[Akutagawa leans against a wall as he waits for the man-tiger to catch up.
He's angry. At himself, at the whole world, and especially at that idiot he keeps being forced to work with. He didn't kill anyone today. That's definitely an accomplishment. He'd wasted precious time and effort not dealing any fatal blows, when ripping their heads off would have gotten the job much so much faster.
And maybe then the job would actually be done.
The day isn't over yet. There's still time for murder if the man-tiger doesn't find a way to make this up to him.]
You're slow.
[He states this the second before Atsushi actually catches up, pushing himself out from the wall he'd been using as support. He can feel the exhaustion deep in his limbs, but there's no time for that. Not when the mission isn't complete yet.
They wrecked this entire base. But while they'd been distracted by all these useless, still-breathing pawns, someone got away with the information they'd been ordered to retrieve.
[Atsushi is used to failure. He's never liked it, but it's more or less inevitable with him - or maybe that's what he needs to believe deep down, too scared of getting his own and everyone else's hopes up. He'll fight to succeed, he'll give it his all - he'll even give his life, if he has to - but it's still easier to see success as mostly external factors, good luck and aid from others, than to take responsibility for it, himself.
Yes, he can accept failure, apologize deeply to Dazai and everyone else, and work even harder the next time. So why does it still bug him to fail when Akutagawa is involved? He knows for a fact that Akutagawa will hate him regardless of what he does, so he has nothing to lose, surely? What exactly does he have to prove?!
Well, whatever it is, he sure didn't prove it now. They did as well as could be expected under the circumstances, and yet Atsushi doesn't like it, dragging his feet a little as he goes to meet up with Akutagawa. His limbs still transformed, he looks a total mess, his clothes dirty and torn, small cuts and abrasions here and there, where the tiger didn't keep him safe.]
I was making sure emergency services were on their way.
[The duh is silent, and he finally transforms back to something fully human. They hadn't killed anyone, no, but the building took enough damage that Atsushi didn't want to leave hurt and unconscious enemies at risk. Besides... that's an easy way to get everyone locked up without having to worry about the lack of manpower when it's just the two of them, right? (It's also a good way, he thinks, to hopefully keep them out of the mafia's hands and the certain death to follow, though that's arguably optimistic.)]
We have to report in. If we hurry, Dazai-san can still catch the man who ran away.
[Akutagawa kept himself a few paces ahead. He was striding, not stomping sullenly, and his reason for staying in front had nothing to do with not wanting the man-tiger to see how close he was to just collapsing on the floor. He was keeping himself going on a mixture and spite and pride, and it had worked for him so far in life. He saw no reason to falter now.
He hmph-ed at Atsushi's words, unimpressed. If it was the mafia on its way, there was less of a reason for him to rush, but if the emergency services found him here hints would quickly turn messy.
Not for him, but the man-tiger wouldn't be pleased with the results.]
Do you think Dazai-san will be impressed if you keep relying on him to fix your failures?
[He's not sure if that's aimed at Atsushi, or himself. More at himself. But it doesn't matter, because there's still time to catch that man on his own.]
[Atsushi frowned a little, getting a vaguely ominous feeling - but then, maybe he was just annoyed as usual around Akutagawa..? After a short delay, he followed the guy.]
... I don't like relying on Dazai-san either, but the man who escaped could have gone anywhere. We need numbers, if we are to catch -...
[Hang on... He doesn't mind following Akutagawa as such (perhaps surprisingly), but -]
Where are you going? The pick-up point is the other way!
[And, just because Atsushi is exceedingly smart, he reaches out to put a hand on Akutagawa's shoulder to stop him.]
[It comes it harsh. Harsher than he intended, which shouldn't even be a concern to him. But the grip makes him falter, and the sudden halt in movement shoots through him like knives. His ability protected him well from outside injury, but his pathetic body has never been able to keep up.
[Harsh or not, it's enough to make Atsushi jerk his hand back on instinct - but he refuses to let go, only clinging a little harder to compensate for his own stupid overreaction. It's suicidal, probably, but going on missions with Akutagawa has never been anything else. Besides... Akutagawa is sticking to his promise to not kill anyone so far. So Atsushi is safe. Maybe. For the next few months, at least...]
I'm telling you, we won't find him just by randomly looking around! Besides...
[He manages to look very stern, even though it's probably more laughable than impressive. Saying these things feels trickier than doing things, but he really has to. He does, at least, remove his hand then, as if that will make up for what he's about to say somehow.]
... you're about to collapse, aren't you?
[Honestly? Atsushi feels a little responsible. Even if he dislikes Akutagawa, he doesn't want the guy to pass out or anything - and there's no doubt that Akutagawa not killing is making him put in more effort. That's Atsushi's fault, even if he doesn't regret the deal they made.]
[Akutagawa might get the kind of calendar where he can count down the days until he can finally kill Atsushi. He'll put it above his bed and let it motivate him each morning.
He briefly amuses himself with the thought of cutting his hand off now. It wouldn't kill him, so he wouldn't be going back on his promise. He'd just grow the limb back again, wouldn't he? It would barely count as an injury, and as such, could hardly even be considered an attack.
The man-tiger has already sustained some injuries, though. That's not what holds him back, of course. His physical state is irrelevant to him.]
Don't insult me, man-tiger.
[His voice dips into a growl. And then he has to lift his hand to cough into it, momentarily cutting him off.]
You might be willing to let mere exhaustion defeat you, but I don't have that luxury.
[A calendar with a cheerfully decapitated jinko drawn on the final day. Elise will make it for him! Consider it the Boss' celebration for Akutagawa finally killing again.]
I'm not the one who's exhausted. [Much. He's always been quick to recover; they're polar opposites in that way, as well as many others.] Even if you find the guy, what are you going to do in that state - cough him to death?!
[Every time he coughs, he sprinkles glitter like a gothic Tinker Bell.
It would be a lie to say that Atsushi isn't nervous about that blade at his throat. While he has a remarkable amount of faith in Akutagawa's promise not to kill, he also knows that the guy is prone to lashing out without (apparently) much thought. Still, Atsushi doesn't try to move away - or even to back down verbally, at first. He just glares at Akutagawa. (He swears, he's going to have another talk with Dazai about how this partnership is never going to work!)
Eventually he yields, though - not because he's worried about that blade (which stings, dammit), but because trying to stop Akutagawa when he's like this is like drawing blood from a stone. (And maybe, deep down, Atsushi just doesn't want to give up when Akutagawa keeps going. Even if he thinks this is a fool's errand, he doesn't want to lose to Akutagawa somehow.)]
Fine! Have it your way. But you're the one who can tell Dazai-san why we didn't return when we should have.
Akutagawa keeps up his own glare, just as stubbornly, until Atsushi finally yields. He lets the knife fade back into his clothes again, ready to finally move, when--]
My orders are to return when the mission is complete.
