Forever Together [Soukoku]

Chapter 12 : The comeback

Dead? This word repeated many times in Dazai's head. Was Chuuya actually dead? Its been already two hours that Higuchi left after saying these few words. Since then he didn't say anything he just stands by the window in complete silence. No one could say what he was thinking from his expression, he didn't actually look different from usual, he even looked indifferent.

No one dared to go talk to him, none of them knew what to tell him. Atsushi never met Chuuya and didn't know too much about the guy, he only knew from Dazai that he was his old partner and-.. that he was very short... Even so, he still walked to Dazai's side, he didn't speak for a long moment trying to find his words.

"I can understand that your sad after all you lost your old friend but-" he said but got interrupted suddenly by Dazai.

"What are you talking about? What friend? Chuuya? He was only my partner- no he actually was my dog, but anyway why would i be sad for a port mafia member ?" asked Dazai with an amused smile, the younger boy was even more confused and a little shocked, he didn't understand why Dazai reacted like this, it was a little heartless, but was he actually wrong?

The port mafia has always been their enemy and the bad guys, Chuuya's death was the same as that of a criminal who killed a lot of people.
Who would care about a criminal's death? Who would shed a tear for a murderer? Apart from his other partners in crime, other ordinary people would even see it as good news.
Dazai was on the side that saved people, so why would he care about his old acquaintance?

"Still... aren't you sad?... even the slightest?"  Atsushi asked, lowering his head in embarrassment.  Dazai looked at him for a long time before answering which made the boy even more uncomfortable.

"Pff~ I have to admit that Chuuya was a powerful member of the Port Mafia, his death makes life easier for everyone and especially for us. A powerful enemy just died and we didn't had to move a finger to get rid of them, isn't that great?  It is fabulous!" he exclaimed happily, of cours Atsushi would expect his friend to react like this but-

"So why-... why are you sad?" he whispered clenching his fists but Dazai heard his sentence and his eyes widened in shock.

"Atsushi... do i look sad?" he asked in a cold and dark voice. The young man looked up at him with a worried expression but then calmed down and there was sadness in his eyes.

"Yes... Dazai... your crying..." he said slowly. By reflex he directs his hand to his eye, it was wet and tears were still flowing. Dazai had his usual smile but his eyes were wide open and tears were streaming down his cheeks as the sunlight illuminated his left side giving his hair a beautiful light brown color.

"I- I also lost someone, and even if i thought i hated them the most, i still felt sad..." He said and looked down, it was obvious who the young boy was talking about. He then looked up his expression was full of determination.

"Dazai, i think you should go to the port mafia and ask about what happened!" he said. The brunet was surprised at first but then he smiled. He patted Atsushi's head and left without a word. The room was still extremely silent and everyone was confused or didn't knew how to feel, appart Ranpo who gave him a big smile as if he knew exactly what was going to happen and he was eager to see how this story would end up.

Dazai walked slowly in the streets, it was already dark and he actually didn't know were he was going, he was lost in thoughts. He planned to do as Atsushi advised him but how would he look like if he suddenly walked in the Port Mafia headquarters to ask for his old partner death. Ridiculous was the most suitable answer.

Still fate always had its own ways and didn't care about Dazai's dignity and the brunet found himself in front of the big building where he worked in the past. It was too late to turn around and leave, and Dazai was curious about how his almost unbeatable partner died suddenly. He still couldn't believe it.