#I mean in my mind Higuchi is about the same age of Akutagawa so like. idk. there's quite an age distance I guess?

[kyouka-supremacy]

Soo about what I asked you what do you think of yosano x higuchi

I said in the reply there I think higuchi is in her early 20's so therfore an adult

You didn't really say what do you think of this pairing outside of wanting to know how old is higuchi so can you say what do you really think of it?

Mmmhh idk, I don't have any strong feeling about it? I don't think I can picture them together romantically

[along-came-atsushi]

Oya ! May I ask a question ? I see your post about Dazai sexuality and I'm asking the same question but for Chuuya ( j'aurai bien dit Atsushi, mais on connaît tous la réponse à cela). If this question bother you, don't pressure yourself for answer, I understand ! Anyways, I love your blog and many of your posts give me smile !

Of course, you may ask me questions! ;)

A question like this doesn’t bother me at all. It’s nothing explicit, so it’s okay. But if anyone of you still want me to tag it, then please let me know!

And thank you so much for the compliment! <3 I’m so happy that some of my posts are able to make you smile in these dire times!

~ ~ ~

To be very honest, I don’t think many characters of BSD have actual sexual experiences. Not because I headcanon them all as aro and/or ace. But because:

1.) The characters of BSD are not “normal” people who live an ordinary life. They don’t go to school or university and worry about their grades. They don’t look for harmless jobs or regularly pursue their hobbies, party at the weekend, and have some minor drama going on in their lives.

Most characters have gone through heavy trauma during their childhood, were isolated from society and/or got recruited to some shady organization from a young age. Some of them never experienced a healthy and safe human interaction.

Add to this that some of them work for said shady organizations, are threatened with death and violence on a daily basis, are used as human weapons in battles and so on... I think the last thing people like these worry about is if they’re going to have a date on Saturday evening. Or if they appeal to other people.

2.) Most characters are in their early/mid twenties. Many people in their twenties don’t have sexual experiences. Which is not a bad thing or a big problem at all, despite what society and media want to tell you. [And in fact, it doesn’t matter how old you are, really.]

And I’ve said it before, but I’m saying it again, just in case:

3.) We must keep in mind that BSD is not a romance story. Things like who has sexual experiences and who doesn’t, who has a romantic partner/love interest and who doesn’t, isn’t important to the story and its characters, and therefore not mentioned.

.

The only characters who are clearly described or shown to have romantic and/or sexual interests are Kunikida, Dazai, Higuchi, Katai and Mori (but the latter I’d rather not talk about).

Maybe Kouyou (although it is never mentioned what kind of relationship she had with that man she tried to escape with), the Tanizaki siblings (even though it’s not sure if they have an actual incestuous relationship or if that’s just a “funny” exaggeration of all these weird and clingy sibling relationships that are so common in manga/anime), and Lucy and Kyouka. But Lucy’s and Kyouka’s behaviour and feelings towards Atsushi could be platonic and rather romanticizing than romantic.

Therefore, if we look at any other character besides these, it’s very hard to say anything about their sexual experiences.

.

But after this long introduction, let’s finally speak about the man himself: Chuuya.

The only thing we know about Chuuya that very very vaguely could be a hint to what he, at least, expects in a romantic relationship is this:

(I used this scene for three metas now)

Meaning: He is the opposite of Dazai and would never treat a person like this, since he clearly feels sorry for them. Due to this scene we only know the aftermath of how he sees Dazai’s flirtations. But I believe that back when they were partners, and the moment Dazai nonchalantly started chatting up random girls/women that he was pretty annoyed and shocked. Maybe Dazai told him that he was doing this only for info-gathering (but I doubt), maybe not. Either way, I’m sure he called him out on his behaviour.

With Chuuya’s loyal and reasonable mindset I think it may be very hard for him to actually seek out intimate relationships. And then there is the whole Arahabaki thing which probably is also a mental hindrance for him to get close with someone. PM’s business is his top priority, and more so now that he’s an executive. He would never drop the PM for his partner, and if confronted with that decision he would definitely leave his partner, even if he doesn’t like it and wants to. Therefore having a relationship with someone outside PM is problematic. And even a relationship with someone inside the PM is pretty difficult, since you have a tough hierarchy and rules to follow. Forming intimate friendships alone isn’t easy, as Odasaku noted on different occasions:

“Now that I thought about it, I knew next to nothing about his [Ango’s] personal life. Our relationship was always like that, though. Ango and Dazai never talked about themselves. The three of us were like a band of thieves who just happened to be hiding under the eaves of the same abandoned temple to avoid the rain. We’d always just get lost in conversation, never knowing exactly who the other was.”

.

“It’s an unwritten rule in the Mafia to not stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. One must never open the door to another’s heart and try to judge them for the darkness tucked within.”

But there’s a lot we don’t know about the PM regarding this topic. There are definitely members who have a family as mentioned by Hirotsu, so it isn’t impossible. And Higuchi is also very dedicated to Akutagawa and in the hopes to turn their relationship into something more.

So personally speaking, I don’t think Chuuya has any sexual experiences. But who knows, maybe the Stormbringer novel will bring a little bit more insight regarding this.

[the-elusive-libbin]

Ummm, do you have any Akutagawa (bsd) headcannons?

I sure do!!! Akutagawa Ryunosuke is a man who is full of bloodlust and jealousy, so much in fact that it actually kind of rules his life. I’ll admit I did have to re-watch a few Bungou clips to remember the way he acts but none-the-less I think I finally have enough of his personality in my head to get a few vore canons down. I know I spoke with the person who sent me this ask in private and they have no preference to microxmacro or same size vore so I shall write a bit for both types.

WARNING!: POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR THE BUNGOU STRAY DOGS ANIME AND MANGA SERIES FROM THIS POINT ON!

************************************************

-As usual we find ourselves asking whether or not Ryunosuke Akutagawa would devour someone alive….He would!. Should this man find out he can swallow someone, he would probably do it a lot when ordered to do so as an effective method of disposing of the weak enemies that stand before him.

-Firstly let me just get this out there: Akutagawa would fatally digest his prey most of the time, in fact this is almost always the case. Why should he have to go through the trouble of devouring someone when he can’t digest them? Does one not devour food with the controlled mindset of ‘this is my meal, it will be devoured and give me energy?’ Precisely, one does not intentionally spit up a sandwich after it has been eaten. 

-To be totally honest, Akutagawa does not care about the life of the person inside his belly, he would have killed them with a knife, a gun or his own powers anyway so regardless of process, the outcome of death is the same. Secretly, Akutagawa does not like digesting same-size prey as it takes too long and is a hassle. Tiny prey are easy game.

-So what would make him want to swallow someone? Three reasons I can think of off the top of my head: 1. He has used vore as a method to get rid of people before and will do so again should it prove effective.This is of his own and his boss’ will of course. 2. The port Mafia orders him to devour someone or a few people. 3. The final possibility, if Dazai asks/orders him to swallow someone. I’m talking about any version of Dazai, Mafia Dazai speaks for himself but I think the concept of Akutagawa being praised by the suicidal maniac would be enough to coax him into vore even if Dazai has left the mafia by this time. This may take more thinking though.

-When committing acts of vore of his own accord, Akutagawa has devoured same-size people but he prefers swallowing tinies for reasons I will mention very soon.

Gonna split this now into two separate canon sections for Microxmacro and Same size because I know some of you guys prefer different ones~

SAME SIZE:

- This asshole struggles when it comes to same size vore. He kind of reminds me of a small, yappy dog with a loud bark and a bite to match but struggling to pull through with his threats. What I mean by this is that he’ll happily threaten to devour his soon-to-be prey with the intention of putting them into his stomach and he’ll grab his prey and go for it with force too...But he’s so small and skinny that he struggles to get the prey down into his belly.

-Even if his stomach can stretch to accommodate a single prey, that is about all he can manage. His skinny frame struggling to contain a huge, bloated mass that refuses to cease in its thrashing. Akutagawa attempts to act like he can in fact handle his meal and attempts to give orders to his men at the same time. So stubborn. It’s rather embarrassing really. 

-He wishes he could devour more than one of this kind of prey as he believes it will allow him to assert dominance by showing others what could become of them should they mess with him. Unfortunately this is not the case and the poor thing ends up a panting, humiliated mess. Of course he’ll threaten the blush away from staining his cheeks and refuse to admit his struggles. He has not been bested, he has swallowed a human whole! 

-Anyone who dares mock Akutagawa in a stuffed state will be either next on the menu to be savoured at a later date or killed on the spot. Subordinates included. Is he embarrassed by any of this? Of course! But he’s not gonna show his blush, he’ll hide it however he can. This is especially true for Akutagawa in the early stages of the show.

-The guy is quick to anger so of course he has swallowed people during a fit of rage before without meaning to do so. Imagine he’s halfway through swallowing someone and realizes that he shouldn’t have taken it that far. But he needs to save face and swallows them down anyway with a struggled ‘Gulp!’ It’s their own fault for getting in the damn way.

