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Akutagawa stared at the rice field in front of him. The same field that he and Kenji worked on before he joined the agency. Something felt off about it. It looked the same. The same sprouts all in neat rows and the rice paddies in that familiar grid pattern. Yet still, it felt wrong.
Akutagawa turned his back and started his walk to the agency, maybe Kenji would have an explanation as to what felt off. He didn’t notice the barista pause as he walked by to get to the stairs.
Outside the agency’s door, Akutagawa could hear Kunikida yelling. Oda must’ve lost track of time while talking to some old lady again.
Instead of being greeted by Kunikida trying not to pull his hair out at Oda’s behavior, he's greeted by Kunikida shaking another man by the collar.
Kunikida paused his lecture as he heard the door shut, as he and the man he was shaking looked toward him. Akutagawa froze as he made eye contact with the boss of the port mafia.
Dazai Osamu the same man he saw jumped off of a building and who threatened to kill his sister. A third figure popped their head up from one of the desks, “Akutagawa? What’re you doing here”
The weretiger.
***
Atsushi was curled up on the street in front of the orphanage. Where was Mori? Why did they chase him out? Why did they hurt him? Again.
All their words were rushing through his mind.
Worthless
Monster
Waste of air
Die
Die
Die
Atsushi wanted to lay there forever. He wanted to disappear right here on the sidewalk. To decompose right in front of the building holding his greatest regret. Maybe he could plead for forgiveness from the headmaster. Maybe he could try again at accepting the headmaster’s gift. Despite what Mori had told him Atsushi still wasn’t quite ready to move on from brutally murdering the headmaster.
Before he could spiral further he remembered Akutagawa’s words.
Spit blood weretiger
Atsushi took one deep shuddering breath before he stumbled to his feet pulling his coat tighter around himself before walking down the street.
Realistically Akutagawa would kill him on sight. After all, Atsushi had done to him he certainly deserved it. But the agency was the one group he could think of that could help. That could possibly have answers. The mafia was out of the question considering that they still thought Mori was dead.
As if Atsushi could even think about facing Chuuya knowing that the boss killed himself. Does Chuuya know yet? He must it’s his job to protect the Boss.
The walk to the Detective Agency felt like it lasted an eternity. A part of Atsushi hoped that it did. That he would cease to exist on the walk so he wouldn’t have to face Akutagawa again. But despite his wishes, Atsushi was in front of that familiar cafe where he first met Akutagawa.
He gave a small smile and nodded to the man at the counter as he walked to the stairs. His footsteps echoed following him up the stairs bringing him closer to his rival.
Atsushi stared at the door in front of him. He couldn’t hear anything on the other side. Maybe he’s lucky maybe for some reason Akutagawa isn’t around.
With this slight hope in mind, Atsushi pushes the door open. There he sees Akutagawa with Rashomon wrapped tightly around… Is that the Boss?
“B-Boss? What are you doing-” Another figure catches his eye. Familiar choppy white hair. Yet his neck was unmarred. No collar in sight. How did he have control?
“Ah just on time Atsushi would you and Akutagawa like to take a seat? I’m sure we can work out what happened.” boss? Said his tone lighter than Atsushi has ever heard it. Like there was a joke here that only he knew.
“Uh.. Dazai. I’m sorry but. That’s me?” The mimic said clearly just as concerned and confused as Atsushi was.
“Oh golly this sure will get confusing! Don’t you think Kunikida?” His tone was throwing Atsushi for a loop he’s never heard the boss talk like this. He wouldn’t call it carefree there was an underlying something.
Not only were both eyes visible and had a light in them that Atsushi had never seen before, there was something else. It made him uneasy. Whoever this was it wasn’t his boss and whoever it was kept him on edge.
“Weretiger what did you do?” Akutagawa’s familiar accusatory voice was a welcome relief pulling Atsushi out of his thoughts.
“Why do you think I did something?! What makes you say it wasn’t that!” Atsushi protested gesturing to the mimic who looked miffed at being called that.
