Shadow Reaper - Soukoku - What if Dazai stayed in the Port Mafia?...

15th District Warehouse

Dazai strolls through the maze of corridors and multiple flights of stairs, making his way to the exit. On his way, he crosses paths with his new mentee.

"Hey, Atsushi.~"

"Hi..." Atsushi seems abnormally jittery. Something about his behaviour had shifted and his anxiety seems to be more directed at Dazai, despite how the boy tries to hide it.

"Where are you off to?" The night breeze gently brushes past them ruffling Dazai's coat. Stars twinkle in the sky though few are able to be seen due to the light pollution given off by the city's lights.  

"Er...Just heading home...Why?" 

His shoulders rise and fall in a shrug his hands resting pockets. Atsushi should have left the building before him. Not at the same time. "Oh just curious." 

"Oh...Ok then...I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Atsushi turns around to walk away seeming very tense as though he's hiding something. 

Dazai doesn't miss a beat and decides to be blunt. "What are you hiding?" He cocks his head to one side the fluffy, chocolate coloured hair falling over his face, softening his predatory features. 

"I er what?!...I'm not hiding anything!" The boy starts to stutter and a little sweat breaks on his brow as well as the palms of his hands turning them all clammy. 

Dazai sighs and just seems amused straightening his head. "You're a shockingly poor liar."

"I'm not lying!" He's starting to panic a little.

"Are you going to tell me or am I going to have to force it out of you?" He says it ever so innocently but even Atsushi could tell it was a thinly veiled, nasty threat that is far from empty.

"Ok fine! I don't want this job! I don't want to be criminal!" He throws his arms up in the air as he speaks but it rapidly dissolves into a terror at the realisation of his words.

"Fair enough. I suppose it isn't for everyone." It was frustrating that Atsushi had slipped through his fingers but he has no leverage to force him to stay.

"You... you don't mind?..." Atsushi seems skeptical, wholly expecting Dazai would threaten him or force him stay.

"Of course I mind you slipped through my fingers but I have no way to force you to stay. All I can say, is that if I were you?" He paused, a dangerous smile crossing his lips alongside an ominous glint in his dark eyes. "I'd watch my back." His tone was gentle, soft, but his words still carry the ability to lower the surrounding temperature.

Too terrified to respond, Atsushi stays silent, frozen, rooted to the spot.

Dazai grins coldly but speaks in a sing-song manner. "Bye Atsushi.~"

Snapping out of his stupor Atsushi hurriedly replies. "Bye!" Atsushi scurries off as fast as he could. Dazai watches him leave with predatory gaze until the shadows engulf the boy's small, frail figure. 

Chuuya walks out of the Port Mafia building stopping by Dazai's shoulder.

"What was that all about?"

"Oh he was just saying so how he didn't want to be part of the Port Mafia."

He scoffs in vexation. "That little shit just wasted my time."

"That always did annoy you didn't it." Smirks looking down at Chuuya his eyes full of affection. 

"Yeah well I've got better things to do with my time." He's still glaring into space, his brow furrowed.