-Akutagawa prefers to swallow larger prey (when he has to) in the comfort of his own quarters, allowing only his sister Gin or at a push Higuchi into the room to aid him. Ultimately he prefers to be alone during this time as he finds his overly full state to be humiliating. Having the two women that care most about him fuss over his engorged stomach is less than ideal.

-Secretly the guy is touch starved and would love nothing more than to have someone rub his swollen belly to help sooth it or aid his digestion. This is Akutagawa we’re talking about here folks and unfortunately his own personality gets in the way of his belly rub ideals. Should he be tied down and forcibly have his belly rubbed (Not that one would dare) then he would be furious and possibly unable to hide his embarrassment. 

-His digestion is embarrassingly loud and obnoxious at the best of times but when he’s got an entire person to get through it is worse. Walk in on him mid digestion and hear those loud churning groans and be prepared to face the consequences of a red faced mob boss and his weapons.

-Akutagawa doesn’t care if he starts from the head or from the feet as long as the prey gets in his belly, it’s his job after all. He starts off cool, swallowing in gulps but then the prey’s head enters his stomach and he already feels full. The poor guy can’t eat much so stuffing his belly is hard for him. Eventually he manages to get the entire person down with pure willpower but his belly churns painfully and he falls to the ground, unable to support his own weight. Rashomon may emerge to hold up his bloated tummy for him. -After this, his belches and hiccups are soft and uncontrollable much to the mafioso’s embarrassment. Again, he’ll try to hide his blush if he’s not alone.

-Akutagawa is quick to anger as I may have mentioned previously and so punching and yelling at his gut would often occur. He does this when the prey inside won’t stop thrashing, when he’s too full, when he’s starving and even just when his belly is making too much noise. The most embarrassingly irritating scenario is when Akutagawa doesn’t feel hungry or full and his belly churns for no reason. There is no need.

MICROXMACRO:

-Akutagawa much prefers to devour tinies as they are easy to swallow and enter his stomach quickly. There is not much fuss and no mess. No struggled gulping and over bloating. Also a perk of this size difference is that the mafioso can erase multiple people at once.

-He will often make sure his stomach is starved before eating a tiny as he likes the idea of doing away with the prey quickly. If his stomach is craving a meal, it is more likely to digest the meal it has been longing for rapidly. He may be a murderer but he canonically hates torture and prefers to have things over with quickly. This is probably another reason as to why he doesn’t like swallowing conscious same-size prey.

-Akutagawa can’t eat much normally so I imagine five cupcake sized tinies would be enough to sate his hunger and bloat his belly. He would be stuffed and bloated after eating 10 or more. He would rather not do this because then his meal takes longer to digest in his gut.

-I imagine Higuchi has bought him a bowl of small criminals before and told Akutagawa that Mori demanded he dispose of them orally. How the mafioso’s eyebrow twitched as he glared at his subordinate in annoyance. He prefers not to overindulge. He doesn’t realise that she is staring at him for a while, and so swallows the little people down with contempt. When he does notice he will fluster before angering and kicking the girl out of the room.

-When eating tinies, he takes a few, looks them over, regarding them. He is not checking their nature, gender, age or any of the sort because none of that matters to him. Canonically he has no qualms about who he kills. The tinies he is given to devour have upset the port mafia, that is all the information he needs to devour the poor souls. The mafioso is secretly checking for dirt however and wondering about the taste.

-Let me be clear, no amount of begging will save these tinies. I think if Dazai or the boss orders him to devour these people then that is good enough for him.

-Not wanting to keep the tiny person in his mouth for any amount of time, he tilts his head straight back and drops the tiny inside. As soon as they hit the back of his throat, he swallows straight down, not bothering to follow the bulge down his throat with his finger. His stomach groans hungrily and Akutagawa wills it to hush in his mind. The prey hits his stomach which immediately wraps around them to digest, hugging the prey from all angles.

-Akutagawa likes the feeling of the prey going down his throat at this size, it’s intriguing to him. He also is able to feel the small movements inside his belly since he’s so skinny and his stomach is so sensitive. 

-Sometimes his belly doesn’t like having tinies inside it and his stomach sets off grumbling sickly and proceeding to give its owner heartburn and indigestion. This almost always occurs when he is stuffed. His stomach acid is strong and digests easily but his stomach itself is weak. Moving around with a full belly makes him nauseous.

-Belches? Unsightly to say the least. Akutagawa will stifle his belches into his fist unless he really can’t stop them. Should a loud belch escape his lips, he will be rather flustered by it and shake it off; this can be said even when he is alone. The mafioso’s belches are hardly ever loud and are usually wet and strained.

-Once Akutagawa has devoured a tiny or a few tinies, he will continue with his work business as usual, like nothing happened. He has a habit of gently placing a hand on his stomach when he has prey inside.

-”But Libbin! I hear you say.” “What about safe, non-fatal vore?” I hear you, let me think. So Akutagawa is the type to usually devour someone upon order, if he eats someone it will usually be to erase them, however should someone order him to keep someone safe inside his belly, he would have to do it. He’d be a mix of annoyed and confused at this as well. I see him actually worrying about digesting the tiny to the point where he researches the human stomach and its capabilities and eats some food beforehand to ensure his stomach has other things to digest first. He eats, touches his stomach, is this enough? Better eat some more just in case. Repeat a few times. I see him going totally overboard and eating way too much accidentally whilst overthinking. The poor thing is already full of food and then has to swallow a person he cannot digest on top of that.

-It’s not that he cares about the person he’s swallowing but if he digests someone when he’s not supposed to he’ll be scolded and he can’t have that.

-Should he decide to trust his stomach and swallow a tiny he cannot digest while it is empty he may learn how to control the digestion. If he manages that he will be happily surprised. His stomach will moan in hunger as it complains for food, upset that it cannot digest the only morsel inside.

-Self indulgent scenario time: Once Mori decided to test Akutagawa’s stomach capacity after the boss realised his subordinate could devour people to erase them for him. As a doctor, he knew his way around a stomach and performed an examination before and after Akutagawa swallowed a person. Then he filled him with tinies until he was at max capacity. Of course Akutagawa agreed to these tests as they ‘helped’ the port mafia…..In reality Mori just wanted to admire his handiwork and embarrass the younger male. Secret reports from the incident state that the younger male had never been seen so red faced and flustered. Then again, he had never before had a person place an accusing ear against his bare stomach as it digested people before. A strange scenario for anyone to find themselves in really, you can’t blame him.

So there’s some long awaited canons for you. I hope I could do him justice~ I do really want to draw him more now ^_^

[writing-radionoises]

satisfaction

ship: minor shin soukoku / akuatsu

genre: hurt/comfort, redemption

prompt: akutagawa finally gets his redemption and joins the ada

notes: this is my little series right now, i just call it ada akutagawa and i mostly just wrote this because it’s what he deserves