“You came to my place of work and there are two of you. So either it was you or your boss.” Akutagawa spat eyeing Dazai.
Dazai’s eyes seemed to darken at those words but it was just for a second so quick that Atsushi was unsure if it ever really happened.
“I came here because I was hoping that the armed detective agency could help me find Mor- a friend. Don’t act like you're so special.” Atsushi returned crossing his arms.
With the promise of tea and something to eat the two were finally convinced to sit down. With the promise no one was gonna hurt anybody, Akutagawa released Dazai. This didn’t stop Akutagawa from eyeing both Atsushi and Dazai.
***
Oda was on his way to check on the orphans. He was confident enough in everyone else’s abilities that he could be late. If he ignored how annoyed Kunikida would be, but since when did Oda care about Kunikida’s schedule?
He paused at the curry shop it was empty, windows boarded up, and in general disrepair like it’s been empty for years.
That wasn’t right he was here recently, and the kids and the shop owner were fine. Oda drew his gun ready for the worst as he crept into the shop.
Inside it was just as dirty as on the outside. Untouched dust with some graffiti scattered along the walls.
There were familiar dark stains behind the counter. Blood. But it looked old far too old for something to have happened in the short time he wasn’t around.
Oda worked his way up the stairs to the kids' room. Inside there were signs of old squatters who had long since left but no sign of the kids. Unlike downstairs there were no blood stains. That didn’t lift Oda’s spirits though. Something was wrong and he had to figure out what. Maybe he could get Ranpo in on this, see if he could use his “ability” to find out what happened and where the kids are.
“Hey Akutagawa where’s Ranpo...” Oda’s sentence trailed off when he saw the head of the port mafia inside the detective agency.
Oda stared the other down. Something strange was in the mafia boss’ eyes much like when Oda first met him at the bar.
“I thought you took the fast way down a building. What’re you doing here now?” Oda didn’t see an attack coming and after a quick glance around the room, it seemed like everyone was fine.
“Odasaku…” The mafia boss’ voice was quiet, soft, and full of something Oda did not want to try to figure out.
“Awfully familiar don’t you think? Clearly, you’re not the man I know anymore. So you have some explaining to do.”
The man seemed to have to pry his eyes away from Oda nodding slightly, “Yea… Yes, you can take a seat next to Akutagawa and Atsushi make sure they don’t tear each other to shreds yeah?” The smile he gave was fake Oda could tell but those around didn’t seem to notice how fake it was.
Looking around once more Oda recognized the weretiger sitting next to Akutagawa and the weretiger’s twin? Sitting across the room eyes locked on the pair. Next to the twin was Kyoka if Oda remembered correctly. She also works with the Port Mafia last he checked. Why were there so many Port MAfia members in the agency today?
The Mafia boss sat in front of the three, face suddenly serious, “Atsushi and Akutagwa are already familiar with what is happening but I guess you never did get it explained to you, Odasaku.”
The two boys looked confused as the man continued, “This was caused by an ability. But I’m sure you already figured that out. Curry shop has been empty for a while huh Odasaku? Well this ability is pretty simple. We “, he gestured around to the rest of the detective agency.
,” have already gotten quite familiar with it. There is a book where whatever you write becomes reality so long as it’s written as a story.” Realization dawned on Akutagawa and Atsushi.
“Someone appears to have written your story to collide with this one. My name is Dazai Osamu. You three knew me as the Port Mafia Boss. That is not the case here.”
Dazai paused looking at Oda before pulling his gaze away and clapping his hands, “Well at least that makes fixing this awfully easy right?” He draped himself over the arm of the chair like some damsel swooning over a lover, “Maybe we can also write me in a lovely death so I can finally leave this cruel cold-” A ringing phone cut him off.
Dazai pulled his phone out a wicked grin on his face, “Oh I do apologize to my dearest guests but it appears my dog needs me.”
Dazai stood answering the phone. Oda couldn’t make out words but someone was definitely yelling at him.
“Akutagawa you knew about this?” Oda asked slightly confused everyone is subject to their own secrets but this seemed awfully important.
