You Deserve Better (Osamu Dazai x Reader)

Chapter 34: Borne Back Ceaselessly into the Past

(Season 1, Episode 12)

It was a relief to have a slower pace. In the Agency's office, it was just Osamu, Kunikida, and me. I was relieved to have him safe by my side, but of course my worries came back when he pulled out his Guide to Suicide.

"Why are the two of us roommates?!" Atsushi shouted, referring to Kyouka, as he bursted into the office.

"We just don't have any more space," Osamu answered.

"Seriously?" The white-haired boy sighed, sinking back into his chair.

The brunette spoke as if Kyouka wasn't standing behind Atsushi. "She was happy to do it." 

"Ordered to," she corrected.

"You understand, Atsushi." Osamu waved the boy to come closer.

"No, I don't."

"Well, the poor girl has no family; she's all alone in the world. The Port Mafia might send assassins for her. You must protect her."

"I understand." The were-tiger stood up. "I'll do my best."

"That's one way to gaslight someone." I sweat dropped from the seat next to the brunette.

"Instead of messing with Atsushi, why don't you write up your report about being captured, Dazai?" Kunikida huffed.

He emitted a giggle, then adopted a serious expression. "Atsushi, I want you to write a report for me. It's going to be all about the person who placed the bounty on your head."

Atsushi almost jumped out of his seat; same with Kunikida. "You know who that is?!" 

Osamu held up a USB. "Going off the Port Mafia's records, it looks like it was the leader of an American gifted organization called The Guild."

"I thought that they were just an urban legend." The man with glasses raised a brow. "It said their key members hold positions in finance, politics, and the military, allowing them to use their vast influence for nefarious purposes. What would a group like that want with Atsushi?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I turned to face the window. "Nothing good, I assume." 

Is that a helicopter I hear? There are no landing pads anywhere around here.

Junichiro shouted, slamming the door open. "Guys, you gotta check this out!" 

***

As we dashed outside, we witnessed a helicopter making an unexpected landing on the freeway. Either this is very important, or this driver is an idiot. Out of the vehicle emerged three Americans: two men and a girl around Atsushi's age.

The tall, blonde gentleman asked to meet with the President, and we escorted him and his associates. However, we were not permitted to attend the actual meeting.

***

Resuming our previous activity, I gently pulled on the brunette's sleeve, gaining his attention.

"These guys seem sketchy."

"That's the Guild for you." He stopped to face me. "My best guess is their leader is trying to negotiate with the President, so they can take Atsushi."

"I thought so."

-The Next Morning-

Kunikida shouted as he busted the door down. "Hey, did you hear what happened?!" 

"Yeah, it's on the news."

Atsushi, Osamu, Yosano, Naomi, and I were already gazing at the screen in disbelief. A seven-story building had vanished overnight. One of the Guild's gifted members must've done this. The other day, the President had a meeting with Francis Fitzgerald, the head of the organization known for placing a bounty on my colleague. Fitzgerald sought a special business permit and nearly lost his composure when the President denied his request.

"So, that's the message," Kunikida huffed.

"No one's seen Kenji since yesterday." Junichiro mentioned, holding the boy's hat. "I'm starting to get worried."

"I bet the Guild took him," I theorized.

"So, they'll get rid of anyone, whether it's us or the Port Mafia," the brunette thought out loud.

"Junichiro, I don't want you out there on your own," the blonde man frowned. "Work with Atsushi to find Kenji. Dazai, you and (Y/n) be with me; we'll consult the President. We don't know what kind of powers they have. If you encounter them, retreat immediately."

"Right." Atsushi beamed before taking his leave.

-Not Much Later-

Atsushi, Junichiro, and Naomi were gone for a while, so Kyouka had set out for them. Once they returned, we learned of Lucy Montgomery, who had captured them with her ability, Anne of Abyssal Red. The Guild really caught us off guard.

I was finishing up my research about the building that went missing when the young girl tugged on my sleeve.

"Hey Kyouka, what's wrong?" She glanced around, as though she wished to speak without being overheard. "Would it make you feel better if we talked over there?"

I gestured towards the enclosed seating area, and she nodded in agreement, taking my hand.

Sitting down next to her, I reiterated my question. "What's wrong, Kyouka?"

"I-I saw the Boss." The purple haired girl whispered, tightly clinging to my sleeve. "I know you're ex-mafia with Dazai... so I thought you should know."

Her statement caught me off guard. She's terrified by him; I don't blame her, since I feel the same way. Drawing her into an embrace, I cradled her head close to me.

"The Agency is your home now," I comforted. "You don't have to deal with that evil man anymore."

She rested her head on my shoulder as she softly grasped my sleeves. "Thank you." 

-At Home-

Upon opening the door, I sat down to remove my shoes. Just as I was about to head to the kitchen for a snack, a tall brunette prevented me from going any further into our apartment.

"What did Kyouka say?" As usual, his words felt like an interrogation.

"I'm sorry?"

"You heard what I said, (Y/n)."

"I've talked to Kyouka multiple times today, you need to be more specific."

"Ever since you talked to Kyouka after the incident, you've been acting off." The dark look in his eyes told me his patience was running thin.

Struggling to respond, the words just wouldn't leave my lips. Osamu seized my wrist, drawing me nearer. He cradled my cheek tenderly, gazing into my (e/c) eyes.

"I'm worried about you." His thumb gently wiped away a tear that I didn't realize I shed. "Talk to me, please."

My eyes lingered on the floor. "It's Mori... Kyouka saw him during the incident with Montgomery. I know he's probably not after us, but still..."

"Shh, it's alright." The bandaged hand moved back, as Osamu pulled my head into his chest, wrapping his other arm around my torso. "Don't worry, Mori isn't a threat to us. I'll be here to protect you, my love."

Love? He hasn't called me that in years. Who knows, maybe I'm slowly getting my husband back.