also, aro/ace spectrum akutagawa

A hit from the left. A hit right from the right. "Rashomon, demonic armor!" The colors of Akutagawa's vision begin to blend together, muddling up, and he knows well his disgustingly weak lungs are giving in. It hurts. He's so weak, even to Atsushi's pathetic blows. He knows Atsushi is holding back, too, especially after all the god forsaken blabbering Akutagawa did. He's just so... tired. Akutagawa doesn't even register falling to his knees, Rashomon slinking away from it's armor form and instead choosing to curl around it's owner in a protective manner, as well as it could without hurting him further. Atsushi stands in front of him, barely a cut or scratch on him, but he looks tired, as well. His regenerative ability has gotten better. Akutagawa begins to cough into his hand, crimson red now staining the pretty white silk on his shirt. "Akutagawa," Atsushi starts, breath heavy as he speaks, "No... Ryunosuke. You don't even talk of the mafia fondly anymore. I'm not quite sure you ever have... You only talk about how much they hurt you, how much they hurt Dazai, and Kyouka, and all other sorts of people. Ryunosuke... Are you satisfied?" The phrase hits hard, like a punch to the chest, and it only makes Akutagawa wheeze more. He isn't. He's thought about leaving the mafia time after time, there's always something holding him back. It's always one fucking thing. He's planned it out and everything, Higuchi even said she'd help him leave, she'd leave with him, too. They even have everything packed back at the apartment. All the essentials. And yet... There's still one thing holding him back. "I... I hate it here. I hate it here so fucking much..." Ryunosuke starts, looking back up at Atsushi, "But... Gin..." "Don't think about Gin for once," He says, he's gotten down on his knees in front of Akutagawa, bringing them to the same level, "You've cared for her your entire life, you've been a stand in parent since the age of like... Four or five, it's really amazing, Ryunosuke," Atsushi says with a smile. "But-" "But, you never should have had to be that. And you don't need to be that anymore. You're like, twenty now, right?" Akutagawa nods. "She's sixteen. She can take care of herself and make her own decisions. The mafia has never once posed as a threat against her, and Gin is a strong woman. You raised her that way," Atsushi insists, "She can hold up against the mafia easily." Ryunosuke feels himself tear up, and he begins to rub at his eyes with his blood stained sleeve. He feels Rashomon curl around his tighter, like a hug, almost. "Wh, why are you telling me this?" Akutagawa replied, his voice is trembling. It's disgusting. "Ryunosuke..." Atsushi responds, he reaches out a hand and cups the left side of Ryunosuke's face, despite all the blood and tears, "Ryunosuke, leave the mafia. Please." "I... I don't have anywhere to go..." He answers. It's a lie. He has many places to go, but it'll be hard trying to reform his identity completely. It's be hard to completely erase Ryunosuke Akutagawa from his world, especially after everything that he's done. It would be easy if Akutagawa just killed himself. Atsushi's hand pulls away from his face, and instead reaches out to help Akutagawa up with a knowing smile. "Then come join the Armed Detective Agency, Ryunosuke." -- It's easier than Akutagawa ever anticipated. Though, it's mostly because of all the leg work Higuchi and Gin put into this. Gin was much more happy than Akutagawa thought, as well. She was happy Akutagawa was finding a path that wasn't about protecting her. Just a path to make him happy. ... But she decided to stay behind, like she did every time Ryunosuke offered to get her out of the mafia, too. The mafia is home to Gin. They didn't beat her and berate her most of her career, like they did to Ryunosuke. It's obvious why she'd feel that way. It only took a few days for Atsushi to secure a place in the agency for Akutagawa. From what he heard, Atsushi, Kyouka, and Dazai all vouched for him. "Fukuzawa is a kind man. He would never refuse you, or anybody in need," Atsushi had said. He was right. Within at least two weeks of Atsushi finally convincing Akutagawa to leave the mafia, Akutagawa had moved into the agency living quarters. He ended up moving in with Atsushi, with Kyouka having finally gotten a place of her own. It wasn't tough for Akutagawa to move in, he really didn't own all that much. Living in the mafia is tough, because everyday could be your death day. There was no point in owning a lot. ... What was hard was living without Gin for the first time in sixteen years. He called her every night, thought about her every second of the day. Sometimes, it was all her could think about. At least in the mafia, Akutagawa would know where she was. But now, he has no such privilege. Soon enough, the test for joining the agency came up. Of course, Akutagawa had no idea it was a test, like usual for agency members. The test must have took longer to develop, due to Akutagawa having already known just about everyone at the agency and mafia, he was hard to fool. They ended up pulling from the guild. A girl named Lucy, a former guild member, posed as a threat by holding Atsushi hostage, saying she wants to take revenge for what the agency did to the guild by blowing up the entire building, coffee shop and all. She gave Akutagawa the choice of saving Atsushi or join forces with her to blow up the whole building. Akutagawa managed to get Atsushi out of the hostage situation, putting his own life at risk instead while Kyouka "disarmed" the bomb. In the end, Akutagawa passed the test and joined the agency officially. -- "You should get rid of that coat, you know," Dazai said. Most of the agency members where in the coffee shop on break. Akutagawa had ordered a tea while Dazai sipped at an energy drink. "I don't think you're in the position to really say that," Akutagawa protested calmly, "It means a lot to me." "It was mine," Dazai replied, "Do you really want to keep those memories?" Akutagawa paused, setting down his cup of tea. Dazai was right in a way, the coat carried so many memories of the abuse he endured, and even before that, it carries the memories of the abuse Dazai endured. ... It was gifted to Akutagawa because Dazai often ended up lending it to him after Dazai hurt him. Akutagawa got injured and suffered so much at Dazai's hand that the coat was already practically his before Dazai officially gave it to him. There are so many blood stains on this coat, so much blood on innocent people on it. It has at least three generations of child abuse in the mafia on it. Akutagawa felt his hands begin to shake as he quickly picked up the cup of tea again, trying to mask his anxiety. "I don't want to think about that, Dazai-san. Don't remind me." Dazai dropped the subject. -- "Ryuu-san," Atsushi starts, "Are you okay?" He's sitting beside Akutagawa on their shared couch, sharing a pot of tea after a long day of work. Akutagawa had come to appreciate Atsushi's company, Atsushi had a way of making him feel comfortable and safe. ... He liked cuddling Atsushi, too, but that aside. "I think I made Dazai-san uncomfortable today. We were talking about the coat I wear, it used to be his..." Akutagawa replied, "I think I only remind him of his past, of his time at the Port Mafia... I don't think he wants me here at all, I've only complicated his life..." Atsushi sets down his cup as he pulled Akutagawa in for a hug. Atsushi smells of vanilla and early gray tea, hints of lavender from the laundry detergent he uses. His hair is soft, and the pressure of his hugs always manage to calm Akutagawa down. ... He's just so nice, it's not fair. "Ryuu, he wanted you to be here, remember? He vouched for you to be at the agency," Atsushi reminded him softly, and Akutagawa can feel Atsushi start to run his fingers through his hair, "I think he just wants you to be happy and safe, Ryuu. He's just not too great at conveying it. Don't think too much of it, okay?" Akutagawa nods slowly, burying his face in Atsushi's shoulder. Dazai-san can hate him all he wants, Akutagawa could care less, as long as he had Atsushi. As long as Atsushi is here, the whole world could end and Ryunosuke wouldn't bat an eye. Atsushi is just that special. -- "How do you tell if you like someone?" Ryunosuke asked. He was over at Higuchi's new apartment, helping her make dinner. Gin was coming over later today, they were going to have a little family dinner as a celebration of Higuchi getting her new job. She landed a job as a manager at a bridal shop, and she's never been happier. Akutagawa is just happy to see her finally get the happy ending she's been working so hard for. "Like, romantically?" Higuchi asks, looking over to Akutagawa as she fries up some vegetables. "Yes," Akutagawa responds, "I'm having complicated feelings on someone, and I've just now realized that... I've never really had a crush on someone." "Ah, you're on the aroace spectrum, right?" Higuchi asked, to which Akutagawa nodded, "Well, crushes are weird. It's hard to explain romantic attraction. I guess you can start with questions, do you want to pend the rest of your life with this person?" Ryunosuke thought for a moment before nodding, "I think it'd be nice if I did..." "Do you have any sexual attraction towards that person? Not that that really matters, but it's good to consider." Akutagawa continues chopping vegetables as he thinks, then nodding a no, "I don't think so. Though I wouldn't mind having sex with him, if that's what he wanted." "That's pretty new for you," Higuchi replied, snatching the cutting board Akutagawa was using and dumping the rest of the sliced vegetables into her pan, "I mean, it sounds like a romantic crush, but I'm not great at romance, so take my words with a grain of salt." Akutagawa smiled a bit, "Thanks, Ichiyo." The blonde chuckles a bit, "Of course, Ryunosuke." -- After leaving a sealed envelope on Atsushi's desk, Ryunosuke went downstairs to join the rest of the agency for a celebratory lunch. Kyouka stayed upstairs with him, too, saying she'd cover for him to make it less obvious that Ryunosuke left the letter. He sat down beside Atsushi, who had apparently already ordered him his favorite tea, and was now chatting with Dazai. "Hey, you got rid of the coat!" Dazai comments, looking over to Akutagawa. Today is the first time in years that Akutagawa went without wearing the coat. He nodded, "Yes, you made me realize something a couple weeks ago. I decided to toss it today, and I'll get a new one at some point." Dazai smiles, "You've come a long way, kiddo." Akutagawa rolled his eyes, "Don't call me that." Kyouka comes down the stairs, brushing off her skirt as she promptly gets on the table Atsushi, Dazai, and Akutagawa are sitting at, standing on it. Akutagawa snatches his cup from off the table to prevent it from spilling. "Everybody, I have an announcement," Kyouka says, as most of the agency looks up at her, "I adopted a rabbit, his name is Shigeo." The agency starts clapping at Kyouka looks down, then continuing, "Wait, that wasn't the announcement... I mean, correction. The real announcement is that Kunikida and Dazai's wedding date has officially been confirmed, and it'll happen within a couple weeks. Kunikida is placing invitations now." Everyone in the coffee shop begins to clap and cheer this time as Kyouka smiles, sitting back down on the table. "You didn't tell me you were engaged!" Atsushi said, looking back at Dazai. "Ah, you had more important things to hear, didn't want to overwhelm you with that," Dazai explained, "But it seems everything solved itself, hm? So, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to be the best man?" Atsushi smiles and nods, "I'd love to!" Akutagawa is barely paying attention to their conversation, finding himself looking at Atsushi with a slight smile. "Hey," Kyouka says, nudging Akutagawa with her foot, "Maybe you'll be the one getting married next year." Akutagawa blushed, hiding his face in his hands, "Don't say such foolish things." "I mean it, though," she said, "You make him happy, Akutagawa. You've come such a long way, everyone at the agency is proud of you." Akutagawa lifts his head up, looking back at Kyouka before looking at everyone in the agency, having a fun time, laughing, smiling. ... It feels nice to be part of something like this. "I think... I am finally satisfied."

[inactivebsdblog]

Bungoutober, day four

Prompts: Rock band AU/ China Town AU

Type of media: One Shot, maybe making something out of it later

◇

"Thank you, Yokohama! Good night!"

