Red Star to the Darkness

Chapter Seven: Qtastrophe

"Dazai!" Shira yelled at the man lazing on the couch. He looked up, taking off his headphones. "Did you finish?" She rolled her eyes, snatching his headphones away. "Are you accusing me of slacking?" He smiled as she placed the headphones on, already nodding away to the melody. "Double suicide?" She smirked at him, throwing herself on another couch. "You are upgrading?" He smiled sheepishly, snatching the headphones back. Suddenly, the office door banged opened. "Dazai!" Kunikida yelled, rushing over "Explain this." He pointed to his neck. Shira stared at the familiar handprint on his neck, not believing her eyes. "No way..." She whispered, before rushing over to the windows. "Dazai, it's happening." She looked down at the passing civilians, some of them having the same handprint smudge like Kunikida's. "What is it, Shira? Is it because of this?" She looked back at Kunikida, frowning. "It's the Guild, they have Yumeno." She walked over to her table, taking out a bundle of rope. Pulling up a chair, she gestured for him to sit down. "What?" She rolled her eyes. "I have to tie you up." Dazai chuckled as Kunikida's face turned bright red. "But why?!" Shira sighed, dragging him over to the chair and starting to tie him up. "Your handprint mark came from Yumeno's ability. Once he activates it, you'll start hallucinating." She tightens the knot, double-checking it again. "It makes you impulsive, and very dangerous." A loud crash startled everyone. "AH, Dazai. I think it's starting." Kunikida's panicked voice rang shortly after. "It's starting." Dazai looked solemnly at the columns of smoke out on the streets. Shira looked back at him. "Then you better start looking for Atsushi..."

"It's been two hours since it began. Any luck?" Shira's voice crackled through the phone. Dazai sat on the roof, still bored out of his mind. "Nope. How's Kunikida?" She sighed exasperatedly. "I knocked him out. He's so noisy." Dazai chuckled lightly. "Did you record him?" She hummed in agreement. He turned his eyes briefly to the streets. "The size of the riots is increasing." He squinted as he caught sight of a familiar figure. It was Chuuya and his squad; they were attempting to control the affected. "Shira, Chuuya's down there." She let out a string of cuss words. "Is he affected too?" Dazai rolled his eyes. "No, you idiot. He is containing them. Do you think you can help?" Shira looked at Kenji, who gave her thumbs up. "Okay, I'll ask the president. Call me once you see Atsushi." She hung up hurriedly, dashing to the director's office. "Director." She knocked twice before going in. "Request to help in containing the affected." The president looked up. "Help who?" She shifted uncomfortably. "The Port Mafia is down there containing the damage. I just think... they need help." She waited nervously for his answer for what seemed like an eternity to her. "Fine. Be careful." She breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"Chuuya!" He turned towards that familiar voice. "Shira?!" There she was, knocking out affected civilians left and right with an iron pipe. She smiled cheekily at him. "Happy to see me?" He tsked in annoyance, but his lips twitched into a small smile. "Are you?" They shared a knowing smile before turning back to the situation at hand. "Left!" Shira quickly sidestepped, dodging a rabid middle-aged woman. "I don't think we can hold on for long." Chuuya said, looking at his men, obviously tiring. Shira took a deep breath, handing Chuuya a paper towel. "Wipe your sweat. We have to trust Atsushi on this." Suddenly, her phone rang. "Dazai!" She quickly picked up. "Shira, I see Atsushi. The estimated landing site, the park." She quickly started sprinting towards the agency building. "I'm coming. Jump!" Dazai hung up before he leaped off the roof. Shira threw out her arms, focusing on the shadow beneath Dazai. They disappeared together into the shadow, reappearing in the park, where they saw a bloody figure laying on the ground. A faint sound of gunshots caught their attention. Atsushi curled up in despair, still protecting the broken doll in his arms, but the expected pain did not come. He looked up to see a dome of shadows covering him. "Atsushi-kun, are you okay?" He looked at Shira, still confused. "H-How did you..." She smiled at him, passing the doll to Dazai. "Victory is yours, Atsushi-kun." Dazai said, the doll in his hand turning to dust. "Your spirit prevails, and this city is saved." Atsushi got up, Shira lending him a hand, he was still on guard. "But the sniper..." Dazai smiled. "Don't worry." He took a controller out, pressing the button. Small pillars erupted from the streets, releasing colored smoke. "This will block them out," Shira patted him lightly, leading him off. "Relax, Atsushi-kun. Let's get somewhere safe first."