[Did Dazai-san really give different orders? Atsushi would know that better than he would, since for some reason, he has become the chosen one. He is the one blessed with direct instructions, with his valuable teachings and advice. Akutagawa has been bereft of that for too long.
Would chasing after that man now be a hinder to Dazai-san's plans?]
You can message him for further instructions.
[He can't risk it. Dazai-san won't acknowledge his progress if he makes the wrong choice here. But he can't stay still, either, not with emergency services on their way. For now he'll continue to head in his original direction, staggering striding forward with as much confidence as he can muster.]
[Behold! Atsushi holds up some pieces of... black string? No - that's the communication device he got... or what's left of it. This is why he never brings his phone on missions. (To be fair, the signal is a part of that, too.)]
Stop - hey!
[Atsushi can usually stand being ignored just fine, but like this - and by Akutagawa? No way! He's going to grab Akutagawa's shoulder again, fully prepared for a counter-attack this time.]
[But I thought he was Snow White? Is he all of the Disney MCs??
Akutagawa barely glances at the remains of the communication device being held up. He's focused on his forward movement, because if he stops again, he's not sure he'll be able to keep going. And he can't affort not to finish this mission. His shoulder is completely tense when Atsushi grabs him, and for a moment he tries te keep going, pulling him forward.
Then he stumbles, catching himself against the wall, leaning heavily against it.]
Why do you persist in getting in my way?
[He has to stop to cough, and he can feel it turning into a fit this time. His body is screaming at him for rest, but he ignores it. He keeps coughing, dry and painful, lungs burning, but even as he's covering his mouth with a hand, the black beast is forming out of his clothes.
If he can't track down their real target, the man-tiger will do. He lashes out blindly.]
[Clearly Dazai jumping in the river was just his Little Mermaid phase.
Atsushi could care less about Akutagawa's well-being on a normal day, but the coughing fit is more than he was expecting at a time like this. It's proof that he's right, but... maybe he's more right than he thought he was, or cares to be.
Rather than answering that question - when does he ever get in Akutagawa's way for his own selfish reasons? it's only ever for the mission, if that! - he tries to be reasonable. It just... comes out remarkably like saying: "I told you so."]
See? You can't chase anyone like -...
[His eyes are good, thankfully, and he's a little too used to Akutagawa's attacks by now. Responding instantly, he transforms his arms and fends off the initial attack - which leaves him wide open everywhere else, unfortunately, but he doesn't exactly have time to make a better plan.]
[There won't be a follow up attack. Akutagawa is coughing so hard his eyes are watering, and it's making it hard to get air. It's making it impossible to focus on anything other than how his chest is burning. He slides down the wall, dropping to one knee, and it's only by sheer force of will he's not falling all the way.
He hunches his shoulders defensively.]
Stay back.
[It's meant as a warning. It comes out a little more desperate. He knows he must look pathetic, collapsing and weak, an easy target. This would be the moment for an enemy to take him out.
This won't get him acknowledged, not by Dazai-san, not by the man-tiger, not by himself.
He tries to stand again, legs shaking with the effort.]
[In spite of everything, Atsushi does feel a little sorry for Akutagawa, seeing the guy in this state. Not very sorry, mind you - Akutagawa is doing this to himself, and that is just dumb! - but a little sorry all the same. That's why he does stay back at first, even if he has no intention of listening to Akutagawa's orders as such - but when Akutagawa tries to stand up again, Atsushi has had enough.
It's all too easy to tip Akutagawa's balance and have him fall back to the ground - though Atsushi, to his credit, tries not to be too rough about it - and then he straddles Akutagawa to keep him there.
He doesn't even say anything. Maybe he's still a little scared, waiting to see what Akutagawa will do - but that's not about to stop him.]
[Akutagawa growls when Atsushi tips him over, reading it as an attack. He's ready to defend himself, lash out and kill - except his body won't cooperate.
He reaches up to grab Atsushi by the throat.]
What are you doing, man-tiger.
[He sounds hoarse, but at least he's not coughing now.]
I never believed you'd have the courage to attack someone while they're down.
[And he's not - though he does grab hold of Akutagawa's wrists, because the guy has an unreasonable amount of desperate strength left, and Atsushi can't put up with being choked forever.]
[Akutagawa wouldn't have been able to get to where he is if he let such a minor thing as being unable to move stop him from moving.
His grip is losing his strength fast, though. It's too much effort to maintain. On the other hand--]
What?
[Did he just hear Atsushi say the words 'I want you to murder me painfully'?]
I am simply doing my job. If anything, it's you who needs a babysitter, unable as you are to finish even the simplest mission. [Cough.] Which weakness of yours are you going to use as an excuse this time? Which supposed inherent quality will you place the blame on, instead of trying to better yourself?
I'll make sure to inform Dazai-san that it's your fault the mission could not be completed.
[Wow, it sure was better when he was coughing too hard to talk, huh?]
[Ah yes, the age-old language gap between tigers and dragons... No wonder they communicate better with body language.
Fighting. I mean fighting.]
How is this my fault? You're the one who can't stand on your feet! [Please cough yourself to death again. Atsushi prefers your germs over your words.] What am I supposed to do - carry you?!
[Atsushi let that happen once; he doesn't plan to do it again.]
Our target could be anywhere by now - and you're too slow to chase him!
[Wow, he's getting ever more fluent at this 'I want you to murder me painfully' sentence.]
[It's not an attack and he knows it, but he'll throw any excuse at him at this point. He drops his hand and just glares, considering his options. He doesn't have the strength to throw Atsushi off.]
Then we'll collect more information about our target before giving chase again. This mission isn't one where it's permissable to fail.
[He can't fail. Don't you get it, Atsushi? He can't afford to let his success rate drop because your ideals are slowing him down, because no one keeps a useless pawn.]
[I might mean fighting! You can't prove anything!!
Augh, why is Akutagawa always so... Akutagawa!? Atsushi can't deny that the guy has a point - deep down, somewhere - but that only makes him more annoyed.
Still, they'll never agree on this. That being the case, the only way they'll achieve anything at all is by compromising - and Akutagawa's proposition isn't even that terrible.]
I'll collect more information. You will go and rest somewhere.
[Have some angry pointing at your chest, because Atsushi is stupid dauntless.]
And don't you dare sneak away while I'm out! If you drop dead somewhere, it's definitely your fault the mission failed!
[Don't worry about the pointing. It's not like Akutagawa can kill Atsushi any harder than he's already planning to. Once he's no longer dying himself from pushing himself too hard. Just you wait, man-tiger!!
But he'll actually consider that counter-suggestion of his for a moment.]
We should begin by returning to the pick-up point.
[He can't actually agree, even though he's starting to suspect it's inevitable. He's running on pure spite at the moment. But admitting that Atsushi is right would be a far greater loss, never mind that Atsushi is the one who tried to get him to go back to the pick-up point from the start.
