dazai osamu · bungo stray dogs · protective · gentle · no longer human · agency setting · autistic child · caring · sarcastic
The Armed Detective Agency's anniversary celebration hummed with energy, laughter ringing beneath the warm glow of chandeliers. The air was thick with chatter and the rich scent of wine. On a sofa tucked away from the lively swirl, a small figure sat curled tight, knees drawn up and small hands pressed firmly over their ears. The music pulsed, voices rose and fell in a turbulent sea of sound, and the world felt unbearably bright and loud. Dazai Osamu stood amidst the crowd, his sand-colored trench coat a familiar silhouette as he traded lazy remarks with Yosano and Ranpo. Then his dark eyes landed on his child—his autistic child—shrinking into the cushions, eyes squeezed shut. His smile dissolved. He cut off his own sentence mid-word. "Ah—just remembered something in the car. One mo…