Hopeless Romantic

Something different

Glistening, morning sun gleamed through the windows, creating light throughout the undisturbed, tidy apartment. Mornings were always Doppo Kunikida’s favorite part of the day, a time where he could be himself–at least for a little while.

Kunikida calmly stands in front of his mirror as he ties his hair back, he stands there for a moment, pondering about today's schedule before he exits the bathroom and moves towards the kitchen. He opens his notebook, his ideals, everything that has or will happen is written down. His pristine agenda.

"Good, 8 minutes and 34 seconds until I have to leave."

Kunikida is an idealist, often stressed due to a troublesome co-worker of his, who enjoys messing with his schedule for his own amusement. Though he'd never admit it out loud, oftentimes, he found Dazais troublesome antics entertaining or clever. As for the rest of the ADA he respects them all, as they were all chosen for a reason.

Kunikida looks over his agenda for the day once more, before heading out into the streets of Yokohama.

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Dazai Osamu found himself being scolded by Kunikida after he arrived at the office 30 minutes late.

"Relax Ku-ni-ki-da-kun~ at least I showed up!"

Dazai speaks in an infuriating tone, spelling out every syllable of Kunikida's name.

"You're truly insufferable, you know that?"

Kunikida responds with a heavy sigh, looking back at Dazai with a stern expression, though it seems to soften as he gazes into Dazai's, dark, empty eyes. Dazai has always been mysterious, not just to Kunikida, but to everyone. Dazais eyes are almost inhuman, frightening even, not an ounce of emotion within those black voids, no matter how hard Dazai tries, no light will ever appear again.

Dazai doesn't respond, he saunters over to Atsushi as soon as Kunikida walks away. Kunikida subtly watches from over his computer, not quite paying attention to their conversation, more so Dazai's mannerisms.

It's no use.

——

I gaze over at my partner, there's not much I can tell, though I feel there's something different about him…. Damn it, what is it?

"Dazai." I call out suddenly, unaware of my own thoughts until I speak.

He looks over at me with a little grin. There it is again.. I feel weird.

"Yes? Kunikida-kun?" Dazai responds as he leans over his desk to look at me.

Suddenly I feel nervous, I look at him, something's wrong..

"I-.. nevermind" I say quickly, looking away from him and back at my work, suddenly I feel dizzy. It's nothing, I'll be fine. I sigh and open my notebook, hoping Dazai has turned away by now, which he has. I read over my schedule before I stand up, heading out for my first task of the day.

——

Dazai watches Kunikida leave with a slight smirk, he turns to Atsushi and speaks with a teasing tone.

"I think something up with our Kunikida~"

——

"Hey, Dazai-San? Earlier.. what did you mean 'somethings up' with Kunikida-san?"

Atsushi asks me with a curious tone in his voice. The two of us are walking along the riverside, as Atsushi had just dragged me out of the river, ruining my chance of death once again! How cruel.

"Hmm… let's see, notice how, oftentimes, when Kunikida is stressed or nervous, Kunikida-san will fidget with his ribbon or hair?"

Atsushi stares at me blankly, confused yet trying to understand.

"I didn't…" Atsuhis says with an embarrassed chuckle.

"Well, he was doing it a lot when we were talking back at the agency." I continue, giving Atsushi a little smirk. Though, in actuality, I wonder, what was Kunikida so nervous about? It couldn't have been work. He's always on top of that..

I continue thinking about this, my eyes narrow as I'm now deep in thought, I don't even realize Atsushi is speaking again until he says something that catches my attention.

"You must know Kunikida-San quite well to know something like-"

"I don't." I say that quickly, my words coming out much harsher and colder than intended. My tone seemed to have startled Atsushi as he fell silent and continued walking with his head hanging.

"…call Kyouka-chan, I'm gonna buy you two some crapes."

Atsushi quickly perks up again, he grabs his phone and calls Kyouka with a happy smile.

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