Chapter Text
It is the midst of summer, one of the four seasons that nature grants upon us. Many jump for joy under the glistening sun rays. The pleasant shouts accompany the call of cicadas.
Unfortunately, the heat is fierce. Unforgivingly fierce. Once it unleashes its potential, we are bound to desire an escape into an air-conditioned room. One we will never have to step foot out of if we are lucky.
Today, however, it is more likely that a majority of students will rush to throw themselves under the blazing, blinding light. For we have reached the event that falls on the day before summer vacation: closing ceremony.
If there was a prize for the most boring speaker in the world, Mori-sensei would be a hot candidate. His long, endless sentences in a perfectly emotionless voice drag the two hours that the principal's speech is supposed to last into eternity. No one is listening. Half of the people are asleep, the rest is chatting quietly or spacing out.
When he leaves the stage and Edogawa-san and Dazai-san take his place, the atmosphere changes completely. The room falls quiet and everyone focuses their attention on the two young men. I don't have to think twice about which one of them are all the girls ogling at.
I can tell that Edogawa-san feels uncomfortable without Yosano-san to support him, no matter how hard he's trying to hide it. But it couldn't be helped, Dazai-san was the official Secretary.
“So,” Edogawa-san starts his part of the ceremony. His text is prescribed by the school rules, so he didn't have to write a speech himself. That would probably end in a disaster. “As per the tradition of the Stray Dogs Academy, I, Edogawa Ranpo, President of the Armed Student Council, will now award the students who worked their hardest the past term and received the top three scores of their year in the end-of-term exams. When I say your name, please come up on the stage. In the first year, the third-best score belonged to...”
I kind of spaced out after that, clapping emptily for anyone who took the stage. I know for a fact that I'll never stand up there, and I don't know anyone from the first or second year who could either. I do notice, however, that only class A students are invited on the stage. Maybe class M students aren't as good at academics?
“In the third year, the third-best score belongs to...” Edogawa-san suddenly pauses and adjusts his reading glasses before continuing. “...Akutagawa Ryuunosuke.”
I stare in surprise, and I'm not the only one. I had no idea Akutagawa was this smart. I can hear concerned murmurs all around me.
“...I wonder what he did to get up there...”
“...Did he threaten someone?...”
“...He's dangerous...”
I know they're not talking about me, but I somehow feel personally attacked. Hearing things like this hurts, no matter who they are directed at. People shouldn't say this.
“...enjoys the pain of others...”
“...evil...”
This is wrong.
“...liar...”
“...murderer...”
I cover my ears.
Stop.
Please, stop it.
Leave him alone.
“Atsushi-san, are you okay?”
Kenji-kun's voice feels as if coming from a distance, but his arms on my shoulders are a comforting weight. I wrap my hands around him and squeeze him tightly.
“Oof, okay!” he's surprised but starts patting my back soothingly. I feel like his shiny presence has wrapped around me protectively and the venomous voices fade out. “You're not used to crowds yet, are you? Do you want to step out?”
“Second best is, as usual, Dazai Osamu from class 3-A, and the top spot, of course, goes to Edogawa Ranpo, aka my awesome self. Applause, please!”
I shake my head and bury it deeper into Kenji-kun's shoulder.
“I'll be fine. Thank you, Kenji-kun.”
“Always!”
I let go of him, realizing what I've done.
“Sorry for the hug,” I laugh awkwardly.
“No problem, I don't mind,” he flashes me another one of his blinding smiles. I'm really glad he's my friend, his sunny presence always calms me down.
—
And now that the ceremony is over, members of the Armed Student Council gather after being contacted by Kunikida-sensei.
“Ughhh, so hot! I think I'll be a puddle soon if this keeps up...” Dazai-san whines and I roll my eyes.
“You know you only make it worse with those things wrapped around you, right...?”
He is splayed across the desk directly where the sunrays from the window fall, so I can't really tell if he's overheating himself on purpose or not.
“Exactly. You only have yourself to blame, you walking waste of bandages.” The door to the council room flies open and Kunikida-sensei makes his appearance.
“That's brutal, Kunikida-sensei! Why would you say something so mean?! I have feelings too, you know!” I already expected Dazai-san to do that melodramatic gesture with his hand, but it seems that he's too tired to bother.
“He makes an excellent point though, Osamu. Just looking at you makes me feel like I'm melting. Couldn't you at least give the impression of being cool? Maybe you can change to blue ones,” Edogawa-san proposes.
“And look like a little festering ghoul? No thanks,” Dazai-san declines the idea immediately. I don't know what a festering ghoul is, but the bandages look stupid even now, I don't think it can get any worse.
“They're right, Osamu-san. You'll have a heat stroke if you stay wrapped up to your neck like that,” Yosano-san points out, and she would sound like an actual doctor if her expression wasn't saying that she wouldn't mind that at all. “I can help. How would you like me to remove all those bandages for you?”
This might sound suggestive to a stranger, but I just shudder because know that the only thing on her mind is a chainsaw. Thankfully, Dazai-san is aware of that.
“I'll have to turn down your offer, Akiko-san. And I don't think you should let people hear you say stuff like that...”
Not that we can stop her.
“I know! Maybe you can fight the heat with some cold water. I've got my watering can!” Kenji-kun waves his blue watering can in the air. Just hearing the water splosh around inside makes me thirsty.
“Vegetable-gardener Kenji-kun to the rescue. Sorry to disappoint, but sprinkling water on me won't make me grow. You can put the watering can away,” he waves his hand dismissively, his tone indifferent and cold. I frown.
