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]

[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...

[tenimuho]

It really is.

Do you think he's innocent?

[A simple question with no suspicion behind it.]

[ninjou]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm................

[Dazai nods.]

Probably! No one will listen to my opinion, though.

[tenimuho]

I do.

[If Dazai says he's probably innocent, he's probably right.]

[ninjou]

Right? It's disappointing. I wonder what he did...

[SHRUG.]

Ah, here we go.

[Dazai's office thing!]

You can come in...

[tenimuho]

[Odasaku steps into Dazai's office thing. Offices are offices, but it's weird being in Dazai's for some reason.]

Where do you keep your charger?

[ninjou]

In my desk... Where else do you think I should keep it?

[And he goes to retrieve it while motioning for Odasaku to have a seat in a side chair. It's a small office, but cozy enough compared to something intimidating like Mori's.]

[tenimuho]

Makes sense.

[Odasaku has a seat. It's much better to be in Dazai's office than Mori - he doesn't have as much concern that Dazai will do something horrible to him for displeasing him somehow.]

[ninjou]

[Rather stealthily, Dazai locks the door while he plugs the charger in.]

You know, I'm worried about you.

[tenimuho]

[Doesn't even notice.]

Really? Why?

[ninjou]

You keep falling in with troublesome people.

[God, how concerned he sounds! How actually worried! How not just trying to control him!]

I wish I could get you transferred under me.

[tenimuho]

I don't think that would be a good idea. It might strain our friendship if we had to work together.

[Office relationships are difficult, even in the mafia.]