Chapter 37: The Dark Time Overlord, utterly bewildered as he faces his dying friend, saves Origami...
Given Oda Sakunosuke's straightforward yet somewhat naive nature, he naturally wouldn't criticize me, a port city heiress, for calling myself a "corporate slave." He simply said "Congratulations" sincerely and then asked me what my plans were and whether I wanted to go to school.
Of course I refused. After finally getting rid of all that alcohol, I naturally wanted to enjoy a more relaxed life. These past three years have been incredibly difficult for me; every day was just work, work, and work. My performance was among the top in the entire Hong Kong/gangster community.
To put it simply, if I were to be arrested by the military or police like Dazai in the future, the number of crimes I would be suspected of, such as murder and intimidation, would add up to at least five hundred. Even if I haven't shed any blood yet, my reputation in the mafia would already be about the same as Dazai's.
Tears~~ This is nothing to be proud of! It's absolutely awful that people think my blood is black! In short, it's all that scumbag boss Mori Ougai's fault!
Logically speaking, with my current reputation, it would be difficult for me to make friends. Fortunately, Oda Sakunosuke is different from ordinary people. Even after learning my identity, he remained the same towards me. No wonder Dazai considers him a close friend. He is indeed a friend worth having for a lifetime.
I had a super spicy curry rice with Oda Sakunosuke, and we chatted happily for a while. As a low-level member of the Port Mafia, he said goodbye to me and went back to work.
As for what I should do for a while, I was quite empty when I suddenly had free time, but I didn't want to continue working diligently as usual, so I went out and wandered around the streets.
I hadn't walked for long when I ran into Osamu Dazai, who was also strolling around. He was still wearing his signature black suit and black trench coat, and his face and body were still wrapped in bandages. At first glance, he didn't look much different from three years ago. In fact, he had not only grown taller, but his face had also matured. He had transformed from a handsome but sickly boy into a handsome but sickly young man.
Because I've been busy with work these past few years, I haven't had much time to see Dazai, so our relationship has just so-so.
Actually, I wanted to get along with him, but this guy always runs off to commit suicide after only a few words, which makes me not want to see this black mud spirit at all. It's really mental pollution!
Today, Dazai Osamu was followed respectfully by a lop-eared rabbit, oh, it's Akutagawa Ryunosuke. Although he's a stubborn kid that's hard to believe, I still have a good impression of him because of his fashionable silver-white gradient hair. Those naturally colored hair ends are practically the standard for a Demon Slayer World Pillar!
Dazai Osamu had already seen me by then. He sent away the reluctant Akutagawa Ryunosuke and came to me with a light smile, saying, "Miss, you seem to have a peaceful day today."
"I'll have plenty of free time every day from now on." I looked at him warily, afraid that this mud demon might suddenly run off and commit suicide at the slightest provocation.
Because of those three bottles of wine, I've been busy with work and haven't been seeing him as often. To maintain my goodwill towards Dazai Osamu, I was originally going to ignore him and even try to save him if he tried to commit suicide, but now this guy is trying to kill himself whenever he sees me. It's so immoral! I want to punch him!
It's fortunate that he hasn't unlocked the achievement of inviting someone to commit suicide yet, otherwise I probably wouldn't be able to control the primal power within me.
Dazai Osamu seemed to see through my thoughts, and his smile widened. He even said with an expectant look, "Mr. Mori will cry!"
Although I was also looking forward to making that scumbag leader cry, unfortunately Mori Ougai would only fake cry for Alice, and his smug look made me want to beat him up.
Suddenly remembering that Oda Sakunosuke's death was imminent, I reminded him, just as I had promised Dazai Osamu years ago, "That day is coming soon."
Dazai Osamu's expression, which had been smiling, suddenly turned cold, and he exuded a dark aura that made people want to stay away.
【Danger! 】
That was the feeling I got from Dazai Osamu at that moment, but I still spoke calmly: "I know you've made a lot of arrangements in private. Nowadays, nothing in the Port Mafia can hide from your eyes. As long as there's the slightest unusual movement, you can easily deduce what Oda Sakunosuke's death is and prevent it from happening at the root. I believe you can do that, but I advise you not to."
Dazai Osamu stared at me expressionlessly. His once bright eyes seemed to have been tainted by something, turning dark and gloomy, devoid of any light. This made me feel a chill run down my spine as I looked into his eyes.
This was the first time he had revealed the cold, dark side of the mafia to me, and I, clenching my fists, stared into the abyss-like eyes of the man before me and continued speaking…
“If Oda Sakunosuke is destined to face a calamity, then let him face it. Otherwise, if he manages to escape this time, how will he escape the next calamity? At least I know very well how Oda Sakunosuke will overcome this life-threatening calamity. I swear on my life that I will save our mutual friend! Please believe me, Mr. Dazai.”
I solemnly swore to Dazai Osamu that I only hoped he wouldn't ruin Mori Ougai and Gide's deal. If Mimic were arrested by the Special Abilities Division as soon as he entered Yokohama, and Dazai successfully averted Oda Sakunosuke's demise, how could I possibly send these two outstanding talents to Fukuzawa-sensei?! That would be the biggest loss the Armed Detective Agency has ever suffered since its opening!
"What if I don't believe you?" Dazai Osamu looked at me with his dark, dull eyes. "What would you do?"
"Then we'll have to persuade them physically."
So I eventually persuaded Dazai Osamu, but not by physical means; instead, I sealed away his memories related to him.
