"Hey, 'Tross, can I ask you something?" Chuuya said, glancing at his companion.
"I'm all ears, Chuuya." Albatross leaned back on the couch, his attention shifting briefly from the ramen noodles to the stack of UNO cards between them.
The two sat in one of The Flag's secret hideouts, enjoying the quiet evening, eating ramen, and idly playing a card game. The room was dimly lit, the soft hum of the city outside their only soundtrack.
Chuuya hesitated for a moment, twirling his chopsticks in the broth before speaking. "So, I've got this friend, and... well, he's got some issues. I don't really know the details, but I don't want to ask because I'm afraid of triggering him." He paused to slurp up some noodles. "The thing is, if I offer help as *me*, I don't think it'll do much good. But if I help him anonymously... maybe he'll get better without feeling pressured."
Albatross put his feet up on the table, tipping his head back thoughtfully. "Sounds like you've already got a problem and a solution there. Not much I can say, honestly."
Chuuya's brows furrowed. "Yeah, but... what if he finds out it's me? What if he gets pissed off and just... stops talking to me?"
Albatross smirked, raising an eyebrow. "We're talking about Dazai, right? Is he petty? Absolutely. Is he a bit of an asshole? Yeah, no question. But he likes you. Hell, you're probably his only real friend, kid. I think he'd appreciate you helping him, even if it takes him a while to admit it."
Chuuya shifted uncomfortably, his gaze falling to his ramen. "I don't know... He's not really comfortable talking to me about serious stuff."
Albatross shrugged, casually swirling some noodles onto his fork. "Look, you know him better than anyone. If you think the anonymous route is the way to go, then do it. But I wouldn't worry about him hating you for it. He's an asshole, a jerk, a motherfucker, a son of a bitch... but he's not blind to who's there for him."
Chuuya sat in silence for a moment, mulling over Albatross' words. He tossed a card onto the pile, eyes distant. "Yeah... maybe you're right. I'll help him from the shadows, I guess."
Albatross chuckled. "Just don't mess up the game while you're at it."
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@LoveRedheads: Hey can I talk to you for a sec?
Sent ✓ at 14:00
Read at 14:01
@LeFestin: Yeah, I'm in my lunch break rn, spill the tea
Sent ✓ at 14:01
Read at 14:02
@LoveRedheads: So I just did a kind of bad thing
@LoveRedheads: But I did it to protect someone really important to me and other really important to other
@LoveRedheads: But the thing is, this person that is really important to me is going to discover that I was the one who did this terrible thing to them
@LoveRedheads: This is my job, I don't feel bad for what I did, I had to do what had to be done. I'm just afraid that I have destroyed the only thing in this world that he likes
Sent ✓ at 14:03
Read at 14:03
@LeFestin: What the fuck did you do?
Sent ✓ at 14:03
Read at 14:03
@LoveRedheads: I'd love to tell you but I just can't
@LoveRedheads: This person and I have worked together for a while and I know they trust me but I don't know if they'll forgive me
Sent ✓ at 14:04
Read at 14:04
@LeFestin: If he trusts you, he'll understand that you made the best choice for the moment and will understand
@LeFestin: I cannot promise you that he'll forgive, but I'm sure that he will be understanding, I am sure
Sent ✓ at 14:05
Read at 14:06
"What the fuck did Dazai do? And who the fuck is this important person?"
@LoveRedheads: Hey, so I may go offline for some days
@LoveRedheads: Also if you can, please leave the country, be safe
@LoveRedheads: It's about to get pretty aggressive in here
Sent ✓ at 14:07
Read at 14:07
@LeFestin: What the fuck man? Just tell me what the hell is happening.
@LeFestin: You're lowkey scaring the shit out of me
Sent ✓ at 14:08
Read at 14:08
@LoveRedheads: Don't worry about it
@LoveRedheads: I'll be back in some days (unless I finally get the sweet release of death)
@LoveRedheads: You better be here when I'm back
Sent ✓ at 14:08
Read at 14:09
@LeFestin: WHAT THE FUCK MAN?
@LeFestiin: HEY COME BACK?
@LeFestin: OMG YOU'RE SUCJ AN ASSHOLE I'M GONNA BEAT YOU IF I SEE YOU IN THE STREETS
Sent ✓ at 14:09
Read at ?
"What the hell did this guy do?" Chuuya muttered to himself, his voice tinged with confusion and worry. His mind raced, but he knew he couldn't dwell on it now. There were more important matters demanding his attention.
It had been almost a year since he joined the Port Mafia, and in that time, he'd already earned a formidable reputation with startling speed. At just 16 years old, Chuuya had become a rising star within the organization, his natural abilities and tenacity quickly setting him apart from the rest.
His workload was relentless—so overwhelming that he barely had time to think, let alone reflect on his own state of mind. It seemed like every waking moment was consumed by missions, meetings, and responsibilities that weighed heavily on his young shoulders. His current role was no small feat either. He had been tasked with overseeing the circulation of smuggled jewels—a position of considerable power and trust. His job was to monitor the flow of high-value contraband, assessing its movement by weight, ensuring no discrepancies, and reporting directly to the higher-ups. It was a role most seasoned mafiosi would kill for, yet here he was, a teenager, handling it with the precision of a veteran.
