The Three Sided War

Ch.7 This Is War

"Wait!"

Kunikida pushes up his glasses before facing me.

"Why are you going through other people's desks?"

"Because I was bored. When I'm bored, I go through Dazai-san and Atsushi's desks to find entertainment."

"You go through my desk too?" Atsushi questions me.

I nod my head.

"Have you ever went through my desk?" Ranpo asks me.

"No."

He narrows his eyes at me while slowly hiding his candy.

"It's true! I've only went through Dazai-san and my brother's desks. No one else's."

"I have no problem with it." Dazai smiles.

"Honestly, I don't mind either."

A smirk suddenly fills my face.

"I might have forgot to mention I went Kuniki-san's desk once...maybe four times..."

"You did what?! Did you take anything?"

"No...yes."

I hold up his "Ideals" journal as I giggle.

"How'd you-"

"Very good, Ori-chan~." Dazai praises me as he walks up and pats my head.

"Don't praise that kind of behavior! Girl, give me back-"

"I didn't know you were just as detailed with your future children as you are with your women. It's even worse."

I was now sitting on the podium, reading his journal.

"Let me see."

Dazai leans over my shoulder to read with me.

"Will you idiots focus!"

Kunikida stomps up to us and snatches his journal away.

"Aw~." Dazai and I both whine.

"You took it right at the good part~." Dazai sighs.

"We could be potentially at war here, people! We don't have time to worship fake gods, eat drugged candy, and talk about going through people's desk. By the way, I'm locking mine for now on."

"Why do you think I'm doing this?" I asked.

My playful mood was replaced by a serious one.

"Because you like fooling-"

"It's because I want you all to relax and not stress over The Guild. I know them very well. None of you will have to worry about them if you just leave them to me. That way, you can focus on the Port Mafia."

"Shiori, you don't have to deal with The Guild alone." Tanizaki speaks up.

"That's right. We all fight together." Kenji smiles.

"I don't want any of you to get hurt. It's better if I face off with them alone."

"You shouldn't think like that. You're part of the Armed Detective Agency, a team. Teams work together. You should remember that. Besides, you know we all can handle whatever is thrown at us. We won't easily die." Yosano looks towards me.

"She's right, you know."

All of us looks towards the owner of that voice. The director walks down the aisle towards us.

"We fight together. That way we'll be strong enough to defend ourselves. Understand?"

"...Yes, Director." I answered.

"Good. Listen, all."

He stops walking once he reaches us.

"The Port Mafia seeks to eradicate the Agency. The Guild seeks to usurp the Agency. We must protect the Agency from those two foes. Dazai, Shiori, explain."

"Of course, sir." Dazai answered. "The guild has substantial financial assets, and the Port Mafia has the numerical advantage. So, Shiori and I came up with a plan earlier today."

"We split into two teams." I speak up. "A defensive one, and a offensive one. Then we'll engage in guerrilla tactics."

"The critical goal for the defense is to protect Yosano-sensei here." Dazai continues. "With her healing ability, as long as we don't die outright, we will be cured of any injury."

"The defense team will consist of the director, Ranpo-san, Yosano-san, and Kenji. The offense will split into two teams. Team A will be Kunikida-san, and Tanizaki. Team B will be Dazai-san and my brother."

"The crux of this strategy is to keep our base of operations hidden. If our enemies were to hit us here with everything they have, our defense would not hold."

Dazai smiles as he said that last part. The director thinks as he closes his eyes.

"I see..."

"Wait. What about you, Shiori?" Tanizaki asks.

"We sent Naomi and Haruno-san to a safe place earlier today, correct?"

"Yeah, they're safe in one of the Agency's houses." Kunikida answered.

"I'll be heading to them tonight. I'll stay there to keep them safe. I'll also be gathering information and monitoring all the organizations progresses during that time. So I'll update everyone anytime something big happens."

"Monitoring?" Atsushi tilts his head.

"...I'll be hacking around The Guild and Port Mafia's systems, using some disposable laptops."

"I didn't know you could do that."

"...I learned it when I was eight. I'm not proud of the way I learned, nor by the man who taught me. But, that was a very long time ago. So, don't think too much of it. I'll also be proving any information you need on The Guild, so call me anytime. Even if it's dead at night, I don't care."

"..."

Feeling eyes on me, I sneak a peak to the person standing next to me. Dazai looks back towards the director.

What was that about?

...Actually, I might know. Dazai doesn't know anything about my life before the Port Mafia. All he knows, or thinks he knows, is that I killed my parents and wondered around for three years before joining the Port Mafia. Those three years between my ages of seven and ten are unknown. And I'm glad they are. But, what would the Agency think of me if they found out?

The director begins to speak once again.

"Only one of the three organizations can survive. Our only course of action is to fight! It'll be a three-way gifted war!"

So war it is then...? Okay. I'll make sure to use everything I know about The Guild and the Port Mafia to make the Agency come out on top.

That's a promise.