To conduct the singing misfortune [Dazai and Reader]

The Lucky Tiger-boy

Clouds rolled over the night sky, obscuring an already indecipherable sight. The moonlight hid as it settled high in the inky backdrop. The stench of the warehouse was unpleasant and damp, but nothing you're not used to when you spend your free time in rivers with your brother.

I leaned on Osamu's shoulder, peering at his book as he scanned over long-memorised words as if they were faith. Unfortunately, Fitzgerald was stuffed away in a bucket under my desk as Kunikida had practically threatened me to return it to its home. I purposely misunderstood and will now claim that the bucket is its home rather than the river it came from.

Atsushi had hugged his legs to his chest, fingers squeezing the frayed fabric of his trousers. He was clearly uncomfortable with Osamu's scheme, jumping at the sound of anything that passed through his senses such as dust and wind. The scaredy cat was a sorry sight.

Atsushi broke the otherwise eerie silence to inquire about my brother's book, "Dazai, sorry to interrupt, but what are you reading?" Immediately, Osamu answered the boy, glancing up from the guide, "A good book." Atsushi sweats at the vague answer. It wasn't enough to spur anything as he desperately clambering to create a conversation to distract him from his uneasiness, "I'm surprised you can read when it's this dark."

"I have excellent night-time vision. Besides, I've read it before. I know everything that happens in this book." Since buying it, it has been the tool of Kunikida's and Agency's annoyance. We have the pages and lines memorised, though none of it is truly useful to us. "Oh, that's funny. Then, why are you reading it?"

I mock Osamu, mouthing his words, "A good book is always good." My brother smiles, nudging me, and Atsushi tensely laughs, shoulders high and head tucked so far in on himself that he may meerkat into his own body. Atsushi is brought back in by his worries, hands feeling the folds of his clothes as they scrunched where his knees bent with the need to ground himself, "Do you think the tiger will track me down and come here?"

Again, there's no apprehension in Osamu's voice, "I know it will."

Atsushi sucks in a breath, leaning back into himself as a jolt goes down his spine. "But don't worry. It'll be no match for me. I may not look tough, but I'm with the Agency for a good reason. [Y/N] is equally capable, and the tiger won't so much as scratch any of us." I hum with enthusiastic agreement, "You're in good hands, Atsushi."

"...I admire your confidence. In fact, I'm jealous. I was called a good-for-nothing at the orphanage for as long as I can remember. And now, I don't even know where I'll sleep tonight or how to get through tomorrow... No one would mind if I died in a ditch somewhere or just disappeared forever." Self-piteous sentiments of extreme doubt overwhelm his figure, and within seconds, he's shaking, tucking his head into his knees. "Yeah, maybe I would be better off getting eaten by a tiger."

Osamu sighed, glancing toward the large window as clouds parted to reveal a full moon, "Well then, I think it'll be soon."

The wind flows through the warehouse, and goosebumps rise along my arms. A fragile crate holding metal scrap falls from its position.

Atsushi jumps out of his skin as he flails into fight or flight. I hear his breathing quicken, "I just heard something back there!" Malnourished arms quickly scamper off his crate, and he's exposed to the moon within seconds, drawn there.

"Yes, me too." The boy is surprised by our calm nature. I remain silent as my eyes shift back to the brightening moon.

"It's probably the tiger!" Patiently, Osamu explains to Atsushi, "Not quite – I think the wind just knocked something down."

Atsushi flares with worry, fists tightening, "It's the man-eater! It's tracked me down to eat me!"

Osamu slams his book closed, the pages slapping and shutting off Atsushi's panicking mind. He hands me the book, and I tuck the soft cover into my coat. "Calm down, Atsushi. Tigers don't suddenly appear out of nowhere."