DARK RED ‣ d. osamu

O3.

   "JOIN THE PORT MAFIA, [name]," were mori's words. she didn't even have time to be shocked—the offer was flabbergasting, unusual, and...

unusually addicting.

   clearing her throat out of nervousness, she spoke up. "do you really think i can do anything there? i can't even bring myself to kill an insect."

"insects and humans are two different things."

"things?"

   "yes, things. not literally, of course, but if it had to come to that situation then i'll consider that we're able to be tossed around and thrown like dolls."

"what about free will?" she asked cautiously.

   "no such thing in a place like this. as you haven't chosen to join yet, you still have a grasp of it. mark my words, child, you will join the mafia."

   why does mori seem so obsessed with her? weirdo, dazai thought, a familiar feeling creeping upon his spine. he was going to use her like he used him, launch the dogs and the torture methods on her, and worst of all, something much more sinister. what did mori want with her, a fourteen-year-old high school girl with no ability or potential?

perhaps the potential part was false.

"do i have a choice?"

"no."

"then what do you think will be my response?"

"whatever you are thinking at the moment."

   picking at a hangnail forming on the soft skin of her fingers, her voice faltered slightly. this man was the port mafia boss, a dangerous man who could slaughter gangs mercilessly with one command. what the hell did he want with her? "i'm in."

   mori's expression flickered with a hint of shock, even for just a second. being the observant one she was, she noticed and her eyes narrowed slightly. after a moment of silence, he spoke.

   "alright. you start tomorrow. not a word to the police or your parents, or i'll have you executed, your head hung up for display, and an exhibit that marks you as a traitor." chills ran through her bones, she imagined scenes of her head getting cut off, her neck parting from her torso, her lifeless head displayed where other port mafia members laughed and taunted. slowly, the mountain scenery started to lift as the rock and soil's light darkened. the warming daylight started to fade and eventide arrived to torture women's safety at night.

   it was late already. she would be scolded after returning home. perhaps the excuse for the late bus? yes, she'll do that.

   [name] was permitted to leave after signing a contract with her blood. the cut was starting to heal, the blood still dripping on her fingers. the urge to lick it away was tempting, however disgusting it was. she burrowed into her pocket and fished out a bottle of hand sanitizer, not daring to apply it onto her wounded skin. carefully putting it on, she kept it away from the cut and roamed down the hall. the mosaic paintings were prettier at night, there seemed to be lights built into them that made them shine brighter. despite the calming atmosphere, she felt something unsettling behind her.

   "you can stop following me now." she turned to face dazai, who had been trodding behind her without a trace of his presence. how did she locate him? he smiled slightly. it was pretty, yet eerie, as if he was hiding much, much more, behind that 'genuine' smile.

   "now now, i can't have you running off to blabber to your mommy and daddy about your new job, can i?" he replied.

   "relax, i don't want my head on a stick displayed for others." her tone was rather snarky, and his presence intimidating. the only form of combat she learned was self-defense, but he was in the port mafia, no doubt having an advanced training program to survive. [name] didn't want to fuck with the mafia, but here she was, signing a contract with her blood and soul to stay loyal. say, what if someone were to escape? no doubt they'd get caught and butchered.

   she considered the thought for a moment. no way. too risky, and i haven't had a single minute of training yet. what kind of missions would they assign me? she would be forced to kill, the blood of others on her hands, their corpses laying on the ground, their life taken away embarrassingly since the cause of it was a young schoolgirl.

"you're thinking of escaping."

   the words made her stop walking and freeze, turning to face him again. he was still following her. why? was he that intent on making her stay in the port mafia?

   "yes, yes i am. go tell the boss if you wish." her response surprised even herself. she was practically giving her life away with this single remark. dazai considered heading back through the hallway and nonchalantly strutting into his boss' office, spilling the tea about their newest subordinate. he held back from giving a response and his mind paused. suicidal intentions? no, she was so intent on surviving that she wouldn't dare escape the port mafia.

   the rest of the walk was silent, except for their footsteps against smooth pavement. the moon was glimmering, gray on white moondust and rock clamped together to form the mysterious 'dwarf planet.' [name] took a few turns until she and dazai reached her neighborhood. it was still twinkling and lively, even at night. on one driveway there were many cars parked and the faint sound of party music and wine glasses clinking could be heard. the lights were off at another house, no doubt the owners having turned in for the night. a few more blocks and they reached her house.

   it was big, victorian-styled, even, but it wasn't scary or otherworldly. if anything, it was rather welcoming and warm. there were patterned shingles, bay windows, and a certain variety in the wall textures. the turrets made it look like a luxurious tower. this was the benefit of having rich parents with good taste.

   "i'm home," [name] announced, swinging open the door after scanning a key. the house was empty, and she realized that her parents had already gone to bed. they must have thought i went to a friend's house, she thought, sighing in relief. when going out, her parents were never much of the strict kind. they didn't mind how late she stayed out if she was at a sleepover or over at a friend's. one thing that was forbidden, though, was strolling around the city at night. "too dangerous," they always said.

   "is nobody home?" dazai asked, looking around the huge house. it made him feel an unusual sense of comfort, making it feel like it was his home as well. the furniture was arranged neatly, the fireplace was crackling, and a few servants were up.

   "nobody," she replied, asking one of the servants for a meal, and telling them to give dazai a meal as well. even if he almost killed me, he's my guest, isn't he? it's my fault anyway, i shouldn't have tormented him like that.

dazai refused the food offer.

"the servants said they had made crab for dinner."

"nevermind. can i have some?"

   what a switch up, she thought, sweatdropping. she went up to shower and told dazai that he was free to explore.

   she set up a pair of clothes and a towel in the shower. luckily enough, a bathroom was attached to her room. she removed her clothes and threw them in the laundry hamper, before heating her shower and waiting for it to become hot. after a while, she stepped into the shower and let the hot water trickle onto her hair and skin.

   her hair was wet, the water rhythmically beating against her skin. the silent comfort of the water and shampoo making contact with her hair brought a feeling of peace to invade her current stressful situation. the stress was reaching her, the nervous and anxiety beating in her chest, not exactly because of her life, but because of how her parents would react. as carefree and nice her parents were—they didn't always have a good relationship—she wouldn't even be alive the next morning if they ever found out about her mafia affiliation.

   her shower ended after a while. she tramped down the long staircase and was met with dazai, sitting at the dining table with a plate of crab fried rice on his plate. he eyed her at least twice before she sat down, taking time to analyze her.