While the crowd was still cheering, the lights went out for a moment, allowing Chuuya to go backstage without being the focus for once. Immediately, he was handed a bottle of water, which he, still panting and not able to stop grinning, took a huge sip from.

"Chuuya-san! That was incredible!", he heard Higuchi, a woman from the management staff, call out to him. He turned in the direction he thought her to be and gave her a grin. "Thanks, Higuchi," he tried to reply with a hoarse voice.

"Chuuya!" Tachihara's voice, on the other hand, wasn't hoarse yet, which honestly impressed the other redhead, since both of them had been singing for three whole hours now. "Do you have time now? We need to talk about the next song and-"

"Not now," Chuuya coughed, pointing at his throat.

"Oh, I see," the younger male nodded. "So, tomorrow? At the usual place, around twelve?"

The redhead nodded, then went to the direction of his cabin. He couldn't get back to his apartment tonight- he couldn't most nights after live concerts because of too many fans swarming around, so he had a cabin right here which he had prepared in advance. The people here knew him, so they always let him stay the night.

On his way, he passed the Akutagawa siblings- Ryuunosuke, the older sibling, who was generally referred to by his last name, and Gin, the only female member of the group. They both weren't really talkative, so they just gave him a nod. He did the same.

As soon as he reached his room, he let himself fall onto the couch. He was exhausted, this had been a rather long day. The longest in a while. He didn't even want to drink some of his beloved wine anymore. Only sleep... he felt like he hadn't slept for ages.

He couldn't even change his clothes before he fell into a deep slumber.

•••

Chuuya woke up when the sunlight already fell through the window. Groaning, he sat up, checking his phone. 10:38. He had two messages and five missed calls.

The messages were from Higuchi- "Chuuya-san, what to do about the meet and greet you all wanted to do" and Tachihara- "If you got too drunk yesterday to remember now, today at twelve at the usual place" . The calls were all from the same unknown number. Probably a fan. He shouldn't call back.

He lifted himself up. He felt like shit. Still in his stage outfit, still with the bit of make-up he had worn yesterday evening. And even though he hadn't even seen a single bottle of wine yesterday, he felt like he had drunken his whole bar empty.

The male sighed while walking towards his backpack. He had a few shirts he could wear stored in there and there was a little bath where he could shower right next to this room. He would even have a bit of time to get home.

As soon as he got out of the building, he put on the hood. His signature hat was in the backpack. The risk of being recognised through it was too big. Making his way downtown, he passed a shopping district.

I need to get some food later, he thought. His fridge was almost empty, if he remembered correctly.

Chuuya got to a small apartment complex, climbing the stairs and nodding at the passing people- an old lady, a young man with his son in his arms, Dazai, the landlord's daughter-

Wait a second.

He turned around with wide eyes, but the man was already gone.

Was that... Had that really been Dazai?

...No, it must've been his imagination. He had moved since four years ago, multiple times, to keep his location a secret.

With that thought in mind, he opened his apartment door, placing his backpack inside and stepping in.

He immediately noticed the white card on the floor, on it a handwriting he would recognise anywhere.

That man... it had really been Dazai.

It wasn't shock that filled his body. It wasn't sadness or happiness that he was back, that he actually contacted him.

It was pure, all-consuming rage.

Not even looking at the card, he ripped it to pieces.

•••

"Chuuya!", Tachihara greeted as soon as the older male walked into their usual café, Minato Coffee. "I got you coffee. Black, two sugar."

"Thanks," Chuuya muttered, sitting down.

The other ginger furrowed his brows. "Is... something wrong?"

"No," the male heard himself say. "I'm just a bit tired, that's all. Thanks for the coffee."

They sat down for a while, talking about the show the night before and discussing their next song. Tachihara also asked for a bit of advice from Chuuya- girl advice, as the boy said it (though the older redhead already knew who exactly Tachihara wanted to impress- it was pretty easy to see that he had a thing for a certain Akutagawa). The lead singer of the Black Lizard was, after all, notorious for being a womanizer.

After almost an hour, however, things took a different turn.

"So, Chuuya..." The redhead looked up. Tachihara suddenly looked even more uncomfortable than before when he had asked about girls.

"To be honest with you, we had a rock-paper-scissors match with the management team to determine who has to tell you and I lost... so..."

The young man turned his gaze away.

Chuuya leaned back. "Come on, tell me. It can't be that bad."

Tachihara didn't look any calmer.

"Our sales are declining-"

"And?", the redhead asked, lifting an eyebrow. "We just have to write better music, that's-"

"-so we want to collab with a more popular artist."

The male didn't get what was so horrible about that. There were tons of artists more popular than them. Why would Hirotsu's team do a rock-paper-scissors tournament just to determine who would-

Unless...

Tachihara still looked away, muttering "I'm sorry" to the other musician.

"I won't collab with Dazai," Chuuya said coldly.

"Chuuya, I get it, he hurt you before-"

"I. Won't. Collab. With. Dazai."

This time, his voice was even colder. More forceful. Almost deadly.

He leaned over the table, forcing Tachihara to look at him. The poor boy was trembling as Chuuya's murderous gaze struck him. "If I should hear that you are planning these things behind my back one more time," he whispered, "I will leave this band. You still need a lead singer, don't you?"

With these words, he slammed some money on the table and stormed out of the door.

◇

A/N: Man, this took longer than I expected. I started around 6 in the afternoon and I kinda failed the challenge in my timezone an hour ago, but don't tell anyone.

Anyways, an AU! I love AUs! Anyone know that Dazatsu Hogwarts AU by @looking-for-stray-dogs here on Tumblr? I love that one. It is really, really good.

I chose Rock band because I remembered that Chuuya's Japanese voice actor did the first and the third OP and is the lead singer of a band. That's also why he is the protag of this AU.

Little extra: the name I chose for the café, Minato Coffee, has a meaning: haven coffee, or, port coffee. I think everyone knows why I chose that meaning.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!

[master-riku]

[Bungou Stray Dogs] 55 Minutes Part 4

Disclaimer: [ In no way are my translations perfect. Far from perfect. I’m using this to help me study. Please keep in mind that future translations of this project may change previous translations in order to fit better with the story. The project’s progress depends on the translator’s time! Thank you! ]

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On the same day, 16 minutes ago.

On Standard Island, a large-scale city floating on the sea, tourists arrived on a pier.

A man wearing a black mantle over his entire body shows dislike for the sun.

Concealing his face, he wears a black cloth over his mouth. Only his eyes are exposed which are strangely sharp.

There is another person wearing glasses; a young woman with honey-colored hair that reaches her shoulders.

She seemed to be a young and very talented woman who wore a black business suit and sunglasses.

"We entered the island safely," She said.

"Of course, there isn't a place that Yokohama's sea breeze can reach that we cannot enter. We're the Port Mafia." The man cloaked in black replied. Upon entering the island, they were given the labels of "general tourists." However, the procedure was cleverly counterfeited.

Changing their careers, manipulating their photographs, and passing confirmation by dangling money or showing violence; everything is possible with the Port Mafia's strength.

The sharp-eyed male has a name: Akutagawa.

He is an ability user who is bound to the Port Mafia.

The woman with honey-colored hair goes by the name Higuchi. She is an administrative assistant to Akutagawa.

"Number of enemies." Akutagawa asked while narrowing his eyes.

"It is estimated to be four people," Higuchi responded competently. "They are traitors to the Port Mafia who tried to invade the Port Mafia's banks last night. The traitors attempted to steal money from the safety deposit box, but they were found out and escaped. One of our members was an accountant who was assigned to manage the bank; they were killed during the escape."

"Insurgents?" Akutagawa laughed a bit.

Reddish blood slowly spilled from his mouth. "Those who rise against us, whether it is from disobedience or circumstance, will not have to wait for long to become a corpse. This is who we are. This is the meaning of our existence."

"I agree," Higuchi nodded. "I don't think that the bank robbers knew they infiltrated the Port Mafia's banks, but as soon as they gained information on the murdered accountant, they ran away to the island without taking the money they robbed. They must have thought they could escape the Port Mafia's revenge by coming to this island because it is an extraterritorial jurisdiction."

"Ignorant fools," Akutagawa's smile was colder than a snake's, and the exhale he made more sinister than an evil spirit's. "But, I congratulate their idiocy. They played an important role by giving the Port Mafia a reason to demonstrate the length and intensity of our revenges. I'll scatter their organs and make their screams long and breathless."

"There's no enemy that can stand before Akutagawa-senpai!" Higuchi exclaimed passionately.

Akutagawa nodded while clenching his jaw.

"Let's go forward, Higuchi."

"Yes," Higuchi said while following Akutagawa. "Oh, by the way, Senpai."

"What?"

"There is this world class resort on this island. Is it not important to rid of mental and physical fatigue? After the mission, the two of us should go sightseeing, visit the beach, and more!"

"No."

Akutagawa started walking away.

"Senpai, in the evening, there seems to be masquerade balls that are held at the central square. Would you like to join me? Just the two of us."

"No."

Akutagawa did not turn around and continued walking.

