Bound by Obsession

Part 60

Chuuya's POV

I couldn't take it anymore. The sight of Dazai standing there, broken and submissive, shattered something inside me. I felt like I was losing him all over again, and it hurt more than I could bear. I turned away, fists clenched tightly as I fought back the tears threatening to spill.

"Dazai, I..." I choked out, the words catching in my throat. "I can't just watch you stay here. This isn't you."

But as I left the kitchen, I felt an overwhelming sense of defeat. No matter how hard I tried to pull him back into the light, he seemed trapped in a darkness that I couldn't penetrate. My heart ached with the weight of that truth, and it felt like I was abandoning him all over again.

As I stepped into the cool air outside, I leaned against the wall of the mansion, trying to steady my breathing. Each inhale was sharp, filled with the bitter taste of despair. My mind raced with thoughts of Dazai, of what he must be feeling—of the helplessness and hopelessness that had taken root in him.

"Chuuya?" Rampo's voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see him approaching, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?"

"Do I look okay?" I snapped, wiping my eyes angrily. "We just lost Dazai. He's not the same anymore, and I can't—"

Rampo stepped closer, his expression softening. "Hey, it's okay. You're not alone in this."

"What do you know about it?" I shot back, my voice cracking. "You didn't see him. He's... he's so different."

Rampo paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I felt the same way when Poe rejected me," he admitted quietly, his gaze distant. "It was like I was lost in a fog, not knowing what to do next."

My anger faded slightly, replaced by confusion. "But you got over it, didn't you?" I asked, trying to understand.

"Not really," Rampo replied, his eyes searching mine. "It took time. And I had to confront my feelings, accept that I couldn't change how someone felt about me. But I learned to find strength in that, to move forward instead of getting stuck in the past."

"Yeah, well, it's different for me," I muttered, feeling frustration bubble up again. "Dazai isn't just some guy I liked. He's... he's my best friend, and I don't know how to help him when he's so far gone."

Rampo stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Chuuya, listen. You care about him deeply. That means something. Even if it feels hopeless right now, you can't give up on him. He needs you."

I looked away, feeling the weight of his words. "What if he doesn't want my help?" I whispered. "What if he's happier with Fyodor?"

Rampo shook his head. "I don't believe that. Dazai might seem okay with it now, but it's all a facade. You know him better than anyone. He's not meant to be caged. He needs someone to remind him of that."

His words sank in, slowly unraveling the tight knot of anxiety in my chest. "What if I can't get through to him?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if he's too far gone?"

"He's not," Rampo reassured, squeezing my shoulder gently. "You just need to keep trying. We can't let him slip away without a fight."