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“Chuuya?” a soft gruffled voice came from above him. He grumbled, turning over to his side, laying his hand on the body of someone else. Wait a damn minute. The thought echoed through his head. Turning back over quickly, wrapping his hand around the throat of the intruder whilst sitting up. His eyes locked with light ones. “Chuuya-” he let go of his grasp on their neck. “Damnit, Atsushi! What the fuck are you doing in my house?”
His face turned to confusion “this is.. Dazai’s apartment” he pointed to the plain and limited decor. Soft brown walls, a lamp, and a dining table with cloth overtop it. This indeed, wasn't his apartment. “He's late, and I was sent to come get him,” Atsushi continued.
Right. How did he even end up here? They hadn't spoken in years. Their agencies collided frequently, he was practically in enemy territory. He looked back up at the boy. He noticed the little pin on his white button up shirt. ADA Yep. Definitely enemy territory.
“I'll wake him up, just go wait outside.” The redhead groaned. As told he went to wait outside, leaning against the cold wall.
He jabbed Dazai’s ribs, waking him immediately. “What the FUCK?!” he stared at Chuuya quieting down as quickly as he screamed. “What are you doing here?” He asked, softly this time. “I could ask you the same. What am I doing here, Dazai?” he asked, no louder than a whisper. “I don't know, but you should leave” he got up from his head sluggishly, naked. Now would be a good time to ask why he was naked, but by the scattered bruising and bite marks, he could already tell why.
They looked at each other wide eyed, asking the same questions, while neither of them spoke. He quickly threw the blanket over Chuuya’s head. “Don't look, you pervert!” He practically ran to his dresser, grabbing his underwear and pants putting them on in a hast. Chuuya uncovered his head, looking for his clothes, messily scattered on the floor.
Dressing themselves quickly, Chuuya rushed out first. Dazai followed not too far behind, “Good morning, sir..” Atsushi mumbled. “We won't speak of this.” He said, attempting to fix his ruffled hair. Atsushi simply nodded, heading down the stairs behind the brunette. When they arrived on the ground level, there was a car awaiting them. The president awaiting inside, the duo slid into the backseat with him.
“Rough night, Dazai?” The president asked, looking down at some papers; grey hairs blocking where he was truly looking. “Yes, sir.” He said, messing with his bandages. “How do you feel this afternoon?” Swiping through the pages, making sure they align. “Afternoon?” He looked down at his phone. 1:48pm aw shit. “I feel alright, just terrible for missing so much work”
The older man nodded, handing him a few papers, “look over those, tell me what seems different” Dazai flipped through the pages. “The current numbers are lower than last month” he nodded. “Any idea why?” Atsushi spoke up “the opposing company is telling rumors about us. I have reason to believe they're coming from Chuuya Nakahara, and Mori.. I don't know his last name. There aren't many sources that say it either, and they all differ.”
He pulled out a few papers he'd printed, handing them to the president. Pictures along with articles about their business. All false allegations. Dazai looked in slight horror at the things they'd said. From approving of sexual harassment to bad business habits. They didn't miss a single thing. Something caught his eye though. A major thing.
”I used to be involved in the ADA. Not directly, of course. But, I was the lover of one of their highest employees. He'd tell me how horribly his boss and co-workers treated him. It was awful. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. But eventually, he broke up with me. Claiming us working for different companies drove us apart.”
Atsushi looked over, and back at the president “so I'm gonna assume he's lying.” he rubbed the back of his neck. “You'd never talk about us wrongly, right, Dazai..” he sounded unsure, as if the man who gave him this position would do something so absurd. “Yes, Atsushi, he's lying. As he always does.” He mumbled the last part, but the other two heard him. They always heard him.
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They arrived at the office not too long after the conversation took place. They exited the vehicle, entered the building, one step at a time to the elevator. They entered and began to ascend. When they arrived to their work stations, Kyouka greeted them. "Hey, you're both late. Did something happen?" Concern lacing her voice.
"We're alright! Dazai just forgot his alarm is all" Atsushi smiled, patting her head. She wore a long dress with a kimono type of style with black tights and boots with flowers on the lace. She began working shortly after Atsushi. She didn't do any real work, just ran a few errands, laundry, coffee, lunch break snacks. She often worked after school — if she was able — or on weekends. She enjoyed spending more time with her brothers. Even if it meant some labor. She had entertainment, breaks, plenty of food, and a kind work environment.
Dazai, departed from the two, sitting at his desk and beginning to help take calls with Yosano. In their small breaks between calls, they'd gossip. "I heard Chuuya was at your place this morning" his head shot up "where and how did you hear that" he stared intensely at her "oh just a- damnit." She picked up the phone "hello, this is the ADA, how can I assist you?" She continued to talk to the customer as he wrote down something.
Soft footsteps came up behind him, "are you sure you're alright?" Kyouka asked, staring up at him. He looked down at her and nodded, "Just a rough night. You were already here before I even woke up!" He smiled, reassuring her he was okay. He wasn't, but she never needed to know her brothers weren't okay.
"Okay.. don't forget tonight is family night. I get to choose where we go since it was Atsushi's turn last week." Dazai chuckled, and agreed. They talked about where to go and some activities to do, when the phone inconveniently rang. "I'll talk more later, I love you" she nodded, said a quick "I love you too" and walked off.
Dazai let out a sigh as he set his head on the table, defeated. The president walked over, putting his hand on the brunette's shoulder. “What's troubling you?” Dazai sat up and looked at him. “What Chuuya said, it's..” he paused, looking guilty “it's not entirely wrong. But it's not right either. I wasn't talking badly about you all, just ranting about the day. Ranpo chewing with his mouth open, Yosano talking too loud, Kunikida nitpicking every report I sent in. Junichiro isn't even here half the time! It was all just things that happened that day. I never said you guys treated me wrongly, just small annoying things.”