"Senpai, before we begin our mission, we need a base. In fact, we have a room secured under a false name at the high-class hotel, but it's only one room. We could take a break there first."

"Do you not understand 'no'?"

Akutagawa continued to walk down the stone pavement without slowing down.

Higuchi stared up at the blue sky with a defeated look.

"...I know..right..."

After parting with Dazai, Atsushi headed towards an area called the "engine depot."The island was roughly divided into residential areas, experimental districts, tourist areas, and engine depots. The residential area was where the managing staff lived on the island. The experimental district was where power-generated facilities and various experimental examinations took place. The tourist area has music auditoriums, accommodations, beaches, and shopping districts. And the engine depot is a part of the island where the necessary facilities to sail the "ship" are lined up. It is said that the "Jewel Truffle" that Atsushi and the others were meant to protect is kept in a safe room located deep in the engine room.

Atsushi walked passed modern Berlin buildings to head towards the Security Gaurd section. The clock tower that can be seen beyond the townscape had a different design engraved on it from the British side. Even from a distance, the time could be read; it was 11:27.

Atsushi gazed at the surrounding cityscape from the clock tower.

"Hmm....the buildings in this neighborhood have a different atmosphere then from a while ago..." Atsushi murmured while staring. "The buildings' walls and frames are square-shaped, they look like building blocks. A-ah, that shop's sausages...they look delicious....hm?"

Atsushi stopped walking. On the other side of the large sidewalk, in a recessed part of a building, there was a group of three tourists who were sitting down and talking.

They were a strange group of three. They were not enjoying any sightseeing, nor were they looking at a map, the three people were talking to one another face to face near the wall.

Atsushi could not hear well due to the distance, but a few words were carried by the wind: "I forgot," "At an important time like this?" "What should we do?"

Atsushi tilted his head. Did the tourists leave something behind? They did not appear to be officers on this island. One of them was a bald man, the other looked like a tired office worker, and the third was a boy who looked a bit younger than Atsushi. Just by the tone, they seemed as if they were in some distress.

Did they lose a map? If they're lost, he should help them. It was on the way towards the three strangers that Atsushi realized they were in trouble for a slightly different reason than he had expected. As he got closer, he could hear their conversation clearly.

"It wasn't a difficult conversation. Weren't you the one who said that boss? You said, "At most, I only remember how to count up to 12-column digits, and all the names of every woman I slept with up till now."' It was the middle-aged man wearing a business suit that wore a tired expression that gave the troubled voice. His hair was thin and his body looked as if he had insufficient exercise. He was a man who has worked with money as a middle-level manager for twenty years.

His expression invited sorrow.

"That's what was said...  That's what I definitely said. Is there something wrong?"

The complaints came from a muscular, bald-headed man with a frown on his face. He was taller than Atsushi by a head, but shorter than the Detective Agency's Kunikida.

"I'm the boss of the bandits. So, you all need to support the boss's every action with full effort! If the boss forgets the 12 digit cancellation code, then make up for it somehow, and show me how it's done!"

Atsushi stopped for a moment. It wasn't because the bald-headed man who forgot how to count to 12 digits had such a defiant attitude, but of course because he heard the word "bandits."

—— I received information from Scotland Yard that three thieves are aiming to steal an item --

He remembers when the captain spoke those words when he was talking about the treasured truffles.

"The boss is amazing! So cool! If something were to happen to me, I'd be safe with the boss!"

It was the third person who spoke in a very vibrant voice. His face was bright, but he was dressed poorly. His eyes shone with trust at the man called boss. He was probably younger than Atsushi by 2 or 3 years.

" Fuhahahaha! That's right, boy! Give me more praise! I'm the leader of the bandits; the reincarnation of Kaitou Thief: Arsene Lupin!"* (Kaitou Thief is a popular term in Japan for Magical thief. A very popular character that has kaitou thief qualities is Tuxedo Mask from Sailor Moon. Arsène Lupin is a fictional gentleman thief and master of disguise created by French writer Maurice Leblanc.)

The boss laughed in a way that made his pectoral muscles burst.

"Of course the boss's greatness is something to behold, yes," The middle-aged salary man lowered his head tiredly. "But, no matter how low I bow my head to the Earth and worship the boss, I can't stop the surveillance cameras unless I have the 12-digit cancellation code."

"The surveillance cameras, you say?  Work together and do something about it!"

”There's nothing that we can do!　I'm going to cry!"The middle-aged man gave a sorrowful voice.

"Or, you know, it's okay to use that. You know, that roundish thing you brought. Where you do...something like...this."

"The mouse."

"Yeah, the mouse. And when you push it, it does this sort of.."

"A click."

"Yeah, a click! WELL, IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT MUCH, HURRY UP AND DO IT!"

"Boss is amazing! Let's do it!" The boy with sparkling eyes said.

"You're already 43 years old, are you sure it's okay to cry out in public?" The middle-aged man lowered his head.

There was no doubt about it. Atsushi hid himself behind a tree located near the sidewalk and pulled out a mobile phone from his bosom.

"Kunikida-san" without waiting for a response from the other, Atsushi whispered in a loud voice, "It's Atsushi. I found the three-person bandit group."

"What?" Kunikida breathed behind the receiver. "Where are you, right now?"

"Uh..." Atsushi looked around. "I'm close to the Engine Depot, it's next to the white art museum."

"As for the bandits?"

"There is a really incompetent boss, a young boy who admires his boss a lot, and a very pathetic middle-aged man."

"....Pathetic...What?" Kunikida sounded confused.

"Uhm, well...They seem to be trying to disable the surveillance cameras or something."

"What do you mean disable the surveillance cameras?"Beyond the phone, there was a sound of Kunikida turning pages in his notebook. "There is an underground passage in the museum, and it is connected with other facilities on the island, and..."

Overlapping Kunikida's voice, the three bandits were speaking.

"Eeyy, you're sluggish!" The boss shouted at his two subordinates. "My power is amazing when reflected on surveillance cameras! For the people who want to see, I'll show them!"

"Uh, uhm, wait a minute - boss?!"

"Let's go, it's time to steal!"

All three people stood up and gradually began to advance to the darker side of the building.

"Kunikida-san, it looks like they're starting to make their move!"

"Don't lose sight of them," Kunikida ordered hastily. "Keep surveying them from afar. "Along with the number of guards we have, we will time ourselves and surround them. I'm on my way!"

Atsushi ran after the three people keeping silent.

Before long, the three people were already behind the art museum. A lawn was spread on one of the areas, and sprinklers watered the other side.

The three people then unexpectedly went off the road and took a turn towards the building's entrance gate, suddenly vanishing from Atsushi's view.

They did not see Atsushi when they turned around the corner, nor did they look back once.

You could say that Atsushi was lucky. Atsushi hurried following the crooked thieves' path.

However, Atsushi's luck ended there.

"-?!"

It was a dead end, and no one was there.

The building's outer walls created a cavity. To the left and right were just white walls. There was also a wall ahead. All the walls were flat. There weren't even windows or gutters to enter in.

Atsushi grabbed his mobile phone with trembling hands and made a call.

"Kunikida-san."

"What?"

"I lost sight of them."

"WHAT?!"

It was strange. He was only a couple of seconds away from the thieves until he lost track of them. The walls were as tall as 4 stories. Even if you boasted any physical abilities, you couldn't do tricks to rush up these walls without leaving a clue behind. However, if in the case of a special power....

"It couldn't be..."

Atsushi placed both hands on the other side of the wall. Lowering his head, he gazed at the wall closely. Footprints were easy to leave on this side where soft grass grew, and Atsushi could clearly see the footprints he himself left.

Oh, he found theirs.

There were footprints that belonged to three people. Two of them belonging to adults, and one belonging to a child. They were the footprints belonging to the thieves, and even though the foot prints were placed in front of the walls, they continued forward without any missteps, and then...

They faded into the wall.

"Kunikida-san," Atsushi spoke on his mobile phone. "The other party seems to have already invaded the museum."

"What? Did you find the people you lost sight of?"

"No, but their footprints have disappeared straight towards the deadend, although the details are unknown..." Atsushi cut off his sentence and breathed, "There might be a person with an ability."

"An ability...?" Kunikida breathed over the phone. "There's a possibility someone possesses an ability?"

"Probably," Atsushi said while thinking. "From the looks of the footprints, it must have been an ability that goes through walls."

"Thieves that can slip through walls...!" Kunikida struck his tongue. "Shit, if that's true, we have to reconsider our entire security plan! We're headed there soon, but it will take us at least 5 minutes to arrive. As it is, you are the closest! Do whatever you can, enter the building and chase after those thieves!"

".......Yes!"

Atsushi gazed at the wall.

The building's entrance was located on the main street. But he didn't have time to go back to the entrance.

The walls were the height of four stories, and he had no clue where he should start grabbing. It's impossible to climb such a place in a mathematical second. One must use a special power.

Atsushi closed his eyes and began to breath.

He envisioned a tiger.

It was a white tiger. It had a huge oral cavity that can swallow humans, and strong limbs like steel melded together.

