Chapter Text
There were very few times in which the executives of the Port Mafia would gather in a meeting to discuss matters. Today marked the first meeting of all executives of this year.
The reason being? A concerning matter regarding a Port Mafia member and Musutafu’s hero society.
It was brought to the attention of Mori Ougai that the Hero Commission had forcefully worked their way into Yokohama’s barriers and infiltrated a Port Mafia warehouse.
It isn't really much of a concern that a hero had weaseled themself into a warehouse, after all, whatever they could have taken could easily be replaced.
That would be the case if what they took wasn't one of the Port Mafia’s trump cards.
“I’m glad we could all reunite under such short notice but I wished it would be under much better circumstances.”
Mori Ougai, current Port Mafia boss. He’d called the meeting a few hours ago and was grateful that all the executives were able to come despite the short notice.
“Let's skip the pleasantries, why don’t we?”
Kouyou Ozaki, a Port Mafia executive. In most situations she’s a woman who is a force to be reckoned with, someone who always keeps herself level headed.
But if you are one of her more close subordinates, you'd see that at times she could let her emotions get the betterment of her mind. At times she’ll let herself lose control of her coolheaded mindset.
This is one of these situations.
“Now now Kouyou-kun, I understand the situation is dire, but I need to make sure everyone here knows what may be at stake.”
Mori handled his cup of tea with care, sipping on it occasionally. Kouyou herself had a cup of tea, but at the time she had no reason to please herself with the calming drink.
“I believe I agree with Kouyou-san.”
Paul Verlaine. After what happened during the stormbringer incident, he’d originally been locked up in the underground basement. Normally he’d still be in there, but because of the situation, he’d finally be let out for the time being.
With a sigh, Mori set down his tea and clasped his hands together. His elbows rested on the table that separated all four people in the room.
“Alright then, this meeting has officially come to a start. The mission is plainly simple.”
It was then that the entire room grew eerie and gloomy. As if just the mention of this mission was taboo.
“Executive Dazai Osamu will infiltrate Musutafu’s hero school, UA High school, under the guise of a first year student. He will gather information, any type of information, about the hero society.”
The atmosphere shifted once more. A fist collided with the table, shaking the cups and spilling tea all around.
“What about-” “I’m getting there Dazai-kun.”
Mori raised a hand at the youngest executive. Usually the teenager would bite back, but right now everyone in the Port Mafia was aware that he clearly was not acting himself.
“While Dazai is in Musutafu gathering information, Executive Pual Verlaine will be on standby if Dazai gets caught or if things go south.”
Mori looked over at the skilled assassin, making sure that Verlaine understood his place in his first assignment.
“Executive Kouyou Ozaki will infiltrate Japan's government and retrieve files on the Hero Commission. That is all this mission entails.”
A chair scraped against the floor. No one batted an eye as Dazai stood from his seat and swiftly exited the conference room with a slam on the door. No one rushed to ask him to get back inside the room, nor did anyone follow him to smack him into sense.
The meeting ended there.
Dazai doesn't easily feel emotions. He couldn't. Only humans were able to feel stupid feelings all the time and he was not human.
(At least that's what his conscience told him.)
So why, why is there this gnawing feeling in his gut. A feeling of absolute hatred.
It's not an unfamiliar emotion that runs through his veins, it's something so easy that comes and goes. He hates dogs, he hates losing.
But right now, the feeling of hate goes to the heroes.
Heroes. Disgusting limelight heroes who think they're the pillars of the world. If it weren't for them, he would be here with him right now.
They would be at the arcade, procrastinating the paperwork that would have been assigned to them after their mission. Or maybe they would be in bed, making sure any injuries they got were fully taken care of. That's if they even got hurt, which was highly unlikely.
But no.
Instead he was in his office, lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling. He was filled with so many different emotions, it was overwhelming. While hate was of course prominent, he was also agitated and annoyed.
He was annoyed at Mori for not letting him join Kouyou in searching for him, he was agitated that he’d have to join a stupid hero school. The idea of it left a bad taste in his mouth.
Dazai was already planning out different scenarios in his head, despite being annoyed at his part of the mission, he would still carry it out. Because even if he can't assist Kouyou, Dazai will still look for him.
He didn't care if that wasn't his mission, he’ll still do it. He was sure Mori knew that.
