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The blond man was walking along Yokohama Street, holding a briefcase with his things at hand. He left the house a little earlier than usual so as not to be late. After all, there were a lot of people in the streets. Why? The answer was obvious.
Today was Valentine's Day.
The street was full of people rushing to buy a forgotten present or going out with their significant other on a date.
Kunikida stopped involuntarily, seeing a couple of people walking across the street. They were both holding hands, talking to each other tenderly. The girl with red hair was obviously laughing at the boy's joke next to her. It was clear that today was a very important day for them. Soon the couple disappeared into the entrance to the cafe.
But Kunikida continued to stand still, staring at the door of the cafe where the couple had entered. He couldn't help tightening his fingers on the handle of the briefcase.
Honestly? He didn't like Valentine's Day. Of course, he celebrated them not to depart from his ideal, but ... He didn't like Valentine's Day.
He even had some good reasons.
Kunikida knew he was ignorant of feelings. When it came down to it, he would completely stutter, seeking help from others. He didn't know what to say or do then. He always had a problem identifying with the other person's problem... Apparently, he was a practice type.
The next reason was also obvious, he had no place to celebrate Valentine's Day in his schedule. He didn't want to take the time to have dinner with someone in a romantic place... And that was the main reason.
Kunikida had no one to eat such dinners. He knew that Valentine's Day can also be celebrated with loved ones, but ... It wasn't the same.
The detective had his ideal woman. And even optionally the secret ideal of a man. But still... He was aware that this ideal would never come true. Even if he keeps swearing that he will eventually meet someone. Even if he ignored all the funny comments from his friends, he knew his ideal didn't exist. And it will never exist.
"Apparently that's how it's written for me..." he muttered, pushing his glasses up his nose with his hand.
But a glance at the watch on his hand immediately awakened his urgent personality. He was a few minutes late according to his schedule for the day. Detective walked briskly towards the building where the agency's office was located.
Kunikida didn't have time to think about Valentine's Day. Another orderly day at work ahead of him. Thanks to this, he will be able to stop thinking about his future alone.
Loneliness
It was the first time the word popped into his mind. He was aware that he would not meet his ideal, but ... He did not think that he would live alone. He may have friends and family, but it wasn't the same as having a significant other. Have someone who knows more about you than you remember. And now Kunikida was sure that he would never, ever meet such a person. For the first time he felt a strange feeling that made him not want to work.
Kunikida now wanted to lie down on the couch and never get up.
...
Wow
He turned into Dazai
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"Happy Valentine's Day Mr. Kunikida!"
The bespectacled man looked up from his papers, seeing a box full of chocolates in front of him. Atsushi was holding the box, and Kenji was standing next to him with a smile. The blond man was holding a pile of identical gifts in his hands. Apparently, both boys wanted to give something to each of the agencies.
"Oh... Thank you, kids" he mumbled, hesitantly taking the chocolates from him.
He held the box in his hands, staring at it. He didn't even notice when Atsushi exchanged a slightly worried look with Kenji.
"Um... Mr.Kunikida?" said Kenji, getting the elder's attention "Is everything okay?" still a boy in a straw hat, smiling.
Blinked once. And blinked again.
"Oh" was the only sound Kunikida made. He obviously hadn't expected such a question "... Of course it's okay! I was just thinking about... the rest of the reports I have to fill out for Dazai."
"I know you love it Kuni~!" exclaimed the other, spinning slowly in his chair.
"I'd love it if you did anything!" he snorted, rolling his eyes.
"But then you'd have to take it out on someone else!" Ranpo commented, munching on a packet of sweets he had bought earlier. Ranpo loved Valentine's Day. There were lots of sweets everywhere, free time and of course he could invite Poe out! By the way, he'd have to check restaurant reservations... He'd rather make sure of everything.
"Ow, you want to sacrifice me, Ranpo?"
"Life requires sacrifices" he replied with a smile, shrugging his shoulders.
"And this time it's you" added Yosano, peeking out from her office door.
Dazai sighed theatrically, almost lying down on the chair. Atsushi shook his head in amusement, hearing this exchange. He immediately distributed the rest of the chocolates to each of the agencies. Of course, he also gave a box for the president. He also noticed that the desk was full of gifts. Apparently, the entire agency wanted to thank Fukuzawa.
"By the way, do you have any plans today?" Tanizaki asked, putting down the report he had filled out.
"I'm going out with Poe today."
"Aww, you two are really cute!" Naomi stated and Kyouka nodded in agreement. They almost looked like a real couple. Even though they said they weren't officially a couple.
