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Chapter Text

Mori watched as Nakahara Chuuya walked into the first executives‘ meeting post-eradication of the Guild’s remnants and Incarceration of Fyodor Dosteyjevsky in his usual combo of slacks, dress shirt, waistcoat, and dress shoes.
What was surprising- and as such gave Mori, Kouyou and everyone else Pause - was a noticeable lack of additional fashion statements. His hat was in his hands, as per usual, but there was no bolo tie, no bolero, no trench coat and most importantly, no choker. And his sleeves were rolled up to show off the scarred and bruised skin from his latest, almost lethal bout of back-to-back use of corruption.

Mori, if only to himself, admitted that it felt amusingly like Nakahara-kun was naked and wondered what had prompted this unexpected and blatant change of style.
He had been trying to anticipate whether Nakahara-kun would leave the mafia to be closer to Mori’s own wayward protege. Mori may have put fail saves in place for such an occasion, but the complete lack of the choker, that everyone had known at some point became a sign of the Soukoku partnership, firmly eliminated that assumption.
Mori resolved to watch the most physically adept of his Executives more closely for a while, until he could pinpoint what exactly had changed in regards to Soukoku.

Chapter Text

Kouyou almost stumbled over a box in the hallway when Chuuya let her into his loft. She’d come by to find out more about her protege‘s new lack of adornments and the curiously calm demeanour he had been sporting for the last 22 hours post meeting. 

„I am sorry, Ane-san. I did some spring cleaning and haven’t gotten around to taking the trash out yet.“ 

Kouyou straightened her Kimono and waved his apology off. “It is quite alright, Chuuya-kun. I imagine you’re busy without taking on additional spring cleaning.”

At his noncommittal shrug, both of them stepped into the lounge, and Chuuya carried over a tray with mugs and a coffee pot while Kouyou sat down. Good, freshly ground and pressed Espresso was a guilty pleasure that Kouyou had infected him with years ago and that they indulged in together at the rare moment they had the time. 

Deftly lifting the pot, she poured them both a mug and then fixed the redhead with a mild look. 

“Now then, Chuuya-kun, Tell me about the newest development.” 

She expected him to dodge the question. Chuuya always did, having spend so much time around her since he was fifteen. This time, instead, he surprised her. 

“I asked Dazai to meet with me last Tuesday.” 

That had been the day before the executive level meeting. Chuuya shrugged fluidly as she eyed him, and met her gaze with one of his own. 

“Ane-san, you, probably better than anyone, know that there’s always been some hope to revive Double Black,” he said, a bitter smile on his face and a hand raising to his throat before he aborted the motion to wave the hand vaguely around. 

“The fight against the guild made clear that we-“ a choked of pause, “Dazai and I - could be good, better even than we ever were before.” 

Kouyou thought back towards the vicious battles that the Soukoku partnership had singlehandedly turned in their favour, and nodded. 

“I thought, with the ceasefire, that we should work out some sort of preliminary agreement for this. Nothing definite until I could get Mori-sama’s and your opinions, but opening a channel of communication at least.” 

Chuuya-kun lost the last traces of composure and chugged the shot of Espresso in one go before falling back against the couch cushions and throwing an arm across his face. Kouyou stared in something akin to horror at the human weapon of mass-destruction. 

“I really shouldn’t have expected anything else, Kouyou-nee-san.” 

The redhead fixed her with a stare that seemed to swim with negative emotion.

“He didn’t even deign to turn up himself.” 

A slightly hysterical giggle. 

“You’ve seen that light-snow ability? He got one of his coworkers to have his illusion meet me at the cafe - you know, that one place where we got lunch when I was 17 and I overused corruption.” Another pause, and now Kouyou was honestly considering checking if the young man was delirious with fever, drugged or inebriated, all of which were worrying but also somewhat impressive, considering that he had been completely in control not five minutes ago. 

“I thought it was just a prank at first, but the guy told me that Dazai told him to tell me that Dazai wasn’t interested in a pet dog, and that the new Soukoku was sufficient and that I didn’t need to run after him anymore.” Kouyou prided herself on rarely needing to struggle to express her opinion eloquently and succinctly. But all the poise in the world couldn't have prepared her for the expression on Chuuya-kun’s face and the words that were obviously quoted verbatim by him, dripping with a bitterness that was devastating to watch. So she kept silent as the young man dragged a hand over his face, heaved a sigh, and sat back up straight again. 

