For ningen, Tsugaru-ben.

[hurrayformarriage]

[Of course, Odasaku is the person with the thickest Osaka-ben in the National Library. Miyoshi's from Osaka too, but his accent isn't nearly as pronounced. And they don't talk all that often, anyway, since Miyoshi seems like he dislikes him for some reason.

Odasaku loves his home more than anyone, and one of the things he misses about it is hearing the dialect. It's the way he talks, and though he's more than used to hearing Toyko-ben or other dialects by now, it reminds him that he's far from his home. Which, he is, but even hearing it from someone who wasn't Osakan would be nice...

Dazai probably feels the same way, yeah?

So Odasaku does a little studying. The internet's a useful tool when it comes to picking up things like this in secret - you don't have to ask for a specific book, you can delete your search history, it's perfect. He'd be out of luck trying to do this back when they were alive, or at least doing it without raising suspicion.

After a couple of months, he doesn't think he's fluent yet, but he can at least hold a conversation. So, how to surprise Dazai with it? He doesn't want to make a big deal out of it, so in the end, he decides to just say something while they're already in Dazai's room, talking about nothing important.]

Hey, Dazai. Do you miss the countryside?

[His accent's still pretty Osakan - that would take a long, long time to change - but the vocabulary is all Tsugaru-ben.]

Comments

[ningen]

[There had been a little lull in the conversation as Dazai read a little more of the essay he was mercilessly mocking, and just as he thought they'd stay quiet long enough for him to finish, the sweetest sound in the world hit his ears.

Home.

Odasaku, the home of his heart, and Tsugaru-ben, the heart of his home... He looks at Odasaku like he's half insane, but with the biggest smile.]

Are you serious?

[hurrayformarriage]

[Well, Odasaku is half insane, most writers are. As long as that smile's there, then he's sure he did something good.]

I thought you might like it!

[He still doesn't know every word that's different, but he's doing his best.]

[ningen]

Is it my birthday?

[He laughs a bit, slamming the essay down and scooting closer. This is the actual best. He could kiss Odasaku for this, for simultaneously making him homesick and overjoyed. What a nice thing to do!!]

[hurrayformarriage]

Now I have to come up with something better for your birthday.

[At least that's not 'til June, so he has some time to think about it.]

[ningen]

Just do it again for my birthday!

[Fuck it. Dazai is launching himself at Odasaku to tackle him into a hug. On the floor. Because.]

[hurrayformarriage]

[Well, they're on the floor now. And Odasaku's being hugged, and he's laughng. It's good to see him smiling so much.]

I'll learn how to compliment your writing.

[That's the best gift, right?]

[ningen]

That'll be the sweetest thing I've ever heard!

[He lays on top of his friend with a massive, cheery grin on his face, one hand braced beside Odasaku's head. He leans in close.]

Did you think I was homesick?

[hurrayformarriage]

Little bit.

[Oda rests his forehead against Dazai's.]

[ningen]

[He grins madly down at his friend and touches their noses together for a moment.]

Maybe I was... a little bit. It's kinda hard.

[hurrayformarriage]

Thought so. So I'll help you out if I can.

[There isn't much he can do, but Oda wants to help.]