the sakura tree - soukoku

chapter 1 ~ the sakura tree

c/w  //  alcohol use, swearing, knife

Dazai leaned his head against the rough wood of the sakura tree. He sighed softly as he watched the delicate petals falling around him, catching one in his hand before ripping it up between his fingers.

This had always been one of his favorite spots to visit. The peace and quiet, the beauty, the solitude of it, just made him smile.

Even though Dazai's views were pessimistic and cynical, he still enjoyed the little things in life. Which just so happened to be a sakura tree.

As he caught another petal in his palm, examining its soft baby pink color, he heard a familiar voice calling his name.

He sat up and turned his head to face the voice, his eyes landing on a red haired man who seemed to be in a permanently bad mood.

His peaceful smile immediately brightened and he stood up, shoving his hands in his pockets. Annoying Chuuya Nakahara was one of his favorite activities. The punches didn't matter, so long as he got the reaction he wanted.

"Oi, Osamu! Where the hell have you been?!" The shorter man arrived in front of Dazai, his coat hung around his shoulders and his gloved hands dug into his pockets, a glare plastered across his face.

"It's nice to see you too, Chuuya. Isn't it obvious? I've been under the tree. Use that brain of yours for once." Dazai chuckled and flicked chuuya's forehead, earning a sharp slap to the face. Worth it.

"Cut the bullshit, Dazai. Anyway, Kunikida was looking for you. He said you had some important papers or something in your office." Chuuya glared up at Dazai.

"Oh, is that so? Tell him they're on my desk, under the bonsai paperweight."

As the redhead was furiously typing out a text to Kunikida, Dazai leaned his head closer to Chuuya's, before muttering, "I'm messing with you."

"Oh, you bastard."

When the conflict about the documents had been resolved, Dazai decided to ask Chuuya for a little bonding time. Since their departure from each other as teenagers, Chuuya had always held a grudge against the other. But Dazai thought it should end. And what better way to resolve a conflict than over a drink?

"Hey, Chuuya. Since our companies are working together now, would you like to.. get a drink with me? On me, of course." Dazai walked along with Chuuya, away from that beautiful tree.

Chuuya was kicking at petals as he walked with Dazai, midwinter frost crunching underfoot. "Free drinks? Hell yeah. I take it we're going to that bar?"

"Well, where else?" Dazai chuckled and pulled out a small penknife from his inside pocket, admiring its sheen as he walked.

"Shut up, jackass." The red haired man kicked at a small pile of snow, presumably made by a small child in need of something to do. " 'Nyway. God, I've needed a good drink for so long. You have no idea."

"Oh, trust me. I know how you are with your alcohol." Dazai picked up a rogue sakura petal and admired it in his palm, even though they were far from the tree at this point. "Your favorite is red wine, correct?"

Chuuya's fists clenched and he glared at Dazai, suddenly defensive. "Hey, how the hell d'you know that?"

"I have my ways, Chuuya."

* ~ *

(a/n - rahhh sorry for the short chapter! i swear the next ones will be longer.)