BSD x OC

Hypocrite.

Once again, the water around Ali enveloped her. Time and time again, she was always exposed to this feeling of water.

Wow... It's beautiful down here.

She watched as the light from above her danced as the waves moved, how the bubbles of air exited her and floated to the top, the light shining through them.

This always happens whenever I'm around water.

I almost drown, someone saves me, and I go back to my life.

But it's beautiful down here. Sometimes I wish I could just stay here, without anyone diving in and saving me.

Her eyes fluttered as her glasses floated off, watching how the light bounced off the glass and into the dark water.

Whenever you're about to drown, your brain forces you into a state of euphoria.

You feel stupidly calm, unbothered, like nothing really matters except for the moment.

This is probably what's happening to me.

Ali watched as a shadow blocked off the light that was in her view, growing bigger and bigger as it approached her.

Thin arms wrapped around her waist, she felt the water surge around her as she was lifted up, the shadow slowly becoming visible. 

Her head was forced out of the water, as her body forced her to take a large breath of air. Ali coughed out some water, her eyes adjusting to the brightness of the surface.

She felt herself get gently placed on the dock, as small hands were placed on her chest, pushing down and pulling some water out of her lungs.

Ali coughed out some water, gasping for air as she sat up, still catching her breath. "K-Kyouka? How are you still alive-"

She felt a hand collide with her face, a sharp sting being left behind as she cupped her cheek, feeling how it slightly throbbed.

"YOU'RE SUCH A HYPOCRITE!" Kyouka yelled, her hand balled up in a fist as the water from her hair dripped to the ground.

"You go on and on, about how I should live, and how I should live to become a good person, how if I die, you'll miss me! And... Then you just do this! You try to kill yourself!" She yelled, some tears beginning to form in her eyes as she spoke.

"I... Couldn't you have at least thought of me before that happened, or about Atsushi?! Or about everyone else at the agency?!" She yelled, grabbing Ali by the face and forcing Ali to look at her.

"If you died... Then a lot of people would've missed you... Just like how if I died..." Kyouka finished, her voice shaking at the end.

Ali froze, unsure how to feel. Relieved? Regretful? Thankful? Scared? She didn't know, she just wrapped her arms around Kyouka, tears dripping down her face as she squeezed her.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry! I... I just..." She stuttered, unsure what she could possibly say to make Kyouka feel better, pausing as she felt a hand on her head.

She looked up and Atsushi, who had a sad smile on his face, his hand on her head. "It's... Not your fault." He simply said.

Kyouka separated from Ali, refusing to look at her as she balled up her fist.

Atsushi looked at Ali, he had always seen her as an adult in his life, someone who he could trust and rely on. And that was true, but she was also a human, she could feel hopeless at times, and she could also make rash decisions.

He doubted there was anything he could say to her that would make the situation better, so he didn't.

He simply stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her and held her.

"You don't have to shoulder everything... You don't have to bottle up your feelings... So please... Please don't do something like that again, alright?" He asked, his voice still cracking at the end as he sniffled.

Ali wrapped her arms around him, "I... Thank you." She simply said, overwhelmed by the guilt.

I... I have people who care about me now?

They'll care if I die.

They'll cry, mourn, talk about me... Think about me...

"How'd... How'd Kyouka survive?" She asked, still hugging Atsushi as she turned to Kyouka.

Kyouka snapped her fingers, summoning Demon Snow with a smile, "I... Thanks to Fukuzawa's ability, I was able to control my ability so... I was able to escape." She told Ali, "But... I feel like we should get you to the hospital first, before talking..."

"Mhm... And we should probably have a talk or something... Yeah." She told Kyouka, smiling as Kyouka helped her to her feet.

Dazai opened the door to the car, treating Ali as if she was made of glass. "I'll drive. And I won't get into a car crash." He told her with a wink, trying to make the mood more lighthearted.

"Alright, thanks... Sorry for getting the car wet..." She said, vaguely aware of the water that was dripping off of her clothes.

Dazai shrugged, "No problem..." He told her, looking at her through the rearview mirror as he started up the car.

...

The next day, Ali rolled out of her futon, standing up as she went to the closet to change into her usual track suit.

I need a new outfit...

Ali brushed away that thought, sliding on her clothes and going into the bathroom to get ready. Her hand brushed past the slight damp bunny themed toothbrush that near her cup, slightly smiling.

She finished brushing her teeth, walking out of the bathroom and looking into the kitchen. Watching how Kyouka was sitting at the kotatsu, waiting for her.

"I made breakfast..." She said, motioning at the miso soup and rice that was in front of her, before patting next to her.

Ali smiled as she walked over to Kyouka, sitting down and picking up her chopsticks as she reached for her bowl.

"Y'know... You had a lot of tofu." Kyouka told her, brushing her hair back as she slurped up teh tofu with a smile.

The two stayed in silence for a moment, before Kyouka tilted her head, "Are you even listening? You're pretty quiet today..." She told her, watching how Ali  was just looking at her.

Jolting, Ali quickly shook her head, "No! I just..." She trailed off, looking away from Kyouka for a moment, before smiling.

"I... Welcome home Kyouka." She finally said, smiling at Kyouka.