But in the End

Training Begins

"You want me to what now?"

"I want you to attack me." Was the response I got back.

I blinked a few times, processing what I just heard. "Attack you... But isn't that kinda pointless and defeating the purpose of this so-called 'training' I'm supposed to be doing?"

Dazai let out a sigh. "I've already thought about all of that."

"Oh, have you now? Then please, enlighten me, bandages." I raised an eyebrow in a challenging manner. Pretty stupid of me to be questioning Dazai, the one who is on par with Ranpo when it comes to strategy, but here I am.

"It's simple. You won't be fighting me with your ability, rather in hand-to-hand combat." Dazai replied, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Once I'm weakened enough, you'll focus your energy into transferring strength you've accumulated to me."

"But how's that going to work when you can just nullify my ability?" I questioned, confused.

"This is to get you used to the feeling before actually trying it on someone. Don't want anything to go wrong. Not to mention, it is just a theory as of right now." He replied, closing his eyes as he explained.

I nodded my head. "I suppose you're right about that. Can't risk anything unless we know for sure." I then furrowed my eyebrows. "But that still doesn't explain how I will gain said strength if I can't use my ability on you."

Dazai opened his eyes and looked at me, pulling out his phone, smirking. "I've already got that covered." Dazai then ferociously texted a message before stuffing his phone in his pocket. "Now we wait."

I nodded my head, leaning against a cement ledge, glancing up at the sky. "Who'd you end up texting anyway?"

"Oh, someone who I know will show up." I glanced towards Dazai once more, seeing a wicked smirk on his face. I let out a hum, glancing back up.

———

"What was so important that you had to call me all the way out here, Dazai?"

I snapped out of my trance, glancing forward as Dazai jumped up, holding his arms out. "Kunikida! So glad you could make it!"

"What's with the message?" Kunikida sighed, pushing his glasses up. "I'll have you know, I had to rearrange my schedule to come, so it better be good."

Dazai blinked at Kunikida, tilting his head slightly. "What do you mean?"

Kunikida held up his phone, agitated. "Don't play dumb. You messaged me saying there was urgent business that couldn't wait till tomorrow."

I walked over beside Dazai, glancing at said message, curious.

Meet me at the water bank. There's something urgent that has to be dealt with quickly that can't wait until tomorrow.

"So, what is it?" Kunikida asked as I sighed, closing my eyes as I leaned away from the phone. So he tricked Kunikida here.

"I'm glad you asked!" Dazai exclaimed, grinning idiotically. "We need you to be a guinea pig for an experiment~"

There was a tense silence before Kunikida blew up. "A Guinea pig?! That's what you messaged me all the way out here for?!" I'll have you know I have better things to do than entertain another one of your suicide attempts." The man fumed.