Chapter 67 if: The Boss

The top floor of the Central Building in Port Mafia, Yokohama.

The office felt as if it were covered by a thick black cloth, dull and oppressive.

The gate isolated this space from the outside world, and the silence lasted from beginning to end, as if time had stood still.

No one knows when that potted plant on the desk appeared.

Chuuya Nakahara thought that was the only thing that was somewhat alive here.

However, its growth period is too long, taking a full four years from sprout to bud.

He secretly guessed that it was because the boss didn't let it bask in the sun; it was already quite remarkable that it had grown to this size.

At that moment, the flower bud trembled slightly, and tiny green specks of light emerged from it.

No one saw a flower bloom, nor did anyone witness the moment a flower transformed into a person.

Yao Chuanling sat in the leader's exclusive armchair, looking at the familiar surroundings, and fell silent.

Why is it in Mori Ougai's office?

She's still angry with him.

Being in the enemy's stronghold, no matter how unwilling she was to face it, she had no choice but to accept reality.

"Mori Ōgai?"

She decided to call him by his full name first, subtly indicating that she had a problem with him.

Mori Ougai did not respond; instead, a sweet, cloying voice rang out from a dark corner.

"Mr. Mori has stepped down, Yao Yao. I am the current leader."

Dazai Osamu lay motionless on the ground with his eyes closed.

He called her name, his tone familiar.

Yao Chuanling followed the sound and saw what the young man looked like.

Her left eye was wrapped in bandages, she was wearing an old-fashioned black coat, and a red scarf that she had never seen before.

None of these matters.

Yao Chuanling's throat tightened, and an endless sorrow welled up in his heart.

When she first met Osamu Dazai, she was passively empathized with his feelings, and four years later, she felt the same way about him again.

The unmoored boat is now just ashes and withered wood.

Water vapor quickly filled my eyes, condensing into tears that flowed out.

How could this be? How could it be?

He was unhappy.

After waiting for a long time without receiving a reply from Yokawa Rei, Dazai Osamu opened his eyes and slowly stood up, only to unexpectedly see a face covered in tears.

The exposed iris eye trembled almost imperceptibly, staring intently at her.

Why are you crying?

Shouldn't she be happy to see an old friend? Why is she crying?

Or did she realize that this wasn't the world she knew?

Yao Chuanling hugged him tightly, her hands touching his thin, bony body, and she choked up, unable to speak.

The leader, who was being held, raised his hand, which hovered in the air, seemingly about to fall.

Her voice was muffled: "You've suffered all these years."

It turns out she was crying for "him".

The hand fell, stiffly stroking her back.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, completely enveloping her in his embrace.

"Don't cry, Yao Yao."

She didn't realize that he wasn't him.

Gradually, Yao Chuanling calmed down a lot and looked up at him with red eyes.

What's so great about being a leader? Even someone who loves to slack off has dark circles under his eyes.

Dazai Osamu suddenly broke into a smile and exclaimed dramatically, "Yoyo cares about me so much, I'm so touched~"

Dazai Osamu from that world would smile at her like that and speak to her in that tone.

Yao Chuanling suppressed her doubts, put on a stern face, got out of his arms, and instead pulled his arm to look at it from left to right.

"Don't move yet, let me check your body."

The Dazai in front of her gave her the feeling that he was very good at ruining his own body.

Dazai Osamu obediently remained still: "Okay."

In that world, Dazai Osamu wouldn't refuse her request.

The elf grasped his hand, and a surge of spiritual energy spread from his palm to his limbs, bones, internal organs, and meridians.

He had never felt so relaxed. Dazai Osamu closed his eyes, carefully sensing the changes in his body.

All chronic ailments were completely eliminated under the cleansing power of this spiritual force.

Remarkable ability.

Dazai Osamu silently praised.

Unable to be healed by supernatural abilities, he can only rely on medical technology and his own healing abilities. This is the first time he has experienced the wonder of something unscientific.

For a moment, Yao Chuanling didn't want to talk to him anymore.

She needs to isolate herself for a while.

So she took a deep breath and punched him with her fist.

"Ouch!" Dazai Osamu pretended to be in pain, clutching his chest and accusing her sadly, "You actually hit me."

Before he could get a reply from Yao Chuanling, she had already closed her eyes and was about to fall asleep.

Dazai Osamu caught her with lightning speed.

Having just regained her human form, she cried bitterly again, expending her own strength to heal him, which inevitably took a toll on her body.

The leader's face was devoid of any smile, his cold gaze undisguised and unabashedly scrutinizing this visitor from another world.

The fairy from the book came to his side.

Osamu Dazai belonged to that perfect, beautiful, and enviable world.

