Double Edge Sword (Soukoku)

.Chapter 3.

The atmosphere was happy and cheerful. Smiles were plastered on everyone's faces. It was a celebration for the Port mafia because they took down an organisation they were pursuing for 2 years. Laughs echoed in the halls of the mafia base. The port mafia was thinking of putting a all nighter. Their boss,  Mori Ogai, bought all the food and drinks. He was still in his office though.

A ginger and brunette were at a corner of the room,  drinking to their hearts content.  Soukoku did a huge part in defeating the organisation after all. Everome was congratulating them. However,  the duo wanted to be alone after a while. This happy occasion, sadly didn't last when Kouyou came rushing in with Hirotsu. Seeing both of their anxious faces,  all were concerned. Especially when Kouyou and Hirotsu were the calm type who usually would handle problems with a calm mindset. Upon seeing Kouyou's upset face,  Chuuya was first to go forward. Kouyou was like a older sister to Chuuya. She was a kind and gentle woman,  who welcomed Chuuya to the port mafia warmly.

"Ane-san...?" Kouyouu glanced at the ginger who was giving her a concerned look. Upon closer inspection,  Kouyou's hair messy, her bun threatening to fall. Some strands of her hair sticking to her face with beads of sweat trickling down her forehead. She sighed as she saw a brunette coming to the ginger and also staring at her. His look was perhaps curious, not concerned. She straightened her posture, Hirotsu and Kouyou glanced at each other until Kouyou announced, "Everyone, we are sad to inform you..."She paused and took a deep breath, "That our boss has been assissinated and according to the meeting with Mori the previous year...." She paused yet again, taking in everyone's shocked and sad faces. She stared at the brunette who didn't have any emtions plastering on his face who was comforting Chuuya. She bit her lip.

" Dazai Osamu will be the next mafia boss." Everone stifled a gasp. Dazai didn't look like he had any change of emotions, that he was surprised, only the widening of his eyes was seen beforr he blinked a few times and made his way to the door. Kouyou was first to stop him, "Aren't you going to say anything to the crowd?" Dazai glanced over his shoulder before turning around and giving a rather blunt reply,  "Continue the party,  I'll give you all the important points tommorow." With that,  he turned and left.  The party did continue but the silence was deafening. Everyone's moods were dampened. Kouyou looked at Dazai's figure slowly fading away as she sighed. She never liked or disliked that child much. She didn't like his harsh methods and lack of empathy. He had a sadistic way of veiwing things too. However, she couldn't bring herself to hate him either. She saw how Mori treated him and it wasn't her cup of tea,  she thought that she was part to blame because she didn't stop Mori at times. That was why she stirved to act differently with Chuuya. Shr treated him and protected him at all costs,  resulting in their close relationship. She didn't want Chuuya to end up like Dazai,  a traumatic, suicidal bastard. She pitied Dazai and wanted to help but it took time for Dazai to trust and open up. She had the time but ahe didn't take the risk. She was angry at herself because of that. She admired how Chuuya could make Dazai open up in just a few days. They could talk, bicker and laugh together and Kouyou was happy for Dazai because of that. She looked at the shocked Chuuya. She couldn't blame him anyways,  he had just lost his partner in crime. He would either be Dazai's right hand or a solo mafiaso from now one. She went forward a hugged the ginger as a sign of comfort. She let go when she saw Chuuya muster up a awkward,  small smile and walked away. Massaging her temples,  Kouyou went and dicuss future matters with Hirotsu.