Only after he was holding another steaming shot of Espresso between his hands did she find her voice again. 

“Chuuya-kun, I do believe Dazai-kun intended-”

“Oh, he did it to be contrary,” interrupted Chuuya, voice suddenly ice cold.

“A sloppy execution of reverse psychology. He wants me to bristle and scream and maybe go to Mori to have him go to Fukuzawa to force,” Chuuya sloppily made air quotes at the word, “him to work with me.”

He took another sip of the Espresso. 

“Ane-san, Dazai forgets that while we summarily grew up in each other's pockets, I have changed in those four year he decided to play hooky with every side of the law.”

“But he has always known you, at your core. This last year only drove that point home, did it not?”

The smile she was met with in return was the most bitter one yet. 

“True as that may be, Ane-san, my exposure to the ways of the mafia is much more recent than Dazai’s, and there is more to a human being than the core of who they are, and much of these traits were shaped in a Port Mafia without Dazai and under the supervision of Mori-sama.” Chuuya regarded her over the steam from his mug. “I know when I am being manipulated, and while I went along with it because it was… easy in a way, to fall back into old habits, I refuse to step into these manipulations willingly from now on.”

The shard-edged smile retreated behind a more genuine, though exceedingly sad one, and the angles of his face seemed to soften and smooth out. There was something about the way Chuuya-kun looked now, something Kouyou had never seen before. Neither had she ever seen him cry, though the rumour mill always did bring up that he had allegedly done so when the news of Dazai’s defection reached him. Kouyou had always dismissed the rumour, but suddenly she was met with tears brimming in brighter eyes, and she knew she needed to reevaluate her stance.

“I love Dazai, Kouyou-nee-san.”

She gaped.

Chuuya, in return, very subtly shook his head. 

 “I truly do. But I refuse to cater to his whims anymore,” he firmly spoke, setting his mug onto the table. 

“With the relations between the Port Mafia and the ADA as they are now, and with Shin Soukoku at the point where a working relationship is more than possible, there is no need for me to humour him. When you need conjoined missions, Akutagawa is more than capable for leading those.”

There was another pause as Kouyou still tried to find an adequate response to the personal information she had been so freely given and Chuuya blinked, suddenly dry eyed once again. 

“I wont be leashed to someone who won't reciprocate in kind, or who is predisposed to breaking bonds of trust at the drop of a hat.”

Kouyou watched Chuuya-kun’s eyes flicker over to his loft entrance and the hat sitting on a small cupboard and saw his face twitch with wry amusement before he regained his sombreness and returned to watching her. 

“I will talk to Mori-sama tomorrow, but I doubt he will mind. Akutagawa was always meant to succeed me as enforcer.” A vague gesture to underline the insignificance of this development. “I only thought it would be after I got consumed by Arahabaki and died on some battlefield.” He tilted his head. “To be honest, this might be a boon, and make for a smoother transition in the long run. It would happen sooner or later anyway.”

Kouyou struggled to keep her composure. Chuuya-kun seemed determined to undermine her countenance today. She coughed delicately and forced her voice to stay firm. “I doubt Dazai-kun would allow that to happen.”

Her words were met with a raised eyebrow and a cynic grin.

“And that from you, who has ever cautioned not to put trust in him.” His voice was bemused. “Ane-san, please take your own advice. You never know when he will up and leave and leave you hanging.” Something in his smile changed and became even sharper. “And do you honestly believe he will come to my aid after I stop dancing to his tune? Dazai does away with things that he can’t control or manipulate, Ane-san.”

Kouyou sipped her Espresso in lieu of a reply, just as aware as her protege that his words rang true. And there was little else to add to them. 

Chapter Text

Fukuzawa’s phone rang at 5 o’clock in the morning. That alone was enough of a reason to worry, but the blocked number of his phone screen just underlined that feeling. 

“Fukuzawa speaking.”

“Fukuzawa-dono,” The low drawl sounded from his phone’s speakers. 

“Mori-sensei.”

The dread in the pit of his stomach intensified. 

“It seems we have a slight problem.” 

“A problem?”

“Yes.” There was a sigh from his conversation partner. “It seems that our plan for two generations of Soukoku to keep Yokohama save will not come to fruition.”

That sounded ominous. “What is the matter?”

“My former protege decided to break my executive’s heart, Fukuzawa-dono.” Another sigh, this one clearly in disappointment. “Kouyou said he was really quite distraught.”