Dazai Osamu carried her to the bed, leaned down, and gently pressed his cool fingertips against the corner of her eye.

In the dim light, the tear stain was clearly visible.

They're all Dazai Osamu, aren't they? Why is he so lucky?

*

A rumor has recently spread throughout the port's Mafia: the leader has a very beautiful woman by his side, who is suspected to be the future leader's wife.

As a rising star in the Port Mafia, Atsushi Nakajima had naturally heard of it. Just a few minutes ago, Kyoka Izumi had mentioned it to him.

Atsushi Nakajima did not believe it.

It's a conspiracy.

That's his judgment.

It wasn't until he came to the office to report on his work that he saw the rumored "Madam" with his own eyes.

At that moment, Yao Chuanling was hunched over a jigsaw puzzle at her desk, with an hourglass on the table that had already run out of sand.

Their leader held a pen and wrote a few lines on a piece of paper.

The office remained quiet, yet something subtly changed, creating an atmosphere of inexplicable harmony.

Atsushi Nakajima couldn't say it.

The rumors might be true. The thought flashed through his mind.

What are you standing there for?

Dazai Osamu stopped writing and asked calmly.

There was no need to name names. Nakajima Atsushi tensed up and lowered his head, saying, "Sorry, I was just a little surprised."

Dazai Osamu didn't mind his rudeness and glanced at Yokawa Rei beside him.

Yao Chuanling wasn't interested in their conversation, and hesitated, holding a puzzle piece, wondering where to put it.

This scene happened many times. At first, she was quite interested in watching how Dazai Osamu became the leader, but later she found the topics they talked about to be boring and tasteless.

She's here to make sure someone takes care of their health. He should rest when the hourglass runs out.

"It's alright."

Dazai Osamu knew perfectly well what was going on and handed him the paper: "Atsushi, your new task: take care of her for me when I can't be by her side."

Atsushi Nakajima accepted it with both hands.

While he was reading, Dazai Osamu spoke to the person next to him in a gentle and light tone that he had never heard before: "Yoyo, this is Nakajima Atsushi, your new friend."

Whether it was the leader's tone of voice or the identity the leader had given him, Nakajima Atsushi was bewildered and uneasy.

friend?

There must be a reason why Mr. Dazai said that.

Yao Chuanling blinked, then snapped the puzzle piece into place with a bright smile.

"Hello, little tiger, I am Yao Chuanling."

The person in front of me had short white hair, and half of his chin was covered by a high-necked trench coat with a fur collar, making him look very cold.

The elf didn't recognize the face, but she was familiar with his soul.

It was the white tiger that played with her in her dream.

A hint of nervousness flickered in Dazai Osamu's eyes: "Does Yao Yao know him?"

In the past few days, she had only seen him and some unimportant people from the Port Mafia. As for those old acquaintances, Momiji, Chuuya, and Gin, he made up an excuse to avoid contact with them.

Yao Chuanling didn't ask any further questions.

She nodded: "I often meet him in my dreams, but back then he's a white tiger, not in human form."

"Me...me?"

Atsushi Nakajima opened his eyes wide, half believing and half doubting.

He couldn't remember much about his dreams. He was afraid of dreams; as soon as he closed his eyes, nightmares haunted him.

Thinking of this, Atsushi Nakajima couldn't help but pull up his collar.

"That's right."

Yao Chuanling stood up, walked over to him, and gently ruffled his hair.

Atsushi Nakajima felt a sense of familiarity and peace, as if someone had really done this to him before.

It felt like reality and a dream had overlapped.

The fear and guilt that arose from his supernatural ability were easily soothed away.

"Yaoyao~" Dazai Osamu casually pulled the two apart, hugged her, and said aggrievedly, "You've never treated me like this before, I'll get jealous."

Even if we've met in a dream, why be so close?

So Yaochuan Ling raised her hand and ruffled his hair, saying with a look of disgust, "Dazai, you're so childish."

"It's not like you just met me yesterday."

Dazai Osamu rested his head on her shoulder, his eyes half-closed, like a satiated big cat.

He said this without any hesitation.

Standing behind him, Atsushi Nakajima couldn't see his leader's expression, but judging from the voice alone, he concluded that the rumors might be true.

Mr. Dazai allowed her to do as she pleased in the most central territory, without worrying at all that she might steal secrets.

But he later realized with a start that it wasn't that Mr. Dazai indulged her, but that she tolerated him.

"Dun, you can go now."

As if he had just remembered there was someone else next to him, Dazai Osamu glanced at him casually and spoke lazily.

What he should do is clearly written on the paper.

The elf is free-spirited and lively; he can't keep her by his side all the time, or she'll become suspicious.