It's forelimbs were like big tree trunks, and its leaps could jump over a valley. It was a white tiger of violence, completely opposite to his weak self.

As the night cooled the earth, the weakness stored inside him, and a violent ferocity reared itself.

There was no other tiger like this anywhere in this world. It only existed inside him. Arrogant and timid. Proud and Ashamed. The more he tried to conceal his weaknesses, the more the tiger appeared on the other side.

Atsushi's hair was standing. His skin became wavy, and his bones began to grow abnormal. The tendon of his legs started to elongate, and his growth extended into his boots and clothes. A white coat sprouted out like a living thing and covered his legs. A voice like a beast leaked from Atsushi's throat.

The gait undoubtedly belonged to a tiger.

It's position was similar to that of felines' with it's knees bent. The long lower limbs sprung like a coil.

Firmly digging it's nails into the ground, it looked like it was standing on its tiptoes.

Atsushi jumped.

In one leap, Atsushi was halfway up the wall, and in one leap he was facing the building's white walls laterally. The wall's materials broke under his nails while he jumped, and he continued to jump to the opposite walls as he went further up.

While kicking against the walls, the tiger made a zigzag while rushing up them vertically.

If it was an ordinary person watching him, their eyes could not catch up to Atsushi's high speed as he rushed up the wall, and made one last jump before making a semiturn in the air and landed on the building's rooftop.

"......hu...."

Atsushi stopped gasping for air.

He then quickly explored his surroundings after using his tiger's ability to reach the rooftop.

Apart from the wind turbines that were used for the wind power generators lined up, it was a flat and empty rooftop. He needed to find a way down to the lower floor.

And he found exactly what he needed.

There was a colonnade from a huge exhibition that extended from the first floor and continued to the atrium. From the roof's edges, numbers of banners with museum events written on them hung below one another.

Atsushi jumped over the handrails.

In an instant, gravity pulled Atsushi down. He fell through the air. Giving a scream of despair, the tourists from the first floor noticed Atsushi from his commotion.

Atsushi twisted his body in the air and grabbed onto one of the banners. Immediately after, the shape of his wrists changed into a tiger's arm. The tiger's nails created an irritating sound as it tore through the banner vertically.

Ripping through the cloth, Atsushi used his power as a brake, and then landed onto the first floor. Immediately, he rolled forward using his knees and shoulders to disperse the shock.

Raising his head, the faces of many tourists stared at him startled. "Haha....I'm causing trouble." He smiled bitterly to suppress the awkwardness.

From there, he then ran towards where the thieves were headed.

At that time, his mobile phone began to ring. It was Kunikida. "I got in touch with London." Kunikida seemed impatient. "I know the thief’s true ability."

"Really?"

"There was information in Scotland Yard's Special Ability Criminal Department. The name of the bandit is "Nemo." He is a giant with a bald head, and he's stolen from all over the world and is wanted."

Atsushi quickly recalled the thieves' faces. It must have been the unreasonably optimistic man called "boss."

"As you've guessed, he has the ability to go through walls. Furthermore, anything he happens to touch - whether it be equipment or friends - can also pass through the walls. However, he cannot go through walls that are more than 5 centimeters. From there, we should be able to narrow down the invasion route to some extent."

Atsushi replied in agreement and once again turned to look forward.

He clenched his backteeth while running.

As expected the other party had an ability.

The thief "Nemo" had a very deceivingly careless behavior, but he is a formidable person.

Rather than going down the stairs, Atsushi kicked off from one of the walls and reached the 2nd floor in 10 seconds. It was already confirmed that there was a passage leading to other facilities in the basement.

He just needed to find the thieves after that.

However, there was no need to because suddenly, the thieves jumped out before him.

Atsushi was surprised, but the thieves were even more surprised.

Suddenly, before their eyes, an ultrafast youth appeared. Everyone's mouths hung open.

There were fireworks scattering in Atsushi's field of vision.

"Oou!!" The thieves boss's voice was projected clearly. "This island is pretty interesting. Look at that, Gab. That boy came from out of nowhere."

"That was amazing, boss!" The boy called Gab said enthusiastically. "There's bound to be extraordinary things happening whenever boss is around!"

For a moment, Atsushi wasn't able to move.

Of course it was painful crashing into the wall, but it was the matter of making a sudden encounter that left him unable to react immediately.

"Hey, boy. You're pretty interesting. Are you a tourist? How did you do that? Do it again."

"No, no, boss. How ever you look at it, it's really suspicious!" The middle-aged man in a business suit interjected. "It's not a speed that an ordinary person should possess... with that, if the person belonged to the guards then..."

Atsushi stiffened. This was bad.

"Are you an idiot?! There's no such thing as an organization using impoverished children for security! He must have entered in one of the artillery's set up and by mistake he blew himself away in one of the art museum exhibits!"

"I've never known such a person to do that...." The middle-aged man weakly said.

Atsushi stood up while supporting his staggering feet with his hands.

He had to make time for Kunikida and the rest to arrive and give aid. There were no clear chances of winning in a battle, so he had to stall for time by conversing with them to prevent them from leaving.

"Uh-uhm..."

"Huh?"

Somehow, After uttering just one word, the boss reacted.

"I...." Atsushi's head was spinning at a high speed. He had to somehow draw their attention. Anything would be okay.

His head kept spinning, and his mouth kept moving.

"You....You lost something!"Atsushi shouted.

"Hah?"

The boss scratched his neck.

"I'm an ordinary tourist with no special features, and you seemed to have lost something, and you seemed to be looking for it, so I followed you!" Atsushi's head was shaking as he rocked back and forth. He didn't know what was what.

The middle-aged man seemed to smell foul play as he watched Atsushi. "Boss....please, he seems really suspicious."

"Hmm, but the amazing and great phantom thief does not judge an opponent in an unreasonably doubtful manner."

The boss then turned to face towards Atsushi with a sturdy look. "So, what's the item that I lost, boy?"

"What?" Atsushi had not thought of anything beyond his plan, and unintentionally stared in puzzlement.

"Like you said, the thing that was lost..."

"Aa...ehh?" Atsushi was weak when it came to adlib. When trying to come up with contents and act and talk at the same time, it exceeded his mental tolerance. As a result, he becomes defenseless.

"T-that is...you, you should know that the best, don't you?!"

"Ha?"

"Ha?"

"Ha?"

All three bandits scratched their heads at the same time.

Atsushi wanted to die a little. However, he couldn't stop anymore even if he wanted to. He had to stall for time.

"When you lost it, you....you didn't notice it, but you certainly had it once." Atsushi was embarrassed as he continued to speak, his head was spinning, and he felt like he was going to die. Even if you know that you are on the road to hell, at least you only go through that road you chose once. "What's wrong? The thing that you valued so much, you lost it!"Atsushi spoke faintly. He didn't know what it was. Please, someone stop him. He was about to die in shame. Rather, someone kill him.

However, the boss's carelessness was beyond Atsushi's.

"Ooooh!!!" Atsushi's disorder was suddenly drowned out by the boss's cry. "You're absolutely right, boy! I gave my entire life up to become the greatest phantom thief! And yet, nevertheless, even now..!"

Watching the boss's exaggerated grief, Atsushi became a little calm.

"Boss! Please, calm down, boss!" The middle-aged man panicked and began to shake him. "Boss, even now, you're enough! You are desperately thinking of nothing else, but what else to steal! Stop talking on the spur of the moment already!"

"Oh...what?" The boss's lamentation quickly stopped. "If that's what you say...I guess you could say that."

"Hey, hey, you shortie!" The youngest colleague stepped forward with excitement. "Didn't you just try to trick our great boss? We should tie you up and throw you in the middle of the ocean, you white-haired bastard!"

Atsushi began to sweat. It seemed like everyone was being cautious now, and he didn't really remember how it all became like this.

"I am the great phantom theif's pupil! I am Gab of the swift wind! If you can dodge this dagger, then dodge it!" The boy took out a blue shining steel blade from his bosom. The drawn dagger was made to be concealed in one's pocket.

Alarm bells started ringing in Atsushi's head when he saw the cutlery.

"Wait, wait," Atsushi reflexively stepped away. "Let's talk this over, again!"

"It's useless!" The boy started rushing towards the center with the dagger.

He had no choice, but to fight.

Atsushi's tiger power began to pour into his arms, and instantly his forearm muscles began to bulge explosively. The tiger's hair blew out from under his clothes, and the sound of a tree twisting could be heard as his fingers turned into huge tiger nails.

Knives or bullets could not go through the tiger's hair. If he could prvent the dagger with his arms, he had a chance of winning.

Atsushi's train of thought stopped; however, when a piercing scream cried.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, WHAT IS THAT? IT'S SCARY. I'M SCARED!"

The boy retreated and fell on his butt.

".....Uh, pardon?"

"What is with that arm! Don't get any closer, stop right there! The hair just grew out of nowhere! Ahhh, I'm scared! I'm traumatized, sorry boss, but can I go home?!"