That is unnecessarily mean. I have already used Kenji-kun's watering services earlier, and my wet hair allows me to keep my head cool, both figuratively and literally. I see no reason why he'd decline. Is he afraid of looking weird or something? It's just us in here anyway. Besides, he could've said it a bit more nicely.
Kenji-kun doesn't reply, confused. His smile disappeared and I feel angry at Dazai-san for causing that. As does the rest of the council, judging from their faces.
“Well, you've already been told what's causing you grief. You reap what you sow. If you don't want to take off the engages, shut up and deal with it,” Kunikida-sensei tells him off and Dazai-san sits up with a hurt look on his face, turning to me.
“Atsushi-kun, everyone's ganging up on me... You're on my side though, right? You know, the same side as love and justice?”
Everyone's gazes turn to me, expecting an answer. I am definitely not planning to join his side though. I do respect him, but right now, he is acting like a brat.
“But... they were just stating the obvious, I think...” I stutter out, trying come off as impartial.
“How could you be so cruel?! That's it, you're all dead to me!!”
What a drama queen... I still don't know if he's joking or not. His expressions are exaggerated and theatrical, but his voice sounds honest.
He attempts to storm out of the room, but Kunikida-sensei catches him by the arm.
“Agh!” he unintentionally lets out a yelp.
“You're not getting away that easily.” With Dazai-san still in his grasp, Kunikida-sensei turns his attention to the rest of the student council. “As is tradition, we will now begin the Armed Student Council's pre-summer-vacation meeting!”
We sit down into our assigned seats around the table. Kunikida-sensei and Edogawa-san sit in front of the blackboard, leading the meeting. First on the agenda is a review of what we have done throughout the year. Edogawa-san shuffles around under his chair before pulling out a strawberry-flavoured popsicle, unwrapping it and pitting it into his mouth. A cautious glance reveals that he has a cooling box there. He had also taken his shoes off and was pressing his bare feet against it. I'm a bit envious, but I try to focus on the meeting instead of the amount of ice cream that is probably inside that box. I tear my eyes off it and concentrate on the blackboard, running a hand through my wet hair. We are currently going through a list of requests we received throughout the year.
“It's just one trivial thing after another. Nothing stands out,” Edogawa-san pouts.
“But a lack of large incidents is also proof of a peaceful school, isn't it?” Yosano-san offers to cheer him up.
“Sure, I suppose,” he shrugs. “Doesn't make it any better...”
“It just means that you're a great Student Council President who can make the school run smoothly. You should be proud of yourself.”
It may sound like empty flattery, but we all know that Yosano-san is right. Soon, Edogawa-san regains his usual confidence and the meeting can continue. Moments of silence and moments of interruption pass. I'm honestly unable to hide my shock when hearing the many issues we have solved.
“...And we had Miyazawa take care of a lot of requests this month too,” Kunikida-sensei nods towards Kenji-kun.
“Oh, that's right! There was heavy lifting, helping student-athletes... So many tasks! Everyone was very nice,” Kenji-kun smiles. We are all glad he's back to his usual happy self. At the same time, I can't help but realize how quiet Dazai-san is... Isn't he supposed to be the secretary? We all know he doesn't do anything, but he could at least try to pretend during the meetings.
I look towards him. He sits with his arms folded and eyes closed. Is he asleep? Maybe all the heat tired him out. Or is he unconscious? That would be bad... I'm starting to worry, but then...
“Kunikida-sensei.” Dazai-san suddenly opens his eyes. He is using his respectful voice. Kunikida-sensei's eyes narrow, suspicious of his serious tone. “I think I'm ready to pass out with this heat. I'm going to get something to drink.”
“That's not good. Would you reconsider the watering can?” Kenji-kun joins me in the worrying.
“Don't worry!” Dazai-san smiles. “I'll be as good as new once I have that drink! I appreciate the sentiment, Kenji-kun!”
“Would it be better if I went for you since you're feeling sick?” I ask, genuinely concerned.
“This is your first time at a pre-summer-vacation meeting. You might want to stick around, it will help you in the future,” he puts his hand on my shoulder and I look at him in confusion. It's his first pre-summer-vacation meeting too, so why is he acting like a proper senpai now? “I won't be able to get any work done if I stay here anyway, and I'm just getting a drink. I'll be right back. That should be okay, right, Kunikida-sensei?” He smiles at our teacher and I realize he's right. It's not like getting a drink will take hours.
“Can't have you fainting. Go ahead, but make it quick,” Kunikida-sensei sighs.
“You got it,” Dazai-san joyfully takes his leave and we continue the meeting without him.
—
Twenty minutes pass, and still no sign of Dazai-san.
“Where the hell is he?” Kunikida-sensei fumes.
“This is Dazai we're talking about. Perhaps he thought of another suicidal method of "managing his health" and decided to try it out,” Yosano-san shrugs.
Kunikida-sensei nods along.
“That is quite possible... Nakajima!”
“Yes!” I instinctively respond to hearing my name.
“I don't care what he's doing. He can be sleeping for all I care. Just find him and bring him back.”
“O-okay, yes sir.”
I agree as a matter of habit since I tend to go with the flow of things. However, I have no idea where to look.
“Figuring that out is not the simplest thing in the world, but you will be fine if you just put forth a little effort. If you get stuck, just come back,” Edogawa-san says and continues throwing treats into his mouth, his selection spread out on his desk.
“I-I'll do what I can,” I nod.
“I'm counting on you, Nakajima,” Kunikida-sensei encourages me.
That doesn't help much, though.