"yes."

As Nakajima Atsushi closed the door and left, a question arose in his mind: Was the leader's office always this bright?

"It's definitely better to be in a brighter place."

Yao Chuanling placed today's fresh flowers in the vase, and the light outlined the double-petaled lilies on the back of her hand.

The thick cloth was torn off, and the previously dull mahogany table and bookcase were transformed, with the gold and silver lettering on the spines of the finely bound books shining brightly.

"Today is the day for lilies."

Dazai Osamu leaned closer to watch her arrange flowers and couldn't help but place his hand over hers.

The shadow of the flowers was then reflected on his hands.

The young man was tall and handsome, with a face more beautiful and captivating than any flower.

The wooden elf's attention was only on her artistic flower arrangement. She brushed Dazai Osamu's hand away and casually replied, "Yeah, right, stop messing around."

She is putting flowers in the hair of lilies.

Beside the European-style white porcelain vase sat a small box of single hydrangeas, of various colors. Dazai Osamu glanced at them; there were Kasumi, Hana Temari, Taiyou-sama, and others.

One by one, like stars in the sky.

"oh."

He listlessly withdrew his hand.

A clueless idiot who doesn't understand romance.

Today it's lilies, yesterday it was roses, the day before yesterday it was peonies, what will it be tomorrow?

Yao Chuanling and he pressed the flowers from a few days ago into a book, hoping that one day they might be in the mood to open the book and find fragments of the time they spent together.

He watched her attach the hydrangea to the petals of the lily, the white clouds adorned with colorful stars, like the romantic and dreamy colors in a fairy tale.

It suits her perfectly, Dazai Osamu thought to himself, but it was completely different from his own opinion.

The creation of the elf is finally complete.

There were still some hydrangeas left in the box. She had an idea, picked a pink flower, and quickly stuck it on Dazai Osamu's left cheek.

"How about we put a flower on our dear leader too?"

Feeling guilty for not paying much attention to him earlier, Yao Chuanling tried to make amends by giving him a flattering smile.

Dazai Osamu raised his hand to touch his left cheek, his fingers pressing down imperceptibly.

He suddenly smiled, and even his eyes and brows seemed to become innocent.

Now they look much more compatible.

"OK."

In the afternoon, Yaochuan Ling resolutely refused to go out with Dazai Osamu, who was dressed in all black. However, when she opened the wardrobe, she found that all the clothes were exactly the same.

...

She turned to look at the smiling person behind her and asked sincerely, "Do you have obsessive-compulsive disorder?"

It looks quite tidy, though there aren't many clothes.

No.

Dazai Osamu looked innocent.

She's making such a cute expression, Miss Elf.

There was no other way, so Yao Chuanling dragged him to the mall to buy new clothes.

She suspected that it was because he always wore all black that he looked so lifeless.

Today, we are determined to transform it into a youthful men's university!

With a forced smile from the shop assistant, Yao Chuanling picked out a few clothes and led him into the dressing room.

Players start the game "Miracle Dazai".

The first set is sea salt milk candy.

Wearing a light blue turtleneck sweater with a white coat, he is tall enough to carry off the long trench coat, and his slender figure doesn't make him look bulky even in a thick sweater.

"Beautiful! Beautiful!"

Yao Chuanling circled around him, nodded in satisfaction, and handed him the clothes in her hands: "Take this set, and try this one on."

Since we're already here, we should buy him more clothes so he doesn't wear that black coat every day. People who don't know better will think he never changes his clothes.

Dazai Osamu obediently allowed himself to be pushed into the fitting room.

"Is the leader a young man?"

The shop assistant seemed dazed.

This is a shopping mall owned by the port mafia. She had seen the leader from afar in the building before. It's no exaggeration to say that he was like a black ghost, making people subconsciously overlook his age.

Yokawa Rei affirmed, "Yes, that's right. Dazai is twenty-two years old, in the prime of his youth."

The second set is strawberry lollipops.

She wore a white V-neck inner shirt, a pink baseball jacket over it, and matching sweatpants.

As soon as he came out, he tugged at his sleeve and said with some distress, "Yaoyao, is this not suitable for me?"

Too sweet, too gentle—that's her ideal friend, not him. Dazai Osamu knew perfectly well that he was impersonating someone else. Even if they shared the same name and had similar faces, he was definitely not himself.

Lies are like bubbles and illusions. When the bubble bursts, will she still treat him the same way?

Their relationship will fall apart.

“Of course it’s suitable.” Yao Chuanling’s eyes flickered, feigning dissatisfaction: “Do you doubt my judgment?”

She pouted, jumped up from the sofa, and tried to push him to the fitting room, muttering that she wanted to try on some new clothes.