But isn't this unnatural. The man-tiger trying to convince his enemy to rest.]
Always needlessly concerning yourself with others. It will destroy you in the end.
[It shouldn't matter to Atsushi if he collapses and gets killed.]
[Oh, Atsushi is pretty sure he'll get killed all right. He's trying his hardest to get better, but he also doubts that it will be enough. Maybe that should bother him more than he does, but it's not like he looks forward to killing anyone, even someone like Akutagawa. Their eventual battle will be some kind of loss to him, whatever the outcome.]
So let it destroy me. If I'd be the kind of person who doesn't care, I wouldn't deserve to exist in the first place.
[So he'd rather risk death by doing the right thing than to guarantee his survival by doing the wrong thing. Survival or not, the most important thing is being able to live with yourself, surely?
Anyway, he's gotten Akutagawa to agree, so they can continue as planned. Finally, Atsushi lifts his weight off Akutagawa again, standing up. He doesn't offer Akutagawa a hand, but it's a near thing, and he may yet offer if he thinks Akutagawa needs it.]
Then save your concern for someone who needs it. Not your enemy.
[Because it's weird, and he doesn't know what to do with it. The man-tiger should take advantage of his weakness to destroy him - Akutagawa wouldn't fault him for breaking their deal in that way.
Getting to his feet is going to take him a moment. He leans against the wall again as he dusts himself off, not sure how he's going to manage to walk without collapsing.]
Enemy or not, we're working together, aren't we? For now, we're on the same side.
[Or he could be complaining for the sake of it. Could be that. Never let it be said that Atsushi can't be petty as hell when it comes to Akutagawa. But then, when it comes to Akutagawa, any pettiness at all seems justified.
Atsushi gives Akutagawa an appraising look. Turning his back on Akutagawa is a bad plan at the best of times, but his concern right now is not for himself (and he hates himself a little, because in spite of what he said, he knows that Akutagawa is right: that it would be smarter not to care about just this one person). Atsushi is no doctor, nor is he a psychic, but he reeeaaaally doubts that Akutagawa is going to be able to walk without keeling over.]
C'mon.
[He's just going to duck under one of Akutagawa's arms so he can offer him support.]
Before you start complaining: I don't feel like picking you up when you inevitably fall on your face again. That's all.
[This isn't helping, it's saving himself the effort. Yeah.]
[And if they were attacked now, Akutagawa would protect him. Or he'd try to, if he could find the strength. He always does, in the heat of the moment, because the mission takes priority over his personal hatred.
Besides, he doesn't lose anything by saving the man-tiger, because he knows the man-tiger won't turn on him. But Atsushi would be a fool to count on the same.
Not that he's planning to break their deal. No matter how tempting.
He nearly growls, but then coughs instead when Atsushi takes his weight. This is humiliating. Another reminder of his weakness.]
Then leave me.
[He has to be strong or he'll be left behind. Doesn't he get that? The fear is sitting tightly around his heart, and pity won't help. The final outcome is the same.]
[Atsushi said it was for now!! God, Akutagawa, why are you like this?!]
As tempting as that is, it will take both of us to finish the mission, right? [That's the thing Akutagawa cares about, right? Finishing the mission. Then fine, Atsushi will play it like this if he has to. It's the road of the least resistance, and it definitely (probably) has nothing to do with pity.] Stop complaining already.
[You can pass out once Atsushi gets you somewhere safe, gosh!!]
[He's run out of arguments? What does he do now?? It feels unnatural to give up an argument against the man-tiger, even if - technically - he'd been right all along. So he falls quiet, exuding sullenness as he walks.
They're so close that Atsushi's hair is tickling his ear. Akutagawa gives up and just rests their heads together, because it takes too much energy to hold his up.]
[He's won the argument! Akutagawa is actually listening to him!! Complaining aside, Atsushi gets kind of a kick out of that. Maybe he can talk some sense into Akutagawa, after all! He side-eyes the guy when he rests their heads together, but everything stays peaceful. Atsushi is actually (and rather belatedly) getting kind of worried about Akutagawa's health after all. For Akutagawa to behave like this, he must be at death's door.
... Or Akutagawa could become insufferable again in mere minutes. Or that. Atsushi sighs a little - only at himself, if he's honest - and tries not to let it get to him. This is his own fault for not expecting this from the start.]
I know!
[At least Akutagawa isn't pulling his hair this time. He's going to count that as progress.
It's not long before they're at a small abandoned building that can, in a pinch, function as a safe house, and is probably kept that way by the ADA. Atsushi kicks open the door so he can keep holding Akutagawa up. The guy may not be heavy, but Atsushi is sure feeling all his weight by now.]
[It was afternoon of a regular weekday, and guess who's cutting classes work.
Dazai had stopped for coffee in a cafe on the opposite end of Yokohama, seemingly entertaining himself with the sight of the city skyline, the Cosmo Clock 21 and the Landmark Towers standing tall against the blue sky, and beyond them, five dark and imposing skyscrapers.
His rather persistent tail had the sense to not follow him too close here at least, so close to Port Mafia territory.
He tapped the side of his cup and hummed. Should he stay here longer, or should he relocate to a more crowded location?
[It would be impertinent of him to approach Dazai-san directly. He had no real reason to do so, no mission that forced him to make contact with him or his Agency. It was only his own selfish desires that made him want to seek the man out.
He watched him from a distance, hiding his presence as best he could. Dazai-san seemed to be enjoying a day off. A reward, surely, for all his hard work lately. He wanted to talk to him. He knew he had no right to. He was not Dazai-san's chosen protege, and he had yet to prove himself better than the man-tiger.
So of course he's annoyed when he noticed someone else following Dazai-san. What right did they have to interfere with his day, when Akutagawa himself couldn't? They were no one he recognized, and they were dangerously close to encroaching on Port Mafia territory. This, at least, he had every right to deal with.
And it was quick business. He left them unconscious in a dumpster, and called for someone to deal with them.
One of them was carrying a piece of paper with Dazai-san's name on it. Hmm.]
[Finally approaching, Akutagawa kind of loomed in front of Dazai, without really meaning to. It's his natural state. People around were looking a bit nervous.
He held out the paper for him.]
Someone has been gathering information on you, Dazai-san.
[My, what an exhilarating turn of events. He seemed to have replaced one stalker for another, and this one was far more obsessive than the first, albeit easier to deal with in another manner.
It was too obvious why Akutagawa had taken initiative in ridding Dazai of his tail when he was not obligated to do so. Dazai took one long, slow sip of his coffee, gently set it back on the saucer to avoid the clink, and laced his fingers in front of him: every gesture precise, meant to draw out the suspense of anticipation.
[How does he not make people uncomfortable?? He's never mastered that skill, at all. Even if it does bother him a little to have it pointed out, he can't exactly stop.]
If you were aware of their presence, why did you not do anything about it?
