Bound by Obsession

Part 11

The day began with an unusual sense of tension hanging in the air at the Armed Detective Agency. Everyone was on edge, waiting for their next mission briefing. Rumors had been swirling about a new, dangerous organization rising in the shadows of Yokohama, and the ADA had been tasked with gathering intel. What they hadn't expected, however, was that the Port Mafia would also be involved.

When Kunikida received the call that morning, his face darkened as he relayed the news to the team. Mori Ougai, the leader of the Port Mafia, had personally reached out to request a joint operation. Something was serious enough to warrant both the ADA and PM working together, and that rarely spelled anything good.

Inside the meeting room, the air was thick with discomfort as both the ADA and Port Mafia members gathered. The divide between the two factions was palpable, with Ranpo quietly munching on snacks in the corner while the Port Mafia's Black Lizard squad maintained their typical stoic vigilance.

Mori sat at the head of the table, smiling pleasantly as if this were a casual affair. His demeanor was unsettling, as usual. Dazai sat near the window, looking as indifferent as ever, though his eyes occasionally flickered toward Mori. Chuuya stood beside him, arms crossed and glaring at Dazai every few seconds, a familiar tension between them, though today it seemed deeper.

Atsushi glanced nervously between the two groups, not entirely sure how to act around the notorious criminals sitting across from him. The rest of the ADA members seemed similarly uneasy, though Kunikida maintained his usual stoic professionalism.

Finally, Mori cleared his throat, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Thank you all for coming. As you may have heard, a new organization—one we know little about—has emerged in Yokohama. We believe they have ties to several underground groups, and their reach is growing quickly."

He gestured toward a map laid out on the table, various areas of the city marked with red. "They call themselves the 'Crimson Dawn.' We've encountered them in recent weeks, and their influence has started to interfere with both the Port Mafia and the ADA's work. It's clear they're aiming for control of the city."

Ranpo finally spoke up, his voice casual but sharp. "So, you're saying we have to work together? That's new."

Mori smiled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Indeed, Ranpo-kun. And to ensure this mission's success, I've decided to reveal something very special—something that has brought the Port Mafia victory time and time again."

He stood up, walking over to Chuuya and placing a hand on his shoulder. "May I present to you—Soukoku."

The room went silent, all eyes turning to Chuuya and Dazai.

Atsushi blinked in confusion. "Soukoku? What's that?"

Mori's smile widened, clearly enjoying the dramatic reveal. "It's a nickname we gave to Dazai and Chuuya here. When they work together, they are nearly unstoppable. Their combined abilities have taken down some of the most dangerous enemies the Port Mafia has ever faced."

Chuuya, visibly irritated by Mori's words, scoffed. "Oi, Mori. Don't make it sound like we're some kind of perfect team." His eyes flicked toward Dazai, who remained silent, still looking out the window.

Dazai finally spoke, his tone flat. "I suppose he's not wrong. Chuuya and I make a good pair... when we're not trying to kill each other."

Chuuya clenched his fists, his frustration evident. "Don't act like you're not part of the problem, Dazai!"

The tension between them was palpable, and even the members of the ADA seemed taken aback by the sudden shift in the room's atmosphere. Atsushi, still confused, looked to Kunikida for clarification, but Kunikida's face was as unreadable as ever.

Ranpo smirked from his corner of the room. "Interesting. So, you two were partners in the past? Makes sense why you bicker so much."

Mori continued, ignoring the tension between the two. "Yes, Soukoku has been a valuable asset to the Port Mafia in the past, and I believe their skills will be crucial in taking down this new threat. The Crimson Dawn is no ordinary organization. Their leader remains hidden, and they've already proven themselves capable of operating in the shadows. We'll need both brains and raw power for this mission, and there's no better combination than Dazai and Chuuya."

Kunikida frowned, clearly unhappy about the idea of relying on Dazai's past with the Port Mafia. "Are you sure it's wise to involve Dazai in this? He hasn't been with the Mafia in years."

Mori chuckled softly. "Oh, I'm sure. Dazai may have left the Port Mafia, but some bonds run deeper than titles, don't they?"

Dazai, still seated, finally turned to face the group. His usual playful smile was gone, replaced by a more serious expression. "Let's just get this over with. The sooner we deal with this Crimson Dawn, the sooner I can go back to being a lazy, good-for-nothing detective."

Chuuya, though still clearly frustrated, nodded. "Yeah, whatever. Just don't drag me down, Dazai."

The rest of the meeting was spent discussing plans and strategies, though the tension between the ADA and Port Mafia never quite dissipated. It was an uneasy alliance, one that relied on old partnerships and fragile trust.

As the meeting wrapped up, Mori's parting words hung in the air. "Remember, everyone. We're dealing with a threat that could change the entire balance of power in Yokohama. Soukoku will lead this mission, but we all have our roles to play. Success depends on all of us working together."

As the groups began to disperse, Atsushi glanced at Dazai, who was already heading for the door, Chuuya following close behind with an annoyed look on his face.

Atsushi's curiosity got the better of him. "Dazai-san, what's it like... being part of Soukoku?"

Dazai chuckled, glancing back at Atsushi with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "It's like dancing with a hurricane, Atsushi-kun. Beautiful, dangerous, and guaranteed to leave you dizzy."

Chuuya scowled, pushing past Dazai with a muttered, "Idiot."

As they headed out to prepare for the mission, the uneasy alliance between the ADA and the Port Mafia seemed fragile, but for now, both sides had a common enemy. And in the center of it all stood Dazai and Chuuya—Soukoku—ready to take on whatever came their way, even if it meant reliving the chaotic partnership they'd both tried to leave behind.

But as Dazai knew all too well, some partnerships were impossible to escape from. And this time, their success or failure would depend on their ability to trust each other again.