Why are you being so coy? You're a natural clothes hanger; you look good in anything.

Before Dazai Osamu could even think, her actions disrupted his rhythm. He had no choice but to calm her down and said gently, "Let's go with this one. If we go any later, we won't have time to go anywhere else."

Every day he spent with the elf was counting down, and he didn't want to waste it on trivial matters.

not to mention……

Dazai Osamu quietly withdrew his gaze.

It matches her outfit perfectly today.

Okay.

Yao Chuanling withdrew his eager hand.

Although she dragged Dazai out for some fresh air, she didn't know about the afternoon's activities. Apart from changing into new clothes, Dazai Osamu volunteered to arrange the itinerary.

"Why are you still wearing a scarf?"

She had never seen him take off that bright red scarf; it had almost become his trademark.

"I'm cold."

Dazai Osamu remained calm, wrapping the scarf tightly around his neck.

No, that's not true.

He will always wear it, because it is one of the few differences between him and the other Dazai Osamu.

When she discovers the truth of the world, she will abandon him without hesitation, but she will remember that touch of red forever.

But by then, he probably wouldn't be able to see her anymore.

Not necessarily. Dazai Osamu thought that if Miss Elf got so angry that she went to the Sanzu River to catch him, they could still meet.

It was early spring, a time when the weather was still chilly despite the warming temperatures. Yao Chuanling, unsuspecting, touched his hand with an air of seriousness.

"It is a bit chilly."

Elves are not afraid of heat or cold, and their body temperature is lower than that of humans, but Dazai Osamu's hands were even colder than hers.

Dazai Osamu, taking advantage of the situation, said, "Yaoyao, will you hold my hand?"

What should you do on a date?

Holding hands, hugging, kissing.

So why didn't that coward confess his feelings? He couldn't do these things openly and legitimately.

Luckily, he didn't confess his feelings, otherwise he would have been even more jealous.

With friends and a lover by your side, where in the world can you find such a good thing?

"Okay, I'll hold your hand."

She didn't let go, and the warmth from her palm transferred to the other person's palm, like soaking in warm water, feeling cozy and comfortable.

He said in a coquettish tone, "You're so sweet."

And so they strolled hand in hand through Yokohama.

From the bustling city center to the deserted street corner.

Dazai Osamu was able to accurately recount what they had done there before, and Yokawa Rei praised him for his good memory.

"Of course, I remember everything about Yao Yao."

He shook their clasped hands, like a couple deeply in love.

He knew everything that was happening over there, which was why he was so greedy and wanted more.

Standing outside the corner bakery, Yao Chuan Ling smiled with her eyes crinkling, "We have a new story to tell, remember it today too."

"A gift for you."

She handed him a book.

The Little Prince.

The book cover features simple children's doodles depicting a starry sky and the Little Prince with a red scarf.

Dazai Osamu responded with an "Oh," and said, "It's a fairy tale book."

He remembered that Miss Elf loved fairy tales, but this one was different. He couldn't help but wonder if she had ulterior motives.

“Yes, and the red scarf on it looks a lot like yours.” Yao Chuanling pointed to the book, her tone becoming lighter. “To my irreplaceable little rose.”

"She is not an ordinary rose. She is your rose. You have invested time in her, making her irreplaceable."

Dazai Osamu immediately connected it to the original text.

He turned his head away, suddenly feeling an urge to run away at all costs.

Finally, he hid only half his face under his scarf and mumbled.

"Yaoyao, you know how to say sweet words."

He is irreplaceable.

Little Rose.

It's not a small mushroom.

Yao Chuanling cupped his face through the scarf, gently but irresistibly drawing his gaze toward her.

"It's not a love confession, Dazai..."

Her eyes were filled with light.

Dazai Osamu heard the rapid beating of his own heart.

The leader hastily covered her lips, but his gaze stubbornly remained fixed on her.

"I know, don't say anymore, Yao Yao."

He really, really, is falling for her.

Yao Chuanling didn't give him a chance to dodge.

She rarely showed such assertiveness: "Some things can't be kept to yourself. I need to tell you, and you need to tell me too."

But in the end, he didn't say anything.

About leaders, about books, about destiny.

These topics were too heavy; they would make her uncomfortable. In his final moments, he only wished that she would treat him the way she treated Dazai Osamu.

"Yaoyao, the sky lantern has been raised."

Dazai Osamu smiled slightly, lightly brushing aside the topic.

As darkness fell, lanterns suddenly rose from the place where the sun had set, like clusters of crimson flames on a great migration.

Yao Chuanling's attention was drawn to the beautiful scenery before her.