Fukuzawa frowned. This was an unusual, if not surreal conversation to have with a man who regarded feelings with only so much attention as he would any other variable that was used to manipulate the people around him. Not to mention that two teams of Soukoku were one of the stipulations of the ceasefire as insisted upon by- oh. “Dazai-kun has stated that he is looking forward to reviving the original Soukoku, Mori-sensei.”

“Well, then he should not have communicated differently to Nakahara-kun, yes?”

“I will talk-”

“I would welcome it if you could refrain from doing so, Fukuzawa-dono.”

Fukuzawa frowned as he stared into his dusky room. “Why?”

“Because I was quite serious. I do actually treasure my subordinates, and Nakahara-kun was genuinely hurt by his former partner.” A pause, in which Fukuzawa struggled to form a reply. Nakahara Chuuya didn’t seem the type to get hurt by Dazai-kun’s usual machinations, but Fukuzawa did not actually have a great deal of insight into this matter, so he may have missed something. Mori, when he started to speak again, did so with a sharpness in his voice that Fukuzawa couldn't quite place. “Dazai-kun might think that he can manipulate my Executive flawlessly and nudge him into whatever reaction he deems most beneficial to himself, but this is not actually the case.”

Fukuzawa dragged a hand through his hair. This at least was an issue he was familiar with. His idiot employee had once again crossed a line, though possibly one he had not been aware of for once. Before he could utter an appropriate reply however, Mori continued again. 

“Fukuzawa-dono. Dazai learned this lesson once before, painfully, I might add, but it seems he forgot it, or maybe disregarded it out of familiarity or old habits. He wanted me and you, prompted by Nakahara-kun, to order him to revive Double Black. I am uninterested in what his reasoning was, but I have no intention of letting him get away with it.”

This time, Fukuzawa heaved a sigh. 

“I understand.” Though he did not approve, but in this mood, there was no arguing with the Port Mafia Boss. He had, for some reason, taken this as a slight against himself, and Fukuzawa had no interest in dropping the ceasefire. It made the city much calmer and safer. 

“I will not interfere in the matter of the original Soukoku, but I have only limited control over Dazai-kun’s actions. Nakahara-kun may well find himself being searched out.”

He was met with a giggle. It was an unsettling 180 demeanour-wise. 

“Then Dazai-kun will find, Fukuzawa-dono, that Nakahara-kun has honed his stealth over the last few years. He will not be found if he doesnt wish to be.” A small pause, and any amusement froze and shattered in his tone. “I doubt anyone in your Agency will have contact with Nakahara-kun from now on. There has been some reorganisation in the ranks, and as planned, Akutagawa will be happy to take over Chuuya’s duties there.”

Fukuzawa quelled the urge to rub at the corners of his eyes, already able to feel the headache coming on. 

“Well, it was a pleasure as always, Fukuzawa-dono.”

“And you.”

They hung up simultaneously.  

Chapter Text

Ichiyo trailed after Akutagawa-san as they made their way towards the floor directly below Mori-sama’s own offices. They had been summoned there by a letter from Nakahara-san. Akutagawa-san had it handed to him by a grunt as they left one of the stores the Port Mafia used for money laundering, which was highly unusual. Ever since before he had become an executive Nakahara-san searched people out himself if he wanted something. It was why people knew him better and trusted him more on any given day. He was just… there more. 

Two guards stood by the elevator, but none in front of the five doors that were arranged around the lobby they stepped into. The taller one lead them towards the second door to the right, and held it open after only a short knock. 

Ichiyo was honestly still wary, and once again struck by how confident Akutagawa-san was, because the man didn't even hesitate, promptly stepping inside as she scrambled behind him. They both bowed. 

“Akutagawa-kun. Higuchi-san. Thank you for coming.” 

The executive was sitting behind a desk that was only slightly less opulent than the one in Mori’s office. The office was less oppressive in general, but still kept the dark colour theme and intimidatingly expensive interior.  

When Nakahara-san indicated the two plush chairs in front of him, Ichiyo let Akutagawa-san choose first before sitting down herself, trying to discreetly catalogue what it was that made her pause at Nakahara-san’s appearance. He looked different. 

There was the lack of choker and bolo-tie, and no bolero, but she wasn’t sure if that was really the problem. Chuuya-san had worn tuxedos a few times at gala’s before, and it had never made her pause. No, there was something else. But whatever it was, it wasn't something she could consciously detect. 

“What?”

