The 'get along project' (AtsuAku)

Chapter 19 • News for Atsushi

Atsushi P.O.V

„Did you know that you're ageing faster if you're always yelling.“ Dazai said with a big smirk on his face, knowing that Kunikida would believe him.

„Really?“ Kunikida asked while adjusting his glasses.

„Yeah,write that down.“

I sighed. Poor Kunikida,but why does he always believe him?

I turned my attention back to my work. I had a big stack of papers on my table. Fortunately for me,I have a whole week to do it.

After a few minutes we had a break. I would spent it with Tanizaki but he was on a mission with Ranpo,so I just sat there, looking out of the window.

Then,Yosano approached me. „Atsushi,have you heard? A killer came into the city. A lot of people went missing.“

I rose an eyebrow. „do the victims have something in common?“

She shrugged. „Probably,Ranpo and Tanizaki are on a mission to find evidence.“

I thought for a moment. „So your assumption is that they all have something in common that's important so he kidnaps them?“

„Yeah,we found out that he's obsessed with money so I guess that all his victims have something that's worth a lot of money.“

Suddenly Tanizaki and Ranpo stormed into the office,panting.

„We figured it out!“ Tanizaki started.

„All the victims have one thing in common: They know Atsushi. Atsushi's ability is «Beast Beneath The Moonlight» and we all know that weretigers are worth a lot of money on the black market,to be exact: 7 million ¥.“ Ranpo added and kept explaining:

„So he kidnaps the people who know Atsushi and tortures them until they hand him over or they die.“

My eyes widen. „So he's after me?! We have to stop him before he kills more people!!“ I jumped up from my seat but sat back down as I saw Ranpo's and Tanizaki's expressions.

They glanced at each other before turning back to me.

„He already has a new victim...“

I completely panicked. „Who?!“

Ranpo lowered his head. „Akutagawa...is missing since today afternoon.“

I fell silent. „A-Akutagawa is m-missing...?“ I lowered my head and panicked more,if that even was possible. „Give me the location right now!“

Ranpo's head snapped back up and Tanizaki yelled panicked and afraid:„You can't go there! It's dangerous!“

„I don't care! Akutagawa is in danger! Because of me!“ I argued.

After a few minutes they finally gave in and handed over the location data. I immediately got up and ran out of the agency, heading to the location they gave me.

Why him?! Out of all the people he had to take him!

When I reached a tall building with broken windows,I ran towards the front door,entered and started pacing through the building,searching for the captured Akutagawa,I saw something lying on the ground.

Well,rather someone.

My eyes widen as the realisation hit me...it was too late.

That someone who was lying on the ground was Akutagawa,he had a deep stab wound,a blood puddle was forming from his stomach and he looked pale.

I...failed...to protect him...I...failed.

I could feel the first tears flowing down my cheeks.

It was too late...right?
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A/N: 541 words.