Kunikida Doppo

"On the conditions that one agency member shall be transferred to the Port Mafia."

Those words came out of the Port Mafia's boss not long ago during the time the Armed Detective Agency was in big trouble and the Port Mafia offered to help. Now, the agency has regained its stability and has to pay back what they owe.

The boss of the Port Mafia, Mori Ougai, sat in his throne-like chair while signing a contract. Ever since the deal had been finalized, he had already knew who he wanted to pick — someone who was under his rule before, someone who had a heart already dyed black, someone who could replace him in the role of boss, Dazai Osamu.

The president of the Armed Detective Agency, Fukuzawa Yukichi, had no choice but to agree to the enemy's terms. Dazai was sent to the Port Mafia once again, despite his utter hatred for that place — but what could a mere person who was already beyond saving like him do?

And with a swish of a pen, Dazai was out of the agency. Without his teasing and banter with everyone, an usual silence loomed the office. The laughter, the infuriating warmth that Dazai brought over daily was nowhere to be found.

Kunikida Doppo, Dazai's ex-partner in work, was devastated, though he would never admit it. At first, the idealist enjoyed the quiet. But slowly, the quiet became deafening. The laughter, the smiles, the soft glow of Dazai's pale skin, the way Kunikida would get so mad over anything he did — he missed those moments.

Kunikida found himself looking out the window, searching for a sign — a sign he was still out there, missing him too.

Doppo walked back to his apartment one day, with an expression nobody could quite read. At that moment a familiar, unmistakable voice rang out from behind.

"Kunikida!"

A man cried out. It was Dazai. He now wore a black suit, eerily professional for him, yet the familiar bandages around his body showed that he still had a part of he past with him.

For once, he did not know what to say.