Torn out of her contemplations by Akutagawa-san’s shocked voice, her head snapped around to check him over, and then to Nakahara-san, who had rested his chin on his folded hands, not unlike Mori-sama sometimes did. There was a very slight upturn of his lips as he nodded at her direct superior. 

“Yes, you will begin shadowing me tomorrow. Higuchi-san may either accompany us or you may delegate more of your own duties to her if you feel she is ready.”

That made her stare just as much as Akutagawa-san did. Wait. Was this a promotion? Akutagawa-kun was good, but Nakahara-san wasn’t old enough to retire. The boss was still there. Nothing of significance had happened in the last few months, or at least nothing that had culled the upper echelons... and even then, changes always took a while.  But she kept her mouth shut as Akutagawa-san conceded to their superior. 

Nakahara-san turned his gaze towards her a moment later. Ichiyo felt herself flush, especially when one slim eyebrow turned up at her stare. 

“Is there something you would like to say, Higuchi-san?”

Voice stuck in her throat, Ichiyo only shook her head, taking care to keep her eyes lowered. She really didn’t want to seem disrespectful to Nakahara-san of all people. And still she couldn’t help but look back up when the redhead let out a snort. 

“I won’t be retiring, of course,” and when he caught her gaze he send her a sharp smile, “after all, there’s only one way to leave the mafia, as you both know.”

By Dying. Ichiyo was all to aware of that. Disregarding Dazai-san and that one protégé of Ozaki-san’s, people just didn’t leave the mafia. And those two were under utterly unique circumstances from what she had heard. 

A cough. 

“I have no intentions of dying either, but you never know, and I am in the line of sight of many of our enemies. It’s only logical that I prepare you, Akutagawa-kun, for taking over from me for that moment when something around here changes.”

His chin came to rest on steepled fingers, uncanny in the resemblance to Mori-sama. It was probably deliberate. To what end though...

“There are some other changes coming as well. As I said, your primary function will be as the contact between the ADA and us, and that transition at least will be instantaneous. I will elaborate on that more over the next few days, but apart from that I will change some things regarding my personal security. 

With the ADA privy to classified information I have been remiss in not adjusting.”

Ichiyo clamped down on the urge to gape. It was a close thing. Nakahara-san was never one to admit an oversight, though he was rarely in said position, so maybe it was just that it sounded so wrong. 

“I have changed my private phone number and my address as well. You will be able to reach me under a new phone number that I will provide you with later for business, but I’m afraid I won’t be handing out my new private number.” Nakahara-san levelled a stare at them. “We are all quite aware how easily Dazai-san can manipulate people he has known for years.”

Dazai-san. Ichiyo felt a chill at the bland name the name of one half of Soukoku was spoken. There even was a suffix. 

At one point, years ago, Ichiyo had thought Soukoku were an item, but that, as far as she knew, had never been validated. It had also never been disproven. These theories were, apart from the way they argued like an old married couple, based on the way Soukoku never used any sorts of suffixes for each other. It was just so intimate - and still, no one was quite sure what they were, apart from terrifying when near each other.

This though, this spoke of betrayal, of complete disavowal from someone. Nakahara-san may as well have publicly repudiated Dazai-san. 

More than anything that had happened today, this made Ichiyo do an internal double-take. No, she was wrong. There was no ‘may as well‘ about it. Nakahara-san was literally cutting all ties to his - former -  partner. 

And just maybe- she looked him over once again as he and Akutagawa-san went over plans in more detail - maybe - but she was almost sure now. That was what had made her pause. Nakahara-san was heartbroken. She kept the scowl that threatened to break out over her face in check. Dazai-san had hurt him. And Ichiyo had lived through the aftermath of Dazai-san turning traitor. Nakahara-san had been livid, especially at that bloody car-bomb, but he hadn’t been hurt so much as exasperated and shocked in equal measures. 

But now he was. 

To be fair, she wasn’t one for violence usually. Ichiyo was well aware of that, as were most people in the mafia. What kept her here was loyalty more than conviction or a love for kicking people around. But she was protective. Hell, that was the reason why the upper leagues hadn’t done away with her at some point. And Nakahara-san was her superior as much as Akutagawa-san was. He was courteous at all times, even though they never interacted much. He’d remembered her name after meeting her once when Akutagawa-san had refused to bother for the first few months of her working under him. 

Nakahara-san deserved loyalty more than most people in this organisation. 

That someone must have squandered that? That Dazai-san, genius that he was, had squandered that? It was unbelievable. And insulting. 

