouldn’t just act like that for no reason? Wait what if it’s Ane-San!!
A smile creeped on Chuuya’s face as he quickly rushed to the door.
It was dark making it hard to pick out anything from the clear doors but when he opened one of the blinds he was met with violet eyes……..
What, WHAT THE FUCK!? Chuuya’s hand instinctively went to grab his phone quickly before the lights of the flower shop started flickering on and off to complete pitch black.
The chime of the door opening followed by footsteps made Chuuya quickly try to grab something only to crash into a vase of flowers.
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THUD!!?!
“Chuuya.” A man said with a chilling smile on his face when the street light hit his face.
“STAY AWAY!? WHO ARE YOU!?! GET OUT OF MY SHOP!” The taste of metallic hit Chuuya’s tongue as his nose stung. Glass dug into his skin as Baki’s growling intensified by the minute.
“WAIT!? Baki NO! Get out of here!” Chuuya’s body crashed into where Baki was underneath the table only for the sound of Baki crying to enter his ears.
“BAKI!!!?!!!” Chuuya’s voice screamed, turning echoing into sobs when the heel of the shoe of dug into his leg.
“A helpless florist, how intriguing.”
“Wait, WAIT! NO—!!PLEASE STOP!!!??”
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They told Kouyou he should be here but that doesn’t matter, they could be lying. It was only 9pm, he should still be in there.
Even just the passing seconds made Kouyou’s heart ache.
They haven’t seen each other in a while, he can’t get hurt, kouyou won’t let him. They are family and will always be. She never wanted her little brother to see through the flaws of her work and not even be part of it; that's why she never bothered.
To have Dazai Osamu drag her brother into the high stakes of a situation was terrifying. Who even cares anymore if Chuuya is in love with the man? Just bring Chuuya back, just give one last chance to see him smile and reassure her that he is fine, paint flowers, tell stupid stories of nonsense, stare at the stars.
And to hug each other—
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“No…….No!!?……..NO?!?!!!!!”
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“What’s your favorite flower Ane-San? Mine are red camellias. They are very beautiful and smell wonderful, you know? Some day I want to build my own shop and sell the best flowers ever!”
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Blood, no it was everywhere. It made a trail right to Kouyou’s heels.
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“That’s silly Chuuya you know that won’t ever happen right?”
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“Anything can happen if you dream big, Ane-San ! I won’t ever let anyone destroy it, I want it to be a place where we can have peace.”
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“I love you Ane-San, don’t forget that okay? It’ll make me really sad.”
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Chuuya was nowhere to be seen, just pieces of glass with flowers thrown throughout the floor.
Red camellias were covered in a pool of blood. It smelled of blood and dirt.
A phone was smashed on the ground, a red one the same one Chuuya got on his 15th birthday, he still didn’t change it.
She thought it was stupid but now it was the only source that reminded her of Chuuya.
Tear drops fell to the ground.
She argued over nothing and got distracted just for it to be too late.
“Chuuya?”
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“Chuuya!?”
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“CHUUYA!!??”
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