Call Out My Name • Dazai Osamu ✔

｢09/31｣

9. "Whenever you're darkened by sadness and your tears overflow..."

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"I'm baaaaaack." A drowsy voice moans as soon as the door flies wide open.

I turn off the stove and motion for Dazai to come over.

"Just what I need." His voice is full of relief, when I hand him a cup of coffee. Taking a sip, he takes in a deep inhale.

"I wonder why I'm an idiot." He wonders out loud. He slowly sets the cup on the counter and takes off his coat.

I don't see any bruises on him, but from the way his trench coat was dirty, I could tell Akiko had done some beating up. And maybe used her ability afterwards to heal him.

"She gave me a glass of liquor in the end."

No kidding.

"Here, let me help." I take his coat from him, and he slams his head on the counter.

It takes me a moment to process what he did.

"Dazai, what is wrong with you?" I slap his head softly. This earns a wide-eyed expression from the brown-haired 22 year old.

"Why are you scolding me too?" He moans in reply. He puts a heavily bandaged hand over his head. Not lifting up his head, he tilts the cup and takes another sip.

"Who would've thought the two would team up just to get candy? I don't really blame you. But you did go ahead and peeped, even though you know what kind of a person Akiko is."

"You can kick anyone's butt if you learn from her." He states. "Wah, the coffee ran out. Can I get seconds?"

I smile to myself. It has been only 24 hours since I met Dazai, but it was easy to tell what would go around in his mind.

In some cases, such as this. But half the time...

Half the time, the guy amazes me.

I pour some more of the extra coffee I had prepared for him, just in case he'd have a breakdown.

"She went on to beat the crap out of me. Listen, Kira-chan, don't ever, ever get hurt again, and if you do, make sure you come out unconscious. Because she's a horror to see when you're awake."

"I'll keep that in mind." I let him know with a smile. "Now come on, you need your rest."

I help him get up and he walks to the bed.

"Wait, futon..."

"It's okay. Lie down."

Dazai makes a face in reply.

"Now."

"Kira-chan, you're stingy." He says, and lies on the bed. I pick up his duvet and wrap it over him.

"Now sleep well, you'll probably feel better when you wake up." I pat his head. I'm taken aback when I see that he has a high fever.

Oh Lord, what has this poor man gone through?

Taking out my duvet and putting it on him as well, I get out of my room.

Akiko must be asleep by now. I should just head to the nearest pharmacy.

Do I even know my way around?

After ten minutes, I am lost.

What a pathetic loser.

"Oi, what the heck are you doing?" A familiar voice rasps. I am almost too scared to turn around.

"You. Yeah, you. Black hair girl. Rain girl"

Seriously, what the hell?
I turn around and see Akutagawa standing in the middle of the road. It is a chilly night, a very, chilly night. Because of the strong wind, the guys' black trench coat is moving around wildly. It was actually a sight to see, to be honest.

But I had bigger things to worry about. Like how I had no back up and asking Dazai for help is totally out of the line.

I decide to go for the unthinkable.

"Uh, could you tell me where the closest pharmacy is?"

"Huuuuuh?" Akutagawa's face is scrunched up, as if he can't believe his ears.

I wouldn't really blame him.

"Er, my friend is really sick. I need to buy some medicine for him. I thought you could help, maybe."

The boy in front of me raises an eyebrow. I'm pretty sure he had figured out that I am the biggest lunatic he has ever met, in his how-many-long-years of lifetime.

Whatever he is thinking aside, Akutagawa hesitates, and puts both his hands in his pocket. He then begins to walk towards me.

Wait, is this an attack? Should I use my ability right now?

I lift both my hands up as a mean of defense.

"Weak people everywhere." He hisses.

Only when he passes me do I find out that he's not walking towards me, but away from me.

"Isn't your friend sick now? What the heck are you doing, sticking around there?" He calls out.

Wait, what?

I run up to him and stand to feet away from him.

"Y-You're going to show me directions?"

"Shut up."

Good lord, it's a relief I didn't use my abilities just now.

"Aren't you going to kill me right now? I mean, I am at my most weak point right now." I say in a thoughtful tone.

"I don't go around doing reckless things without orders, like you lot in that namesake Agency. I have no interest to kill you, and I don't expect you to die. You're gonna be useful for the port mafia." He completes his sentence before letting out a little cough.

"You're a nice guy." I state. This makes the boy turn away.

"You can call me Kira." I say. "I'm 19. What about you?"

"Why do I have to tell you about myself when you're clearly a rival? And get lost, there's the pharmacy." He points to his left, and I see a sign that reads 'Local Drugstore 19'.

"Damn, you're rude as hell but you're not a bad guy. Well then I'll take off!" I say, walking to the drugstore's door. Akutagawa turns back and starts to walk away.

"The next time you try to attack me..." I start. The boy stops walking, but does not turn around.

"I'll see you then." I say. I am unable to know what expression he makes. He stifles a cough and then walks off.

Was that really the same person who tore my intestines in half today?

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