He nodded, understanding the pressure they were all constantly under. “I had no doubt you said anything bad. I know how much you value this job. Even if it is only for the money, you work hard. You're doing good, and we can figure out this situation together.” He smiled softly, and walked away, giving Dazai the reassurance he needed.
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A long day of work had finally ended, 5pm had rolled around and they all practically cheered. It had been busy, no more than a few minutes between calls. Yosano volunteered to buy everyone drinks, and although many accepted, — including the president— the sibling trio opted out; as well as Junichiro, Naomi, and Haruno.
They all departed to their respective cars, and drove to their destinations. . . Except Dazai. Because his dumbass didn't drive there. The president picked him up, remember? “Shit..” the brunette mumbled under his breath, something about him being stupid and forgetful. Just as he was about to call and ask for a spare car, Atsushi pulled out car keys.
“I had to take Kyoka to school, I kinda forgot I had the keys” he chuckled nervously. “Dumbass..” Kyoka began walking to the car followed by the two idiots scolding her about language. “How many times must we tell you to quit using such language?” And what not.
They got in the car, continuing the bicker until Atsushi sighed. “We're gonna get a swear jar. 25yen for each cuss word or foul language.” The two agreed, Atsushi handing the car keys to Dazai and heading off.
The car starting sounded like a lion in the middle of the night. Placing his head on the steering wheel "Ohhhh-kay. That doesn't sound good. Guess I'll take it to the shop tomorrow." The other two glanced at each other, then to Dazai and back at each other. "Maybe.. we should order take-out" Kyouka said softly from the backseat. "That's a great idea!" Atsushi faced forward, looking at Dazai's face relax a bit as he sat up. The grumbling of the engine only got louder as they started to drive.
Thank god the house wasn't too far away. They usually gather at Kyouka's and Atsushi's place, as they lived in an actual house rather than an apartment. Dazai pays their rent and Atsushi pays the other bills. It makes sure Kyouka has food she likes and well.. Dazai gets paid way more than Atsushi.
The brunette parked the car outside, walking inside as Dazai swung the keys around his index finger. Upon entering the layout was much more maximalist than the apartment. Paintings he didn't quite recognize from the last week. Kyouka's art also laid about. Dark maroon walls, soft tan tiles, fairy lights and lamps that illuminated the room just enough. Plants in a corner by a large rounded window. A fish tank against the farthest wall accompanied by a white and black door. Atsushi's room. On the other side of the wall was a hallway, lightened by soft pink lights that hung down the walls with fake vines between the lights.
"Hey, I don't remember that painting being there" he pointed to the newest addition to the cast. "Oh! Uhm .." Atsushi stammered over his words. "It was made by his boyfriend" she giggled. "Oh?" His smile twisting menacingly
"Don't start.." he ran his fingers through white hair twirling them at the ends. “Well, you know what to do then I assume?” Dazai asked, raising an eyebrow. “I'm not inviting him over.” Atsushi sighed out. “Awwwww why nottttt?” The other two plead “no!” He tried pulling his hair over his face. The two sighed dramatically “fineeeee” they groaned out. Kyouka continued their walk to the kitchen “when are you getting your car fixed?” She asked, sitting down on the soft wood floor. “Probably soon.. hopefully soon.” Atsushi side-eyed the response. “Uhm.. Dazai? Can I talk to you about this morning?” He whispered before sitting opposite of Kyouka, Dazai looked away quickly without giving an answer, leaving Atsushi staring. “What happened this morning?” Kyouka questioned, looking up from her phone at the two now across from her. “Good job, Atsushi.” He groaned. “It was nothing! Probably..” the white hair mumbled out. “If you say so…” silence filling the air. . . . “Chuuya was in Dazai’s apartment this morning and they were naked.” He blurted out “WHAT!?” Kyouka’s phone dropped to the floor “ATSUSHI.” Dazai yelled, face red “ATSUSHI’S DATING TAKAHARA AGAIN” Kyouka shouted “KYOUKA!” “HE'S WHAT.” Dazai flipped his head to Atsushi “WHY WOULD YOU TELL HIM THAT?” “I just felt that if he had his secret out you should too!” She put her hands up in defense “Why are you dating him, AGAIN, Atsushi?” Atsushi swore he could see a bulge in his forehead “He uhm.. he's uh.. changed?” He gave a shy smile, rubbing the back of his neck “Right.” He gave a blank face in return “You knowww.. if this has anything to do with it, he SURE does make a lot of noise. I don't think he remembers his room isn't soundproof anymore.” Kyouka picked her phone back up, going back to looking for food “Kyouka, you absolute traitor.” Dazai sighed and turning to Kyouka, “what's on the menu for tonight?” “I was thinking some ramen actually, maybe something from the convenience store. I don't feel like waiting that long.” She sighed, turning her phone off. “Yeah, we can do that. Are you okay with that bitchboy?” he side-eyed Atsushi “Don't call me that.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose for a moment, sighing, he replied “that's fine with me. Kyouka does have school earlier tomorrow. I'll take her, then I have some business on the opposite side of town and won't be home for the week” he said standing up, helping Kyouka up as well “It's the weekend? It's literally Friday?” He questioned, getting himself up as well. Atsushi looked back at Dazai, “yes, it's her extracurriculars? She has clubs..?” He raised an eyebrow. He forgot. “Oh, right! How could I be so stupid..” he mumbled off.. he didn't know she extracurriculars in the first place. Arguably worse. ౨ৎ