Akutagawa shook his head, “Not exactly. During my fight with the weretiger, Dazai approached us and explained the book. He didn’t say anything about these two timelines converging. Much less why it appears it’s just us.”
Oda could tell that wasn’t the whole truth but it also didn’t appear like Akutagawa was willing to share any more than that.
“He told us not to tell anyone.” The weretiger, Atsushi, says just above a whisper.
***
Chuuya was staring at the familiar face in front of him. It was his own. Again.
He was waiting for the moment that the clone’s skin would sluff off leaving the small skeleton of a child behind. But it never happened instead the clone seemed to shake off the shock of seeing himself before speaking.
“Where the fuck is the boss!? Why are you here!”
Chuuya shook the memories off before responding, “Not here obviously idiot. What the hell are you doing here?”
The clone rushed forward and grabbed Chuuya’s shirt, “I don’t care what sort of sick fucking game this is but you’re gonna tell me where the fuck the boss is and what the fuck you are understand?”
Chuuya grabbed his clone's hand and jerked it down forcing the fabric from its grasp. He stepped in line with it and pulled the clone’s hand back and put his forearm against its shoulder before bowing forcing the along with.
Keeping a grip on its hand Chuuya took a swing step back and immediately after kicked the back of its knee. The clone hit the floor as its arm was forced to fold behind its back and a red hue covered the two of them pinning the clone to the floor.
The clone growled as the force of Chuuya’s gravity caused spiderweb cracks around its form. “Let me go, you bastard! You’re just another one of his fucked up experiments!”
Chuuya increased the gravity on the clone while he stepped to the side and pulled out his phone. He couldn’t prove how but this must be some fucked up game that that blockhead Dazai came up with.
Pulling out his phone Chuuya dialed the piece of shit’s number it rung twice before being picked up,
“Chuuuuyaaa~ did my dog need some help. I’m sure your tiny brain couldn’t possibly figure-”
“Cut the bullshit what the hell did you do?”
“I’m wounded you could ever think that I would do this on purpose! You know I also have quite the mess to deal with myself.”
Chuuya grits his teeth at Dazai’s fake condescending tone. “Just tell me what the hell this thing in front of me is and how to get rid of it.”
“Ugh little baby slug man, always ruining my fun. Just bring him to the agency there are a few more here.” The line went dead before Chuuya could say anything else.
The clone was still on the floor hissing and spitting at Chuuya. As he bent down to look it in the eye.
“Listen up. You’re gonna come with me to visit a certain waste of bandages. You’re not gonna attack me understand?”
The clone glared up from the floor, “The fuck are you gonna do if I do attack you?”
Chuuya increased the gravity pressing down on the clone, “If you attack me or the damn mackerel you’re gonna become my experiment. How much gravity would it take before every bone in your body shattered.”
Its gravity increased more and Chuuya heard it struggle to let any more air in, “But you’re used to that aren’t you? Being an experiment that is.”
Chuuya released his ability letting the clone up. It coughed as it rose to its feet, “Fucking psycho.”
***
Atsushi hadn’t relaxed. He was clearly outnumbered if anyone decided to attack. Supposedly everyone here was a member of the Armed Detective Agency even the Dazai he thought was his boss.
While the Dazai in front of him appeared childish and less ruthless than his boss something rubbed Atsushi the wrong way. It was a mask the jokes, the insults, it’s like he was pretending any emotion he had.
Except when Dazai looked at Oda. There was something sad and mournful. And how he called him Odasku. Were they friends? But Oda didn’t seem to know the man very well in front of him. Maybe they used to be friends.
The door to the agency banging against the wall made him jump out of his skin as the low murmur of the agency was filled with yelling.
“You better start answering my damn questions! Where is the boss? Why is Mori back!?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about we ran into the boss! And you looked like you just saw a dead man!”
It was the boss’ guard dog? Atsushi assumed that from the fact that there were two identical people that the other was this timeline’s Chuuya.
Before anyone could ask any questions Dazai seemed to appear out of nowhere, “My dog is so loud. I really should train him better.”