In her original world, the lantern carrying the most sincere and fervent wishes could fly to Takamagahara and be heard by the gods.

The lights of the sky were captured in her eyes.

"Yao Yao."

Dazai Osamu called her name.

The gaze shifts from what's in front to what's behind.

He produced a lamp from somewhere, its bright flame casting a warm orange hue on the hair on his head.

A large pink and white ball peeked out from behind the light.

"Let's release some lanterns too."

Two young people, a man and a woman, stood at one end of the lamp. The man had his eyes closed, while the woman was looking at him.

The fairy did not tell her wish to the sky lantern; instead, she secretly wished to herself: that Dazai Osamu before her could be happy.

Her clear green eyes gazed softly at the man's profile.

The first thing that catches the eye is his long and delicate eyelashes.

Down below, her slightly puffed-out cheeks and tightly pursed lips.

It's strangely cute.

"Yaoyao, you're making me nervous."

Dazai Osamu's eyelashes trembled, and he said softly.

He had noticed the gazes of those around him long ago; she was observant, and Dazai Osamu was worried that she might have noticed something.

Yao Chuanling blinked, her voice rising: "Are you done making your promise?"

Dazai Osamu loosened his grip: "Mm."

The sky lantern, now without its tether, immediately began to sway and drift upwards.

—I hope she won't blame me.

She heard Dazai Osamu's voice.

From the sky lantern.

Like a small pebble falling from the sky into a lake of the heart, creating ripples before disappearing completely.

"Your wish will surely come true, may the Elf bless you."

The elf answered his prayer.

On the rooftop of a distant high-rise building, an orange-haired man wearing a top hat stood with one foot on a stool, cursing and swearing.

"Damn boss, you want to please women and then make me do all the work."

"It's a good thing if the leader has someone he likes."

Guangjin Liulang stroked his beard, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Clearly, they were the behind-the-scenes workforce in this sky lantern incident.

The leader has absolute authority; let alone releasing sky lanterns, they have to plant a whole garden of roses.

The white tiger's figure darted between the tall buildings, leaped onto the rooftop, and transformed into human form.

Chuuya Nakahara asked, "Atsushi, have you seen that lady?"

He just went to deliver a lamp to Dazai Osamu.

"I've seen her before."

Atsushi Nakajima stroked the collar and said softly, "Miss Ling is someone who can bring sunshine to others."

Happy, pure people.

"Oh?" Chuuya Nakahara raised an eyebrow, looking surprised. "Interesting."

Hirojin Ryūrō boldly commented: "It doesn't sound like something our leader would do with the Port Mafia."

The port mafia is the place that needs the least sunlight; they belong to the night.

The night sky is ablaze tonight.

Chuuya Nakahara was admiring the fruits of their labor when he heard this and gave a cold laugh.

"Maybe they were tricked by the leader."

When the truth is revealed, we may not be able to enjoy the sweetness we have today.

Yokawa Rei felt that this was the reason why Dazai Osamu acted like a saw-mouthed gourd.

She thought she could finally make things clear today, but to her surprise, his heart remained unmoved.

She advances, he retreats; she advances again, he retreats again and again.

Even more cowardly than Osamu Dazai!

The little man in the elf's heart angrily punched him repeatedly.

Bastard! Bastard!

The opportunity arose abruptly.

A month has passed since Yokawa Rei woke up. She takes Nakajima Atsushi around everywhere, just like a fifteen-year-old taking care of a child.

Following the instructions on the note, Atsushi Nakajima intentionally led her away from the armed detective agency.

The more you try to avoid something, the more likely it is to happen to you.

A few days ago, he went to the detective agency to deliver a letter and got into a fight with Ryunosuke Akutagawa. From a distance, Akutagawa saw him and glared at him like he was an enemy.

Beside him was the famous detective, Edogawa Ranpo, who was also someone Dazai-sensei specifically told him to stay away from.

Baihu dodged Rashomon's attack and sighed inwardly: I've failed in my duty; I should go and ask Dazai for punishment.

"Oh my, oh my." The famous detective approached, carrying a pile of bread, and squinted at Yao Chuanling. "The famous detective has discovered something interesting."

The person Dazai Osamu brought over, who didn't belong to this world, seemed to have a good relationship with his other self.

No, no.

Edogawa Ranpo circled around her once.

He likes her.

"Hi, Ranpo-kun."

Yao Chuanling smiled, but his attitude was distant.

Ultimately, this was their first meeting.

"Hmph, you're quite insightful."

Edogawa Ranpo saw through her thoughts, his smile widened, and the ends of his hair bounced up and down.

Nobody likes being used as a substitute, except for that masochist Osamu Dazai.

