thicker than the mind | dazai o. ✓

eleven.

"My brain hurts..."

Taiyo groaned, holding her head as she came out of the president's office after getting an earful from him. Well, not that much of an earful.

Fukuzawa didn't raise his voice at his colleague. Although, he did say some phrases that may or may not be stuck in Taiyo's head for an eternity.

"Thanks a lot, Kunikida-kun." The girl whined with a husky voice, making her seem more exhausted than she actually is. "You're welcome." Kunikida said as he turned on his back and walked back to his desk to do some work.

Taiyo gave one last glare to her friend before making her way (downtown) to her own desk. 2 seats were empty— one beside her and the other just in front of her.

She took a moment to process. Who was the other one missing? If Dazai went to the bathroom, then who is beside her— oh.

That albino kid with the gorgeous eyes.

Glancing back at Kunikida, she gave him a questioning look. "Hey, what happened to Atsushi?"

"We don't know where he is."

Taiyo blinked at her blond friend. 'Is he being serious right now?? I can't tell!' She stuttered in disbelief, "Wh-wha-wh—a dangerous group of the mafia was hunting for him and you fought without knowing that the thing you're fighting for isnt there?!"

Kunikida didn't take a single look at her. He kept on typing away on his keyboard, working his ass off as usual.

Taiyo sighed as she ran a finger through her hair and lowly growled. Why did they allow this? The kid was not even of legal drinking age!

Grabbing the handle of her bag, she quickly exited the office and walked through the halls to search for Atsushi.

Just when she was about to take a quick turn, a head of white hit her chest, making her let out an, "oof!"

The boy who bumped into her turned red at the place of impact and immediately looked up, "K-K-Kurishima-san! I'm so sorry!" Atsushi looked like he was about to explode any minute, and Taiyo couldn't help but chuckle.

"Just the kid I was lookin' for." She put an arm around his shoulder, making him flinch. Taiyo quickly put away het arm, thinking that she may have made him uncomfortable, "S-Sorry. Anyway, let's get you back to Kunikida."

Turning back to the corner, Taiyo and Atsushi both made their way back to the office. A certain brunette opened the door, making Taiyo's shoulders tense up. She and Dazai still had this tension that suffocates her every time they meet.

Noticing the stares he got, Dazai turned his head to look at the two other detectives. One sweating on the inside and the other just calm and red. "Oh. Atsushi, you're back. Come in."

Taiyo felt slightly offended that Dazai didn't acknowledge her presence. He seemed to do it a lot back in the old days when he was still new to the agency. Although she did expect it, it kind of hurt. The attention she got from him was simply not enough.

Atsushi took a second glance at the girl, before following Dazai's orders and walking inside. A normal person's thoughts would be that Dazai would walk in after he held the door for Atsushi like a gentleman. Ignoring the girl and closing the door on her.

A unique person's thoughts would be that Dazai would close the door after the albino walked in and talk with the girl, making her knees buckle.

And that's what exactly happened.

Atsushi on the other side of the door was confused as hell when he heard the door suddenly close— not seeing anyone follow behind him. 'What are they going to do?'

Taiyo's tense form became even more tense the millisecond he closed that door on Atsushi. She did not expect that since again, he hates her for a reason she can not reverse.

"So, Taiyo." A chill ran down her spine at hearing his voice lower at the mention of her first name.

"Chilling with the new member, huh?" Taiyo's eyes narrowed, forming a 'Pardon?' look on her face, "I'm just sayin', maybe you should wait for a few months before you actually leave again." Dazai said with arms folded out and he shrugged.

Taiyo's eyes widened, 'Oh, so this is what it's about.'

"I don't know what your point is Dazai, but I'm not leaving." Taiyo crossed her arms as she took her stand with a fierce voice.

Dazai felt like he wanted to burst out laughing, but decided to keep it on the low instead, "You're funny, Taiyo. Funny from the start." He said as he wiped a fake tear, saying the last phrase with venom in his voice.

In a quick breath Taiyo's eyes got a flash of brown and beige; a shadow overcoming her face. Looking up she saw those espresso eyes. They swirled with wrath and agony, and she thought of nothing but to feel her arms wrap around his torso.

Of course, this wasn't a right time for a hug. Dazai gazed down at her, like a teacher on a trouble-making student. "You know what you did. And I'm not letting you do the same thing to my subordinate. Whether you like it or not, I will do my best to keep him far away from you." The hand on the left side of Taiyo's head clenched tightly.

She may seem like a complete angel, but if she got slightly pissed, her cocky personality would slowly get out. "What if Fukuzawa put us together in a mission?"

"Then I'll volunteer to add on."

"If not allowed?"

"I'll find a way to join."

"You sure are set on getting me away from making a new friend. Do you even have proof that I'll do the same thing 2 years ago?" Dazai stayed quiet. The hand clenching even harder, making him growl under his breath.

He lightly punched the wall beside Taiyo's face, making her jump. Dazai leaned in closer to her face, hot breaths could be felt in each other's faces. "Just— keep your hands to yourself. You look more prettier when you do it." He said with sarcasm laced all over his tone. Pushing off the wall, and freeing the locked superior, he tucked his hands in his beige coat. Sighing as loud as he could.

Before he could walk back in the agency though, Taiyo gasped once she got free from his lock, "Did you just call me pretty?"

Dazai ignored her and just walked inside. Taiyo puffed her cheeks, pouting at his back.

It took Taiyo a second that Dazai had just pinned her to a wall and leaned in so close she swore she would've leaned in if not of their rivalry. Clutching her chest where the heart was placed, she gave a quick out take of breath.

"Goddamnit, Dazai."

happy valentines day! another day of love that i wont relate to HAHAHHA i want sum chocolates :(( anywho update 11 is here yehey! hope you all enjoy :))♡♡ finally some small action with our beloved detective ;))

lav ya,
vel.