Show a little more decorum. We have plenty of ears around us, after all.
[Now - "do," meaning "kill." Back to this old topic, are they? Really, his former protege needs to have more options in his repertoire beyond attack power.]
You should know the answer to your question by now, yet it seems you still don't get it.
As it stands, your discipline isn't up to me these days, and neither did you violate anyone's explicit orders.
I'll also have you know that, on the other hand, you just rid me of a potentially valuable source.
That second part is familiar, don't you think?
[Now, he holds out his hand for the paper. Let's see what you got, Akutagawa.]
[While Dazai already knew Akutagawa one who kept his agreements, it was always nice to hear actual confirmation.
Instead of making further comment, Dazai took the note and turned it over in his hand. Standard affordable white paper, neither too cheap nor expensive. Creased, not wrinkled enough to be in a trouser pocket. Bore finger smudges. There was a faint impression of the writing inside (a firm, not heavy hand), and it curiously lacked the smell of gunpowder.
He unfolded the note and read the message.
Hmm.
Tucking the note in his coat pocket, Dazai finished his coffee and stood up, walking past Akutagawa.]
[Akutagawa turned to follow immediately at the order, unquestioning as always. It had been too long since he'd had a chance to talk with Dazai-san, listen to his advice, or his admonishments. The last time was when he'd held Dazai-san captured. He had thought, at the time, that having his former mentor at his mercy, their roles reversed, would feel cathartic after all this time. But instead, it had only reminded him of how far below the other man he still was.
Dazai-san's subsequent escape hadn't been surprising at all. No one had even raised an eyebrow.
No, this was the natural way of things. Akutagawa trailing after, hoping to learn. Hoping for guidance.]
Was the note useful to you?
[While he hadn't seen anything important, he knew that the other man would pick up on a lot more details than he. Even if delivering it had, at least partially, been an excuse to approach him.]
[How they walked now, side by side, was certainly reminiscent of another time, and Akutagawa held little risk in being admonished for openly fraternizing with a traitor due to a convenient ceasefire - not that this was functionally even worth anything more than a few raised eyebrows, when anyone unfamiliar with their history might assume Akutagawa knew him from the long standing enmity between the Port Mafia and the Armed Detective Agency.
Not that they could afford being seen as neutral towards each other in public for too long. That would raise questions, and Akutagawa was expressive in his own right.]
It was alright.
[Was being non-committal mean? Perhaps. However, even if he wanted to disclose its actual value, Dazai had a habit of not revealing it. There was more than one way of using a card.
Dazai led him to a nearby park, and didn't speak until they'd navigated several turns in a maze of hedges.]
What are your thoughts on the increase of foreign Ability users entering the port? Excluding the Guild.
[Akutagawa wasn't really surprised at the lack of information. A dog was only told what it needed to know. He kept silent as he followed, not sure what to say, though he had about a million questions. None of them had to do with the note anymore.
He looked around the hedges to make sure they were alone, always on edge.]
My thoughts?
[That was a strange question. He was a murder dog, not someone to discuss strategy with. Not that he was entirely ignorant. He picked up enough, even if he's never directly told. He knew there was something bigger going on, something drawing them here. He knew the man-tiger was involved somehow, as he doubted he would have been worth seven billion as just a trophy in a cage.
He knew the mafia was preparing for another threat. There was little expansion work being done currently, and fewer important members were being sent away on missions.
But just because he paid enough attention to pick up on those details, didn't mean that his judgment was of any importance.
But Dazai-san was asking.
Was this a test?]
You should keep an eye on the man-tiger so he doesn't get himself captured again.
[He's not allowed to get captured when Akutagawa hasn't defeated him yet.]
But the mafia will not allow another group to make a foothold.
[Indeed it was a test, and Akutagawa's manner of answering proved disappointing.
Atsushi was not immediately irrelevant to this turn in the conversation. Neither had Akutagawa mentioned anything fruitful in favor of trying to impress his ex-mentor.
His former student was more observant than this, and Chuuya didn't tolerate oversimplified reports when the smallest detail could be a make or break in keeping his subordinates alive.
Where the student no longer listened to his mentor, they must be provided the lesson through other means.]
Atsushi-kun continues to improve even now. Can you say the same for yourself when you, despite having the advantage of six years' worth of experience, have presented nothing of value?
Akutagawa flinched back like he'd been punched, thrown across the room like he used to be for his failures. He clenched his fists. He wanted to scream, or punch back. Except he knew it wouldn't work.
It would only disappoint Dazai-san further.]
Why do you want me to tell you what you already know?
[There's no way he could come up with anything that Dazai-san hadn't already figured out. There was no point in even trying. His tone was a mixture of desperation and anger. Out of everyone, Dazai-san was the person he most wanted to please, and the one person he never could. He’d come far, in the past four years. He’d gained confidence. He’d earned his place. There was no one else he’d take this from.
Three seconds with his former mentor, and he felt fourteen again. He had to come up with something to give.]
You trained me to be a dog. Not... this. Someone like me hasn't even been told what they're after.
[He knew it wasn't territory. It was something else. Something secret. Something neither the mafia or the ADA controled.]
Does the man-tiger know? Would he be able to get it for you? [Akutagawa would. He'd figure out what it was and get it.] It could be used to keep those foreign groups at bay, though if no local group is after it, is it that the cost of retrieving it is too high?
[Give him something. Please. Or he'll go murder Atsushi right now.]
[The mere mention of Atsushi continued to derail him this much, hmm?
Dazai cocked his head as the ghost of old cruelty stirred within him, reaching the darkness of his eyes, the faint twist of his mouth. Here, in the hedges of a maze so few visited at this time of the day, no one would chance upon them. Akutagawa himself would not be looked for, with Chuuya busy in one of the Western prefectures. Higuchi was not trailing after her master today, busy with other work matters for the Black Lizard.
Time to see what could be done.]
Akutagawa-kun. Were I aiming to kill you while you despaired over such a simple matter, I would already have done so. This lack of focus is unbecoming - why, if I wanted to hear complaints of my previous treatment of you, I would have taken this discussion elsewhere!
Repeat my earlier question and start over. Without bringing up Atsushi-kun this time around.
I don't have complaints. I'm not some ungrateful student, unhappy with the lessons that made me stronger.
[Even if he's still not strong enough. That wasn't Dazai-san's fault, though. It was entirely his own failure.
He took a small step back, looking like he wasn't sure what to do with himself, standing here talking to his former mentor. The only thing that felt familiar was the look in Dazai's eyes, comforting in its cruelty.
He took a mental step back as well. ]
What I think...?
[It wasn't his place to think. Which is why he rarely - if ever - spoke up against his superiors, and simply dealt with the issues he found instead. He'd been reprimanded more than once for acting on his own.
Actions were one thing.
But his thoughts?]
