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

[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.

[ninjou]

Thanks.

[He's done with the cigarette, but he's very polite and doesn't just throw it on the ground. He'll make sure it's out, then carefully wait before putting it into the nearest garbage can they pass.]

I kept away from you for a while because everything I could think of to get back at you with was pretty... bad. And then I became an executive, and, you know, it's busy...

[tenimuho]

I understand.

[A soft sigh.]

We can't see each other as often now even if we wanted to.

[ninjou]

[He hums thoughtfully.]

Actually, I can do whatever I want.

[The more he talks, the more apparent it should be that Dazai has come a little more unhinged, or at least a little more ridiculous. His tone is jauntier, he seems flippant about everything...]

I could kill you right now and no one would say anything.

[tenimuho]

You could.

[Odasaku takes that in stride. There's no 'but you won't' either - Dazai is perfectly capable of making that decision for himself.

Odasaku thinks he won't, but he's been wrong before.]

[ninjou]

[Especially considering how hideously their last meeting went. Who the hell would put it past Dazai? He could come up with a pretty good story.

But no, he squeezes that shoulder again and smiles.]

It would be kind of pointless after this long. So I'll forgive you and all of that. I'm sure you have my best interests in mind.

[tenimuho]

I try to.

[Sometimes he fucks up, but he tries.]

Thank you - ah, sir.

[Still sort of in public...?]

[ninjou]

You're welcome, Oda-san.

[He doesn't get to be Odasaku right now. There's very little real affection, but there is a friendly nostalgia.]

You'll tell me about the kids, I'm sure.