On Chuuya's side,  he felt rather devastated. He was scared of losing Dazai. Chuuya didn't how long Dazai and him were partners but Dazai was the only one who called him human and that made Chuuya closer to the brunette. Soukoku was a port mafia duo who took down an entire organisation in one night.  That showed how powerful and unites they were. But there was no soukoku without Dazai. Dazai was the main reason why Chuuya was confident in using corruption. That silent trust between them was real. His train of thoughts were broken when he felt a tap oj his shoulder. Chuuya put up a small smile,  only to be greeted by a red-haired man. Chuuya tilted his head  confused. He knew this man but he forgotten his name. The red-haired man,  noticing that,  chuckled slightly,  "I'm Oda Sakunosuke,  one of Dazai's best friend. I wanted to ask whether you woukd like to see Dazai with me. That boy would do crazy things when he upset. You're Nakahara-san right? Dazai's partner?" Chuuya smiled,  "You can call me Chuuya and I was thinking of seeing Dazai too. He looked rather... Disappointed. " Oda smiled back while nodding,  gesturing for Chuuya to follow him. When they did reach the boss's office,  which they predicted where Dazai was, no one answered when they knocked. "Maybe he's not in there... "Oda sighed as he turned to leave. Chuuya sighed as well,  but to Oda's shock,  he kicked the door open with much force and walked in. He stared,  bewildered at Chuuya who just walked past him ," Come on. The door's not locked. "He managed an awkward smile and trailed behind Chuuya. Both thought the room was empty before they noticed the familiar black coat, which belonged to Dazai, sprawled on the floor. Chuuya went forward and picked it up. He straightened it out and threw it over his shoulder. He glanced around the room and surely enough,  he saw brown hair sticking out from underneath the table. He looked at Oda who seemed to notice it too. Chuuya walked towards Dazai warily,  slowly looking underneath the table, only to see the brunette curled up. His head buried into his knees which he was hugging tightly to his chest. Chuuya couldn't say anything. Oda's eyes softened as he looked at Dazai, who's head shifted and looked up slightly. His cheatnur eyes tired and hazy. Was he asleep or awake? Chuuya wasn't that sure.  He knew the brunette wasn't a heavy sleeper anyway. He never sleep either way. The times when Chuuya and Dazai had to camp out dor the night,  Chuuya never saw Dazai sleep. Only when he comforted the brunette,  will Dazai sleep.  Afterwards,  Dazai couldn't sleep alone. So Chuuya would drag Dazai to his aoprtment for Dazai to sleep. Obviously grateful,  Dazai made an effort to knock on Chuuya's door in the middle of the night when he haa trouble sleeping. Instead of being angry,  Chuuya would look concerned and immediately invite Dazai in. Chuuya was there when Dazai was at his highest or lowest point in his life. It was a invisible string of trust and friendship. Chuuya doubt Dazai was sleeping,  he was just ignoring. Looking at the vulnerable Dazai now,  his heart ached. Oda was whispering sweet words to coax Dazai to get out of his hiding spot. However, Dazai didn't budge. He instead hugged his knees tighter and became one with the table when he squeezed himself to the corner of the table. Chuuya sighed as he stood up and walked over to Oda. "It doesn't look like he wants to come out. We should leave him and check again tommorow. " Oda shook his head and also stood up, " Dazai's the type to stay there for days and probably starve himself. We can't have our new boss dying on us because of starvation and sleep deprivation." Chuuya thought about it and he had to admit that Dazai was really like that. He went over to the door,  only to see Kouyou gracefully walking towards the room. They made eye contact. When Kouyou saw Chuuya's relieved face,  she immediately hurried over. "Ane-san... Dazai won't get out from under the table, can you help? " Chuuya had pleading eyes. Kouyou, being the port mafia's mother, immediately rushed into the room and sure enough she saw Dazai under the table.  Upon seeing there was a new guest, Dazai hid himself further underneath the table. He didn't like the number of people in the room. Koyou's eyes softened as he tucked strands of her hair behind her ear. "Lad, would you come out? " she tried the obvious and it didn't work,  Dazai's hand reached for his ears as he covered it. Kouyou knew there was nothing to do but also knew what may happen if they don't get Dazai out now. Today's weather was rather chilly. Dazai might get a fever. As negative thoughts whizzed in Kouyou's head,  she went towards the slightly opened window and shut it close. She glanced at Oda at the side of the table with Chuuya beside him. Oda took off his coat and placed it on the chair.  Kouyou looked confused when Chuuya stepped a few steps backwards.

Oda did not hesitate when he pulled Dazai by the leg and dragged him out from under the table. Kouyou looked surprised as he saw Oda carry Dazai and taking the coat from Chuuya who had the same expression as Kouyou. Covering Dazai with th coat,  Oda sighed as he felt Dazai shivering in his arms. He must be cold. No wonder Kouyou closed the window just now. Kouyou,  after processing everything that happened, walked forward and placed her hand gently on Dazai's forhead. "Thankfully,  no fever. Bring him to the infirmary." Kouyou walked away with Chuuya and Oda,  who was carrying Dazai , trailing behind.