"Yeah... You could say that" Ranpo muttered, covering his red face slightly with his hat. He was easily embarrassed when talking about emotional things "Maybe someone else will share their plans?"
"I'm going for a walk with Kouyou! We're going out to the gardens here and then for tea" Yosano pouted, smiling as she thought of the appointment.
"With mafia executive?"
Everyone looked at Kunikida, who finally decided to speak.
"We have peace with them after all, so... It's not really a problem" Yosano shrugged.
"Exactly! For example, me and Kyouka promised Akutagawa and Higuchi that we would go to an amusement park! They've never been there, so we thought they'd enjoy it" Atsushi confessed. Maybe he and Akutagawa didn't like each other, but... They could have turned a blind eye to their relationship. Besides, Atsushi really wanted to do something good this holiday.
"But you are aware that they are still Mafia members?" pressed Kunikid. Apparently he wasn't in a very good mood right now. Besides, he couldn't imagine dating someone who had taken so many lives... Or maybe he was just oversensitive? Probably both things were right.
Nobody answered him anymore. Ranpo only glanced at him, obviously wanting to say something. But he stopped right away. Of course, the cunning detective knew something that the blonde had missed.
Forgetting Kunikida's earlier words, they all went back to friendly conversations about their plans. The man didn't even blame them. He wouldn't have anything to say anyway. Therefore, in silence he filled out the next documents, from time to time glancing at the box of chocolates lying on the side.
It was probably the last thing he would get today.
"Ku~ni~ki~daaaa~! Aren't you focused on work?"
The busy detective sighed softly hearing his partner's voice. He saw a shadow blocking his light from the lamps. Dazai stood right next to him, looking over his shoulder. The blond looked sideways, seeing his friend's face very close. A smile appeared on "bandages machine's" face.
"And I thought I was the lazy one!" he added, resting his head on his hand and looking at his partner.
"Because you are" he muttered, pressing his lips into a line.
"But to hurt others on Valentine's Day? How could you?" he replied dramatically, clutching his heart.
Kunikida rolled his eyes, clenching his hands on the piece of paper he was holding. He really didn't want to talk. But Dazai seems to have understood it for his regular reflex. Usually his comments caused the blonde to react like this, so he took it as normal. But this time it was different. This time Kunikida was really on the edge.
"You're awfully sluggish! Not very nice..." the bandaged detective continued, smirking slightly.
But Kunikida did not answer him. He went back to writing papers without a word. Which Dazai took as permission to continue.
"So~ Who are you going out with today, Kunikida?" he asked, leaning against his partner's desk "You didn't say anything!"
When asked, he just gave him a short look, not knowing what to answer. It's silly to admit that he's going to spend Valentine's Day alone again. Even an idiot like that mummy could easily find someone. It wasn't like Kunikida noticed such things, but he was also a realist. Dazai wasn't ugly. Rather, it was a fact.
"Surely you finally found someone from your ideal list!" Dazai stated, glancing at the notebook that was lying on the desk next to Kunikida's hand.
"You know the answer to your question perfectly well" Kunikida muttered, looking at the report in front of him. This time it wasn't the persuasive blond that Dazai usually knew. He felt like that was a sign to shut up. And that's what Dazai used to do.
Dazai just gave him a glance before returning to his desk.
Today was definitely not a successful day for Kunikida.
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Finally, it was lunch break. All the agents went downstairs to the coffee shop, starting their break together. Kunikida preferred to continue working, but the others refused to let him stay. The poor guy would still be overworked.
Their lunch break went as usual. Dazai was making trouble, Atsushi was trying to calm his mentor down, and Kunikida wanted to strangle his partner. Apparently, he was trying to act normal. But unfortunately, he wasn't good at hiding his feelings in front of loved ones. The rest immediately realized what was going on. Trying to comfort him somehow, they tried to avoid the subject of Valentine's Day. Although it was very difficult when every second person on the street had something that resembled this holiday. And the cafe was decorated in red colors and hearts. Not very fortunate...
"Or would you like to take a longer break?" Tanizaki suggested as everyone was heading back upstairs.
"What a stupid question? I still have a mountain of reports ahead of me!" replied Kunikida. But that strange feeling continued to haunt him. He didn't allow himself to show that he really wanted get break. He had to be the responsible and strong one.
"Everyone needs a break if you're feeling down" Atsushi said, looking uncertainly at the elder. He hadn't been to the downcast Kunikida yet, so he didn't quite know what to do.