“I’m not your damn dog asshole!”
“Boss what the hell are you doing here!? Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be having a tea party with the enemy!?” Chuuya stormed up to Dazai leaving the other one utterly baffled.
“You think he’s your boss? Jack ass what did you do!?”
“Awww~ is Chuuya upset I have a loyal guard dog that’s not him?” A mischievous smile crossed Dazai’s face.
“Why you-!”
“As entertaining as I find your flirting. Dazai maybe you should explain to the Chuuyas what is happening.” Oda stated crossing his arms staring at the three. Atsushi didn’t miss both of the Chuuya’s faces gaining a faint pink hue.
The Chuuya who Dazai seemed to be antagonizing looked from Oda and back to Dazai. A silent conversation seemed to be going on before Dazai let out a dramatic sigh.
“Fine but only because it’s you Odasaku. It’s the book.” Dazai’s voice took a serious turn unlike all of the insults he was throwing towards the other Chuuya seconds ago.
Chuuya looked confused looking between Dazai and the other, “What’s happening? What fucking book!?”
The other Chuuya side-eyed him before sighing and finding a chair to sit on, “Well smart ass you ever gonna explain to it what’s happening?”
“Does my hat rack not want to make friends? You guys already have so much in common! Like your terrible taste in hats!”
Both Chuuyas glared at each other, “I think I’d rather kill myself using corruption than be ‘friends’ with that. Just tell me why you’re here at the agency and what’s happened boss.” Chuuya said more to the other on the chair than to Dazai.
“Oh, what a great place to start! Guard dog, is it ok if I call you that?” Dazai flopped into a chair at a desk,
“Don’t care I’m calling you that now don’t wanna get confused. Anyway! Guard dog, there is a book where anything you write inside it becomes real. That’s how you got here!” Dazai waved his arms, “This is just a separate timeline from your own. But I’m sure your brain is just as small and slow as the slugs so I won’t bother explaining.”
Chuuya seemed too confused to catch the insults thrown at him but before he could ask more questions Akutagawa stood from the other side of the couch, “Where do we find this book? I need to get back.”
Oda nodded along, “We have to find the book. We can’t stay here.”
Atsushi watched as Dazai pushed papers around on his desk, “I don’t know where it is exactly. I was thinking of splitting everyone up and searching spots where signs of The Rats are to search.”
Dazai looked up from his shuffling, “Detective agency Atsushi and Akutagawa will be a pair. Guard Dog you and mafia Atsushi will be another pair. Odasaku I need you to be here for when the book arrives to write yourselves out.”
Dazai continued to give out locations to other members of the Armed Detective Agency all the while Atsushi noticed the mimic eyeing Akutagawa like he was going to use Rashoumon to slaughter everyone in the agency.
“Come on kid let's go.” Atsushi jumped to his feet not noticing when Chuuya had approached.
“Yes sir!”
***
Chuuya grabbed Dazai’s wrist pulling him to the side once everyone had left, “Where did you put the damn book.”
He brought a hand to his chest, “Chuuchuu train I have no idea what you’re going on-”
Chuuya grabbed Dazai’s collar pulling him down, “Cut the crap! Why did you bring all of them here?”
Dazai’s eyes flicked to where Oda was sitting before turning his gaze back to Chuuya, “He became an author did you know that? He always wanted to be one, that’s why he wouldn’t kill anyone while in the mafia.”
Chuuya’s grip loosened, “Is he..?”
A soft laugh closer to a shakey exhale left Dazai, “In all the worlds that could exist. Why was it the one I killed myself in? I never could have him live and also make him proud huh?” Dazai was staring into space his eyes glazed over.
Chuuya shoved Dazai into the wall pinning him to the wall, “You outta listen here fucker.” His voice was a low whisper only for Dazai to hear,
,” How dare you feel upset at losing a friend and try to use that as an excuse to throw 4 people’s lives off the rails! I only joined the mafia to keep the sheep alive! The Flags are dead because of me! What gives you the right to use your pain to bring back a friend who doesn’t even know you?” Anger was spilling off of Chuuya in waves.
