Chapter 31

After the young man ran away, Dazai Osamu squeezed the paper in his hand again. He originally intended to throw it away as trash, but then he remembered what the young man had said.

This piece of paper was cut from a magazine. Anything that can be cut by someone is either very good or very bad.

Looking at the size of this piece of paper, based on the length it occupies, we can infer that it is most likely a literary work.

Given the excessive amount of literary content surrounding him these past two days, Dazai Osamu couldn't help but feel a little curious about the piece of paper in his hand.

What exactly is written above? If it's a novel, what is its appeal?

Dazai Osamu, wearing wet clothes, walked towards a street lamp not far away, where there was a chair under the lamp.

The paper in his hand was slightly damp from the water on his hands, but it didn't affect reading at all.

Although the streetlights were dim, they were enough for him to see the words on the paper.

He read it word by word, and each tiny word seemed to strike his heart. A flame slowly ignited deep within his previously empty eyes. He gripped the paper tightly in his hand, but found that he was using too much force, causing the wet paper to tear.

Dazai Osamu quickly and carefully picked up the novel, squatted down on the ground, and laid the paper flat on the chair.

He rested his chin on the chair, staring intently at the novel as if he were a dragon eyeing its own treasure.

It turns out it wasn't that the river was particularly eerie today, but rather that fate had led me to meet my "ghost" teacher...

Dazai Osamu stared intently at the author's name in the novel—"I am a demon."

Although it's not his real name, "I Ghost" is a name that Teacher chose himself, so there must be a reason for it.

That person ran too fast; he forgot to ask the name of the magazine. But it doesn't matter. Even if he runs through every bookstore in Yokohama, he'll definitely find a magazine that contains "I Oni's" works.

Dazai Osamu's gaze did not waver for a moment, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

"I'll go buy the magazine later!"

He muttered to himself, as if talking to the person in front of him, "I must find out what kind of person my ghost teacher is. If I can get to know this teacher, I will die without regrets."

As he spoke, a blush crept onto his face. "If it were a refined and intellectual woman, I wonder if she would be willing to develop a relationship with me that goes beyond that of author and reader? If it were a handsome and elegant man, we could become friends, or even have a more intimate relationship..."

Dazai Osamu, who always sought out beautiful women for his double suicide pacts, did not hesitate at all this time, "I'm willing too!"

At this moment, Dazai Osamu was completely absorbed in his wishful thinking and forgot whether the other party was actually willing or not.

After the paper dried, Dazai Osamu held it in his hands as if it were a precious treasure. It wasn't that he didn't want to keep it close to his body, but his whole body was soaking wet.

Holding the paper in his hand, Dazai Osamu quickly arrived on the streets of Yokohama. He headed straight for the bookstore, only to find it closed.

He said indignantly, "My teacher's work has just been published, and these bookstores aren't even open to sell it properly, trying to boost my teacher's sales. They're opening so early. Thumbs down!"

He completely ignored the fact that it was almost 10 p.m.

Dazai Osamu already knew on his way here that my teacher, Oni-sensei, had published two articles this time, and the one he was reading now was only one of them.

That person then cut out this piece.

So now he feels itchy and empty inside.

It's all Dr. Mori's fault. I spent the whole day doing things for him, which delayed his time to "chase" my ghost teacher.

You know, he wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight if he didn't see that other article.

In fact, if he used some illegal means, it would be an easy thing for him to get the magazine and read all of Teacher Gui's works.

But he didn't want to do that. He should treat my teacher's work with sincerity.

Dazai Osamu glanced again at the five buildings not far away. He had originally planned to go to Dr. Mori and use his influence to find my teacher, Oni-sensei. But after thinking about it, he realized that Dr. Mori, that old fox, would definitely take this opportunity to get him to join the Port Mafia.

He imagined a scene in his mind: the ruthless and sinful Mafia, and a noble and elegant literary star, shining like a bright new star.

This story is destined to end in tragedy!

So he immediately dismissed the idea.

Even if he were to rely solely on his own strength, he could still find my ghost teacher's whereabouts; it's just a matter of time.

Moreover, he could use this time to tidy himself up and try to make a good impression on my teacher when they meet.

If I meet and get to know my Ghost Teacher, and we establish a close relationship, then wouldn't he be the first to see my Ghost Teacher's works in the future?!

Dazai Osamu had a grand plan in mind, but when it came to actually putting it into action, it was hard to say how much he could actually accomplish.

It was getting late, and Dazai Osamu didn't plan to go back. He used the only card he hadn't lost to buy a high-end waterproof notebook and reverently placed the papers he had been holding inside.

He bought himself another set of clothes. He didn't care whether he caught a cold or not, but if he got my teacher's artwork wet, he would be guilty of a heinous crime.

After doing all that, he returned to the bookstore entrance and squatted down without saying a word.

