Bound by Obsession

Part 34

The joint meeting between the Armed Detective Agency and the Port Mafia was tense, as always. The stark contrast between the two groups created an atmosphere of distrust, but with Dazai missing, neither side had any choice but to cooperate. Mori sat at the head of the table, calm and calculating as always, while Kunikida stood rigid, his frustration barely contained.

Chuuya leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes dark with anger and concern. He had been restless ever since Dazai disappeared, especially after they had seen him at Fyodor's mansion. He couldn't understand why Dazai had stayed, why he hadn't tried to escape.

Kunikida cleared his throat, addressing the room. "It's been a week, and we're no closer to figuring out why Fyodor has Dazai or what his intentions are. We need answers, and we need them now."

Ranpo, who had been silent throughout the beginning of the meeting, finally spoke up, his voice calm but deliberate. "It's obvious, isn't it? Fyodor hasn't harmed Dazai because he has feelings for him."

The entire room froze.

"What?" Chuuya's voice cut through the silence, his expression one of disbelief. "Fyodor has feelings for Dazai? That's insane."

Ranpo leaned back in his chair, his usual laid-back demeanor making the revelation seem almost casual. "Think about it. Fyodor's known for being ruthless, for eliminating anyone who stands in his way without a second thought. Yet, Dazai has been with him for over a week, and he hasn't suffered a single injury. In fact, from what we observed at the mansion, he seems... comfortable."

Kunikida's brow furrowed. "You're saying Fyodor—someone as dangerous as him—has spared Dazai out of some twisted sense of affection?"

"Yes," Ranpo said confidently. "It's the only explanation that makes sense. Fyodor could have killed Dazai or tortured him like he does to others. But he hasn't. He's keeping him close, and that's not because Dazai is useful to him in a typical sense."

Chuuya's fists clenched, his mind racing. "So, what? Fyodor's in love with Dazai?" His voice dripped with disbelief, though beneath it all, there was a flicker of something else—something that unsettled him.

Mori, who had been silent until now, let out a low chuckle. "It wouldn't be surprising. Dazai is quite... captivating. But the question remains: what does Fyodor plan to do with Dazai now that he has him?"

Yosano, who had been listening quietly, spoke up, her eyes narrowing. "If Fyodor has feelings for Dazai, it means he won't kill him. But that also means Dazai could be more vulnerable than we think. Emotional manipulation is just as dangerous as physical harm, especially with someone like Fyodor."

Kunikida nodded, his expression grim. "We can't wait any longer. If what Ranpo says is true, then Dazai is in more danger than we realized. Fyodor's obsession with him could make things even more unpredictable."

Chuuya's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. He had always known there was something complex about Dazai's relationship with Fyodor, but hearing it laid out like this—hearing that Fyodor might have feelings for him—it was almost too much to process. It made him furious. Not just at Fyodor, but at Dazai, too. Why did Dazai always attract this kind of chaos? Why did he let people like Fyodor get so close?

"We have to find him," Chuuya said, his voice tight with anger. "We can't let Fyodor keep him any longer."

Mori smiled, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and calculation. "Then it's settled. We'll work together to bring Dazai back. But be careful... this situation is more delicate than any of us realized."

As the meeting adjourned, the members of both the ADA and the Port Mafia left with a new understanding of the situation. Fyodor's feelings for Dazai added a dangerous layer to the already complicated dynamics between them all. And now, more than ever, they knew they had to act quickly—before Fyodor's obsession with Dazai spiraled further out of control.