It's a problem. It disrupts our regular activities. [That's obvious, but..?] So far both our Organizations have been unprepared each time, and unless it's possible to predict the next attack, we will all suffer losses.
Not to mention the possibility that more than one group might attack at the same time.
It's frustrating not to be able to go on the offensive.
[But he has to trust that his superiors have a plan. Doesn't he?]
You always told me that predicting your opponents movements is the key to victory. As far as I know, we don't even know who our opponents are.
And enemies won't stop coming until they've been destroyed.
[He's not aware of it himself, but he's shifted into a defensive stance, bracing himself.]
[Oh, this child. True, Dazai had capitalized on Akutagawa's focus on improving, but his former student's zeal proved detrimental when it was time to focus on other ways he could improve beyond using his Ability for basic offense.
Dazai listened as Akutagawa detailed his disjointed assessment. The main points were there, a focus on attack and defense. It was not surprising that Akutagawa would think about attacking as a means of defense, but the exact manner of striking could be further refined.]
An offensive move need not always be a physical assault.
[Akutagawa's lack of information was not surprising - with his current temperament, the intensity of his focus was better served to specific campaigns, and the intel provided to him acted as blinders to maintain his concentration on where he needed to be. Indeed, there was the likelihood he was content in his role, relying on others to map out where he was needed.
That, in itself, was fine if Akutagawa truly had no other parts to play.
But he could be more. As effective as Akutagawa was in being the Mafia's dog, so much so that he was greatly feared, he was still underutilized. Underdeveloped.
(And, really, one of Dazai's problems was that whatever concern he may have for people, the lines blurred between his fondness for them and his now instinctive capacity to maximize every decision and interaction he had with them. As long as he remained tied to the affair of saving lives, he would not be free to simply be Dazai, and neither would the others stop associating him with his schemes.
This was the web he'd woven about himself, for better or for worse.)]
Port Mafia will always have a multitude of enemies bearing all sorts of grudges, and prediction plays a large part in crushing their onslaught.
But can you not see your enemy's face by looking into how and why they attacked? Or have you become overconfident in Rashomon whenever you wander alone deep within enemy territory?
[Dazai knew Akutagawa was more sensible than that, with how he'd emphasized that his former student must prioritize being able to return alive to be of further service to the Mafia.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@gekkajuu
He's angry. At himself, at the whole world, and especially at that idiot he keeps being forced to work with. He didn't kill anyone today. That's definitely an accomplishment. He'd wasted precious time and effort not dealing any fatal blows, when ripping their heads off would have gotten the job much so much faster.
And maybe then the job would actually be done.
The day isn't over yet. There's still time for murder if the man-tiger doesn't find a way to make this up to him.]
You're slow.
[He states this the second before Atsushi actually catches up, pushing himself out from the wall he'd been using as support. He can feel the exhaustion deep in his limbs, but there's no time for that. Not when the mission isn't complete yet.
They wrecked this entire base. But while they'd been distracted by all these useless, still-breathing pawns, someone got away with the information they'd been ordered to retrieve.
It was unforgivable.]
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Yes, he can accept failure, apologize deeply to Dazai and everyone else, and work even harder the next time. So why does it still bug him to fail when Akutagawa is involved? He knows for a fact that Akutagawa will hate him regardless of what he does, so he has nothing to lose, surely? What exactly does he have to prove?!
Well, whatever it is, he sure didn't prove it now. They did as well as could be expected under the circumstances, and yet Atsushi doesn't like it, dragging his feet a little as he goes to meet up with Akutagawa. His limbs still transformed, he looks a total mess, his clothes dirty and torn, small cuts and abrasions here and there, where the tiger didn't keep him safe.]
I was making sure emergency services were on their way.
[The duh is silent, and he finally transforms back to something fully human. They hadn't killed anyone, no, but the building took enough damage that Atsushi didn't want to leave hurt and unconscious enemies at risk. Besides... that's an easy way to get everyone locked up without having to worry about the lack of manpower when it's just the two of them, right? (It's also a good way, he thinks, to hopefully keep them out of the mafia's hands and the certain death to follow, though that's arguably optimistic.)]
We have to report in. If we hurry, Dazai-san can still catch the man who ran away.
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He hmph-ed at Atsushi's words, unimpressed. If it was the mafia on its way, there was less of a reason for him to rush, but if the emergency services found him here hints would quickly turn messy.
Not for him, but the man-tiger wouldn't be pleased with the results.]
Do you think Dazai-san will be impressed if you keep relying on him to fix your failures?
[He's not sure if that's aimed at Atsushi, or himself. More at himself. But it doesn't matter, because there's still time to catch that man on his own.]
Keep up, man-tiger.
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... I don't like relying on Dazai-san either, but the man who escaped could have gone anywhere. We need numbers, if we are to catch -...
[Hang on... He doesn't mind following Akutagawa as such (perhaps surprisingly), but -]
Where are you going? The pick-up point is the other way!
[And, just because Atsushi is exceedingly smart, he reaches out to put a hand on Akutagawa's shoulder to stop him.]
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[It comes it harsh. Harsher than he intended, which shouldn't even be a concern to him. But the grip makes him falter, and the sudden halt in movement shoots through him like knives. His ability protected him well from outside injury, but his pathetic body has never been able to keep up.
He tries to shrug Atsushi's hand off.]
I'm finishing the job I was sent here for.
[Obviously.]
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I'm telling you, we won't find him just by randomly looking around! Besides...
[He manages to look very stern, even though it's probably more laughable than impressive. Saying these things feels trickier than doing things, but he really has to. He does, at least, remove his hand then, as if that will make up for what he's about to say somehow.]
... you're about to collapse, aren't you?
[Honestly? Atsushi feels a little responsible. Even if he dislikes Akutagawa, he doesn't want the guy to pass out or anything - and there's no doubt that Akutagawa not killing is making him put in more effort. That's Atsushi's fault, even if he doesn't regret the deal they made.]
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He briefly amuses himself with the thought of cutting his hand off now. It wouldn't kill him, so he wouldn't be going back on his promise. He'd just grow the limb back again, wouldn't he? It would barely count as an injury, and as such, could hardly even be considered an attack.
The man-tiger has already sustained some injuries, though. That's not what holds him back, of course. His physical state is irrelevant to him.]
Don't insult me, man-tiger.
[His voice dips into a growl. And then he has to lift his hand to cough into it, momentarily cutting him off.]
You might be willing to let mere exhaustion defeat you, but I don't have that luxury.
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I'm not the one who's exhausted. [Much. He's always been quick to recover; they're polar opposites in that way, as well as many others.] Even if you find the guy, what are you going to do in that state - cough him to death?!
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Akutagawa glares, and lets Rashoumon create a sharp knife, stretching forward to press against the side of Atsushi's neck.]
I'm fully capable of taking down one man, even if you do choose to stay behind.
[For some reason, he'd just assumed the man-tiger would join him.]
