Bsd meets beast Bsd

Chapter 40 (Chapter 4 part 2 in the novel)

A dry wind blew through Yokohama. Akutagawa's overcoat gently flutteredin the morning breeze. 

"There you are, Akutagawa. Aren't you cold?" asked Oda after climbingup onto the agency's dormitory rooftop.

 "A new job came our way thismorning. Our client wants us to rein in a group of armed bank robbers." 

"Seriously? Bank robbers?" Tachihara asked. 

Standing at the edge of the rooftop, Akutagawa replied without turningaround. 

"How many are we up against?"

 "A hundred and eighty men." 

"From where the hell did Hundred and eighty robbers turn up from?" Chuuya asked. 

" 'A hundred and eighty'?" Akutagawa naturally turned around then."That's not an armed robbery. That's an armed occupation. What are theyplanning on doing? Creating a sovereign state around the bank?"

"Oh wow, Akutagawa learned sarcasm." Dazai said looking proud.

 "I was thinking the same thing," replied Oda with his usual unbotheredexpression. "It's a government financial institution with a mint. The perpsare after the banknotes' original plates and printer, and we were personallyrequested to stop them." 

"I see." 

There wasn't a single soul in the neighborhood who didn't know thesetwo by now. Master and pupil—the agency's elite detectives Oda andAkutagawa boasted extraordinary power, accuracy, and speed. They werethe perfect combat unit, in part thanks to Oda keeping Akutagawa in checkwhenever he let himself get out of control and put himself in danger. Boththe city and military police had a lot of faith in their abilities.They would most likely be able to finish this case before lunch.

"They make a good pair." Dazai said with a slight sad expression.

 "Let's go."As Oda began climbing off the roof, he noticed that Akutagawa was stillgazing at the city.

 "What's wrong?" 

Akutagawa's eyes were focused on the never-ending wave of buildingsthat continued into the horizon. A city built by people—people who wouldlive their truths, multiply, and eventually die.Akutagawa looked over the cityscape, narrowed his eyes, and said:

 "Even if this world is but a fleeting shadow..." 

"Oh god he started speaking philosophy." Tachihara said groaning. 

"What?"

 "Nothing." 

Akutagawa shook his head and averted his gaze from thecityscape. 

"It's nothing." 

Even if this world is but a fleeting shadow, the lives here are real.Gin, the detective agency, me, the peculiar feelings of heartache andbewilderment I feel whenever I think about this world—everything hereexists for certain. They are not shadows.Gin was spared from execution. There was never even any plan toexecute her in the first place. However, she disappeared right after the dustsettled because she cannot return to my side. I have to find her.But I'm in no rush. After all, she would simply reject me once more if Iwent desperately searching for her in a frenzy again. 

"I'm telling this once again. She's stupid and she's missing out on a wonderful brother." Gin said latching herself onto Beast Akutagawa.

Gin believes shecannot be by my side, but I will prove her wrong next time—I'm sure of it.That is why I am a detective. I solve cases, produce results, and save theweak. I will prove that I am not evil. I don't know if I can do it. In allhonesty, I'm not confident I can prove anything. But nobody knows what thefuture holds.The future—in the not-so-distant future, this world may cease to exist.But not just yet.We both harbor a beast. 

We have regrets. We try desperately to run fromthe inescapable. But nonetheless, we will fight and resist our inevitableextinction in order to understand who we really are.Perhaps we will discover a sinister beast that takes pleasure inslaughtering its enemies and soaking its jaws in their blood. Or perhaps wewill find a guardian within, standing quietly and protecting the world.Who knows which one we will find, but it's worth giving it a try. If, likethe detectives said, I am able to find the version of me that is good, maybethat will be the day my sister finally returns to me. Or maybe that will bethe day I attain peace... 

"That is actually an admirable goal in life. Never forget who you are on the way to attaining it." Oda said tapping Akutagawa on his back.

Until he takes his sister back—takes his life back—and becomes human,this howling dog whose emotions lie beyond his control will keep onrunning. 

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A/N- WE'RE FINALLY DONE WITH THE BOOK GUYS!!! I'M SO HAPPY RN