Bound by Obsession

Part 22

As the team arrived at the outskirts of the mansion, the atmosphere grew tense. The grand estate loomed in the distance, isolated and shrouded in the evening mist, an ominous reminder of who lived there. Chuuya's heart raced as they approached the edge of the property. The others stayed a few paces behind, keeping low and hidden in the shadows. They were ready for anything—except the sight they were about to witness.

From one of the balconies high above, a familiar figure stood still, leaning casually against the stone railing. Dazai. His expression, however, wasn't the playful or aloof one they were used to seeing. Instead, he seemed lost in thought, staring down at the gardens below, his eyes distant and almost melancholic. He hadn't noticed them yet, too deep in whatever contemplation had gripped him.

As the group watched from their hidden position, Dazai, lost in his thoughts, seemed entirely unaware of their presence. He stared out at the scenery for a moment longer before silently turning away from the balcony and disappearing back into the mansion. Chuuya's breath caught, frustration gnawing at him—Dazai had been right there, within reach, and yet they hadn't made a move.

As Dazai stepped away from the balcony and headed downstairs, the Port Mafia and Armed Detective Agency members, hidden outside, continued to watch. Their eyes followed his every move, trying to make sense of what was unfolding inside the mansion.

Chuuya's frustration was palpable as he watched Dazai disappear from view. "He's just... walking around like nothing's wrong," he muttered, his teeth gritted. "What the hell is he thinking?"

Ranpo, crouched nearby, frowned as he observed the scene. "Something's off. He's too calm, even for Dazai."

Inside the mansion, Dazai made his way down the elegant staircase, his steps slow and deliberate. His mind wandered, replaying the week he'd spent here with Fyodor. It had been... familiar, almost too familiar. The days passed like they had when they were kids, filled with chess games, late-night conversations, and that unspoken tension between them. But tonight, he couldn't shake the weight in his chest.

He had forgotten his insomnia pills, and sleep felt like a distant possibility. As he descended into the grand hall, his thoughts were interrupted by the soft voice of Fyodor.

"You couldn't sleep, Dazai?" Fyodor's voice was calm, almost soothing, as he appeared from the shadows, standing at the bottom of the staircase, waiting for Dazai.

Outside, Chuuya's hands twitched as he saw Fyodor approach. His instincts screamed at him to storm the place, but he was stuck. "Damn it. What's he doing with that bastard?"

"Calm down," Kunikida said, his voice steady but tense. "We need to see where this is going."

Dazai met Fyodor's gaze as he reached the bottom of the stairs, his expression unreadable as always. "I suppose I'm not used to sleeping in luxury anymore," he said lightly, his voice carrying that familiar playful tone, though something lingered beneath it.

Fyodor smiled softly, stepping closer. "You've always had trouble sleeping, haven't you?"

Chuuya's eyes widened as he saw the interaction. "Why is he letting Fyodor talk to him like that?" His voice was filled with barely controlled rage. "He's supposed to hate that guy."

Ranpo didn't respond immediately, but his sharp eyes were locked on the two inside. "It's more complicated than that," he muttered. "There's history between them."

Fyodor chuckled softly, moving even closer to Dazai, their conversation intimate. "You've changed, Dazai," Fyodor murmured. "But some things about you stay the same."

Dazai's smile was thin as he leaned casually against the banister. "Maybe, but you know how I hate being predictable."

"Then why are you still here?" Fyodor asked, his voice dropping to a whisper, though the tension in the air was palpable even to the onlookers outside.

The ADA and PM members exchanged uneasy glances, their confusion mounting with every passing moment. Akutagawa, normally silent, spoke up, his voice low. "It looks like Dazai's not planning to leave."

Yosano frowned, watching the scene unfold. "He's talking to Fyodor like... an equal. Not an enemy."

Chuuya's heart pounded in his chest as he tried to process what he was seeing. The Dazai he knew would never let someone like Fyodor get so close. But now, they were standing just inches apart, talking like old friends.

Fyodor reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind Dazai's ear in a gesture that made Chuuya's blood boil. "You've always belonged here, Dazai," Fyodor whispered, his voice soft but filled with dangerous intent.

Outside, Chuuya's fists clenched at his sides. "That's it. I'm going in," he hissed, stepping forward.

Kunikida quickly grabbed his arm. "Don't. We don't know what's going on yet."

"What's going on is that Fyodor is manipulating him!" Chuuya shot back, his voice sharp with anger.

Ranpo's eyes never left the scene inside, but his voice was calm. "If we rush in now, we'll lose any chance of understanding what Dazai is really thinking. We need to wait."

Chuuya gritted his teeth but held back, though his entire body was tense with frustration. He watched as Fyodor leaned in closer to Dazai, their conversation continuing in hushed tones.

Dazai's voice was low, but the ADA and PM could just barely make out his next words. "You know I don't belong anywhere, Fyodor. Not the PM, not the ADA, and certainly not here."

Fyodor's smile was soft, but his eyes glinted with something darker. "You belong with me, Dazai. You've always known that."

Outside, the silence was thick with tension as Chuuya's breath hitched. The words cut deep, and the way Fyodor spoke them made his skin crawl. He wanted to scream, to barge in and drag Dazai away from that monster, but he was stuck.

Kunikida's brow furrowed as he processed the scene. "This isn't just a kidnapping. There's something deeper going on."

Chuuya's voice was strained as he watched the two figures standing so close. "We have to get him out of there. Now."

But deep down, even Chuuya couldn't ignore the unsettling truth—Dazai wasn't trying to leave. And that terrified him more than anything.