May this Blessing Bring Us Together

Paranoia

"I can't believe I let myself oversleep like that." he muttered to himself.

He's running extremely late to the ADA. Very unusual for him actually, he hasn't let himself ever wake up past what he's used to, wake up at five and go to sleep at nine. But even when he tried to fall asleep worries overwhelmed his head  that couldn't even pinpoint where they had come from. Which confused him. He had been stuck in his head trying to come up with the best explanation to the intense worry that was in the pit of his stomach, resulting in him falling asleep around 3am.

He made it inside the building saying his hellos towards Lucy who was cleaning up the bar before the cafe opened. Atsushi pressed the elevator button  waiting for the doors to finally open. He was anxious about whether he would be in trouble for his lateness, or maybe scolded by Kunikida, maybe be left off the hook as it was his first time being late. He hoped it was the last outcome.

He heard the elevator arrive with a loud dinging noise making him flinch at the sound. It usually wasn't like that maybe his ears was more sensitive then he thought they were. He stepped inside the elevator pressing the button to take him to the office floor. His thoughts backtracking into last night. Why was I concerned about something? Is this a sort of warning or am I being paranoid?
 
The elevator doors open, ending his train of thought right there. He stepped out the elevator approaching the office door and put a hand on the knob exhaling deeply before opening the door. The office was silent, making his late presence more known. He bowed down "Sorry everyone, I woke up late this morning." he apologized.

Kunikida scoffed. "Alright I believe you just make sure it doesn't happen again, Atsushi." He scolded. Atsushi understood, and took his seat from across from him. He grabbed his computer opening to see reports that were in progress. He had two or so since business has been slow this week, not that he wanted any more reports to come in; he prefers to go on missions then write long reports. Maybe if he avoided Dazai he wouldn't have to take on his stack of work.

Whilst he was finishing typing up a report he felt someone lay a hand onto his shoulder he jolted at the touch turning himself to face who had touched him. Atsushi lifted the hand off his shoulder, cocking his head in questioning. "Dazai? Is there something you need from me?" He asked, looking like he was going to do extra work today. "I do, I have something to tell you, the pres has a mission he would like to offer you. If you take it I'll tell you everything you need to know."

"I see, I'll head to him in a moment." Atsushi replied dryly
 
He turned back around getting up from his seat. He passed by Dazai when he felt him grab his wrist. He looked back at him with a questioning stare. "Yes?" He asked him. "Is something bothering you Atsushi?" Curiosity in his voice. Dazai was one to always be nosy. He shook his head and lied "Nothings bothering me Dazai." he pulled back his hand from his grip. Even if he did say the truth that something was bothering him, he wouldn't be able to say what it was either.

Dazai blinked at him blankly before shrugging. "Alright." It was a blank reply but Atsushi would take it, he wasn't in the mood to be pestered with loads of questions from his mentor he was surprised he actually didn't. Atsushi walked on autopilot, zoned out in his head he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. He blinked, realizing he had already passed the president's office.

Why am I so out of it today? It's getting tiring.

He shook his head to end his train of thought. He went backwards towards the president's door. He knocked on the door waiting for an okay to enter. It was a bit of a wait when he heard a muffled voice. "You may enter."

He opened the door walking inside looking around the room. It was an ordinary room, all the blinds were up, making the room very bright. He squinted his eyes directing his attention to Fukuzawa

"Morning Atsushi, are you here for the job offer?" Even though his voice was cold his face was content. Offering Atsushi a small smile, "Morning President," he bowed. He came up from the position, giving him a smile back. "And yes I'm here for the offer." Fukuzawa hummed as he pulled open a file cabinet beneath him, taking a file out laying it right in front of Atsushi.

"This ability has been  causing some troubles around Yokohama, seemingly de-aging people to when they weren't even born yet. More reports have said that they have seen the same woman that can do the opposite. Take a look at the users face."

Atsushi took the file in his hand examining the small photograph of the woman. It wasn't exactly a clear picture of the person but clear enough to define the details of the woman.  Brown hair, green eyes. The only details he could really see.

"So, you want me to find this user?"

Fukuzawa nodded. "Well, yes. The ability user has been attacking well known people causing worry to the public and some reports have been regular citizens. If you do find this user, bring her back to us for questioning."

He started having an uneasy feeling in his gut the more he stared at the photograph. He didn't know the woman, but her face felt familiar in someway. I feel uneasy but nothings wrong, maybe I am being paranoid.

Should I even take the offer with how all of this is making me feel?

A small  pit of uneasiness shouldn't be the reason why I don't. I rather not be stuck doing other unnecessary paperworks.

"Understood. I can take on the mission. And Dazai has all the other details to this, right?" He asked setting the file down on the desk. Fukuzawa nodded storing the paper back into its original place.

"Indeed, you may leave if you don't have any other questions Atsushi."

Atsushi shook his head, he didn't know if wanted to ask the questions that were in his head. They were all too confusing and might not be answered in the way he wanted them to be.

The walk was short back to the office he met Dazai on the sofa laying down and doing whatever, he didn't want to question what he was doing anyway. "Dazai?". He got a muffled noise as a reply he turned his face to Atsushi who was crouching face level to him.  "I talked to the president about the mission and took on the offer. I came to you for the details." Atsushi said.

Atsushi stood back up when Dazai sluggishly got up from his laying position. "Glad you took on the mission, anywho. First off the mission is far dangerous for you to be doing it alone." Dazai said.

Atsushi nodded. "Which agency member will I be going with?" that was a really dumb question, he knew he wasn't going to be with one of the members. Dazai laughed as if it wasn't obvious enough. "Nope, not a member. Akutagawa, of course! The port mafia wants this lady gone too. But when he gets back though, he seems to be out of Yokohama."

He rubbed his temples making an irritated sigh. He really didn't want to work with him no matter how long they were partners for. Akutagawa was stuck-up, stubborn, and a perfectionist. He tried to form a bond with him a few times and all that ended up happening was arguments or, worse, him getting stabbed by his ability. Just because he could heal doesn't mean it didn't  hurt like hell.


Dazai cocked his head. "Huh? Atsushi what's the matter? You seem kinda upset to me." His voice was far from concern, more like mocking.  His face had a slight smirk which annoyed Atsushi even more. "It's nothing, I'm just tired I think."

"Anyone could see through that lie Atsushi. C'mon tell me." Dazai pestered further. The smirk widening with each push of words. "Don't get pissed off Atsushi, I'm concerned, as your mentor."

If you were concerned as my mentor you wouldn't be purposely trying to piss me off.

"Don't give me that Dazai, you can't take work seriously. Can you just give me the details!" he replied, annoyed. His voice slightly raised. Atsushi bit his tongue. He really shouldn't be getting mad at Dazai knowing that was his usual personality but damn is he not in the mood for it today. Dazai parted his lips, closing it shut immediately intrigued and speechless at the small outburst.

Maybe Atsushi was too loud, Dr. Yosano had looked over their way clearly confused about the situation. "What did you do Dazai to upset the tiger?"  She asked for her clipboard to cover her small laugh. Dazai waved her off ensuring it was nothing. He hummed and pulled his hand back "Of course I can fill you in on the details." Atsushi relaxed.