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]

[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.

[tenimuho]

That's easy.

[They're practically all he has worth talking about.]

[ninjou]

Good.

[Dazai suddenly grabs Odasaku's arm and steers him into the stairs down to the bar. It kind of comes up out of nowhere.]

I don't have anything exciting to talk about.

[tenimuho]

[Odasaku lets himself be steered down into the bar.

He's sure Dazai does have exciting things he could talk about, but most of it's probably classified anyway.]

Let me know when you want me to shut up about them.

[ninjou]

Sure.

[He smiles, though darkly, and leads Odasaku back to a dark corner of the bar. There are nicer places to meet, but this one is kind of... call it a safe place for re-introduction.

Dazai takes a seat.]

Anything else interesting?

[tenimuho]

Just the kids. I don't live a very interesting life.

[...comparatively, anyway.]

[ninjou]

I got shot twice yesterday... nearly lost my eye. You ought to see what happened.

[So flippant. If Odasaku thought Dazai didn't care about his life before, it's twenty times worse now.]

I have to say, telling people what to do is a little bit too much. I don't think I care enough to micromanage.

[tenimuho]

[It sure seems that way.]

Mm. I don't think I could do it.

[One of the many, many, many reasons he's not an executive.]

[ninjou]

I don't think you could.

[He smiles and gestures to the bartender.]

No offense intended, but you'd get bored.

[tenimuho]

None taken.

[Odasaku orders a light drink.]

I don't envy you at all.