“Higuchi-san?”

Her eyes snapped up too meet a smiling Nakahara-san’s. 

“Yes, sir?” 

“Akutagawa-kun will decide on your new responsibilities over the next week. Until then, you may accompany us or use the time to also present yourself to Kouyou-ane-san for some extra training. She’s been asking to have you stop by.”

Something clenched in her stomach. That was either very good or very bad. She chanced a quick glance at Akutagawa-san, who looked… less displeased than usual. That had to be a good sign. With a smile, she nodded her head in assent. 

“I will be glad to receive mentoring from Ozaki-san, Nakahara-san.”

the redhead nodded, obviously pleased. “Ane-san will be expecting you tomorrow then.” 

Then he nodded at Akutagawa-san as well. 

“In that case I will see you, Akutagawa-kun, tomorrow, and you, Higuchi-san, whenever Ane-san deems you ready.”

Her direct superior rose at the clear dismissal, and she followed suit. And while she was now looking forward to getting mentored by one of the executives as well, most of her was still preoccupied with the mess that Dazai-san had apparently made of the legendary soukoku partnership, even as she bowed and followed Akutagawa-san out of the building to resume their day. 

Chapter Text

Kyoka was less than comfortable with Atsushi-kun having been shoved into a partnership with Akutagawa of all people. The man scared her, more than most other people ever did. But she’d be damned if she left HER partner alone with that sword of Damocles hanging over his head just because of a little fear and bad memories. 

Even though they were more evenly matched now, two against one was still a better chance for them to have at killing the Port Mafia member. 

So when the man actually meet them in front of the Agency after a full day of work and Atsushi agreed (why would he do something like that? This wasn't like the fog, where Akutagawa was useful!) to help Akutagawa with something, she shook her head at being asked to go home alone. 

“I’ll tag along, if you’re alright with it, Atsushi-kun.”

Her friend looked at the mafia man, but thankfully didn't ask for his opinion. 

And that was how Kyoka found herself walking through the streets of Yokohama with the man who freed her from the mafia and the man who tried to force her back into it. It was surreal. 

It became even more so when Akutagawa led them into a civilian shopping centre, then stopped to take a look at both of them. “The reason I asked you, Jinko, is because my little sister is away and it fell to me to pick out a present for someone.

Kyoka wanted to start screaming. What the fuck. This was… Akutagawa and Atsushi weren’t friends, what right did he have to ask for help from the person he almost sold to the guild? Atsushi didn't seem to have the same hang-ups, only tilting his head in that curious way he sometimes got that reminded her too much of an actual cat to not be adorable. 

“As partners, I have been told we are supposed to help each other out with minor things to foster trust. I would… appreciate it, if you could lend a hand in finding a house-warming gift for my superior.”

And then he fixed Kyoka with a look, not actually looking her in the eyes, which was probably the only thing that kept her from flinching when he addressed her directly. 

“I cannot apologise for my actions towards you, because they were orders I got from the higher ranks, but I will say that I would not do it this way again. And if you see something you would like around here, don't hesitate.”

Kyoka only just kept from snarling. 

“I don’t need your apologies.”

“Very well.”

A shrug and his coat swivelling around with him as he turned back to Atsushi. 

“Will you help me, partner?”

The white haired boy had been curiously quiet as Kyoka faced off against his new Double Black Partner, and she was strangely thankful to him for letting her confront her fears alone. Now though, he grinned at the mafia member and it turned something sour in her gut. 

“Of course, Akutagawa! Who is it we’re buying a present for?”

Kyoka fell back to watch them as Atsushi took the lead, dragging them through the centre to get a feel of the place, probably, and get an overview of the shops. 

“Chuuya-san.”

Atsushi gazed curiously at the coughing man beside him. 

“Nakahara-san? Dazai-san’s partner? He’s your boss as well?”

“That is correct, though he is not Dazai-san’s partner anymore.”

Akutagawa’s voice took on a dark tinge, and Kyoka’s skin prickled at the danger. Thankfully, Atsushi had heard it too, and was evidently trying to change the topic. 

“Alright. Then does he need help moving? I know it’s supposed to be very exhausting to move, right?”

“He has already moved.”

“Oh, I didn’t hear anything about that from Dazai-san. Nakahara-san could have asked, I’m sure with two generations of Soukoku on the job it would have been easy!”

Kyoka almost face-palmed. Right back onto a topic that had irritated Akutagawa moments ago. The man himself seemed to have resolved to just ignore whatever faux pas Atsushi was making repeatedly. 

