ephemeral |o. dazai|

II

The two sat in the cafe below the office. Dazai watched as [Name] plopped a couple marshmallows into her hot chocolate, staring at the snow falling out the window, covering everything in a soft blanket of white. There was a faraway look in her eyes as they focused on the nothingness in the streets below. She glanced at him quickly. "There's a light in your eyes." Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Hm?" Dazai asked, pretending not to hear as he took a sip of his whiskey.

"I said it's a nice day outside." A rehearsed smile stretched across her lips. Dazai looked outside at the snow. No one was outside and the sky was covered in a bleak grey. "But I suppose it's only because I like snow," she added with a soft laugh. [Name] leaned back on her seat. "I see you've still got those ridiculous bandages on."

"Well, at least they look better than Chuuya's hat," he responded, looking back at her. [Name] hummed lightly.

"Not really, though." Dazai acted offended by her words, putting a hand to his chest.

"How dare you? They're not that bad!" [Name] raised a brow at his theatrical response before chuckling, shaking her head. Another silence followed as [Name] avoided looking him directly in the eye. She stared out the window again as Dazai leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Let's stop beating 'round the bush, shall we?" His tone had changed to a far more demanding one. [Name] put more marshmallows in her drink. "Where did you go after Tokyo?" She let out a soft laugh, one that sounded staged.

"Yokohama, like you," she responded, pulling her mug close to her chest.

"You know that's not what I mean." She shifted her gaze to her mug. "You left without a word. Your sudden disappearance meant more work for me as your supervisor." [Name] bit her lip before looking at him, a teasing smile on her face with slight embarrassment.

"Oops?" He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. What was he expecting? He took another swig of his beverage.

"Well, what were you doing for the past two years?" He questioned. [Name]'s eyes darted back to the window and he watched as she tightened her grip on the cup before turning back to him. For the first time that day, she looked him in the eyes. An apologetic smile graced her rosy lips but her [eye colour] eyes gazing emptily, almost painfully even, at his.

"I...don't know, actually," she answered with a nervous scratch of her cheek. At first Dazai thought that was her brushing the question off, but then he realised it wasn't a lie. "I just sort of wasted them." She placed her cup down on the table, wrapping her arms around her stomach, as if she was trying to hug herself for some warmth. "Anyway, what about you? Are you still suicidal? Did you take a lover? What's the story?" [Name]'s voice was quick and upbeat, as if she was trying to desperately get rid of any lingering awkward silence.

"I just changed sides, nothing else," Dazai informed. [Name] frowned at that.

"You're pretty handsome, sir. You should date someone before your looks shrivel up." Dazai attentively twirled his hair between his fingers, as if he was inspecting it to confirm her statement.

"You think so? I'm not planning to live that long though." [Name] blinked in remembrance before shrugging. "What about you? Got someone special yet?"

"No way, no way," [Name] answered, waving him off. "I'm not that dateable." Dazai was about to respond when she stood up. "Anyway, I've got better things to worry about than a beau. See you." She gave him a small wave.

He watched her leave, a small sigh leaving his lips. That feeling was there again. The feeling they were treading around something without addressing it. She changed. It had been two years, it would be ridiculous if she hadn't, but it seemed like something else. Something that seemed like an unwilling change. He looked at the hot chocolate that was still filled to the brim. She didn't even drink her sickly sweet beverage.

That evening, [Name] returned to the office. She hung her coat up and walked over to her desk, not sparing a glance in either direction. Her eyelids drooped as she ran a hand through her hair, sighing. Light bruises decorated her knuckles and hands, barely peeking out of the bandages, and there were bruises on her cheeks. He rolled his chair up to her, tilting his head. She looked at him, flashing him a quick smile before going back to her work. "What happened?"

"Nothing," [Name] responded. Dazai frowned, leaning forward to inspect her closely. She glanced up at him, confusion evident on her features. "Is something wrong?" Ah, she's not going to tell him anything. Dazai shook his head, smiling politely.

"Nothing, nothing. It's just you seem more bruised than before." [Name] stiffened before letting out a brisk laugh.

"Are you okay, sir? You're imagining things," she said with a light, ringing voice.

"Hm, you think so?" He turned to Ranpo, who was sitting there, watching the ordeal with interest. "Ranpo, what do you think?" He stared at the two before spinning around and facing the other way.

"Don't get me involved!" He ordered. [Name] threw Dazai a triumphant smirk before turning back to her work.

The rest of the work day went without anything eventful happening. Kunikida came back and informed everyone of the current affairs (not that Dazai was listening), and, aside from small banter here and there, not much else was exchanged between [Name] and Dazai.

As she excused herself, leaving the premises for the day, Dazai noticed Ranpo staring at her before quickly turning to him. "So?" The brunet arched a brow. "It's clear the two of you have a history, and it's clear somethings made things between you two very awkward. I have an idea of what it is, but I'd prefer you telling me," Ranpo stated, munching his sweets as he looked up at the taller male expectantly.

"Nothing of note happened, we just worked together before." Ranpo watched the male, clearly aware that that was a half-assed answer. Sighing he turned away on his seat, putting his legs up.

"You two are like birds of a feather. It's annoying!" Dazai tilted his head in a bemused manner. As far as he was aware, they weren't that alike. He'd like to think he was a lot easier to talk to than her.

After saying his goodbyes, Dazai had left the agency. He stared up at the clouded night sky as he walked home, the city bustling around him. A small smile ghosted his lips as he thought back to the events of the day. Sure, nothing much happened but it was rather interesting nonetheless. [Name] returning after two years and actually doing work assigned to her. [Name], the sugar addict, not finishing her diabetic drink. He let out a small sigh, watching it turn into a small cloud in front of him before disappearing. One thing was clear about this "new" [Name]. She was a liar.