Bound by Obsession

Part 31

Dazai woke the next morning feeling more conflicted than ever. The weight of his emotions, caught between Fyodor's manipulative charm and Chuuya's unwavering loyalty, had left him restless. He knew that the ADA and PM were watching him closely, but they didn't understand the depth of his internal struggle. Every step felt like it could lead him back into the clutches of the Decay of Angels—or leave him forever tied to the ADA.

As he entered the agency's common room, he noticed the wary glances from his colleagues. Rampo, Yosano, and even Kunikida eyed him cautiously, unsure of what was going through his mind.

"Dazai," Kunikida finally said, breaking the silence. "We've been patient, but we need to know. What happened with Fyodor?"

Dazai didn't respond right away, his gaze shifting toward the window. Outside, the city was alive and buzzing, but inside, he felt trapped in the silence between his thoughts.

"Did he do something to you?" Yosano asked, stepping forward with concern in her eyes.

Dazai turned to face her, but his expression remained unreadable. "He didn't hurt me, if that's what you're asking."

Ranpo, ever the sharp observer, leaned back in his chair. "Then what did he do? You've been different ever since you came back."

Dazai sighed, running a hand through his hair. He could feel the weight of their expectations, but the truth was something he wasn't sure he could share—not fully. The time spent with Fyodor had opened up old wounds, but it had also reminded him of things he had long buried.

"He told me the truth," Dazai said quietly, surprising the room.

"The truth?" Chuuya, who had been leaning against the wall, stood up straight. "What do you mean?"

Dazai glanced at Chuuya, his eyes softening for a moment. "The truth about who I am. What I've always been."

Chuuya's frustration flared. "And what is that supposed to mean? You're Dazai. You're one of us, damn it!"

But Dazai didn't respond, his silence speaking volumes. Chuuya's words hung in the air, but they didn't reach him the way they once might have. The pull toward Fyodor, the connection that he couldn't fully understand, tugged at him even now.

Meanwhile, in Fyodor's Mansion

In the darkened halls of Fyodor's mansion, the man himself stood by a grand window, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked out over the expansive estate. The mansion felt emptier without Dazai's presence, and that realization infuriated him more than anything.

"He's not staying with them," Fyodor muttered, his eyes narrowing. "He's only with them because he feels like he has no other choice."

Nikolai, lounging lazily on the sofa, chuckled at Fyodor's frustration. "So what's your plan, dear leader? You've already let him go once. What now?"

Fyodor turned sharply, his eyes cold. "I'll get him back. He may think he can stay with them, but deep down, he knows where he belongs. He'll return."

"And if he doesn't?" Nikolai teased, though there was a dark undertone to his voice.

"He will," Fyodor said confidently. "Dazai will come back to me."

Back at the ADA

The day passed in a blur for Dazai. The ADA tried to return to their normal routine, but there was an unspoken tension that lingered in the air. Missions came and went, paperwork piled up, but the questions about Dazai's loyalty remained unanswered.

It wasn't until late that evening, as the sun began to set, that Dazai found himself alone in the common room once more. He sat by the window, staring out at the fading light, lost in thought.

Chuuya approached, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "Dazai, you can't keep doing this. You can't just disappear into your own head and leave the rest of us wondering what the hell is going on."

Dazai looked at him, his face unreadable. "I never said I belonged anywhere, Chuuya."

"That's not the point!" Chuuya snapped, his patience wearing thin. "You're not alone. Stop acting like it."

Dazai sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I wish it were that simple."

Chuuya clenched his fists, stepping closer. "You know, for someone who's always trying to act like they don't care, you sure are good at getting under everyone's skin."

Dazai offered a small, tired smile. "I suppose that's a talent of mine."

Chuuya groaned, running a hand through his hair. "You're impossible."

Before either of them could say more, the doors to the common room opened, and Kunikida entered, his expression serious. "We've got a mission. There's been suspicious activity at one of Fyodor's known locations."

Dazai and Chuuya exchanged a glance. It seemed that their confrontation with Fyodor was inevitable.

The Mission

The ADA and the PM found themselves working together again, united by the common goal of taking down an unknown organization tied to Fyodor's network. Tensions were high, especially between Chuuya and Dazai, but for now, they had to focus on the task at hand.

As they infiltrated the location, the atmosphere was tense, with every shadow and sound putting them on edge. The building was quiet, too quiet, and it didn't take long for them to realize that they weren't alone.

"Stay sharp," Kunikida ordered, his voice low.

Suddenly, a wave of enemies appeared from the shadows, and chaos erupted. The ADA and PM fought side by side, with Soukoku leading the charge. The others watched in awe as Dazai and Chuuya, despite their personal tensions, moved in perfect sync, taking down enemies with practiced precision.

"They're still the best team," Ranpo muttered, impressed despite himself.

But just as they thought they were gaining the upper hand, the room fell silent, and Fyodor appeared, his calm smile sending a shiver down everyone's spine.

"Dazai," Fyodor's voice echoed in the room, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You've had your fun playing hero. It's time to come back where you belong."

Dazai froze, his expression unreadable. The others looked to him, waiting for his response.

"No," Dazai finally said, his voice steady. "I'm not going back."

Fyodor chuckled darkly. "Oh, Dazai... you don't belong with them. You belong with me."

The room tensed, waiting for what would happen next. Dazai's heart raced as he faced Fyodor, but he didn't waver. For the first time in a long while, he knew where he stood.