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It would be a lie to say that Atsushi isn't nervous about that blade at his throat. While he has a remarkable amount of faith in Akutagawa's promise not to kill, he also knows that the guy is prone to lashing out without (apparently) much thought. Still, Atsushi doesn't try to move away - or even to back down verbally, at first. He just glares at Akutagawa. (He swears, he's going to have another talk with Dazai about how this partnership is never going to work!)
Eventually he yields, though - not because he's worried about that blade (which stings, dammit), but because trying to stop Akutagawa when he's like this is like drawing blood from a stone. (And maybe, deep down, Atsushi just doesn't want to give up when Akutagawa keeps going. Even if he thinks this is a fool's errand, he doesn't want to lose to Akutagawa somehow.)]
Fine! Have it your way. But you're the one who can tell Dazai-san why we didn't return when we should have.
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Akutagawa keeps up his own glare, just as stubbornly, until Atsushi finally yields. He lets the knife fade back into his clothes again, ready to finally move, when--]
My orders are to return when the mission is complete.
[Did Dazai-san really give different orders? Atsushi would know that better than he would, since for some reason, he has become the chosen one. He is the one blessed with direct instructions, with his valuable teachings and advice. Akutagawa has been bereft of that for too long.
Would chasing after that man now be a hinder to Dazai-san's plans?]
You can message him for further instructions.
[He can't risk it. Dazai-san won't acknowledge his progress if he makes the wrong choice here. But he can't stay still, either, not with emergency services on their way. For now he'll continue to head in his original direction,
staggeringstriding forward with as much confidence as he can muster.]no subject
And how do you suggest I do that?
[Behold! Atsushi holds up some pieces of... black string? No - that's the communication device he got... or what's left of it. This is why he never brings his phone on missions. (To be fair, the signal is a part of that, too.)]
Stop - hey!
[Atsushi can usually stand being ignored just fine, but like this - and by Akutagawa? No way! He's going to grab Akutagawa's shoulder again, fully prepared for a counter-attack this time.]
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Akutagawa barely glances at the remains of the communication device being held up. He's focused on his forward movement, because if he stops again, he's not sure he'll be able to keep going. And he can't affort not to finish this mission. His shoulder is completely tense when Atsushi grabs him, and for a moment he tries te keep going, pulling him forward.
Then he stumbles, catching himself against the wall, leaning heavily against it.]
Why do you persist in getting in my way?
[He has to stop to cough, and he can feel it turning into a fit this time. His body is screaming at him for rest, but he ignores it. He keeps coughing, dry and painful, lungs burning, but even as he's covering his mouth with a hand, the black beast is forming out of his clothes.
If he can't track down their real target, the man-tiger will do. He lashes out blindly.]
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Atsushi could care less about Akutagawa's well-being on a normal day, but the coughing fit is more than he was expecting at a time like this. It's proof that he's right, but... maybe he's more right than he thought he was, or cares to be.
Rather than answering that question - when does he ever get in Akutagawa's way for his own selfish reasons? it's only ever for the mission, if that! - he tries to be reasonable. It just... comes out remarkably like saying: "I told you so."]
See? You can't chase anyone like -...
[His eyes are good, thankfully, and he's a little too used to Akutagawa's attacks by now. Responding instantly, he transforms his arms and fends off the initial attack - which leaves him wide open everywhere else, unfortunately, but he doesn't exactly have time to make a better plan.]
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He hunches his shoulders defensively.]
Stay back.
[It's meant as a warning. It comes out a little more desperate. He knows he must look pathetic, collapsing and weak, an easy target. This would be the moment for an enemy to take him out.
This won't get him acknowledged, not by Dazai-san, not by the man-tiger, not by himself.
He tries to stand again, legs shaking with the effort.]
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It's all too easy to tip Akutagawa's balance and have him fall back to the ground - though Atsushi, to his credit, tries not to be too rough about it - and then he straddles Akutagawa to keep him there.
He doesn't even say anything. Maybe he's still a little scared, waiting to see what Akutagawa will do - but that's not about to stop him.]
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He reaches up to grab Atsushi by the throat.]
What are you doing, man-tiger.
[He sounds hoarse, but at least he's not coughing now.]
I never believed you'd have the courage to attack someone while they're down.
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[And he's not - though he does grab hold of Akutagawa's wrists, because the guy has an unreasonable amount of desperate strength left, and Atsushi can't put up with being choked forever.]
I'm... babysitting, you stubborn -...
[Baby. Stubborn baby, apparently.]
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His grip is losing his strength fast, though. It's too much effort to maintain. On the other hand--]
What?
[Did he just hear Atsushi say the words 'I want you to murder me painfully'?]
I am simply doing my job. If anything, it's you who needs a babysitter, unable as you are to finish even the simplest mission. [Cough.] Which weakness of yours are you going to use as an excuse this time? Which supposed inherent quality will you place the blame on, instead of trying to better yourself?
I'll make sure to inform Dazai-san that it's your fault the mission could not be completed.
[Wow, it sure was better when he was coughing too hard to talk, huh?]
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Fighting. I mean fighting.]
How is this my fault? You're the one who can't stand on your feet! [Please cough yourself to death again. Atsushi prefers your germs over your words.] What am I supposed to do - carry you?!
[Atsushi let that happen once; he doesn't plan to do it again.]
Our target could be anywhere by now - and you're too slow to chase him!
[Wow, he's getting ever more fluent at this 'I want you to murder me painfully' sentence.]
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I could stand until you attacked me.
[It's not an attack and he knows it, but he'll throw any excuse at him at this point. He drops his hand and just glares, considering his options. He doesn't have the strength to throw Atsushi off.]
Then we'll collect more information about our target before giving chase again. This mission isn't one where it's permissable to fail.
[He can't fail. Don't you get it, Atsushi? He can't afford to let his success rate drop because your ideals are slowing him down, because no one keeps a useless pawn.]
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Augh, why is Akutagawa always so... Akutagawa!? Atsushi can't deny that the guy has a point - deep down, somewhere - but that only makes him more annoyed.
Still, they'll never agree on this. That being the case, the only way they'll achieve anything at all is by compromising - and Akutagawa's proposition isn't even that terrible.]
I'll collect more information. You will go and rest somewhere.
[Have some angry pointing at your chest, because Atsushi is
stupiddauntless.]And don't you dare sneak away while I'm out! If you drop dead somewhere, it's definitely your fault the mission failed!
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But he'll actually consider that counter-suggestion of his for a moment.]
We should begin by returning to the pick-up point.
[He can't actually agree, even though he's starting to suspect it's inevitable. He's running on pure spite at the moment. But admitting that Atsushi is right would be a far greater loss, never mind that Atsushi is the one who tried to get him to go back to the pick-up point from the start.
But isn't this unnatural. The man-tiger trying to convince his enemy to rest.]
Always needlessly concerning yourself with others. It will destroy you in the end.
