the other side of paradise | bsd x gn!reader

twenty-one.

The café owner places the hot beverage you ordered in front of you with a kind expression on his face, and you take a delighted sip. Ah, nothing beats café Uzumaki. Sunlight tenderly makes its way in through the stained-glass windows, giving the interior a colourful and inviting aura. The softness of the green seats combined with the smell of coffee feel like home, and the slight chatter in the café is never too loud, making for an excellent background noise whenever you have a ton of paperwork to do, or just need a place to relax. Your shoulders slump in relaxation and you sigh contentedly. If only every moment felt like this, you think to yourself.

Your inner peace is interrupted by Junichiro slamming his hand on the table.

"I most sincerely apologize!" He bows his ahead towards Atsushi apologetically, and you almost spill your drink from the unexpected loud sound. Oh, come on. On the other side of the table, Atsushi is completely confused on why the young man is apologizing to him.

"It may have been just a test, but I was deeply rude to you," he explains, guilt lacing his voice.

Atsushi lifts his hands and shakes his head in understanding. "Oh! N-no, it's alright..."

"Why are you grovelling, Tanizaki?" Kunikida takes a sip from his cup and then sets it on the table. "That was all part of the job."

"Indeed! And so was that pompous way you finished it, yes?" Dazai places his hand in front of his face, fixing his invisible glasses, and imitates Kunikida's voice. "Matchless poet!"

"Wh.. No! Not at all!" The blonde flushes in anger. "That's just how I do it, alright?!"

The bandaged detective smiles mischievously and raises his hands in defeat, then moves his focus onto your hand and starts to play with your fingers. You playfully flick his forehead with your free hand, and he looks up to give you a grin, still drawing shapes on your palm with his fingers. Kunikida sighs at his childishness and focuses his attention onto Atsushi.

"Regardless, lad... Starting today you are now part of the agency. Do not do anything that interferes with others or besmirches our good name. I, and everyone else here, take that very seriously. Isn't that right, Dazai?"

Dazai doesn't respond. He's admiring your hands, gently trailing along every line and scar you may have, ignoring Kunikida completely. The blonde rolls his eyes and continues sipping from his cup.

"Let me introduce myself again," Junichiro starts a new topic. "My name is Tanizaki, I'm somewhat of a salesclerk here at the agency. And this-"

"I'm his sister, Naomi!" Naomi interrupts, hugging Junichiro tightly with a bright smile directed at Atsushi. "I hope to become just as impressive as my brother one day~"

"So, what did all of you do before joining the agency?" Atsushi asks, curious about his new co-workers.

Everyone's eyes light up in excitement. "What do you think we did?"

"Huh?"

"Let us make a game of it. Try to guess what we were all before, lad," Dazai explains.

"Uhm, let's see..." Atsushi places his hand under his chip and squints in thought. "Tanizaki, were you and your sister students?"

"Oh, good guess!" Junichiro compliments the answer.

"Yeah, how could you tell?" Naomi questions.

"Well, you look the part in that uniform, Naomi... And Tanizaki isn't too much older than you, so – you know, I just figured."

"Nice work. What about Kunikida, then?"

"Knock it off! My previous work doesn't matter..." Kunikida tries to change the subject, but Atsushi takes a guess, nonetheless.