Walking In Your Fleeting World || Dazai Osamu

Chapter-46: If we were in a dazzling film

Nishikata, Karma, and... employment?

-Riki's POV-

In case you're wondering, yes—I know exactly what I'm doing.

I can't confirm if Kyu intruding on this party is a canon event, so I'm not betting on it. I exist in this world, and I gotta play an active role if I wanna stay relevant. At least to prove to Dazai that I'm not his weakness—I'm his strength. He doesn't need to waste his time plotting some safe exit for me. No. He can focus on what he needs to, leaving me to handle the rest.

I take a quick glance behind me. Nishikata is shadowing me from afar, his expression grim as he slips his phone into his pocket. He must've contacted Dazai. But make no mistake — Dazai isn't coming to rescue me. There's no point in him doing so. Kyu doesn't have the doll with him, he hid it with Dazai's ability in mind. All he needs to do is get hurt, and that creepy little thing will take care of the rest. Until Dazai gets his hands on it, nobody in this building is safe.

I force a smile, making myself look as friendly as possible. I know what happens if I don't keep Kyu entertained until Dazai locates that doll. And I know what'll happen if his ability takes hold of me. Karma's range is humongous—I'll annihilate every soul in this building if it activates. Even my body wouldn't last under that kind of strain. So yes, the stakes are massive. But I keep my calm, I managed to trap the future-seeing Odasaku, and this is just some born evil psycho kid.

"So, Kyu-kun," I begin, my voice polite and calm compared to when I was talking to Chuuya, "Dazai-san rudely interrupted our conversation when we first met, so we never got to properly know each other. Is there anything you'd like to know about me? I'm happy to answer all your questions!"

Kyu closes his eyes, making me endure a disturbingly long pause, pretending to ponder over my offer. I hold my breath, preparing for the worst. Kyusaku is a literal psychopath, there's no telling what he's thinking. He likes chaos and dislikes peace. I love peace, and I'm trynna make peace be a thing here; we don't have much in common.

"Alright!" He suddenly beams, looking at me gleefully; his cheerful voice surpasses the crowd's chatter and background music, "What's your ability?"

I blink. Straight to the point, huh?

Kyu has a thing against Dazai, as Dazai never really played with him nor treated him with kindness, and he's soon gonna lock him up away. And I'm Dazai's friend, which means Kyu has a whole lot to gain from hurting me; knowing my ability will help him determine just how much fun it'll be to hurt me.

"I can run fast." I smile, raising my shoulders carefreely.

"Run fast? How fast?" His tone shifts slightly, more interested, more intent.

"Faster than anyone in this world," I reply, still smiling. "As fast as light."

For the briefest moment, his mismatched eyes widen, gleaming with something dark and sinister. The gaze is suffocating, and though I try to shake it off, an icy chill creeps down my spine. If this were the anime, that eerie, discordant background music played every time Kyu popped in on the screen would be playing at full volume. But the venue's upbeat music remains unchanged, giving me a little courage.

This is reality. Dazai is out there searching for the doll. Nishikata is here for me.

"Ne, lady," Kyu whispers, leaning in slightly, his wide eyes never leaving mine. His small hands shoot forward without warning, fingers splayed as if to grab me. I almost jump back, barely managing to keep myself steady, my breath catching in my throat.

But I don't move; I can't let him think I'm wary of him, or he'll drop the polite act and become violent. Still, my heart pounds against my chest. He smiles sweetly, his hands stopping just a little away from me, as I knew they would.