Atsushi made all of them stop in front of a flower shop. 

“Haruno-san once said that flowers made every home more inviting. Maybe something pretty that isn’t much effort? And if we get something to put on a counter, we could bring it over after buying it?”

Honestly, whatever was wrong was starting to annoy Kyoka immensely, because this time Akutagawa actually sighed, like it affected him emotionally. Which was absurd. That he didn't just attack Atsushi-kun was absurd as well. 

“I cannot. Chuuya-san won't tell us his address, now that he's cut ties with Dazai-san.”

Kyoka couldn't keep from staring at Akutagawa any more than Atsushi evidently. Her friend was directing wide eyes at the black haired man and sputtered. 

“C-cut ties with Dazai-san? But why? They are partners? And why won't he-”

One impatient noise later and there was a hand over Atsushi’s mouth. Kyoka only didnt attack right then and there because his ability hadn't so much as twitched. 

“Because Dazai knows how to manipulate us and will at some point try and get his address that way. Nakahara-san is protecting himself.”

All of them were staring at each other silently now, before Akutagawa pulled back and crossed his arms in front of him. 

“I cannot tell you what has transpired, as I am not privy to that information. The only thing I have been made aware of is that the old Soukoku had a falling out and that Chuuya-san decided to distance himself from Dazai-san irrevocably. There will be no two generations of Soukoku, and the leading liaison between our organisations will be me.”

Kyoka had seen the old soukoku in action exactly once, in the battle leading up to the showdown. Dazai-san alone had always has her respect, but Soukoku had been terrifying in their power and their cohesion. They had seemed to communicate with minute shifts of expression and body language, a unit stronger than the parts it was made up of. 

For something to shatter that… It was a tragedy. 

Atsushi-kun stood slumped against the wall, gaze fixed firmly on Akutagawa. 

“There’s- I mean, I don’t mind working with you at all, but you say that there is no chance of Nakahara-san…? They were so good together.”

Gray eyes close on a sigh and then open again as a pale hand comes up to pinch the bridge of his nose. 

“There is nothing else I know. Soukoku was the bogeyman of the underworld, their reputation reaching further than just Yokohama and Tokyo. Their teamwork is legendary. But Chuuya-san told me himself that he has spoken to the boss about distancing Chuuya-san from all work concerning the agency. Something must have happened, and there is a rumour that Dazai-san hurt Chuuya-san, but I do not know what is the truth. And he cannot trust me with certain information anymore, considering that Dazai-san has a way of extracting anything you know within hours.”

That was the most Kyoka had every heard Akutagawa talk, and definitely also the most emotion she had ever seen him display. Atsushi-kun didn't seem to know how to react to this either, but a minute later he was shaking himself and sending a tentative smile at his mafia partner. 

“Well, we can’t change anything. It will fall to Dazai-san to decide if he wants to share what has happened, I guess.” Kyoka and Akutagawa snorted at the exact same moment, and Kyoka pursed her lips at that, turning her attention back to her friend. “Now, we still need to pick out a present right? And a plant is a good idea, don't you think? Do you want to choose something?”

By the way Akutagawa promptly turned around to inspect the plants behind him, he must have felt as thankful for the change in topic as Kyoka herself was. 

They spent the next half hour arguing about plants, and even Kyoka couldn't keep from volunteering her opinion when the boys tried to choose a yellow camellia. What they ended up with instead, after a long argument with the clerk about which flowers could even be kept indoors with little trouble, they walked out of the shop with a bonsai tree that was about as big as Akutagawa’s torso. And somehow Kyoka had ended up with a pink Amaryllis that she’d been eyeing because of the pretty colours being shoved into her hands. And really, she wasn't above taking it with her. It was something that reminded her of the good parts: Of Kouyou-nee-san teaching her Hanakotoba for the sake of doing something fun on New Year's Day. It had been a distraction from horrors that kept her up otherwise and it’s something she wouldn't have gotten for herself. 

It was in a weirdly peaceful atmosphere that the shopping trip ended, with a bonsai and an Amaryllis plant on the far end of a table as all the of them ate Crêpes. Kyoka was… still not happy, but at least it didn‘t seem like Atsushi-kun was in danger from Akutagawa for as long as this weird Port Mafia-ADA collaboration stood. 

She‘d live with it. 

Especially if Akutagawa continued bribing her with second helpings of Crêpes.