"Ahhhh, isn't this what I've been telling you, boss?!" Said the middle-aged man with a miserable face. "We shouldn't have brought Gab along! Of course, Gab's an excellent follower....but look at him, he loses his nerves so fast! He's the best pupil only because the other ones quit!"

"Eh."

Was that so?

Atsushi's eyes became tiny dots. Should he just advance?

"Well, I guess it can't be helped. So, you go, Bilgo."

"M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-ME? That's impossible! I'm only a technician! Technical support is my job! I disable surveillance cameras and extract security codes! Fighting is not in my contract." The middle-aged man called Bilgo lowered his head like a small animal and retreated.

"This is...."

Atsushi raised both his arms and shouted. "This is different from what I imagined!" His soul was crying.

"No matter how you imagined it, it's no longer a problem, since we can complete the request." A low voice resonated in the corridor. "Well done, Atsushi."

"Kunikida-san!" Atsushi shouted.

Behind Kunikida, armed security guards from the island came along.

"The head of the serial group of thieves, Nemo." Kunikida said out loud while reading his notebook. "While having a powerful ability that allows you to go through many walls, because of excessively irresponsible and reckless plans, your robberies fail every time. You exhaust your relationship with your subordinates, where only the people remaining with you are amateurs who have barely any work experience. 

While repeatedly failing at your robberies and being captured, your nature of going through prison walls has been a repeated offense. The number of times you have made a jail break has been 89 times. While it's impossible to call you a master thief, we can honor you as the jailbreak king."

"Guuu...uuunu.." The boss's face stiffened. "Oi, you bastards, do something!"

"S-sorry boss, somehow I was careless."

"I'm nothing but an engineer. For that reason, I surrender, so please consider my case."

The young boy was crawling on the floor while the middle-aged man raised both of his hands in defeat towards Kunikida.

Atsushi finally caught up with the situation. Apparently, Atsushi had thought that originally the robbers were 100 times worse than they actually were.

"Atsushi, please contact the client- the captain." Kunikida narrowed his eyes. "We can finally pull the curtains over this fun game of tag with these pleasant thieves." Kunikida took one step as the circle of security guards surrounding them also narrowed gradually. "Boss...boss! I'm sorry...I'll hold them back, so please run away!" The young boy said in a hurried voice. The boss gave no response.

He merely stood there on his thick legs while glaring at his surroundings. "Escape on my own?" There was no hint of impatience in his voice. "The great mysterious Lupin neither had an ability nor a subordinate, and he still performed thefts that, even now, are too difficult for me, and, so he remains in the hearts of people. I knew long ago that I couldn't be like him."

The boss's eyes stared quietly at a point in the air. His eyes grabbed hold of something from far away. "I'm different from Phantom Thief Lupin. Because of that, I have to hold onto something that he doesn't have, keep it in mind, and lay a foundation to ascend into becoming a great Phantom Thief.”

Atsushi noticed something suddenly. The boss was slouching just now. His face was hard, a shadow from a light fell from the ceiling's fluorescent light. "My ability is the ability to slip through objects less than 5 centimeters in thickness - in other words, if they are objects of a certain thickness, it means that they can stay in an overlapping state without interfering with my body."

Atsushi watched.

Something was coming out from the boss's thick chest. There was no sound, and something fell through the boss as if his body did not exist. It was about 5 centimeters thick. The width was as big as a book, it was a square metal plate. Something fell through the boss's body. Atsushi and the others were surprised; their reactions were delayed.

"I definitely will not abandon my subordinates!"

"Bo-!" Kunikida shouted. "Bomb! Get down!"

A flash of light filled the corridor.

Atsushi took off quickly with the tiger's reflex. Kunikida took the security guards and pushed them down; they all lay on the floor together. Fierce smoke and wind blew through the area.

"Geha....ha.." Atsushi coughed in the smoke as he got up. The strong sound of the explosion pierced Atsushi's ears and rung to the center of his brain.  Because of the white smoke, he couldn't see what state the corridor was in.

The boss applied his ability of going through walls, and reversed it. He slipped and hid the bomb in his body. No physical examination or observation could find out if he had a bomb inside him with the ability. That is probably how he brought some work tools to the island as well.

Even so, there were no major bruises or pain. Atsushi quickly inspected his own body. He wasn't bleeding from anywhere. If it was detonated nearby, then this small damage shouldn't be possible.

”Damn!　It was a distraction!" Kunikida yelled from the other side of the smoke. "They probably ran to the other side of the wall!"

What Kunikida said was right. He had checked where the thieves were last, and no one was there. There was only the cold floor.

They escaped.

"I'll go after them!" Atsushi shouted back to Kuninkida. He explored the wall by hand due to his vision being blocked by the smoke. The underground walls were thick. If Nemo had escaped with his two subordinates, he should have had his eyes on the wall's thickness beforehand. Fumbling around, Atsushi immediately found something. It was an automatic side door. It's a door painted in the same color as the wall, but it seemed like the thickness was thinner than the other walls that he had touched. There was a high chance of escaping beyond this door. However, it was locked, and it would not open even if you pushed or pulled it.

"Kunikida-san! They might be beyond this door!" Atsushi cried while the smoke was fading. "Please tell me how to open the door!"

"It's probably a security door for certification ceremonies." Kunikida came running furiously. "Use the silver coin on the door's certification board."

Atsushi then remembered the silver coins that were given to them when entering the island. They had an identification transmitter built-in, and they should be able to open places where tourists couldn’t go.

Atsushi took out the silver coin from his bosom and in a hurry brought it close to the door. However, a dull electronic beep resounded, and the door did not appear to open. "Show it to me!" Kunikida approached the door. "...This is strange. I can't even open the door with my silver coin."

"Please, back away." One of the guards came close. "No one is allowed to enter that door."

"......What?" Kunikida turned around and looked back at him. "What do you mean?"

"The destination is a special confidential area, and only people with permission can go in. Please get away from it."

"Get away?" Kunikida's eyes narrowed in anger. "Hey, we were hired to catch the bandits who are running away as we speak. Are there any other secrets or things that need permission? If you're so obedient, open it and catch them!"

"We are not given the authority to enter as well." Somehow, the situation was becoming suspicious.

During the initial explanation of their duties, there was no word about the Detective Agency being unable to enter an area. Even with this situation, it was not the time when thieves were escaping now. "WE'RE MAKING NO PROGRESS. Atsushi, contact the captain! Hurry so we can have this door open and enter inside!"

"The captain also has no authority," The security guard said without expression. "If you need confirmation, you're free to call him."

Atsushi took out his mobile phone. Even though they were underground, there were radio signals. Looking through his phone, he pressed the captain's contact. "Kunikida-san," Atsushi said while listening to the phone. "I can't connect to the captain."

"What?"

No matter how long they waited, the client was not picking up the phone, however...

"Hey, do you hear something?" Kunikida said while looking around. Atsushi started to hear the sound as well. It was a strange electronic sound -- the sound of a chalmera ringing from ramen stalls.

"It's the captain's phone that's ringing..."

"From the other side of the door?" Kunikida said while touching the wall. At that time, the door opened automatically suddenly.

"Hugh!?" Kunikida said in panic.

Beyond the door, there were soldiers.

They weren't just soldiers. They had large automatic rifles with bulletproof equipment. There were more than 10 of them. One could not see their expressions because their faces were covered with bulletproof masks. "Beyond this point, you are prohibited from entering this area. Leave immediately."

"What did you say?"

"Leave, you have only one warning. If you do not obey instructions, then it will be considered appropriate to use firearms.” They hoisted their automatic rifles; their black muzzles shone dully.

More than 10 fully armed soldiers pointed at Kunikida and were ready to shoot at any time. The intimidation the soldiers emitted was the equivalent of plunging headfirst in a Lion's mouth.

However, Kunikida did not change the tone of his voice nor was he frightened. "I also have a warning, and I'll say it once. We are a detective agency who was assigned to capture thieves for a client. Even if this island is an extraterritorial property, there are extraterritorial laws for pointing a gun at a general member of the public, and don't think that I will allow you to threaten one." Kunikida's entire body emanated a murderous aura. The opportunity to capture the thieves was being blocked due to irrational reasons, and it seemed like he was considerably angry.

"Hoho, this person has a backbone." An unexpected voice came from behind the soldiers. "Everyone, rescind your weapons. There's no use trying to threaten this person with a gun." As soon as the hoarse voice ordered the soldiers, the soldiers pointed their guns down. They moved perfectly like a machine.

When the soldiers moved aside and made a clearing, an old man dressed in a military uniform appeared.

He was a small old man. When surrounded by strong soldiers, his stature stood out even more. He had a mild expression and a fluffy gray beard running down his wrinkly face. If he were not wearing military clothes, he looked like he would belong in the country side as some teacher.

"You're the head of this group of soldiers?" Kunikida asked in an angry voice. "We are pursuing thieves, and I would like you to allow us to enter this area."

"Well, if you aren't a young man with a considerable spirit. If you trained with a battalion, you would make a good soldier." The old man laughed with eyes similar to that of a teacher's. "However, I cannot approve of this entry, unfortunately-- but, if it's the case of a gold coin then..."