...Thinking about it now, maybe this mission wouldn't be so bad.
A smile slowly crept up upon his face. It was maniacal and downright terrifying to the normal eye.
You see, Yokohama was split in two; the Yokohama that existed within the prefect of Japan, and the Yokohama that became their own nation. Away from the heroes, away from the world, closed off with an ability that still stands till this day.
The hero society was horrible. It wasn't even just the hero society of Musutafu, it was everywhere. That was the understatement of the century. They all relied on one person when it came to their society.
It was embarrassing really. Having to rely on someone because of their power.
Dazai chuckled, letting his body bring itself up. He was excited. So very excited.
The hero society will fall. If it can't, then Dazai will make sure that the whole world knows that the world cannot be black and white.
A buzz in his pants pocket brought him back from his hysterical crashout.
Dazai reached for his phone, flipping it open as he answered the call.
“Yes Mori? I was in the middle of something you know.” Dazai sighed. He was calm again, well at least as calm as someone like him can be.
“Dazai-kun, apologies for the interruption. I just wanted to finalize some things for your mission, will that be okay.” His voice felt like he was asking, but the demon prodigy knew that Mori wasn’t.
“Haaaah... Alright, I'll be there soon.” Before he could get a response, he hung up the call.
It took him a bit before he got up.
He took his sweet time getting to the top of the building, passing by lower subordinates. Dazai paid no attention to them, his mind was calculating.
What would he do when his mission officially started, what would he start looking for.
Earlier, his mind went berserk. He let the demon prodigy inside himself go wild. Dazai always knew that it probably wasn't a good idea to let his emotions get a hold of him, but it was just so easy to. That's why he didn't like the idea of emotions.
Besides his newly acquired -friend- drinking buddy Odasaku, there was another person who kept him overanalyzing like that.
But he wasn't here right now.
Just thinking about him makes Dazai sick to the stomach. Not the type of sick after he's down a bunch of pills, nor the type of sick after drinking the night prior.
Before he knew it, he was in front of Mori’s door. Said door was opening, as if it knew Dazai was there already.
Mori was kneeled on the floor, right in front of Elise. His hands were clasped together right over a red dress that was laid out in front of the girl. “Elise, can you please wear this for me later at least?”
“Rintarou! I said I don't want to!” She pouted before getting back to her drawing on the floor.
“Fine then, I’ll just cancel the order of sweet desserts then.” He sighed, grabbing his phone ready to dial. Elise then proceeded to yell at him about how she’ll wear the stupid dress.
That was then Mori looked at Dazai, handing the little girl the dress.
“Ah, thank you Dazai, I’m sure you've calmed down after the meeting.” Mori swatted Elise into a back room, probably allowing her to change as they talked.
“Whose to say if I’m calm now,” Dazai shrugged, his hands leaving the comfort of his pockets, “So, what did you call me here for.”
“Just from hearing about the mission today, what do you know about the Hero Society?” Mori walked over to a chair that sat in front of the window.
Dazai knows he made a face, even mentally he made a face.
“The hero society is weak and embarrassing.” Dazai swatted his hand around, his face looked like a mix of annoyed and disgusted.
“Other than that obvious statement, what do you know about it?” Mori poured himself a cup of tea, dropping in sugar cubes and stirring it around.
Dazai was silent for a bit, his hand retreating into his pocket. He thought about it. “The hero society relies on one singular pillar. A pillar of hope. It's like a plate balancing on a wooden stick. There's a small chance it could tip over and fall, or stay upright.”
Mori chuckled, “I see. What do you want to do with the hero society?”
“I want to break the plate.” Dazai’s face went dark, eyes dull and voice monotone. Mori smiled, it seemed he agreed.
“The reason I want you to gather information on the hero society is because I want to know what the next generation will become.” He stared into the black abyss of Dazai’s eyes, his smile was empty of any emotion. It just laid on his face. “I‘m also aware you will do your own digging about-”
“Of course.” Dazai straightened, his head tipping down. “Why wouldn't I？”
Mori said nothing, he nodded and dismissed Dazai. “You have a week to make sure you're ready for the UA exam, I’ll have Hirostu give you the details of your homebase in Musutafu.”
Dazai turned without a word and left Mori’s office just as Elise came out to showcase her dress.