Part of Your World {A Bungo Stray Dogs fanfic}

Enlightenment

I sit, head hanging and hand grasping his, beside Atsushi in the Agency's infirmary. Both he and Kyoka are still asleep after Dr.Yosano's treatment. Probably for the best...I've heard she has a "unique" method of healing her patients. Suddenly, there's a knock on the door.

"Come in," I call out to the visitor.

The door opens to reveal Naomi Tanizaki, Junichiro's little sister. "The president wants to see you in his office," she says.

My jaw practically drops to the floor. The president? wants to see me?

I release Atsushi's sleeping hand and cautiously make my way to the president's office. Before my knuckles can even make contact with the wooden surface of the door, Fukuzawa's assistant opens it and ushers me into the room. I am seated on a couch across from the president, who sits as poised as ever, looking intently over at me. 

"Sato Kagami." His voice is smooth but firm.

"Yes sir?"

Having my full, undivided attention, he continues, "I have been made aware that you have been a very influential part of my members' recent success. Is that correct?"

"I mean, I suppose I have helped a little..." My face begins to heat up.

"I extend to you my gratitude. But that is not the only reason I have called you here today. The main reason is that I would like to invite you to become an official member of the agency."

Now my jaw really is on the ground...I mull over the idea for a little while before I can respond.

Finally, I say, "With all due respect sir, I'm going to have to decline. It's just not for me. But of course, if you ever need me, I'm always happy to help." I could tell I was starting to ramble so I decided to wrap it up with this, "..just consider me.. an ally, of sorts."

He thought about this for a moment, "An ally. I like it." He reaches over the desk to shake my hand and adds, "Glad to be in business with you." 

I take his hand, a small smile forming on both of our faces. With that settled, I get up and take my leave. I've got to get back to the bakery for my evening shift. The boss has been really on me lately about all the "sick days" I've been using...

--------------------------------------------Time skip to later that evening------------------------------------------

The sunset shines through the glass doors of the bakery. Its rays feel delightfully warm on my back as I clean up behind the counter. I hear the little jingle of bells as someone opens the door.

"Sorry, we're closed," I say without turning around.

"I know." It's Dazai's voice.

"Are you here to apologize to me for everything I went through to save your life yesterday when it was actually all part of your plan?" I said, only slightly sarcastic.

"Actually, getting abducted wasn't part of my plan at all. Although it did help me get into their base. What a coincidence," he answers with a shrug and that annoying smile of his.

"I know you Dazai. You could've gotten out of there whenever you felt like it. So why didn't you?"

"Because I wanted it to be you."

At that, I stop cleaning and turn around, "What?"

"I wanted you to look for me. And I hoped you'd be the one to find me."

"That's kind of narcissistic don't you think?" I said crossing my arms and rolling my eyes. I was trying to keep up the tough, sarcastic bravado, but a slight blush was dusting my cheeks, completely giving me away. The glow of the sunset only added to the heat rising on my face.

What does he mean by that? 

"So, you're a former mafia member, huh?" I said, changing the subject.

"Yeahhhh, it's a long story."

Pressing the 'on' button on the coffee maker, "I've got time."

And so Dazai launches into a story about himself and his two former best friends, named Ango Sakaguchi and Sakunosuke Oda,

and how one of them came to die.