Bound by Obsession

Part 62

Chuuya's POV

I watched Dazai bolt out of the kitchen, the resolve in his eyes igniting a spark of hope within me. "Dazai!" I shouted again, but he was already gone.

"Let him go," Fyodor said smoothly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You'll see him again, don't worry. He knows where he belongs."

I shot him a glare, fists clenched. "Shut up! You don't own him!"

With a final glare at Fyodor, I dashed after Dazai, my heart racing. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I chased after him, determination burning in my chest.

Dazai's POV

I ran through the winding paths of Fyodor's mansion, my heart pounding in my chest. I needed to escape, to find some semblance of peace. I had to break away from Fyodor's grasp, even if just for a moment.

As I dashed through the door and into the night, I was struck by the beauty of the moonlit garden surrounding the mansion. But I didn't stop. I kept moving, pushing my legs to run faster, my breath coming in sharp gasps.

Suddenly, I spotted a figure in the distance. It was Rampo, leaning against his car, looking surprisingly calm amidst the chaos.

"Dazai!" he called out, his voice cutting through the night air. "Get in!"

Without hesitating, I rushed to the car, flinging open the door and sliding inside. Rampo didn't waste any time, speeding off down the long driveway and away from Fyodor's mansion.

"Are you okay?" Rampo asked, glancing at me from the rearview mirror. "What happened back there?"

"I don't know," I replied, my voice shaky. "I just... I couldn't stay there anymore."

He nodded, a serious expression on his face. "We'll figure it out. Just hang in there."

Meanwhile, Back at the ADA HQ

Chuuya watched Dazai disappear into the night, frustration boiling within him. He wanted to reach out, to pull him back, but he knew the battle was far from over.

"Chuuya," Rampo's voice broke through his thoughts, snapping him back to reality. "We have to regroup. If Dazai's gone, we need to plan our next move."

"Right," Chuuya replied, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "But we can't let Fyodor take him again."

Later, at a Cozy Café

After a tense car ride, Rampo and I ended up at a small café on the outskirts of the city. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with the smell of fresh pastries wafting through the air. I felt a flicker of comfort for the first time in days.

"Let's sit," Rampo suggested, leading the way to a cozy corner table. He seemed unbothered by the chaos we had just escaped.

As I took a seat, I realized how much I needed this moment. I needed to breathe, to think. "Thanks for coming to get me," I murmured, grateful for his presence.

"Of course. You're my friend," he replied with a soft smile. "We'll figure this out together."

While I looked at the menu, something caught my eye—a dessert special. "Do you like sweets?" I asked, curiosity piquing.

"Only when I can find something worth eating," Rampo said playfully, his eyes glinting mischievously. "But I have a sweet tooth. What about you?"

"I do too," I admitted, feeling a warmth spreading through me. "Especially chocolate."

"Then we definitely have to order something chocolatey," Rampo said with enthusiasm. "I'm sure they have something amazing here."

As we ordered a decadent chocolate cake to share, I felt a strange sense of normalcy returning. The chaos of the past few days began to fade, if only for a moment.

"Chuuya?" Rampo's voice broke through my thoughts again, bringing me back to the present. "I'm really glad you're safe."

"Thanks," I said, my heart swelling with gratitude. "I didn't want to lose Dazai, but I also don't want to lose you."

A moment of silence hung between us, and I felt a flicker of understanding pass through the air. We both needed each other, and in that moment, I could see the possibility of something more forming between us.

As They Wait for Dessert

Rampo looked at me with a serious expression. "You know, you've always been there for Dazai. But you also deserve to take care of yourself."

"I just... I can't help but feel responsible," I admitted, glancing down at my hands. "He's been through so much."

Rampo reached across the table, placing his hand over mine. "You can't shoulder everything alone, Chuuya. You have to let others help you."

In that simple gesture, I felt a connection blooming. Rampo's hand felt warm against mine, grounding me in the moment. It was unexpected, but it felt right.

"Thanks, Rampo," I said softly, looking up to meet his gaze. "It means a lot."

"Anytime," he replied, a gentle smile spreading across his face.

Just as our desserts arrived, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Perhaps amidst the chaos and the pain, I could find solace here—with Rampo by my side.

Little did I know, this moment was only the beginning of a deeper connection that would blossom between us, one that would help both of us heal from our wounds.

Back at Fyodor's Mansion

While I was having this moment with Rampo, Fyodor was plotting his next move. He knew Dazai's connection with Chuuya ran deep, and he would do anything to keep Dazai within his reach. The game was far from over, and with each passing day, he grew more determined to break Dazai completely.

But in the quiet of that café, hope flickered in the darkness.