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]

It's close enough.

[Pat pat pat pat on the back.]

We'll go get drinks tomorrow.

[tenimuho]

...Alright, I'm looking forward to it.

[Still a little worried though. Why is Dazai like this.]

[ninjou]

[Because he's about to go do something reckless and stupid for sympathy, of course.]

Good! Me, too. I'm glad they'll let me drink, you know?

[tenimuho]

[Why are you like this.]

You're too high up for anyone to think about saying no.

[ninjou]

[Because you don't love him enough.]

True, true... I don't think the owner really cares about that, either. I'm just a normal guy.

[tenimuho]

[Sorry.]

I'm not sure anyone would call you that.

[ninjou]

[Liar. But Dazai pulls away, suddenly amused, shifting himself carefully and slowly back to something more normal...]

No? Hey, do you think I could pass for a normal guy if I dressed differently?

[tenimuho]

It's not your looks that make you stand out.

[ninjou]

What is it, then? My smile? My voice?

[tenimuho]

The way you act.

[Dazai could probably pass for normal, if he really, really tried.]

[ninjou]

Hm?

[He moves away, looking thoughtful...]

What's weird about the way I act?

[tenimuho]

[A lot of things.]

You treat things that should normally be heavy lightly.

[Like suicide, and murder.]

[ninjou]

Ahh... is that a criticism?

[Don't mess with yan Dazai.]

I like to think I'm open-minded. Does it bother you?

[tenimuho]

No, it doesn't. I'm just saying that it isn't normal, that's all.

[It's not criticism, just a statement of fact.]

[ninjou]

As long as you don't care... mm... no one else's opinion matters to me, anyway. You're my favorite person!

[He laughs, childishly amused by his admission.]

I said that wrong. What I mean is, I won't let you abandon me, no matter what.

[tenimuho]

I wasn't going to.

[So there's no need for Dazai to do anything drastic.]

[ninjou]

[As if he hasn't already.]

Say... Odasaku... what do you really think about me? Anything good?

[tenimuho]

Of course. We're friends.

[It's an easy admission, uncomplicated despite their complicated situation. Dazai is an executive, Odasaku is not, but that's what he really thinks about Dazai, and he wouldn't lie about it.]

[ninjou]

That's all? You don't think anything else?

[It would be nice... if Odasaku cared more... Then Dazai could stop helping him with his life choices! It would be so much easier on them both.]

[tenimuho]

...That isn't enough?

[What a strange and slightly worrying question. Odasaku's not sure what to make of it.]

[ninjou]

It's plenty! I was just curious. You get so serious sometimes that I don't know if I'm upsetting you.

[That's... vaguely untrue. Weird.]

[tenimuho]

I'm not mad at you.

[...But it doesn't sound right to him.]

Am I really that hard to read? I thought I was pretty straightforward...

[He tries not to hide things if he doesn't have to. Dazai shouldn't be worried about him being secretly upset.]

[ninjou]

Hm?

[Hrm.....]

Do you think... maybe I'm trying too hard? After all, what kind of person doesn't want to do their best to be everything they want to be?

[tenimuho]

I think that's normal.

[But it's a bit of a strange question in this context. Dazai is unsatisfied with his answer of 'we're friends'. Dazai is trying his best to be what he wants to be-

Oh. Oh. Um.]

You want to be more than friends?

[Give the man a participation prize for getting it incredibly late.]

[ninjou]

[At least he got there.

Dazai moves to leans on the desk, trying to stay as casual as possible. He really didn't expect the direct question.]

I do. But you're not interested, right?