thicker than the mind | dazai o. ✓

twenty.

"Turn a right here."

Taiyo got to admit, she may have had mixed feelings about the brunette, but she wasn't lying when she says that he looked really attractive right now. Dazai was one hand on the wheel, one hand on the gear shift. The afternoon sun bounced on his features, highlighting each beautiful corner of his skin.

She couldn't help but turn red at the situation they're in. An attractive man that you're stuck with for the next hours is in a car with you? Who wouldn't feel blessed?

"So, uhm," Dazai just kept his eyes on the road, humming in response to let her know he's listening. "The case me and Atsushi first went to was a disturbing one."

"The one with the burnt child?" Taiyo nodded, quickly getting disturbed by the thought of the poor child's body. "Apparently, the woman responsible for the death has a page from the Book." Dazai's eyes grew dark, his mind quickly catching something unusual in what she said.

"How exactly did you know she has a page?" Taiyo choked on her saliva, remembering the interaction she had with a certain mafia member. "Fukuzawa told me."

"He would arrange a huge meeting if he did so." She mentally face-palmed, that would be a logical Fukuzawa move. 'Damnit. His braincells are kicking in.'

"H-He would, but-" The car immediately went to a stop, making the girl pause in her talking as well. Red light highlighted the car; if it was night time, the red light would have surely shadowed the seats of the two detectives.

In Taiyo's shock, Dazai leaned forward to her ear— one hand still on the wheel and gear stick. "No lying, Taiyo. You don't want me reporting that my partner lied, do you?" With pure adrenaline and embarrassment running through her veins, Taiyo quickly pushed the brunette to the side— red visible all on her face. "It's green light!"

Dazai chuckled as he stepped on the pedal, then going to the direction the girl stuttered out. Silence ran through them, the usual car noises were heard. The older member had her arms crossed with a not-so-obvious pouting face. 'God! What do I say?! Should I tell him the truth?'

'He might think I'm a double agent! Ugh, what to do-?'

"Going to tell me now?" Taiyo froze, guess she had no choice but to do so. "Someone visited me just yesterday."

"Who?"

The sight of a warm colored building entered Taiyo's line of vision. It had small trees matched with bushes on the sides of the entrance. Her eyes sparkled when she saw the 46th precinct come into view. "Stop! We're here!"

Dazai immediately stomped on the breaks in shock of the sudden shout of the girl. He glared at Taiyo, who was quickly fumbling with the seatbelt off.  'She really doesn't want to tell me.'

Dazai paused her fumbling with a hand on hers. She looked up at him in shock, clearly not expecting this sudden move. "I-"

He pushed the button down, the seatbelt quickly retrieving to its original place. "You need to tell me later. Got it?" He seethed with a husky and deep tone (annoyance was there too.) Taiyo, who was scared and aroused shitless, just nodded and agreed.

Dazai leaned in forward, she could feel his breath on her neck. The amount of times the blood rushed to her face today was ridiculous. She never felt like this when she was helping Dazai back then. Maybe it was because of the sudden growth spurt? 'This is humiliating!'

Dazai opened the door for her, a small smirk evident on his features. "Go and find your friend. I'll find somewhere to park." Taiyo glanced at him with an eyebrow raised, "You better not book it."