[It shouldn't matter to Atsushi if he collapses and gets killed.]
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So let it destroy me. If I'd be the kind of person who doesn't care, I wouldn't deserve to exist in the first place.
[So he'd rather risk death by doing the right thing than to guarantee his survival by doing the wrong thing. Survival or not, the most important thing is being able to live with yourself, surely?
Anyway, he's gotten Akutagawa to agree, so they can continue as planned. Finally, Atsushi lifts his weight off Akutagawa again, standing up. He doesn't offer Akutagawa a hand, but it's a near thing, and he may yet offer if he thinks Akutagawa needs it.]
Let's go.
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[Because it's weird, and he doesn't know what to do with it. The man-tiger should take advantage of his weakness to destroy him - Akutagawa wouldn't fault him for breaking their deal in that way.
Getting to his feet is going to take him a moment. He leans against the wall again as he dusts himself off, not sure how he's going to manage to walk without collapsing.]
I'm right behind you, man-tiger.
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[Or he could be complaining for the sake of it. Could be that. Never let it be said that Atsushi can't be petty as hell when it comes to Akutagawa. But then, when it comes to Akutagawa, any pettiness at all seems justified.
Atsushi gives Akutagawa an appraising look. Turning his back on Akutagawa is a bad plan at the best of times, but his concern right now is not for himself (and he hates himself a little, because in spite of what he said, he knows that Akutagawa is right: that it would be smarter not to care about just this one person). Atsushi is no doctor, nor is he a psychic, but he reeeaaaally doubts that Akutagawa is going to be able to walk without keeling over.]
C'mon.
[He's just going to duck under one of Akutagawa's arms so he can offer him support.]
Before you start complaining: I don't feel like picking you up when you inevitably fall on your face again. That's all.
[This isn't helping, it's saving himself the effort. Yeah.]
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[And if they were attacked now, Akutagawa would protect him. Or he'd try to, if he could find the strength. He always does, in the heat of the moment, because the mission takes priority over his personal hatred.
Besides, he doesn't lose anything by saving the man-tiger, because he knows the man-tiger won't turn on him. But Atsushi would be a fool to count on the same.
Not that he's planning to break their deal. No matter how tempting.
He nearly growls, but then coughs instead when Atsushi takes his weight. This is humiliating. Another reminder of his weakness.]
Then leave me.
[He has to be strong or he'll be left behind. Doesn't he get that? The fear is sitting tightly around his heart, and pity won't help. The final outcome is the same.]
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As tempting as that is, it will take both of us to finish the mission, right? [That's the thing Akutagawa cares about, right? Finishing the mission. Then fine, Atsushi will play it like this if he has to. It's the road of the least resistance, and it definitely (probably) has nothing to do with pity.] Stop complaining already.
[You can pass out once Atsushi gets you somewhere safe, gosh!!]
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[He's run out of arguments? What does he do now?? It feels unnatural to give up an argument against the man-tiger, even if - technically - he'd been right all along. So he falls quiet, exuding sullenness as he walks.
They're so close that Atsushi's hair is tickling his ear. Akutagawa gives up and just rests their heads together, because it takes too much energy to hold his up.]
Turn left here.
[Backseat driver even when he isn't riding him.]
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... Or Akutagawa could become insufferable again in mere minutes. Or that. Atsushi sighs a little - only at himself, if he's honest - and tries not to let it get to him. This is his own fault for not expecting this from the start.]
I know!
[At least Akutagawa isn't pulling his hair this time. He's going to count that as progress.
It's not long before they're at a small abandoned building that can, in a pinch, function as a safe house, and is probably kept that way by the ADA. Atsushi kicks open the door so he can keep holding Akutagawa up. The guy may not be heavy, but Atsushi is sure feeling all his weight by now.]
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--
[It was afternoon of a regular weekday, and guess who's cutting
classeswork.Dazai had stopped for coffee in a cafe on the opposite end of Yokohama, seemingly entertaining himself with the sight of the city skyline, the Cosmo Clock 21 and the Landmark Towers standing tall against the blue sky, and beyond them, five dark and imposing skyscrapers.
His rather persistent tail had the sense to not follow him too close here at least, so close to Port Mafia territory.
He tapped the side of his cup and hummed. Should he stay here longer, or should he relocate to a more crowded location?
1/2
He watched him from a distance, hiding his presence as best he could. Dazai-san seemed to be enjoying a day off. A reward, surely, for all his hard work lately. He wanted to talk to him. He knew he had no right to. He was not Dazai-san's chosen protege, and he had yet to prove himself better than the man-tiger.
So of course he's annoyed when he noticed someone else following Dazai-san. What right did they have to interfere with his day, when Akutagawa himself couldn't? They were no one he recognized, and they were dangerously close to encroaching on Port Mafia territory. This, at least, he had every right to deal with.
And it was quick business. He left them unconscious in a dumpster, and called for someone to deal with them.
One of them was carrying a piece of paper with Dazai-san's name on it. Hmm.]
2/2
He held out the paper for him.]
Someone has been gathering information on you, Dazai-san.
[There's really not much there???]
[1/2]
It was too obvious why Akutagawa had taken initiative in ridding Dazai of his tail when he was not obligated to do so. Dazai took one long, slow sip of his coffee, gently set it back on the saucer to avoid the clink, and laced his fingers in front of him: every gesture precise, meant to draw out the suspense of anticipation.
The note, he won't take yet.]
I'm aware.
Akutagawa-kun.
[A beat.]
[2/2]
[Stop alarming people with your dramatic appearance and making the both of you conspicuous. The people who'll be embarrassed for you aren't around.]
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[How does he not make people uncomfortable?? He's never mastered that skill, at all. Even if it does bother him a little to have it pointed out, he can't exactly stop.]
If you were aware of their presence, why did you not do anything about it?
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[Now - "do," meaning "kill." Back to this old topic, are they? Really, his former protege needs to have more options in his repertoire beyond attack power.]
You should know the answer to your question by now, yet it seems you still don't get it.
As it stands, your discipline isn't up to me these days, and neither did you violate anyone's explicit orders.
I'll also have you know that, on the other hand, you just rid me of a potentially valuable source.
That second part is familiar, don't you think?
[Now, he holds out his hand for the paper. Let's see what you got, Akutagawa.]
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If I have interfered with your plans, I apologize, Dazai-san. But the men are alive and will be questioned.
[He was good and didn't kill! He's keeping his promise to that obnoxious man-tiger, much as he really doesn't want to. It's making him inefficient.
He hands over the paper.]
It doesn't say much.
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Instead of making further comment, Dazai took the note and turned it over in his hand. Standard affordable white paper, neither too cheap nor expensive. Creased, not wrinkled enough to be in a trouser pocket. Bore finger smudges. There was a faint impression of the writing inside (a firm, not heavy hand), and it curiously lacked the smell of gunpowder.
He unfolded the note and read the message.