Since that's the case, let him add fuel to the fire.

"Do you know what the collar around the white tiger boy's neck is for?"

Looking at her with similar green eyes, Edogawa Ranpo's gaze held a different, more amused expression than before.

The elf's pupils suddenly dilated.

The fight between Atsushi Nakajima and Ryunosuke Akutagawa couldn't continue. Rei Yokawa, with a grim face, carried the man-tiger back to the Port Mafia.

"Yaoyao, why are you back so soon?"

Upon hearing footsteps, Dazai Osamu paused, then flipped the letter over to cover the writing.

Something's not right.

In the past, she would have flown over like a little butterfly, calling him "Dazai, Dazai" all the time.

"Dazai."

She called him, but her tone was completely different from before.

Yokawa Rei pulled down Nakajima Atsushi's turned-up collar, revealing the collar around his neck.

"Take it off. I'll teach him how to control his supernatural abilities."

The spirit is a teacher in this field. She taught Rokudo Mukuro, Chrome, and Yumeno Kyusaku, especially the last one, with whom she achieved great success.

Dazai Osamu put down his pen, lifted his eyelids to look at the door, and remained silent.

Dead silence.

Stagnant.

Atsushi Nakajima gently tugged at Rei Yokawa's sleeve, signaling her not to oppose the leader.

"I'm fine."

He said in a low voice.

The cold, hard thing on his neck constantly made its presence felt, but he had gotten used to it.

More frightening than this is Dazai's anger. There's no need to offend the leader for someone you've only known for a short time.

Yao Chuanling glanced at him but didn't say anything.

The office space was spacious. Dazai Osamu had previously been pleased that she didn't feel cramped there, but now he complained that it was too big.

So much so that he couldn't hear their whispers, so much so that they were too far apart.

All that can be seen are the two exchanging glances and their intimate gestures in private.

The lilies in the vase on the table are still the same ones from that day.

She really liked the "work of art" she had made herself, and used her spiritual power to keep it in its original state.

Now, however... he has found a new love and abandoned his old one.

"I agree."

Dazai Osamu's expression was somber, and his fingers clenched so tightly they lost their color.

Why did they need to come here before?

He could take whatever he wanted from her, no matter which world he was in.

He was simply afraid that she would find out Dazai Osamu's true nature and then dislike him.

"Dun, you go first."

Yao Chuanling patted his hand reassuringly, her attitude gentle.

Atsushi Nakajima subconsciously looked at Osamu Dazai.

The person in the seat nodded almost imperceptibly.

He glanced at Yao Chuanling again, then silently withdrew.

When his sister patted his hand, he felt Dazai's gloomy gaze.

This inexplicable hostility was directed at him.

Mirror Flower, help!

Finally, only the two of them remained in this space, and Dazai Osamu lowered his eyes and stopped looking at her.

"Yaoyao, are you disappointed in me?"

He knew she disliked this practice of treating people like tools.

After ousting Mori Ōgai from power, he inevitably inherited his teacher's theory of organizational slavery, in which everyone, including himself, was a pawn, someone who could be discarded.

The person at the door approached.

In the corner of my eye, someone is standing in front of the desk.

Dazai Osamu heard her sigh softly: "Why didn't I go to the Armed Detective Agency to find Ranpo and Akiko?"

Why?

Even though she was in the Hong Kong Triads, even though she was Chuuya, she never mentioned it.

Those details that he had subconsciously ignored came to light.

Even the meticulous Dazai could not answer this question at this moment.

He looked up, his face expressionless.

"Because I knew it from the very beginning."

Yaochuan Ling leaned down, their faces almost touching: "I knew from the beginning that you weren't Dazai Osamu."

It wasn't Dazai Osamu, the man she'd known since she was fifteen, the one with whom she'd laughed and played pranks.

This is another world, and she understood that from beginning to end.

Therefore, she didn't presume to meet with her so-called old friends. Dazai Osamu wanted to gloss over the truth, so she simply glossed over it.

Yao Chuanling questioned from the bottom of his heart: "Don't you understand?"

I don't understand who she's crying for, who she cares about, or who she's wasting her time and energy on.

Silence fell, and the atmosphere in the office became tense once again.

Suddenly, the leader of this world, Dazai, trembled violently, and laughed as if he had exhausted all his strength.

"Hahaha."

He's so stupid, he didn't even understand such an obvious hint.

He arrogantly and contemptuously believed that Yokawa Rei was simple and naive, and that as long as he played the role of Dazai Osamu well, she would not notice anything.

How did you find out?

The outermost layer of the childish and frivolous mask shattered in the middle, revealing the young man's dangerous and cold expression.

This is the real him, the leader of the Mafia in the Otherworld.

