Free Fall - Dazai Osamu x Reader

3. Beginnings

A genuine smile. A genuine laugh.

As you were walking through a bustling, crowded street in a downtown Yokohama neighborhood, you noticed these things. Strangers around you, laughing and smiling, enjoying their days as they peered into shop windows and stopped in front of cafés.

But it was you, instead of them, whose smile and laughter were the most surprising.

When was the last time you actually enjoyed yourself, you wondered? There'd been a dark cloud looming over you for months now, as you pondered and contemplated your escape. And now that you were actually here, that you'd actually made it, your happiness was genuine.

Your laugh was musical as Yosano mocked Dazai's sour expression, nearly hidden behind the stack of boxes and bags he'd found himself carrying.

Yosano graciously offered to carry one singular bag, easing his suffering slightly. She insisted that you not have to carry anything, and leave the heavy lifting to the man of your small group.

The various packages stacked up in Dazai's arms actually belonged to you. After your meeting with the Agency, you were shown around the office and learned more about what it was that the Agency actually does. The thought of helping to solve mysteries too dangerous for an everyday organization like the police was a bit scary, but it excited you.

As all of this was explained to you, Yosano had wordlessly slipped away to the President's private office on your behalf. She explained to him that you'd come with nothing on your person, and would need to get some things in order to start your work here comfortably.

The President agreed to give you an advance on your first paycheck, which would allow you to buy things like some extra changes of clothes, toiletries, and some groceries to stock up your dorm's kitchen.

Apparently, Yosano had a passion for shopping, and was more than willing to assist you in procuring these items. When she returned to where you sat with the other agents, announcing you'd be spending the rest of the day out shopping, the people surrounding you quickly dispersed, seemingly trying to avoid being part of this outing.

This included Dazai, whom Yosano found hiding in a broom closet. Dragging him out by his ear, she reminded him that he was in charge of your protection, and didn't have the option of staying behind.

Begrudgingly, he came along, and was obviously not pleased with being the designated pack mule. He whined and complained constantly every time Yosano ducked her head into a new store to enter, but at the same time didn't seem too serious about his distaste for the current situation.

You couldn't help but giggle every time he and Yosano barked insults over your head at each other. That was what really made you feel at ease with them; the way they took nothing too seriously. You were just happy to be along for the ride, and be having a relatively laid back first day.

The three of you walked around in the same formation for most of the afternoon, until later in the day when you spotted a small convenience store on the corner. An idea slipped into your mind, and you quickly excused yourself to go use their restroom.

Once inside, you stood in front of the counter and peered out the store window. You weren't able to see Dazai and Yosano from this position, and you took that as good enough cover.

Reaching into the bag you'd bought earlier, you pulled out the envelope filled with cash from the Agency, asking the clerk for a pack of cigarettes. As the old man turned around to get them from a shelf, you grabbed a lighter from the acrylic display case on the counter. You handed the clerk a few bills, slipping the items into your purse along with the envelope.