Hmm.
Tucking the note in his coat pocket, Dazai finished his coffee and stood up, walking past Akutagawa.]
Walk with me.
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Dazai-san's subsequent escape hadn't been surprising at all. No one had even raised an eyebrow.
No, this was the natural way of things. Akutagawa trailing after, hoping to learn. Hoping for guidance.]
Was the note useful to you?
[While he hadn't seen anything important, he knew that the other man would pick up on a lot more details than he. Even if delivering it had, at least partially, been an excuse to approach him.]
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Not that they could afford being seen as neutral towards each other in public for too long. That would raise questions, and Akutagawa was expressive in his own right.]
It was alright.
[Was being non-committal mean? Perhaps. However, even if he wanted to disclose its actual value, Dazai had a habit of not revealing it. There was more than one way of using a card.
Dazai led him to a nearby park, and didn't speak until they'd navigated several turns in a maze of hedges.]
What are your thoughts on the increase of foreign Ability users entering the port? Excluding the Guild.
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He looked around the hedges to make sure they were alone, always on edge.]
My thoughts?
[That was a strange question. He was a murder dog, not someone to discuss strategy with. Not that he was entirely ignorant. He picked up enough, even if he's never directly told. He knew there was something bigger going on, something drawing them here. He knew the man-tiger was involved somehow, as he doubted he would have been worth seven billion as just a trophy in a cage.
He knew the mafia was preparing for another threat. There was little expansion work being done currently, and fewer important members were being sent away on missions.
But just because he paid enough attention to pick up on those details, didn't mean that his judgment was of any importance.
But Dazai-san was asking.
Was this a test?]
You should keep an eye on the man-tiger so he doesn't get himself captured again.
[He's not allowed to get captured when Akutagawa hasn't defeated him yet.]
But the mafia will not allow another group to make a foothold.
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Atsushi was not immediately irrelevant to this turn in the conversation. Neither had Akutagawa mentioned anything fruitful in favor of trying to impress his ex-mentor.
His former student was more observant than this, and Chuuya didn't tolerate oversimplified reports when the smallest detail could be a make or break in keeping his subordinates alive.
Where the student no longer listened to his mentor, they must be provided the lesson through other means.]
Atsushi-kun continues to improve even now. Can you say the same for yourself when you, despite having the advantage of six years' worth of experience, have presented nothing of value?
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Akutagawa flinched back like he'd been punched, thrown across the room like he used to be for his failures. He clenched his fists. He wanted to scream, or punch back. Except he knew it wouldn't work.
It would only disappoint Dazai-san further.]
Why do you want me to tell you what you already know?
[There's no way he could come up with anything that Dazai-san hadn't already figured out. There was no point in even trying. His tone was a mixture of desperation and anger. Out of everyone, Dazai-san was the person he most wanted to please, and the one person he never could. He’d come far, in the past four years. He’d gained confidence. He’d earned his place. There was no one else he’d take this from.
Three seconds with his former mentor, and he felt fourteen again. He had to come up with something to give.]
You trained me to be a dog. Not... this. Someone like me hasn't even been told what they're after.
[He knew it wasn't territory. It was something else. Something secret. Something neither the mafia or the ADA controled.]
Does the man-tiger know? Would he be able to get it for you? [Akutagawa would. He'd figure out what it was and get it.] It could be used to keep those foreign groups at bay, though if no local group is after it, is it that the cost of retrieving it is too high?
[Give him something. Please. Or he'll go murder Atsushi right now.]
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Dazai cocked his head as the ghost of old cruelty stirred within him, reaching the darkness of his eyes, the faint twist of his mouth. Here, in the hedges of a maze so few visited at this time of the day, no one would chance upon them. Akutagawa himself would not be looked for, with Chuuya busy in one of the Western prefectures. Higuchi was not trailing after her master today, busy with other work matters for the Black Lizard.
Time to see what could be done.]
Akutagawa-kun. Were I aiming to kill you while you despaired over such a simple matter, I would already have done so. This lack of focus is unbecoming - why, if I wanted to hear complaints of my previous treatment of you, I would have taken this discussion elsewhere!
Repeat my earlier question and start over. Without bringing up Atsushi-kun this time around.
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I don't have complaints. I'm not some ungrateful student, unhappy with the lessons that made me stronger.
[Even if he's still not strong enough. That wasn't Dazai-san's fault, though. It was entirely his own failure.
He took a small step back, looking like he wasn't sure what to do with himself, standing here talking to his former mentor. The only thing that felt familiar was the look in Dazai's eyes, comforting in its cruelty.
He took a mental step back as well. ]
What I think...?
[It wasn't his place to think. Which is why he rarely - if ever - spoke up against his superiors, and simply dealt with the issues he found instead. He'd been reprimanded more than once for acting on his own.
Actions were one thing.
But his thoughts?]
It's a problem. It disrupts our regular activities. [That's obvious, but..?] So far both our Organizations have been unprepared each time, and unless it's possible to predict the next attack, we will all suffer losses.
Not to mention the possibility that more than one group might attack at the same time.
It's frustrating not to be able to go on the offensive.
[But he has to trust that his superiors have a plan. Doesn't he?]
You always told me that predicting your opponents movements is the key to victory. As far as I know, we don't even know who our opponents are.
And enemies won't stop coming until they've been destroyed.
[He's not aware of it himself, but he's shifted into a defensive stance, bracing himself.]
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Dazai listened as Akutagawa detailed his disjointed assessment. The main points were there, a focus on attack and defense. It was not surprising that Akutagawa would think about attacking as a means of defense, but the exact manner of striking could be further refined.]
An offensive move need not always be a physical assault.
[Akutagawa's lack of information was not surprising - with his current temperament, the intensity of his focus was better served to specific campaigns, and the intel provided to him acted as blinders to maintain his concentration on where he needed to be. Indeed, there was the likelihood he was content in his role, relying on others to map out where he was needed.
That, in itself, was fine if Akutagawa truly had no other parts to play.
But he could be more. As effective as Akutagawa was in being the Mafia's dog, so much so that he was greatly feared, he was still underutilized. Underdeveloped.
(And, really, one of Dazai's problems was that whatever concern he may have for people, the lines blurred between his fondness for them and his now instinctive capacity to maximize every decision and interaction he had with them. As long as he remained tied to the affair of saving lives, he would not be free to simply be Dazai, and neither would the others stop associating him with his schemes.
This was the web he'd woven about himself, for better or for worse.)]
Port Mafia will always have a multitude of enemies bearing all sorts of grudges, and prediction plays a large part in crushing their onslaught.
But can you not see your enemy's face by looking into how and why they attacked? Or have you become overconfident in Rashomon whenever you wander alone deep within enemy territory?
[Dazai knew Akutagawa was more sensible than that, with how he'd emphasized that his former student must prioritize being able to return alive to be of further service to the Mafia.]