But in the End

Downfall of the Guild

"So, I'm supposed to just wait here?!" I asked incredulously, a baffled look on my face.

"Yep!" Ranpo exclaimed, as if what he told me wasn't a big deal.

I pulled the phone from my ear, glaring down at it before shouting into it. "Why the hell am I stuck on the sidelines?! With my ability, I should be fighting too!"

"Don't worry, Atsushi will be able to handle this, plus he has been on the Moby Dick before, he knows the layout." Ranpo explained, my brow twitching in annoyance.

I let out a sigh, putting the phone back up to my ear. "Yeah, but still... I don't like just sitting here and doing nothing while he is off fighting." I told him, glancing out to the water before me.

"Think of it this way, if anything goes south with the mission, you will be there to lend a hand." Ranpo said, causing me to think for a moment.

"Alright, alright." I caved, bringing my gaze up to the orange sky above me. "So what of Kyouka? You think everything will turn out the way you see it?"

"I have no doubt in my mind! After all, my ability foresaw that." Ranpo bragged, causing me to chuckle.

"If you say so." I paused for a moment, before grinning. "How about this then... if everything goes the way you saw it, I'll buy you a month's worth of sweets, deal?"

It was silent on the other line, and I couldn't help but to imagine that right about now, Ranpo had a surprised look on his face.

"I suppose I can agree to that. Don't be a sore loser when you lose!"

———

I sat on the edge of the pier, kicking my legs as I looked at the water below. I was brought out of my trance from my phone ringing. I took it out of my pocket, looking at the caller ID to see who it was.

"How did it go?" I asked once I answered, bringing the phone up to my ear.

"Exactly as planned." I let out an annoyed groan, throwing my head back. "What?"

I let out a heavy sigh. "I made a deal with Ranpo that if his hunch was right, I'd buy him a month's worth of sweets..."

"Well that was stupid, considering he's always right. Aweee how naive~" I huffed at the teasing tone.

"Shut-Shut up okay! I wasn't thinking!" I tried to defend myself, face red in embarrassment. Not a second later, I heard an explosion, causing me to look up.

"Looks like it's time." I added, glancing at the Moby Dick, flying in the air. "I can see the Moby Dick now."

"Good. The President and I should be there shortly." Dazai replied. I gave him a hum in response before ending the call, stuffing the phone back into my pocket.

"Man, they're really going at it up there..." I trailed off as I stood up, staring at the light beam that just erupted, shielding my eyes.

A couple minutes later, I noticed the Moby Dick was lowering into the ground. "What the..."

Hearing the sound of an engine, I moved my gaze, seeing a plane heading towards the Moby Dock. "So that's the plan..."

I watched the scene unfold in front of me, seeing three people jump out the Moby Dick with parachutes, before the plane crashed into the vessel.

I squinted my eyes as an explosion erupted, watching the Moby Dick crash into the water. As Atsushi and the others with him reached the pier, I walked over to where they were.

As I got closer, I noticed the others with him were one of the Guild members and Auktagawa, causing me to raise a brow at his presence. Why the hell is he here? I thought the Mafia were to stay out of our way.

"This is the outcome we had hoped for, Astushi." I turned my gaze from the three, seeing the President and Dazai had arrived.

Atsushi gasped in surprise, easing his head up. "Dazai! President..."

"Kyouka conquered her demons, and saved the city from harm. She demonstrated the virtues expected of the Agency." Dazai told the boy.

"But, I-I still don't understand. Why did she have to die?!" Atsushi exclaimed.

"I'll admit, the process seems merciless. However, there's a reason all of this had to play out this way." Dazai explained.

"My ability is called 'All men are created equal'. Its field of range, applies only to members of the Agency." The President spoke up.

"His ability allows an individual gifted, greater control of their own ability. The reason you're able to control your weretiger abilities now, is because you joined the agency." Dazai continued to explain to Atsushi, who looked dumbfounded.

I let out a chuckle as the poor boy couldn't connect the dots. "Kyouka was able to pass the test, and become an official member, right before the impact. Do you see what I'm getting at?"

It finally dawned on Atsushi what they were saying just as Kyouka appeared. "Using 'Demon Snow's' blade, I was able to cut the chain and escape. So I'm back." She smiled.

I smiled as Atsushi didn't waste a second to run up to Kyouka, engulfing her in a hug. "Welcome back..."

"You're hurting me..." Kyouka mumbled.

"Ah- sorry!" Atsushi let go, stepping back.

"Sorry we had to keep it a secret from you both." Dazai apologized to the two. "But if we hadn't, it wouldn't have made for a proper entrance exam, now would it?"

"Did you... guys plan this from the beginning?" Atsushi gasped out. Causing me to snap my head to the two. Wait- they planned this?! That means I made that deal for nothing!

"The enemy's been defeated, and Kyouka's back, safe and sound. Isn't that all that matters right now?" Dazai said.

"Wait, Dazai!" Auktagawa exclaimed. "What about me? After that final battle, do you think I'm strong?"

"Let's see now..." Dazai walked over to the boy. "You did help take out Francis, but you look like you're about to fall over from exhaustion."

"Does that really matter? I still won-"

Auktagawa was cut off as Dazai placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have become strong." I blinked a few times as Auktagawa fell to the ground. "Oops."

"Well, that's settled!" I exclaimed, stretching my arms above my head. "Man, waiting for all of you to show up was exhausting... Do you know how bored I was?!"

"It couldn't have been that bad." Dazai exclaimed, causing me to snap my head in his direction.

"Not that bad?! I HAD NOTHING TO DO FOR THREE HOURS!" I exclaimed, pointing a finger at him. "And what's with this whole 'everything was planned'? You mean to tell me I struck a deal with Ranpo and didn't even have a fighting chance?!"

I heard the President chuckle, causing me to slump my shoulders, letting out a sigh. "Whatever, I give up..."

———
Published: 03/19/2024