"You possess silver coins that are given to the general staff. Besides that, on this island, you must be in possession of a gold coin for confidential areas. If a person enters this area without a gold coin and information leaks outside, then he or she can be immediately shot to the death. This is the island's absolute code of conduct. The leaders of your country have signed a consent form."

Atsushi stared at the silver coin in his hand. Certainly, ordinary tourists received copper coins. In other words, there were many places that could be entered depending on which coins: copper, silver, and gold in order.

"However, let it be known, out of respect for your sense of justice, that the thieves have been caught."

"Is that so?" Kunikida said surprised.

"The inside of the confidential area is strictly guarded by surveillance videos, and the amount of soldiers in here is incomparable to the ones outside, so be relieved."

Kunikida glared at the man for a few seconds before slowly speaking. "If that's the case, let us confirm from the client. Would you please give me your name?"

"There is no name to be given. I am called 'Colonel' by everyone here."

"Colonel...You're certainly a military employ."

Atsushi once again looked at the old man's face. Although he had the expression of a school teacher, there were some white wounds that have faded in the old man's face if looked at closely. His shoulder width was solid, and was indicative of having been forged in the past despite his small size.

Suddenly, a wretched smell came through.

Atsushi's five senses become sharp when using his tiger ability. He is able to pick up sounds and smells that no one can usually notice. The tiger's senses must have stayed when he had transformed.

The tiger's nose caught the smell when he had sniffed. He had smelled this scent many times after entering the detective agency, but still he could never get used to it. It was an unpleasant scent, it was....

"It can't be..."

Atsushi darted quickly without thinking. He forcibly shoved himself through the confidential area blocked by the soldiers.

"Hey, what are you doing!?"

Ignoring the soldiers' shouting, Atsushi looked around the area. There was another corridor that continued from the entrance. There was little difference between the place and its interior.

"Get away from the door! Do you want to be shot dead?!" The soldiers' warnings were ignored by Atsushi.

Atsushi's eyes then caught onto a color.

There was a red color within the confidential area. The red stretched tightly in the corridor, and scattered from the wall to the ceiling. It was definitely the source of the unpleasant smell. "That is...!" Atsushi's eyes widened. It was no mistake. There was a brilliant red on a white wall, and a body lying in the center.

There was blood and a corpse.

"Get down!"

Atsushi was brought down by a soldier. Forcibly pushed by a firearm, Atsushi staggered and fell on his back.

Kunikida ran to him.

"Hey Atsushi, are you ok?"

"Kunikida-san...." Atsushi said dumbfounded. He saw it for a moment, but there was no way it was a mistake. "There was a dead body."

"What?" Kunikida widened his eyes. "It couldn't be...was it the thieves?"

When Atsushi instantly smelled the blood, he had also thought that, however...

"No..." Atsushi raised his head. The image was burned into his mind.

"Well....did you see it boy?" The old man called Colonel gave a shrewd face. "As I said earlier, the information in this area is confidential, and there is a code of conduct that we cannot abandon regardless of what the situation is. It's too bad...it won't be easy for you to go outside."

"What? Atsushi, what did you see?"

Blue clothes resembling those of a repairman. A tired face. The sound of a chalmera ringing from a ramen stand. With a faint voice, Atsushi spoke.

"It was the client....the captain is dead."

[akutagawaprize]

Would you?? actually?? write an essay on how Akutagawa is a good character despite not being a good person?? bc that kind of analysis is my shit my pal

Yeah, sure. There are people who can express themselves better than I can… and I’m not really sure sometimes if what I say makes sense but if you’re willing to plow through I’ll keep it as short as I can.

First of all, what is Akutagawa’s role in the story? In earlier chapters he is established as the main antagonist, and later on he serves as a foil to Atsushi. In the mafia he is a cog in the wheel; a powerful pawn, but one that is not indispensable. Akutagawa gives the impression of being irrational and cannot be reasoned with, blind to everything but his own emotions at the moment. He seeks power not because he has any ambitions for himself, but to prove that his existence has meaning.

What is it that drives Akutagawa so? He’s had a rough childhood, sure, but so do most of the people in the series (screams of “they are all ORPHANS” surround the room aaaaaghhhh). In my mind, there’s always something unhinged about him, something I also feel the same with when it comes to Dazai. Both of them were shaped by their circumstances but Dazai was tougher mentally, and had begun to get bored of the world. He also had the opportunity to be taken in by Mori, and although I’m sure this is where people would disagree with me, I consider this a luxury compared to Akutagawa who fought his way to survive in this dog eat dog world. But in any case, their two paths do cross, and the timing in which Dazai appears in Akutagawa’s life cannot be any more perfect: he was ready to die to avenge his friends, but anything that will give him a reason to live he will cling to, no matter how hellish the path will be. (Cue rl Akutagawa’s ‘Life is more hellish than hell itself.’ quote)

And again, this is where I point out how disturbing Akutagawa’s way of thinking already is. He has a sister, but prior to his first encounter with Dazai he went after those responsible for his friends’ death without any regards for her safety and survival. There is probably familial bond… but love? He has never known it, has never tasted it, and even when someone shows it he’d probably subconsciously reject it. He has no attachments to anyone which is why it is all the more painful when he decides to devote himself in gaining Dazai’s approval. What’s even sadder is that Dazai knows it. I’m thoroughly convinced that Dazai saw through him at once, that there was no point in coddling him or treating him like fragile china. Akutagawa would detest that. This is in contrast to Atsushi who gains strength in positive reinforcement and support. I guess in a modern setting, it’s the classic “work harder since boss says I’m doing great” vs “work harder bec screw you Ryan I’m getting my promotion” kind of mindset.

This, to me, is an intriguing aspect of Akutagawa. Because he scoffs at Atsushi for being stuck in the past, but he himself cannot help but return back to Dazai, desiring to obtain acknowledgement of his powers. To the point that he was willing to go on fighting Hawthorne despite not being in optimal condition. And, if you’ve read LN4, he even decided to walk in hellfire even as his [spoiler alert] eyeballs were melting. That’s frightening singlemindedness and willpower right there. But it’s sad. Very sad. He suffers from tunnel vision, and doesn’t see that he’s stuck in the same place he started, except now there is Dazai, peering at him from above and dangling a spider web, tempting him to climb up.

And believe me, not a day passes by that he doesn’t try.

So when he sees Atsushi, it makes no sense that everything is handed to this dude in a silver platter. He is loved, he is protected…and even with his horrifying childhood in the orphanage, surely it’s not as if Akutagawa himself didn’t suffer, living every day as if it was his last. What nightmare is that environment, that at such an early age he has been made numb to the act of killing and to the idea of being killed? He was never given the chance to be a child. Dazai, who had beaten him and told him he would be thrown away like a worthless dog if he acts up, took in this kid who does nothing but complain and whine how incapable he is. This kid, who is favored by fortune and has managed to escape through life and death situations not only because of his OP powers (Atsushi’s basically wolverine, ok?) but also because he had comrades who cared for him. This kid, who has an indescribable power he cannot control, while Akutagawa had to work his ass for years just to keep Rashomon manageable. (To further hammer it in, watch the first ED again, where Akutagawa drowns and a bloody[?] tear escapes from his eye. He doesn’t have any clothing on. What’s his ability again? Yeah, without that he is garbage and to be discarded, is what seems to be the implication. Let’s not even get started with that scene in LN2.) Isn’t it mad? It’s as if the world gave him the biggest middle finger and there was nothing he could do but suck it up. Of course, Akutagawa has Higuchi and the Black Lizard, but the mafia being the mafia, their camaraderie isn’t as obvious as it in ADA. Add to his lone wolf personality, we can say for certain that Akutagawa thinks he is ALWAYS, always fighting alone.

As a character Akutagawa is seemingly stagnant, and as I pointed out, has no end goals of his own. Currently, he only follows the orders given to him by the top brass. It is something I wish Asagiri would work on, but given the current state of events in the Cannibalism arc, I suppose it cannot be helped that he won’t be spotlighted. As for being a good character, I think he is one, because he’s neither the run of the mill chaotic evil villain nor the sympathetic antagonist. He’s just…. Akutagawa. I didn’t write passages of his past to make people think he deserves a hug; rather, I want people to understand that Akutagawa, in his own twisted way, was saving himself from desolation. Isn’t it contradictory, you ask? Sure, but as I pointed out, he has his moments of being a hypocrite, scoffing at Atsushi but ignoring the fact that he is blind when it comes to how Dazai has changed, all the while chasing after the illusion of that godlike being he first met.

But if Atsushi is the story of shedding away your past and facing the future head on, Akutagawa’s can be interpreted in two ways: 1.) Swallowing the same past and using it as fuel to do something about the situation even when the forces are against you (spite makes people do things they think they thought they would never be able to do!); and 2.) As a cautionary tale to all those who choose to isolate themselves and forget that there may be people who are behind them and want to help during bad times.

As for Akutagawa himself, I’m looking forward to any development his character would undergo.