Otherwise, I'm really worried he'll do something that affects the plot. A man who controls the script is completely unpredictable and will never do anything. It's easier to seal his memories. After he hears Oda Sakunosuke's last words, the seal will automatically be broken and he'll remember everything.
Having dealt with Dazai Osamu, I changed my carefree attitude and began to focus on rescuing Oda Sakunosuke. I kept a close eye on the port entry records of the shipping company controlled by the Port Mafia, and soon discovered, through the slightest clues, that Mimic, led by Gide, had smuggled in through this channel.
André Gide is the leader of the European supernatural organization Mimic. A former soldier, he and his soldiers were forced to leave the army with the stigma of traitors due to the corrupt dealings of his superiors. This devastating blow to their spirits left them and their soldiers with despair for the world.
Gide's special ability is called Narrow Gate, which, like Oda Sakunosuke's Seamless Clothes, allows him to foresee the future in the short term. This led Gide to believe that only Oda Sakunosuke could save them, that is, to kill them in battle and give everyone eternal peace.
All I can say about Mimic is that everyone's out of their minds. If they want to die, they should do what Dazai Osamu did and commit suicide. Why drag Odasaku into it? He didn't want to talk to them, yet they killed five adorable children and a kind restaurant owner, driving the desperate Odasaku to his death. They're inhuman! Absolutely despicable! What a waste of that fairly handsome face. Don't you just want to stomp on him?
Of course, I wouldn't let Oda Sakunosuke's most important person die, but in order for him to be able to seek revenge on Gide, I took the five children and the restaurant owner to the Armed Detective Agency for protection before Mimic arrived, and used Shadow Clone Technique and Transformation Technique to disguise myself as six people while waiting for Mimic to come.
The plan was a success. When Oda returned, he was met with the restaurant owner's blood-soaked corpse and the horrific scene of five children locked in a car being detonated in front of him...
Although I successfully deceived Odasaku, seeing him in such pain and despair made me very sad, and I felt a strong sense of self-blame and guilt. However, in order for him to be able to say his last words and for Dazai Osamu, who had neither justice nor evil in his heart, to become the one who helped others, I could only watch helplessly and keep apologizing to Odasaku in my heart.
Soon, the decisive battle between Oda Sakunosuke and Gide began, and I watched nervously from the shadows, fearing something might go wrong. What if Oda Sakunosuke was shot and killed before Dazai Osamu arrived? I absolutely wouldn't allow that to happen! Even if it was a fatal wound, I would definitely revive him for Dazai to see.
Fortunately, everything unfolded as I had predicted. Gide died in the end, and Oda Sakunosuke also suffered a fatal gunshot wound and was nearing death.
Dazai Osamu, who rushed over so fast that his coat fell off, shouted his best friend's name and helped Oda Sakunosuke up, but his hands were covered in blood, which made his hands tremble and his face show a rare look of pain.
With a last breath, Oda Sakunosuke struggled to speak, "...Dazai...I have something I want to tell you..."
Dazai Osamu, who was always at ease in everything he did, showed a look of fear on his face when he heard his best friend’s words, which sounded like his last words. He was unwilling to believe that his most important friend was about to die, and he hurriedly told himself to lie, but Oda Sakunosuke raised his hand and pressed down on his hair.
"Listen!" Oda Sakunosuke's unusual firmness silenced Dazai Osamu, but he continued, "You said that in this world of violence and bloodshed, perhaps one could find a reason to live..."
"You yourself have long understood that whether you choose to kill or save, nothing will happen that exceeds your expectations. Nothing in this world can fill your loneliness, and you will forever wander in the darkness."
When his friend revealed the truth, Dazai Osamu's amber eyes began to tremble uncontrollably. After a deathly silence, he asked, trembling like a helpless child, "Odasaku... what should I do?"
“Go and be the one who saves people.” Dazai’s eyes widened in surprise at his friend’s suggestion. He continued with anticipation, “Since both sides are the same, why not be a good person, help the weak, and protect orphans? Justice and evil are no different to you, right? Choosing justice… at least it’s a little better.”
"How do you know?" Dazai asked softly, and Oda Sakunosuke looked at him weakly and said, "Of course I know, I know better than anyone else, because... I am your friend."
Dazai showed a deeply moved expression. Not long ago, he had told Mori Ougai that he was going to save his friend. The two of them were actually of the same mind.
"I understand, I will do as you say."
Upon hearing Dazai Osamu's promise, having achieved my goal, I immediately rushed over and used the Palm Healing Technique to prolong the life of the dying Oda Sakunosuke. At the same time, I took out my phone to ask Yosano Akiko, who was waiting outside, to come in and save him.
Although I could heal Oda Sakunosuke's injuries, the treatment was too slow. "Please do not die" was much faster. I didn't need to do anything extra for Oda Sakunosuke, who was on the verge of death, and he was healed in an instant.
“…Ah…it’s you!” Oda Sakunosuke said with difficulty when he saw me. Dazai Osamu, who had also broken free of his sealed memories, called out to me urgently, “You said you would save Oda Sakunosuke!”
“That’s right, I will save our mutual friend.” I smiled at him, then looked at Yosano Akiko who was rushing over and said, “Please! Dr. Yosano.”
"Leave it to me!"
Yosano Akiko came to Oda Sakunosuke and used her special ability, "Please Don't Die," to revive Oda Sakunosuke, who was on the verge of death and was only being kept alive by my chakra. He was completely healed and had no injuries. Even I have to admit defeat when it comes to this healing ability.
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