"It's okay" the blonde repeated, wiping his glasses.
Seeing how he did not want to delve further, the agents stopped questioning him. They didn't need to know what it was to comfort him.
When their lunch break was over, which Kunikida announced right away, they all went upstairs to the office. They chatted cheerfully as they opened the office door, stepped inside, and took their places at their desks.
Just like Kunikida, they sat on the chairs immediately grabbing the reports. But Kunikida stopped.
It was on his desk There was a box on his desk. Pretty nicely packaged.
He raised one eyebrow in surprise as he looked around the office. But he found no similar gift in the offices of the other detectives.
` Weird ` he thought as he shifted the box and grabbed the next report. However, he glanced out of the corner of his eye again at the mysterious gift. He had to stick to the plan, but... Kunikida was a bit curious about what was inside. After all, he didn't see Atsushi handing out more chocolates.
He gave up trying to open the box, putting the reports down and placing box in the middle of the desk. The box wasn't very big, but you never knew what was inside. Then they were wrapped in bright yellow paper. The wrapping paper was almost perfectly adherent which was also a bit odd. He thought he was the only one who made sure the gifts were perfectly wrapped.
He immediately thought that maybe Dazai was up to something. Everything could be a gift. Even the bomb.
Kunikida looked in the direction where his partner was. He was currently talking to Atsushi and Kyouka. Apparently about something not very moral, the weretiger was covering the ears of the younger one.
` This bandage-wasting machine pays no attention to this weird box ` he thought as he saw how the brunette was so engrossed in terrorizing the younger ones.
So maybe it wasn't Dazai making fun of him? But better be careful.
The blond looked back at the box, finally starting to slowly pull off the paper. He hoped something wouldn't explode in his face.
Fortunately, nothing of the sort happened.
The man's eyes widened as he saw the contents of the box. Inside was another box. More elegant than the one where the hideout was. The top was transparent, so Kunikida could easily see its contents, which was an elegant pen with ornaments. More specifically, it was a stationery set that he had once noticed while walking with Atsushi to a meeting with the police. He had wanted to get one for a long time, but seeing its price each time he convinced himself that there were many more things he could spend his money on. His ideal did not allow him to throw away money.
And yet the thing he wanted so much lay before him.
Kunikida, still surprised, leaned a bit more over the box, checking if it wasn't some dummy. But surprisingly, it was real. At this point, the man didn't even know what to say. That was it for sure. But who would spend that much money on some kind of writing set?
The first person that came to mind was Atsushi. After all, it was in front of him that he said that he would like to buy it someday. But on the other hand... He knew that the white-haired man wouldn't spend so much money on a pen. He wasn't even sure if he even had that much money.
So who could possibly buy it?
"Mr. Kunikida, who is this from?" Kenji stood at his desk with a smile, looking at the box lying there. He looked inside immediately, his eyes almost sparkling with asterisks of curiosity "Wooow! This pen looks great! Someone must have really known about it!"
At the younger boy's words, the rest of the agency looked in their direction. There was no need to wait for everyone to gather at Kunikida's desk.
"Ohho~ Does Kunikida have an admirer?" asked Yosano, examining the gift.
"Apparently someone rich. This pen looks super expensive!" added Tanizaki.
"But it's terribly romantic! A mystery package for a loved one! Aww, I read a book with a similar theme once!" Naomi began, literally adding fuel to the fire.
"Has someone finally met the 58 requirements of Kuni~?" Dazai asked jokingly "I'm sure this person has met the monetary requirements."
At the time, Kunikida was sure that no one from the ADA had given him such a gift. Ignoring the conversation between his friends, he picked up the gift again, examining it. The next thought crossed his mind that maybe someone had confused the people.
However, he felt a warmth in his chest at the thought that someone had given him such a gift.
It was the first time he received such a surprise. And for the first time, he didn't feel annoyed knowing he was late with his schedule for the day.
It was nice
He didn't even notice a tiny smile spread across his face as he stared at the gift. Conversations stopped, and he had to look up, feeling that everyone was staring at him. He wasn't wrong. Everyone was looking at him with a rather ambiguous smile. Well, maybe Kyouki and Ranpo, who were just looking at him a bit amused.
"....So what?" muttered Kunikida, breaking the silence "Why are you grinning so much?"
"Oh... Never mind" Yosano replied. "I guess I have to get back to my work..." she added, moving away from the desk.
"Hey, but tell me what's going on!" Kunikida said, seeing everyone slowly walking away with the same smile "Yosano! Although you say!"
