For ninjou.

[tenimuho]

[There are a lot of reasons why a person would want to humor an up-and-coming mafioso, likely to be one of the youngest executives if not the youngest executive in Port Mafia history.

But Odasaku doesn't really think of what he's doing right now, sitting down and playing video games with Dazai, as 'humoring' him. Even if he's not all that great at fighting games compared to Dazai, and even if it might be considered a little weird, a 20-year-old playing games with a 15-year-old...]

Oh, I lost again.

[...it's fun even when he loses, so he's playing.]

Good game. Want another round?

Comments

[tenimuho]

So you know about the kids already.

[That's the only thing he'd consider even remotely noteworthy that he's done in the past year.]

[ninjou]

Yes. You're an idiot.

[He knows. He thinks it's absurd. But he also can imagine Odasaku having something to look forward to every day, knows the softness of joy on his face, at least what it used to look like. It probably wasn't ever real with Dazai, but he'll pretend he knows.]

[tenimuho]

I thought you'd say something like that.

[But Dazai's right - the children give him something worth working for when his dream seems so far away. They make him happy, and he can only hope he makes them happy as well.]

[ninjou]

You know I'm right, too.

[He's jealous. Just a little. But they have to bury all that and be civil. Maybe even be friends again. There's silence as he takes a drag from his cigarette.]

I'm happy for you.

[tenimuho]

You're usually right.

[He's a genius mafia executive, so of course.]

They're good kids.

[ninjou]

[The most terrifying one of them all.]

They'd have to be, if they're basically yours.

[tenimuho]

I don't know about that. I've never taken care of kids before.

[He's still concerned about messing up horribly.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai snorts.]

It can't be that hard. Hug them or something.

[tenimuho]

It's a little harder than that.

[...But he does hug them.]

[ninjou]

Okay, feed them. Read them bedtime stories.

[He looks up at the sky. Things that are rumor to him...]

Do people actually do that?

[tenimuho]

Whenever I get a chance to put them to bed. They like Alice in Wonderland.

[It's a very silly book, so he can see the appeal.]

[ninjou]

Hm. I've never read it.

[Shrug. What is childhood?]

[tenimuho]

It's silly. Probably not interesting for an adult, though.

[ninjou]

I'll take your word for it. I'll never get around to it.

[He used to read a lot. Now he doesn't have time.]

[tenimuho]

Too busy? I hope you still have a little time for yourself.

[Everyone needs breaks.]

[ninjou]

[There's a small laugh.]

That's a good joke, Oda-san. You always were funny.

[Humming, Dazai turns, walking backwards so he can see Odasaku.]

I play games, mostly.

[tenimuho]

What would I know about executives' schedules...?

[Not offended, just - he isn't nearly that high up in the echelons.]

Do you have anyone to play them with?

[ninjou]

Do you think all we do is sit around and wait? It's hard work, isn't it? Keeping things running nicely.

[Dazai is a little offended.]

I have one of those... [Well, he pulls his portable handheld thingy out of his pocket.]

[tenimuho]

Sorry. [It's a good point.]

What are you playing nowadays?

[ninjou]

[He shrugs and puts it back in his pocket.]

Nothing you'd find interesting.

[tenimuho]

That's fair. I'm still not very good at games.

[The gap between them has no doubt widened.]

[ninjou]

I'm sure. You don't really like them, right? So how could you get better?

[Dazai shrugs, but it's faint, and he goes back to his cigarette for a moment.]

The bar's down this way.

[He turns down a darker set of streets.]

[tenimuho]

[Odasaku is quiet as he follows behind, not too closely. He'd like to talk about something - anything, really - but the awkwardness in the air is still palpable, and he doesn't want to make a misstep.

Which leads to him just... saying nothing.]

[ninjou]

[The awkwardness eventually makes Dazai laugh, and he slows to a stop and settles a hand on Odasaku's shoulder.]

Yes, I'm punishing you. No, it won't last forever. Probably just until we get to the bar. Get me drunk and we can make up.

[tenimuho]

[The contact is reassuring, at least. He nods.]

My treat.