His disguise was flawless; he was exactly like Dazai Osamu.

Yao Chuan Ling replied matter-of-factly, "That's my friend, how could I not recognize him?"

There are clearly too many differences between them.

"Although at first it was out of love for you that I left after healing your injuries."

She had just collapsed from exhaustion, and when she woke up, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken seeing the empty, dark room.

She knew perfectly well that he was lying to her.

"I stayed because of you."

Standing close by, Dazai Osamu noticed a glistening teardrop clinging to her eyelashes.

"It was my fault."

The spirit had no intention of staying long, so she let Dazai Osamu deceive her, treating it as just a brief encounter.

She blinked suddenly, and like a bluebird trembling its wings, tears rolled down her cheeks.

Before Dazai Osamu could react, he could already feel the weight and warmth of the tear in his palm.

He almost couldn't bear it and clenched his hands to cover himself.

Scalding hot, even more intense than a thousand pounds.

No.

He spoke, his voice slightly hoarse: "I lied to you, it was my fault."

Tears welled up in my palms, soaking my heart as well.

In just one month, he made her cry twice.

She would be angry because he didn't care about his health, and she would confront him about Atsushi Nakajima. Why wouldn't she be angry when she herself was surrounded by lies?

Thinking about the actions of another Dazai Osamu, she couldn't help but feel that she was too lenient with her friends.

She was always there for him.

"Could you stay a little longer?"

He wasn't greedy; he only wanted a short period of time.

He was greedy; he wanted to keep Oda Sakunosuke alive in this way, and he wanted her to remember him.

After sharing her biggest concerns, Yao Chuanling happily hugged his neck and replied with a "okay."

The sorrow hidden deep in his heart turned into a sigh. Dazai Osamu reached out and embraced her waist, like lovers entwining their necks.

At this point, Yao Chuanling had complete freedom of movement within these five buildings.

Outside of the port mafia, he left her to her own devices. Whether she went to the Armed Detective Agency or met with Oda Sakunosuke, he no longer deliberately isolated them.

Elf is naturally friendly and has a good personality, making her popular wherever she goes. Everyone in the Armed Detective Agency likes her very much.

However, they preferred her to spend time alone with the detective.

He kept it from you.

Edogawa Ranpo opened the chocolate bar she had brought today, then paused.

It's not matcha red bean flavored, it's hazelnut chocolate flavored, which is his favorite flavor in this world.

"You still want to save him?"

His tone suddenly changed, becoming somewhat strange.

The detective's eyes were filled with: How could you forgive him for treating you like that?!

The relationship between the Armed Detective Agency and the Port Mafia has become increasingly tense in recent years, and they have developed a detached indifference towards the leader.

Yao Chuanling nodded seriously.

Edogawa Ranpo couldn't persuade her otherwise. He glanced at his colleagues peeking through the door, then got up and slammed the door shut without hesitation.

"The existence of the 'book' can only be known to two people at most."

He lowered his voice and whispered furtively.

Yao Chuanling pointed to herself, equally eager to steal a glance: "Then what about me?"

He told her, and with Dazai Osamu, there were three people who knew.

The famous detective glanced at her and said, "You're not human."

That's right!

Yao Chuanling awoke as if from a dream; she was an elf.

I never imagined that one day she would be able to exploit loopholes in the rules.

Edogawa Ranpo mumbled something too quickly for her to hear.

Yao Chuanling stared at him expectantly, but the person involved showed no intention of repeating himself, thus steering the conversation back on track.

"If I'm not mistaken, he plans to tell Ryunosuke Akutagawa and Atsushi Nakajima about this. Whether you save him or not, the number of people who know about it will exceed the number of the two of them."

One of the insiders took a bite of a chocolate bar and said in a self-righteous tone, "It's all because of you, Lord Ranpo, that I got into this mess. You have to protect me."

The knowledgeable elf nodded, nodded, and nodded again.

When it comes to world rules, of course you have to turn to her biggest backer, her mother.

This is a perfect opportunity to see my mom.

Yokawa Rei was a man of action, and immediately set off to find Izanami.

"Let him die if he wants, it's none of your business." The Goddess of the Underworld angrily poked her forehead, her long, sharp nails leaving red marks. "You almost got yourself killed saving that Oda guy before, what more do you want?"

She gets angry just thinking about it.

Despite repeated warnings and instructions, the child's words went in one ear and out the other.

"Mommy, Mommy~"

Yao Chuan Xiao Kui hugged her and rubbed against her, saying nothing, just blinking her eyes at her.

The red marks on her forehead were faint.

Izanami sighed, "Go ahead. There won't be any major problems, you'll just have a few dreams at most."