The woman only smiled in his direction, disappearing behind the door of her office.
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Eventually the sun went below the horizon as each of the detectives left the office. Kunikida, as usual, left them on time. But this time, in a much better mood earlier. With a gentle smile, he said goodbye to everyone, heading towards his apartment. He held his gift carefully in his hand, looking forward to using it.
"Kunikida has never been so happy with just a pen" Dazai joked, as did the others, as they said goodbye.
He was the only one left in the office, apparently not in a hurry. Of course, Valentine's Day was not a very important holiday for him. He usually spent them with Chuuya drinking wine that Chuuya brought back from his missions. And to spite him, Dazai was always late for their meetings.
With a slightly mean smile, he left the office, going downstairs. He was about to move on when he noticed his friend.
"Hey Ranpo! I thought you had a date with your Julia~!" he said as they put their hands in the pockets of their coat.
"Yes Yes. I just wanted to get something else from the office," the other replied, adjusting his poncho.
Dazai nodded understandably, dodging him to go on. He didn't want Nakahara to drink all the wine.
"How are your fingers?"
Stopped. Slightly baffled by this question, he looked over his shoulder at the raven-haired man.
"Fingers?"
"The ones glued together. You used good glue, so it didn't come off completely" Ranpo added, saying it as if he were talking about the weather.
Dazai stood still, staring at him with a blank face. He chuckled softly. Of course. Ranpo figured it out a long time ago. He could have expected it.
"I'm not good at wrapping gifts. I almost glued Chibi's hair to his hat" he admitted, sighing softly.
There was silence again between them. Interrupted from time to time by the voices of people walking across the street.
"You didn't leave a note"
Hm? Oh yes, a note. Dazai reluctantly took a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket.
"You know how it is. I have a bad memory for small things" Dazai joked, obviously lying. The brunette pursed his lips into a line, squeezing the paper in his hand even more. The letters had already faded a bit, but one sentence was clearly visible.
" ...You are perfect the way you are
From my favorite partner - Dazai"
Dazai just stared at the paper, seeing that Ranpo was still standing behind him.
"Hah... The Demon of Prodigy shouldn't be afraid of anything..." Dazai laughed coldly, closing his eyes "Meanwhile, I chickened out to give a stupid note to stupid gift..."
He heard footsteps and felt Ranpo's presence at his side.
"Just... I don't know. I didn't want to seem like a bigger idiot than I am" he sighed, not knowing what else to say "...Who would want a gift from a monster" he added more quietly, looking away.
Ranpo just stood next to him in silence. Dazai didn't like words like "nothing will happen". He preferred someone's presence to empty words of sympathy. And Ranpo was aware of it. He was also aware of his friend's uncertainty. He had noticed earlier that when Kunikida commented on Yosano's date with Kouyou, Dazai flinched slightly.
He may not admit it openly, but he was afraid of his past.
Dazai knew what he had done. And he knew he didn't deserve love. He didn't even know if he could love anyone.
"Dazai Osamu" was just another mask he put on. And "love"? Could it be a real feeling or another illusion of the demon he was?
Why had he even given him this gift?
At first, Dazai thought it would make him feel better. Apparently he didn't like Valentine's Day either. Chuuya thought it was the perfect time to open up a bit more. He helped him wrap the present, write the letter, and even put the gift into the office while they were at lunch.
But... Dazai chickened out.
He took the card at the last moment, leaving the gift without it.
He chickened out. He was scared.
He didn't want the person he cared about laughing at him.
He didn't like pain.
So why did he give him this gift?
"Dazai."
Ranpo's voice brought the brunette back to reality. He tore his gaze from the paper, staring at the shorter detective. He wasn't even sure which mask he was wearing now. Maybe all at once? Or maybe none?
"Kunikida certainly enjoys the gift" he said.
Strangely, those words were enough to make Dazai come to his senses again. Kunikida, he was happy with the gift. So... He should too, right?
"Now go to Mr. Fancy hat. I'm sure he'll want to know the details!" added Ranpo, walking briskly towards the agency's door.
Dazai followed him with his eyes until he disappeared inside the building.
Hm
Almost automatically, he began to walk down the sidewalk, dodging the hurrying people.
He glanced out of the corner of his eye at the frosted glass as he passed the building. A flustered Demon whose face was almost as red as the blood of his former victims.
" Hah " Dazai muttered, putting his hands back into his pockets.
This Valentine's Day wasn't all that bad.