Astray in the Black Water: Bungo Stray Dogs x Fatal Frame 5

Chapter 2

Chuuya let out a frustrated sigh as he paced back and forth in his room. Dazai has not contacted him these past two days. Today will be the third. He was getting impatient and worried for Kouyo. The longer she is out there, the chances of her being found alive will shrink.

"That damned bastard," he cursed. "Never telling me anything!" He hit the desk nearby. "Guess I'll have to find out myself if he found someone. They have to be at the mountain."

With that, Chuuya departed to Mt. Hikami alone. Once there, he wandered around the Unfathomable Forest looking for any sign of the ADA. The forest was not as eerie as it was at night. Now that the sun was out, he could see much more of the area. The forest was so quiet, he couldn't even hear the freeway. He went from the Mikomori ponds, passing the Pool of Purification, the Shrine of Dolls, and ended up on the east side of the Unfathomable Forest. He did take his time to observe the structures, in hopes to run into Dazai. The hanging tree gave him eerie vibes and wondered if Dazai ever attempted to hang himself there yet. Something about the Shrine of Dolls haunted Chuuya. Lifeless eyes that stared at his soul as they stood still like a stiff corpse. He continued further into the forest.

Ending up on the east side, he gazed at the pond, looking at the reflection of himself on the clear water. His thoughts wandered from the beauty of the forests to self reflection. Then he heard footsteps and some chatter on the other side of the forest that broke his train of thought. He went back to the Shrine of Dolls and immediately recognized Dazai in the group. Atsushi was there along with a woman walking by his side.

"Oi Dazai!" He called out, glaring at the tall man.

The group turned to the sound of his voice.

"Ugh, the slug caught up..." Dazai grimaced.

You looked at Dazai with a questioning look. "You know him?"

"A little too well," he frowned. "Oh did I keep you waiting? You do know I am not planning to give her up until Kyouka is found, as we agreed."

"You were supposed to tell me who you found," Chuuya stuck his hands in his pockets. "Are you that lazy that you couldn't lift a finger to call me?"

"No, I just chose not to."

Their little argument went on and you turned to Atsushi. "Dazai-san does not get along with people, hmm?" You asked.

"Let's just say he rubs people the wrong way," Atsushi replied as a sweat drop rolled down his head.

"Sounds fitting," you say, looking back at the bickering men. You took his hand to take him through the two. Atsushi's eyes went wide and followed you.

"You boys may bicker if you like. Atsushi and I will be moving forward to the Shrine of Dolls," you say as you walked between them.

"Wait!" Chuuya called out. "Now that I found you, is there a way I can contact you?"

You paused and realized you don't have a paper and pen on you. However, you do have a cafe that he could visit.

"Consider visiting my cafe on 7th Avenue. My coworkers can give you my contact information."

"7th Avenue..." Chuuya repeats to ingrain it in his head. "I'll definitely stop by--"

"Uh, how about no~" Dazai put his arm around you and guided you forward, causing you to lose grip of Atsushi's hand. "We definitely don't need the likes of you stopping by to put your hands on her."

"I will not! You should be getting your own hands off her," he snapped back.

"He does have a point," you say politely to Dazai, taking his hand off your shoulder.