Bound by Obsession

Part 52

Armed Detective Agency POV

Back at the Armed Detective Agency, the mood was tense and fraught with frustration. Two days had passed since Fyodor had taken Dazai in front of their eyes, and since then, there had been no word, no sign of Dazai. The agency had been working tirelessly, combing through leads, searching for any clue to where Fyodor might have taken him, but it was like trying to find a ghost in the fog.

Kunikida paced in Fukuzawa's office, his fists clenched, jaw tight with suppressed anger. "This is unacceptable," he muttered, his voice low and filled with frustration. "We've searched everywhere, but it's like Fyodor just... disappeared with him."

Fukuzawa remained seated behind his desk, his expression as calm and unreadable as always, though his eyes betrayed the deep concern he felt. "We can't act rashly," he said quietly, though even he knew the words offered little comfort. "Fyodor is too dangerous to confront without a solid plan."

Across the room, Ranpo sat with his arms crossed, a rare frown on his face. He had been uncharacteristically quiet since Dazai's disappearance, which in itself was unsettling to the others. When Ranpo was silent, it usually meant something was deeply wrong.

"We need more information," Ranpo finally said, his voice sharper than usual. "Something we're missing. Fyodor wouldn't just take Dazai and vanish without a reason."

"But why Dazai?" Atsushi asked, unable to hide the worry in his voice. "He's targeting him specifically. And... and Dazai hasn't tried to contact us at all."

Chuuya, who had been leaning against the wall in the back, let out a low growl of frustration. He had joined forces with the ADA reluctantly after Dazai's abduction, though it had been more for personal reasons than any grand alliance. The fact that Dazai was missing ate at him, more than he'd care to admit.

"Because Fyodor's obsessed with him," Chuuya said darkly. "He doesn't just want Dazai. He wants to break him."

The words hung in the air, chilling everyone in the room. Kunikida's jaw clenched even tighter, and Atsushi looked away, unable to meet anyone's eyes.

"I don't care what it takes," Kunikida said through gritted teeth. "We'll get him back."

Fukuzawa gave a small nod, his quiet authority still intact despite the tension. "We will."