To The Stray Dogs [Bungou Stray Dogs Fanfic] [Author's Edition]

Chapter 4

"So, what are we going to do now?" I asked when we returned to the agency. "Hmm?" Dazai looked at me. "The Port Mafia is coming after me again." "I'm not gonna let them take you away," he said. "After all, I need you." He held my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I've always kept my promise, right, Vivi-chan?" he asked. "Of course," I said as he planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Hey, Vivi-chan, can you do me a favor?" he asked. "What?" "Can you go buy me some sake and canned crab for me?" My face went slack. "Why can't you do it yourself?" I asked. "I'll pay you back," he said. I squinted at him and muttered, "Fine..." "Yay! Thanks, Vivi-chan!" he cried and gave me a huge bear hug. "Okay okay, I get it," I said and patted his back.

I saw Atsushi in the hallway a few minutes later and immediately knew what he was planning to do. "Running away, Atsushi-kun?" I asked. He spun around and saw me. "Vivi-san," he said. "Um, it's not what you think, I... Uh..." "You want to protect the agency by running away," I said. Atsushi looked down and said, "Y-Yeah... Um, are you staying here?" "Of course I am."

Then he said, "Um, Kunikida-san told me that the Port Mafia is after you." "Yes, that is true," I said. "Why?" "They want me on their side." I walked over to Atsushi and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Listen here. Atsushi-kun. I won't stop you from running away but I just want to tell you this. You are loved and wanted, by us." His eyes widened.

"Don't forget that, okay?" I smiled as I watched him run off before heading to the office. "Vivi, where did the brat go?" Kunikida asked. "He just left," I said. "What?" Then my senses picked something up. "They're here," I said as the door blew off its hinges. We watched as men holding machine guns ran in. "Who are you?" Kunikida asked.

"Apologies. Even though you're a detective agency, we forgot to make an appointment. And we forgot to knock." said the elderly man wearing a monocle. "The Port Mafia's Black Lizard. You guys were after me for quite some time." I said. "Well, I hope you'll overlook these mishaps. Our errand will be over soon enough." the man said as guns were pointed at us.

"Everyone, behind me!" I cried as I transformed.

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"Stop!" cried Atsushi as he reached the office just in time to see us beat up our opponents, except for Rampo who was drinking his ramune. "Oh, now you're back, Atsushi-kun," I said as I held onto two operatives with my tails. "So you're finally back, brat," said Kunikida as he twisted the elder man's arm. "Uhh..." Atsushi was confused and shocked at the same time.

"This is why I hate raids," said Kunikida as he pulled out his notebook. "They really throw off our budget projections. How much do you think repairing the office and replacing inventory will cost?!" "I hope the president will understand," I said as I turned back to a human, dropping the two operatives.

"Using machine guns for a raid was a little too over the top. It's your turn to go around the neighbourhood with apologies and gifts, Kunikida-kun," said Yosano. "So it is the worst-case scenario!" Kunikida groaned. "Huh?" said Atsushi. "Kunikida-san, what should we do with them?" asked Kenji. "Throw them out the window," said Kunikida.

"Roger!" said Kenji and began to toss our enemies out the window. "For the umpteenth time, I wish they'd give up on raids," I said. "Hurry up and help with the clean-up, brat!" said Kunikida. "I can't believe you wandered off in the middle of it all! I told you, you're a member of the Agency now. You should be thinking about what you yourself can do. Well, helping with clean-up is about all you can do."

"I see," said Atsushi before tears rolling down his cheeks and he chuckled. "Hey, if you've got time to laugh..." Kunikida started before looking at him and realizing. "What, are you crying?" he asked. Atsushi quickly turned around. "I... I... I'm not crying!" he said. "You are," said Kunikida as he got close to him. Atsushi rubbed his eyes and said, "I'm not!"

"Just look at you. You're so typical for your generation. Even when given a job, you just go off and play without permission. You cry if anyone gives so much as a word of criticism." said Kunikida. "That's not it. That's not what this is about," said Atsushi. "But you're crying." Kunikida pointed out. "I am... But that isn't what it's about!" Atsushi cried.

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"Crap, I completely forgot about Dazai-kun's stuff!" I cried as I ran to the store. I quickly bought sake and canned crab before rushing back to the office. "Dazai-kun!" I cried as I entered the room and everyone stared at me. "Your man isn't here," said Yosano and my face turned red. "He-He's not my man!" I exclaimed as I ran out again.

"Where the hell is he???" I thought as I ran down the stairs and to our dorm room. "Sir, I bought your stuff, now pay me back!" I shouted as I slammed the door open. "Eh?" The room was empty. I heaved a sigh and put his stuff on the ground. "Did he go commit suicide somewhere?" I wondered.