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

[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.]

[ninjou]

[He hits pause.]

Do you want to try? Even though you're no good at them, I got a new one. Just puzzles.

[tenimuho]

Sure, I'll try.

[He can't be all that bad... probably...]

[ninjou]

[Good.]

Ah! I think I need to plug it in... I think I left my charger downstairs. Do you want to come with me...?

[tenimuho]

I don't mind.

[What can possibly go wrong with getting a charger?]

[ninjou]

[He waves a hand and leads on.]

This way, please...

[He falls silent quite readily as they pass where Odasaku's gift giver is being held. He's not begging, not pleading, but he's stating his case. And it's largely true. He's being framed, he's innocent, he has secrets he'll offer in exchange.]

[tenimuho]

[It's impossible for Odasaku not to at least look at Naoya when they pass by his cell. He doesn't say anything - he wouldn't know either way whether Naoya was innocent or guilty, so he has nothing to contribute.

It really is a shame.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai is helpful and was helpful, and whether the man is fully innocent or not, there's some delightfully damning evidence that won't necessarily get him killed, but certainly in a godawful position.

When they're well past, Dazai shakes his head.]

What a shame...