Osamu Dazai's Entrance Exam (Bungo Stray Dogs 1)

“Yes, that’s not what I meant, though. While he claims it wouldn’t be a problem, he has…many errands.”

“…?”

“Like…meeting an acquaintance who he’ll end up chatting with for hours, going to the public office to turn in some documents, going to the store to pick up some dog food…”

“What is he, a housewife?” He tilts his head to the side, puzzled.

Ugh. I don’t even know what I’m talking about anymore.

“A-anyway, we cannot let the director know any of this.”

“Do you mean…you came here without telling him?”

“No, we, uh— Well…yes. Yes we did.”

“That’s certainly no good. Why didn’t you tell him?”

“We forgot.”

“You forgot?!” He’s completely dumbfounded.

“Yes, we… We were in a hurry, since it’s an emergency, so we forgot to call him. So, you know, it was a state of emergency…so we forgot to call him.”

“Was there a reason why you said it twice?”

“I have already told you all I’m permitted to say. Anyway, just bring us an intelligence operative to speak with!”

Because the more I talk, the deeper this hole gets!

“You do realize what you’re asking from me, yes? The whereabouts of our intelligence operatives are secret. An explanation like the one you gave isn’t—”

“Yeesh… Guess I’ve got no choice, then.” Dazai heaves a sigh, then leans in. “First, I apologize for my inarticulate subordinate. Allow me to explain, sir. We had no choice but to come here in secret. There’s a mole in the Public Security Bureau who’s feeding information to the bomber, and we have reason to believe he’s a close adviser to the director.”

“What?”

“We’re working with internal investigators to identify the criminal and the mole leaking intel, which is why we had to come undercover. We fear the mole may detonate the bomb if they figure out we’re meeting with the director. So before that happens, we must find where this bomb is hidden.”

The attaché’s face turns pale. “Th-that certainly is a serious problem. You should have just said so,” he says, glancing at me.

“The reason my colleague didn’t say anything was because he was afraid of a leak. He may be a terrible liar, but he does it to protect confidential information. If you were in our shoes, would you just casually tell the police that your boss might be a mole?”

“You have a point…” He nods in agreement.

“Fortunately, we are close to figuring out who our bomber is. He was the mastermind behind a large-scale terrorist bombing overseas sometime in the past. This is an important investigation for the national security of your country, one which also protects the world from terrorists. With the help of your intelligence agency, I want to clean the streets of these antiestablishment incendiaries hiding in the system. So could I ask for your cooperation?”

“Very well. I am at your service.”

Dazai……… That was… That was amazing…

“Come with me, please.”

The attaché hastily stands and motions us to follow.

He takes us to a private office in the embassy’s basement and, his expression tense, asks us to wait here. Dazai and I are the only ones left in the room.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d stop picking on my attaché. He’s a really good person. In fact, that’s all he is.”

A familiar middle-aged man eventually walks into the office.