To conduct the singing misfortune [Dazai and Reader]

Rent apart

The Emergency Plan had begun, and Fitzgerald lost two of his staff to injuries and betrayal. I sit beside Atsushi as he thinks over his situation, both of us waiting in cuffs as we're guarded.

"Atsushi," I speak up, and I notice his eyes drift to me as I stare down at the city below us, the window being small but grand, "Even if it may seem like the Agency's been put in an impossible situation, as we speak, the universe is clambering to get the best of results. Kyouka is safe, and Osamu is as calm as ever down below. Do what you have to do, and be confident – You're lucky, after all." I smile, seeing my ability in our reflection as Sakunosuke faintly sits beside me.

"How did you get caught? Surely your luck would have stopped that," Atsushi looks over his arms, sleeves shredded and wrists bound, "If you tell me what's going on..." His thoughts drift off.

I assume he knows of my bad habits caused by being raised by Osamu for the better of four years and more. Knowing this, he probably guessed I knew what I was doing. This is somewhat true, but I didn't go into this with a structured plan. I'm going with the flow from here. "Don't worry yourself. I may not be as shrewd as my brother, but I've picked up a lot – Enough to know that we'll get out of this."

We're taken up by the guards behind us, gloved hands gripping our shoulders as we're directed through grandiloquent hallways to an unknown destination. I can make a rough estimate of where we're going.

An office is lit by the window ahead of us, daylight pouring in and revealing the pristine white walls lined with gold accents. The western room reflected what I assume castles look like, and the silhouette of Fitzgerald would be the king – If it weren't in my already poor opinion of him, of course.

I'm pushed forward in the back with the muzzle of a gun, and I falter to Fitzgerald's side. I maintain my distance but go along with the charades for keeping a nonchalant relationship. Any hostility could ruin my chances to get out of here.

"Are you enjoying your cruise on the Moby Dick?" Atsushi glares forward, silent. Fitzgerald swirls his champagne glass, "Too amazed to speak, eh? Very good."

The meeting is interrupted as Montgomery enters the room, "Excuse me." Atsushi is surprised at her appearance, and the girl keeps her stubborn gaze away from him, puffing her shoulders in annoyance. I assume they're not on the best terms, but I wasn't there to meet her. "Why is she here?"

"Oh, Ms Lucy? She has no strategic value, given that her ability's known now, but she insisted on staying." Given what I know of her, Montgomery seemingly entered The Guild out of desperation. It would make sense that she wouldn't want to leave. My capture must have been her last mission before total resignation into her cleaner position.

Fitzgerald clicks his finger, gaining Atsushi's attention, "Now, where were we? We're looking for a book."

"A book?" Such a trivial want makes his efforts seem unnecessary, but I know the book he speaks of. I've seen it in many universes – its effects anyway.

The universe Osamu created upon Sakunosuke's death is one of them. "There's only a single copy in the world. It's impervious to any degree of firepower or special abilities. Someone with a gift foresaw that it would be found sealed away here, in Yokohama." If I remember correctly, I know only one individual who could have that book, but I keep my mind from venturing that far.

"What does that book have to do with me?"

"You're literally the tiger beetle... The guidepost. In fact, I brought you here because I couldn't have you burning to ashes along with the rest of the city. Along with Oda here." I shift in my stance, leaning away, uncomfortable. I'd prefer he used the stupid nickname.