For ninjou, yandazai~

[tenimuho]

[Someone who knows Odasaku as well as Dazai does surely noticed from the moment that Odasaku entered the bar, but he's in a surprisingly good mood tonight. He's humming a little, his steps are lighter, and there's even the hint of a genuine smile on his face as he sits down.

Ango's not here tonight, so it's just the two of them and the bartender.

Inquire as to what's made him so pleased?]

Comments

[tenimuho]

Congratulations. [Not the slightest hint of jealousy - Dazai had a good time with a pretty lady, that's good.]

Did you ask her to commit double suicide yet?

[That's Dazai's usual method with attractive women.]

[ninjou]

[So he hasn't worked on Odasaku enough yet. That's what he's learning. Odasaku doesn't want him yet. He needs to want him, because the man is all Dazai wants in the world.]

At least twice.

[tenimuho]

[If Odasaku wants him in the wrong way, will Dazai still get upset about it...]

Do you think anyone will ever say yes?

[ninjou]

[As long as Odasaku likes him some way... he can work with it. As long as they have that bond, he can build on it.]

I doubt it. They're all too clever.

[tenimuho]

[They're friends.

Though that might be sorely tested.]

Then why keep asking?

[ninjou]

[Dazai swears they'll be more than friends. Someday he'll get his way.]

Because they're beautiful, and I'm lonely. Being lonely is a shameful way to die...

[tenimuho]

...If you say so.

[He hesitates, then reaches out to try to put a gentle hand on Dazai's shoulder.]

[ninjou]

You don't think it's sad?

[Time for a performance. He drops his voice a little as he speaks, as he looks at Odasaku's hand and reaches hesitantly up to cover it with his own.]

[tenimuho]

It might be sad. But I wouldn't call it shameful.

[The two words are distinct. If Dazai decides to end his suffering in this world, he shouldn't have to be ashamed of that.]

[ninjou]

I don't want to die unloved. Or alone. It's as simple as that. Let's live and die on our own terms.

[It's a test, and he looks at Odasaku with intense warmth.]

[tenimuho]

...I hope someone loves you the way you want them to someday.

[Does he love Dazai? Maybe. It's complicated. But it's no more than friendship, if so.

If that's not what Dazai's looking for, then he can't help him.]

[ninjou]

I hope so, too.

[And he looks at Odasaku with such deep emotion, a soft smile, but schools it quickly. That ought to reel him in a little.]

Well... I should get another drink.

[tenimuho]

[Rare to see genuine emotion on Dazai's face. That it's aimed at him in particular is an honor.

Odasaku pulls his hand away, slowly.]

Me too.

[ninjou]

[Dazai lets his hand fall back down to the bar, where he taps the bar top with his fingers.]

So tell me about your watch friend.

[tenimuho]

Shiga Naoya? I don't know him well. We mostly talk on the job. He seems like a casual sort of person?

[Since he was fraternizing with someone as low as Odasaku, he must be.]

[ninjou]

[The name is vaguely familiar.]

I don't think I've met him. What does he look like?

[tenimuho]

Green eyes, black hair a little longer than yours. Likes fancy neckties.

[ninjou]

Green eyes?

[He should't know what color some random person's eyes are. That's... that's too much for Dazai, who looks away, to his own watch, and jumps up suddenly.]

Ah--I forgot something. Drink mine for me.

[tenimuho]

[They're pretty striking, that's all.]

Ah... alright. Take care, Dazai.

[ninjou]

Right. [He smiles.] Take care, Odasaku.

[And he leaves. It takes a few days of not seeing Odasaku at all (so he can focus) to set up the machinations, but somehow that Shiga Naoya guy ends up being thought to be a traitor and is locked up soundly. God knows what they do to him. What a damn shame!

The next time Dazai sees Odasaku, it's at the building.]

Yo, Odasaku!

[tenimuho]

[Probably for the best that he didn't outright kill this one. That would be suspicious.]

Dazai. How have you been?

[ninjou]

[And nothing Dazai does is questionable, so we can't have that.]

Good. Busy. You know... being an executive isn't as cool and easy as people want to think it is.

[tenimuho]

Even for prodigies?

[That's a joke. He knows it must be difficult, even for Dazai.]

[ninjou]

You know, there's a lot of pressure! I ignore it, but there's usually someone waiting on me. I'm so busy... I don't even get to nap or play video games.

[He looks thoughtful, tapping his chin, then reaches into his pocket for his handheld gaming device thing.]

I'll make time.

[tenimuho]

Everyone needs breaks...

[But if Dazai wasn't who he is, he'd get in trouble for ignoring people.]