Double Black

a guide to scandalous proposals

Everything about this setting was unnatural.

It was a Friday, after work hours at that. Aside from being illuminated by the cloudy moonlight, Café Uzumaki was fairly brightly lit up by lamps. The large, arched windows provided the perfect view of the full moon; it's shape being reflected as miniature moons in glasses of water and cups of black tea.

For a change, the ambience was silent. As per usual, a fairly small group of Armed Detective Agency members were seated in the corner booth, all the way in the back. These Agency members had their office right a few floors above the café. It was really no wonder that they frequented here so much. Of course, certain members had also somehow managed to rack up a huge pending tab.

Today, the members spending their time so leisurely here happened to be one of the better ones. A former math teacher, a doctor, the Agency's genius detective and the jumpy, light-haired newest recruit. They were all silent, enjoying their drinks and snacks by themselves.

Ten minutes later, bells dinged as the door to the café opened, and in stepped yet another member of the Agency. Donning a tan windbreaker, and wrapped in bandages, Dazai Osamu hurried to take his seat at one of the booths; the second one from the main door.

In his haste, he seemed to have failed to notice the presence of his co-workers.

Strangely enough, Dazai appeared to be occupied with something. Once having taken his seat, he was quick to ask the waitress for two hot chocolates; clearly an indication that he was expecting to be joined by someone. While waiting for his beverages, he took to setting up a few things on the table.

First up was a miniature bouquet of red camellias. This was followed by a nervous order made to the waitress, requesting two blueberry pastries as well. The ordered food was set out on the table soon enough, but till then, Dazai was seen to snip off a few of his bandages, before proceeding to... Try and braid them? 

Try, being the keyword.

Soon enough, everything appeared to be in place. Right in time too, because the door to the café opened once again, the bells ringing louder this time. The newcomer was of short stature, donning a hat, and his coat flowing in behind him. His bright red hair and vibrant blue eyes stuck out immediately, especially to the café staff; this was their first time seeing the infamous gravity manipulator, after all.

As for the Agency members, who were silently watching this whole situation; they were rather quick in recognising this person. Of course, it was Nakahara Chuuya. One of the executives of the Port Mafia, a formerly rival organisation of the Detective Agency, and presently an organisation in an allied truce.

Apparently, the mafioso had opened the door a little too loudly, because he paused to softly apologise to the door, before continuing to walk. A little surprisingly, he stopped right in front of Dazai's table, choosing to stare at him and raise his eyebrows,

"What the fuck is this? I was in a mission in fucking Harajuku, you know?"

Dazai's voice sounded nervous to anyone who knew him, as he laughed softly, "Well in that case, I hope you brought me souvenirs."

Chuuya scoffed, as he took his seat opposite to his rival, "I was going to, but then someone called me asking me to meet him immediately. That's fine, but why here?"

Dazai shrugged, "It's closest to my workplace, ne? I'm too lazy to walk anywhere else."

Observing from a few tables behind, Yosano could easily tell that that was a lie. The bouquet of camellias served as proof enough. After all, there were no flower stores in the near vicinity of the Detective Agency offices.