Bound by Obsession

Part 14

After Fyodor's ominous departure, the warehouse remained eerily quiet. The members of the Armed Detective Agency and the Port Mafia lingered, catching their breath and processing the disturbing encounter. Dazai stood at the center, staring at the spot where Fyodor had vanished, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't shake off.

Chuuya approached him, his sharp eyes scanning Dazai's expression. "Oi, you alright? You seemed shaken back there."

Dazai's usual carefree smile flickered across his face. "Shaken? Oh, Chuuya, you know me better than that."

Chuuya frowned, knowing Dazai was masking his true emotions, but he didn't push. Instead, he huffed and turned away. "That lunatic's obsession with you is getting out of hand."

"You noticed that too, huh?" Dazai chuckled, though his eyes lacked the usual mischief. "I thought I was irresistible, but Fyodor's attention is starting to feel a bit... possessive."

"That's not funny!" Chuuya snapped, fists clenched. "You keep brushing it off, but you know Fyodor's dangerous. He won't stop until he has you, one way or another."

Dazai's smile faded, his gaze softening as he looked at Chuuya. "I know. But I'll never join him. Not after everything I've built here, with you all."

Chuuya's face flushed slightly, and he turned away with a muttered, "Idiot." But Dazai could sense the underlying concern in his partner's tone, and it made something warm stir in his chest.

As the group began to regroup, Yosano approached with a stern look. "We need to strategize. Fyodor's playing a bigger game than we anticipated, and we can't afford to be caught off guard again."

Mori, who had been observing the situation quietly, nodded. "The Port Mafia will assist. This threat is bigger than just one side. It's time we work together."

The ADA and PM members exchanged wary glances, knowing the rivalry between their organizations was still fresh. But with Fyodor looming as a common enemy, they had little choice.

Kunikida cleared his throat. "We'll need a coordinated effort. Fyodor's unpredictable, and his ability to manipulate people means we have to be cautious."

Mori smirked. "That's why we have Soukoku. Dazai and Chuuya will lead the charge."

Chuuya scoffed. "Of course. Leave it to us to clean up this mess."

Dazai merely shrugged, his playful demeanor returning. "Well, we are the best at what we do."

"Just don't get yourself killed," Kunikida muttered under his breath.

As plans were being made, Dazai felt a lingering unease gnawing at him. Fyodor's words echoed in his mind: You belong with me. It wasn't just an empty threat—it felt like a promise, one that Dazai knew Fyodor intended to keep.

The day wore on, and eventually, they were dismissed to prepare for the next move. Dazai lingered, staring out at the night sky, deep in thought. As the cool breeze swept over him, he found himself walking toward the bridge that spanned over Yokohama's shimmering waters.

He paused at the edge, leaning against the railing as he gazed down at the reflection of the city lights. The silence of the night felt heavy, and for the first time in a while, Dazai allowed himself to think without distraction. His mind wandered to the memories of Fyodor, back when they were young and the world had felt simpler, though even then, Fyodor had been consumed by his dangerous ideals.

What if he's right? The thought crept into Dazai's mind before he could stop it. What if I'm more like him than I'd like to admit?

But then he remembered the people he had chosen to stand with—the ADA, Chuuya, even Mori—and the warmth of those connections grounded him. He wasn't alone, and that was something Fyodor could never understand.

Tomorrow was dorm inspection day, and Dazai knew he had to be ready. With a deep breath, he pushed off the railing and made his way back to his dorm.

The next morning, Dazai woke up early, determined to make his dorm spotless. He meticulously organized everything, making it look like he had just moved in. His mystery books were arranged neatly on the shelves, his guitar rested against the wall, and his kitchen was pristine. He smiled to himself, knowing that he was always good at hiding what he didn't want others to see.

By the time Yosano arrived with the other ADA members for inspection, Dazai was lounging casually on his bed, flipping through one of his books.

Yosano raised an eyebrow as she entered. "Well, well, Dazai, I didn't expect you to be so tidy."

Dazai flashed a grin. "I'm full of surprises, Yosano-sensei."

As she walked through the small kitchen area, Yosano's eyes widened at the sight of the alcohol collection. "Is that... vodka? And sake? And... is that crab?"

Dazai laughed lightly. "I like to drink on the weekends. And as for the crab, well, it's my favorite food."

The others who had followed her into the dorm looked shocked. Atsushi blinked in surprise. "You... you like crab?"

Kunikida sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "How is it that you surprise us every time, Dazai?"

Yosano continued her inspection, spotting some insomnia tablets on the counter. "Insomnia, huh?" she asked, her tone turning concerned.

Dazai waved it off. "Just some trouble sleeping from time to time. Nothing to worry about."

Before they could ask more questions, Dazai picked up his guitar and began strumming a few notes. The soft melody filled the room, surprising his teammates yet again.

"You play guitar too?" Tanizaki asked, his mouth slightly agape.

Dazai smirked, never missing a beat. "Just a hobby in my free time."

As Yosano finished her inspection, the ADA members left the dorm with a mixture of admiration and confusion. Dazai, as always, was an enigma wrapped in a mystery, and even now, they found it difficult to unravel all his secrets.

But as Dazai watched them leave, his mind drifted back to Fyodor's words. No matter how well he hid behind his smiles and tricks, the shadow of Fyodor's influence still lingered. And somewhere deep inside, Dazai knew the next confrontation was inevitable.