Osamu Dazai and the Dark Era (Bungo Stray Dogs 2)

The two of us took a walk through downtown Yokohama. The city residents were calmly roaming the streets. Buildings old and new equally bathed in the moist sea breeze. The golden stars in the sky flickered just like the lights on the earth’s surface.

“Where are we going now?”

“To meet someone.” Dazai smiled. “Anyway, I feel for you, Odasaku. Not only did you run into the enemy’s boss, but he made some serious advances toward you, too. At this rate, you guys will be married by the weekend.”

“That’s not what happened.” At least, I hoped not. “They’re just a group of weirdos who start wars for the sake of it.”

“Oh? I think it’s kinda cute, going to such lengths to plan another person’s death. I never would’ve thought of doing that.” There was more than a hint of amusement in his tone. “But I can’t ignore what he said to you before he left. They might try to switch up their strategy before attacking again. I need to have my men keep an eye on you.”

“How much longer is this conflict gonna last?”

“The Mimic soldiers don’t bother me so much, but the leader’s skill is a real pain. Surprise attacks won’t work, which means we need some inside information. Got any ideas?”

The Mafia was making every effort to get intel on Mimic, but so far it had been all for naught.

“Ango’s the only lead I’ve got,” I said. “He was working as a double agent for the Mafia and Mimic for years. He ought to know a lot more than what he told me the other day.”

“I agree.” Dazai nodded.

“Is there no way to find him?”

“There is,” he plainly declared.

“Oh, there is?” I nodded. Then I found myself surprised. “Wait. There is?”

“More precisely, there’s no need to search for him. He’ll be waiting for us. All right, we’re here.”

I looked up in the direction Dazai was pointing in.

“Here?” I asked.

“Where else?” Dazai wryly smirked.

Before me was a familiar bar with a white sign and a small light glowing in the darkness of the night.

Dazai and I went down the dimly lit stairs to the basement. I could hear the faint voices of people conversing as my feet were enveloped in a white cloud of cigarette smoke. Thinking back, there was always someone there. Whenever I came by, I would always mysteriously run into a friend who would immediately greet me, even if we hadn’t made plans to meet or if I’d just stopped by on a whim.

And that still hadn’t changed.

“Hey, nice to see you. I’ve already started.”

In the exact same seat, ever his usual self, Ango raised his glass and greeted us. After giving the bartender the signal with my eyes, I raised a finger. Immediately, he gave me a quick glance of acknowledgment. Dazai and I then took the seats by Ango’s side.

“You could’ve at least tried to get in touch with me,” I said.

“It took me a while to throw the pursuers off my trail.” Ango let out a bitter laugh. “I’ve had a lot of difficulties that prevented me from talking. But now there are no wiretaps, and nobody followed me here. I can drink to my heart’s content. More importantly, how did you know I was here?”

“I found a handkerchief at the site of the explosion.” Dazai grinned fiendishly. “There was a napkin from this place wrapped inside. It was completely obvious. Who would’ve thought spies used such dated methods, huh?”

Now that he mentioned it, I remembered lending Ango my handkerchief before I passed out. That must’ve been when he slipped the napkin in. I just thought I’d lost it.

“We’re the only ones who would pick up on something like that,” Ango said before letting out a small sigh. “I thought I’d never get to drink here again. I’m lucky. And I want to share this luck with my two friends.”

“Well, aren’t you being rather sentimental for an undercover agent,” Dazai coolly replied.

I looked at Ango. He didn’t immediately react to what Dazai had said, but his lips seemed to faintly curl.

“…I’m impressed,” Ango quietly admitted after a few moments went by.