What else can we do?

She always makes sure her daughter is determined to do something.

What a brilliant Dazai Osamu!

It's no wonder she was blamed; Izanami could only blame her best friend whom she had never met.

"See, you can't do anything about her."

Abe no Seimei covered his face with a book, but a mischievous glint appeared in his fox-like eyes.

We promised to teach her a lesson, but all we did was make a lot of noise and didn't actually do anything.

"Little Sunflower is willing to come to me, how can I let her down?"

With her mother around, she doesn't need to worry even if she causes a huge disaster.

Abe no Seimei smiled, put down his book, and looked at the page he had casually turned to.

"I have always believed that if a person can live a simple and innocent life, it must be because countless people around them have paid a much higher price to protect them."

"She wasn't wronged, and that's enough."

The teacher closed the book, his expression calm and composed.

Little Sunflower made a group of good friends.

Yao Chuanling had met everyone in the new world, even her mother and teacher from a distant world, but there was one person she never expected to meet in such a setting.

"Step back."

She held up a piece of paper and, for the first time, spoke to the person in front of her in a firm, commanding tone.

The Oracle of Silver.

During the Dragon Head War, she exchanged the secret of a trillion-dollar treasure for this privileged appointment. Years later, she never expected to use it again.

After all, she just didn't want Mr. Mori to get something for nothing.

The young man quickly skimmed the preface and stared at the signature, his cobalt blue eyes revealing an unreadable expression.

Those who receive the edict feel as if they are seeing the leader in person.

"Yes, ma'am."

Chuuya Nakahara removed his hat and bowed.

The signature is Ougai, the former leader's name. He is loyal to the Port Mafia, but doesn't quite trust the new leader.

That person is fickle.

He ordered her to be imprisoned, but forbade her to be harmed. What exactly did he want?

Yaochuan Ling was in a hurry to find Dazai Osamu and rushed past. When Nakahara Chuuya looked up, all he could see was a blurry figure from behind.

There were signs of fighting all along the way.

Even the wind needs time to reach its destination. By the time she arrived, someone's face had flashed before her eyes.

Yokohama Rei loved the night view from the rooftop; she felt that looking out over Yokohama from there was like looking at stars in the night sea. At that time, Dazai Osamu even joked that he would take her to the sea to scoop up stars.

"Miss Ling!"

Atsushi Nakajima watched helplessly as she jumped down without a second thought.

The wind became fierce and intense, almost blinding her.

Yao Chuanling had only one thought in her mind: Faster, faster.

I absolutely, positively never want to see a friend die again.

Dazai Osamu suddenly opened his eyes wide.

Has he already reached the River of Three Crossings? Or is he hallucinating?

No, neither.

Someone grabbed his hand forcefully.

The wind subsided, and time seemed to have been paused.

Dazai Osamu moved his lips, but no sound came out: "The moon..."

A pair of large, pure white wings sprouted from the elf's back, and between the wings and her face, the bright moon rose quietly.

Yao Chuan, his spirit energy bound, snapped at him, "What the hell! I'm really going to get angry with you."

I just got back from my hometown and was stopped for a while, almost missing my chance.

She's always been bold, never afraid of being pointed at with knives and guns, but this time, her heart is pounding loudly, making its presence known.

If she hadn't risked her life to save him, her newly recovered body would have collapsed long ago.

*

Lupin Bar.

Dazai Osamu slowly descended the steps and saw a person sitting at the bar, which eased his gloomy expression considerably.

The red-haired man's expression remained unchanged. After the man sat down beside him, he said calmly, "She hasn't responded to you yet?"

“Yes,” Dazai Osamu sighed bitterly, “He won’t even look at me.”

Three weeks have passed since the rooftop incident. During these three weeks, Yokawa Rei has restrained himself and has not spoken a single word to Dazai Osamu.

Except when we meet, I turn my face away and give a heavy snort.

The bartender came over and ordered a cider.

Oda Sakunosuke was somewhat surprised.

Dazai Osamu explained, "Yoyo drank this."

I've had several dreams these past few days, dreams of Dazai Osamu's experiences in another world. Although he learned most of it from the books, it's not as detailed as his own memories.

Oda Sakunosuke remained silent.

I haven't even had a drink yet, how come I'm suddenly full?

“I still harbor prejudice against you,” Oda Sakunosuke said, raising his glass. “But I think we can have a drink together.”

Mr. Ranpo said that those dreams were things that happened in other worlds, and he naturally believed Mr. Ranpo, understanding that everything Dazai Osamu had said before was true.

The glasses clinked together, making a clear sound.

"To tomorrow."

Happiness, happiness, please come to us.