How dare Dazai think he was some special case? “I would’ve sent them back…”
“Would you!? Cause from the looks of it if I didn’t see past all your crap you would’ve kept them here!” Chuuya took a deep breath dropping the arm pinning Dazai, “Why? Why after all this time did you try to bring him back? Why did you bring the others?”
Dazai shrugged looking at the floor, “I thought that maybe… Maybe it would seem less suspicious if I brought multiple over. Pin it on the Rats it’d take a few weeks before I’d come out say I found the book and have Odasaku write them back to their home. I could ask about him. I could read his writing.”
Chuuya wanted to punch Dazai. Wanted to throttle the man while telling him how this is a perfect example of how to not process grief. Wanted to ask him why he never told Chuuya any of this. Instead, Chuuya grabbed Dazai’s hand giving it a quick squeeze.
“They need to go home. You can’t pretend like they belong here. Grab the book and get everyone back home.”
Dazai looked up at Chuuya nodding, “ok.”
***
Oda flipped through the book in front of him two different distinct handwritings were in it. One consumed the majority of the book Oda didn’t want to know what was written in it. The other was only on a single page.
“So why am I the one writing in it? Couldn’t you just as easily?”
Dazai shook his head, “You are an author right Odasaku? You are the only one who could write me the most beautiful suicide with the most beautiful woman!” Dazai draped himself across Chuuya’s lap who immediately shoved him off.
Oda looked between him and Chuuya. Dazai now on the floor dramatically whining about how Chuuya had broken years of trust in an instant. With him responding with a kick to Dazai’s ribs, “Right…”
Oda wasn’t stupid he could tell there was something between those two. A part of him wondered if the mafia’s guard dog and the boss had a similar relationship.
He paused his writing and looked at Dazai on the floor, “Dazai, does everyone from my timeline exist in this one?”
“Yep.” He popped the p as he untied Chuuya’s shoes.
Oda put his pen down, “Where am I? What happened to the curry shop?”
Dazai froze in tying Chuuya’s laces together, “Dead. All of them including you while fighting mimic.” His face and tone were flat emotionless at the statement.
He sat up plastering on a fake smile, “Guess the Gide here was a better shot than yours huh?”
Oda was still processing the words Dazai had said thinking back to the old blood stain behind the shop’s counter. “You call me a nickname. Did you know me?”
Dazai stood turning to the door, “You were just some mafia grunt; never got the chance to leave.” He spun around with a large smile eyes closed tapping the book, “Now now Odasaku, you’re gonna take too long if you keep asking questions and not writing.”
A scoff from Chuuya drew his attention away from Dazai, “Let’s go find the others just get them back here so they don’t get confused idiot.”
The two strod out of the room leaving Oda alone to write. He could pick up faint murmuring from the other side of the door.
Dazai and Chuuya had come back minutes after they left saying the others were on their way. Oda didn’t pry into what they were talking about.
Dazai seemed to watch Oda’s every movement like he was trying to commit it to memory. But whenever Oda’s gaze lingered more than a glance he would start flicking little scraps of crumpled paper at Chuuya. He’d respond in kind with pen caps but while using his ability causing Dazai to yelp in pain.
Oda glanced up once more trying to find the words to describe the agency when he noticed a picture frame. It was a picture of three men in a familiar bar. One was himself, then what looked to be a younger Dazai who looked much like the one he had met in that same bar and a government worker. Ango Sakaguchi if Oda could remember correctly.
Clearly, this Oda and Dazai were much closer than he was letting on.
Eventually, everyone had arrived and Oda was nearly finished. One more sentence before it would be complete and they’d all be back home. He looked up and made eye contact with Dazai, “I’m sorry for your loss. I hope you’ve found what you’re looking for. I’m sure your friend is proud of the path you’ve taken.”
With that Oda wrote the final sentence. Looking up from his empty lap. He was met with a Detective Agency that looked the same but with no Dazai. The guard dog was back at the mafia Atsushi was in front of his orphanage.
It was like nothing ever happened.