Going back is out of the question. My teacher Gui's work is so good that if he goes back and waits until tomorrow morning, who knows if it will already be sold out by then.

Even just thinking about that possibility made his heart ache terribly.

So, he's going to wait here tonight for the bookstore to open, and he wants to be the first person to buy my ghost teacher's work.

And so, Dazai Osamu waited for the sun to rise the next day on a summer night.

On the other hand, Rokudo Mukuro was far luckier than Dazai Osamu.

When Rokudo Mukuro returned home, he saw Ryunosuke Akutagawa and Gin Akutagawa sitting on the sofa discussing something.

He walked over slowly.

Gin Akutagawa: "Mukuro-kun, welcome back!"

Akutagawa Gin, who was brought back by Rokudo Mukuro, gave him a sweet smile, which made Rokudo Mukuro's face also show a gentle smile.

He really liked the girl who looked a lot like Chrome.

Gin Akutagawa also has a very high level of affection for Rokudo Mukuro, second only to her brother Ryunosuke Akutagawa.

"Yes, I'm back. What are you guys talking about?"

Akutagawa Gin's smile widened, his eyes brimming with joy. "We were talking about the two novels you just published, brother. You're amazing!"

The little girl held up the magazine in her hand to show Rokudo Mukuro, her tone full of admiration for her older brother.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's ears were so red they were practically bleeding. His sister's increasingly exaggerated praise made him feel both pleased and embarrassed.

“Gin, stop talking.” Then he looked at Rokudo Mukuro. “These are two works that are not worth mentioning. Compared to that gentleman, I am far inferior.”

Rokudo Mukuro smiled without saying a word. He simply took the magazine from Akutagawa Gin and, guided by her, turned to the page with Akutagawa Ryunosuke's work. He then sat on the sofa and slowly read it.

Gin Akutagawa looked at Rokudo Mukuro with anticipation, hoping to hear praise for his brother from him; Ryunosuke Akutagawa, on the other hand, was a little uneasy. He knew that Rokudo Mukuro had been looking forward to his work, and that was why he was so nervous.

Time passed slowly, and Rokudo Mukuro gradually pulled himself out of his literary world.

He looked up and stared directly at Ryunosuke Akutagawa, his eyes filled with amazement and admiration. He said jokingly, "Ryunosuke-kun, are you so humble because you're afraid someone in the world will become arrogant?"

If Ryunosuke Akutagawa's works are not worth praising, then what are?

Rokudo Mukuro said to Ryunosuke Akutagawa very seriously, "Your work is excellent. Even compared with all the literary writers in the world, your novels are in no way inferior."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa was taken aback by the way Rokudo Mukuro was looking at him. "Mukuro-kun, you flatter me, but I will remember what you said."

"Actually, my new novel is almost finished..."

The two looked at Ryunosuke Akutagawa at the same time and said in unison, "Please let me see it first."

Gin Akutagawa and Mukuro Rokudo exchanged a glance, smiled at each other, and then spoke at the same time:

Rokudo Mukuro: "Then let Gintoki..."

Gin Akutagawa: "Then let Mukuro-kun..."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa was speechless. Even knowing that his sister and Mukuro were praising him so highly, he didn't think his novel was that great, and he couldn't understand why the two of them wanted to read it first.

He interrupted their polite refusal: "Let's watch it together. Let's watch it together after I'm done."

Gin Akutagawa: "Brother, what did you write this time?"

Ryunosuke Akutagawa patted Gin Akutagawa's hair. "I've named this novel 'Rashomon'..."

"Isn't 'Rashomon' the name of my brother's superpower?"

"Yes, this novel..."

Just as Ryunosuke Akutagawa was about to give a detailed introduction, Rokudo Mukuro hurriedly said, "Ryunosuke-kun, don't spoil the plot in advance, please keep it a secret."

Akutagawa Ginya quickly realized, "That's right, she wants to read the novel herself! Spoilers beforehand ruin the fun."

"Alright, it's getting late, go get some rest. Ryunosuke-kun, don't stay up too late either~"

"Yes, brother, you should get some rest." Akutagawa Ginya instructed his sickly but night-loving older brother.

“Okay,” Ryunosuke Akutagawa looked at Gin Akutagawa with tender eyes. “Gin, goodnight. Mukuro-kun, goodnight.”

Lying comfortably in his large bed, Rokudo Mukuro, still savoring the two novels by Ryunosuke Akutagawa and even about to read the third, was completely unaware that while he was enjoying his comfortable surroundings and the company of a talented writer and his writer sister,

Not long after they parted, Dazai Osamu squatted at the entrance of the bookstore, enduring mosquito bites, yet still waiting expectantly for the bookstore to open, hoping to buy his favorite magazine and eagerly anticipating reading the second work by the author of the book he had been longing to read.

Sometimes, the difference in character really is revealed through comparison.

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A note from the author: