Chapter Text
“The meeting site is just ahead,” said (Y/N) as the Agency and Akira walked through Yokohama streets.
“Let’s hurry,” advised Yosano, “before the mafia finds us—.”
“Why, old man?!” huffed an angry voice.
The refugees pressed themselves against the building and looked carefully around the corner. The mafiosi had already arrived.
“Let’s just blow away the Agency!” cried Tachihara. “They ignored the boss’s orders and ran off! They’re looking down on him!”
“You’re still thinking like a simple gangster, Tachihara,” said Hirotsu calmly. “The mafia does not care whether it’s being looked down upon. What matters is whether we’re following the will of the boss or not. ‘Don’t let anyone hurt the Agency or Akira, the woman who accompanies them. Protect them with your lives.’ Those are our orders.”
Akira blinked. She hadn’t thought she’d be included after how cold Mori was and how brazen she had been.
“In other words…the boss knows they would ignore orders and embark on some dangerous negotiations,” said Hirotsu. He looked pointedly at the alleyway where the referenced people stood. “Do you see now…all of you over there?”
“Mori worries too much,” muttered Yosano as she and her associates exited the shadows. “He doesn’t have to. Fitzgerald isn’t springing a trap on us.”
“And even if he is, we can handle ourselves,” said (Y/N).
“Do you have proof?” asked Hirotsu.
(Y/N) smiled. “Atsushi will find a way back to us. I believe in him. If someone tries to stop us, even Fitzgerald, he’ll pull through.”
Yosano nodded. “He once started a life-and-death battle with Fitzgerald on the Moby Dick. They bared their souls and traded in lives. Atsushi won’t be deceived so easily.”
An ambulance turned onto the street, and Kenji brightened.
“There it is!” he exclaimed. He ran over and grabbed the door handle. “We were waiting for you, Atsushi—!”
The vehicle exploded. Kenji was thrown to the ground by the force.
“Kenji!” cried (Y/N).
“Freeze!” A whole troop of military police in riot gear surrounded the Mafia, Agency, and Akira. “Targets surrounded! Capturing the suspects! Secure the hostage!”
(Y/N)’s eyes widened, and Akira’s claws extended.
“Kenji!” called Jun’ichiro in worry.
A sword propelled itself through the young blonde’s stomach as his friends gasped.
“Everybody, run!” shouted Hirotsu. “This meeting’s a trap! Fitzgerald’s on the side of the enemy!”
All hell broke loose. The military police began firing. The Agency, mafia, and Akira activated their abilities. Throwing one hand to the side, (Y/N) redirected bullets. With the other, she forced riot shields backwards and pinned men to the ground. Akira ripped into the officers, moving like an eel through the throng. Every so often she’d flinch as she twisted and aggravated her injury, but she fought well nonetheless. Jun’ichiro utilized his illusions to attack out of nowehere. Gin slashed at opponents while Tachihara unladed rounds on them. They all paused as a man in a hooded robe-like raincoat walked into the fray, flanked by riot police. An eerie aura surrounded him. He raised a hand and curled it into a fist. From where it protruded from Kenji’s back, the sword quivered. Then, it stabbed farther into him.
“Kenji!!” screamed the Agency.
Jun’ichiro grabbed the hilt and tugged. It wouldn’t budge.
“The…The sword…I can’t take it out…!” cried Jun’ichiro.
(Y/N)’s eyes widened. An ability?!
Akira took a step forward to try her strength, but Hirotsu moved first.
“Move,” he said, as composed as ever. He raised his hand. “Falling Camellia.”
The sword propelled out of Kenji’s stomach. Yosano and Jun’ichiro supported him as (Y/N) held the military police off. With her hands in front of her, her gift strained to hold back so many people.
“Come.” Hirotsu gestured to them.
The group ran through streets, into an alley, and into a hidden elevator. Akira noticed it was similar to the one she had used during the Mukurotoride incident. Yosano healed Kenji before his blood loss became worse.
“Goddammit!” Tachihara kicked the wall in anger. “I told you this was all a trap!”
“Looks like it,” said Yosano.
(Y/N) nodded absently. Something doesn’t seem right…That guy in the robe. I feel like something was off. It was too ostentatious, too showy. It’s like we’re supposed to focus on how he was using his ability, but then he then nothing. And if he had such a helpful ability for battle, he could have been a Hunting Dog, yet he lacked the uniform. Something more is going on here.
Hirotsu listened to the information being fed to his earpiece. “The mafia’s armed force is fighting, but the defense line’s crumbling.”
Chuuya! thought Akira. She trusted in his incredible ability. Still, the thought of him in danger plagued her heart.
“If the five Hunting Dogs come along, we’ll be crushed with this escape route.”
“Too late, one’s already here,” remarked Akira. “That sword blondie got stabbed with is a military sword. Same type as the guy who attacked the helicopter. It’s a Hunting Dog’s weapon.”
(Y/N) groaned in annoyance. The world was intent of fighting against the Agency. Dazai, I wish you were here.
“The Dogs have supernatural physical strength to go with their almighty gifts. It’s said one of them has the fighting power of a thousand-man special forces team,” said Gin.
“A thousand?!” breathed Jun’ichiro. “They’re monsters! And there are five of them?!”
Yosano sighed. “(Y/N), Kenji, Jun’ichiro. We need to talk.” Her voice was grave. “Let’s split up and run.”
“We can’t! We need to stick together!” protested Kenji.
“I know,” said Yosano. “But for now, it’s just one Hunting Dog. If we split up, four of us survive.”
“(Y/N)? What do you think?” asked Jun’ichiro.
They all looked at her. Kunikida had asked her to take care of things. To them, that meant she was the ultimate authority. (Y/N) frowned and looked down while thinking hard.
“I think we need to ensure the Agency survives,” said (Y/N) seriously. “If even one of us can survive, they can find a way to save the others. If all of us are captured…or worse, then it will all be over.”
Jun’ichiro nodded. “All right…”
(Y/N) looked to Hirotsu. “What is the escape plan Mori spoke of?”
“It’s set to go. We can launch with five minutes’ notice,” said Hirotsu.
“All right.” (Y/N) looked her friends meaningfully. “Guys…promise me. No matter what happens, no matter who survives…we’ll all fight our damnedest to save the Agency.”
“All right,” said Jun’ichiro, smiling for the first time since the incident began.
“Let’s do it!” declared Kenji.
“I’d stake my life on it!” said Yosano.
“Well, I’ve already dragged myself into this enough. It’s victory or death at this point,” muttered Akira, shrugging.
The elevator stopped moving. The doors slid open. Hirotsu handed out maps to Yosano, Kenji, Jun’ichiro, and (Y/N) that they would use to navigate two corridors. The boys would go one way; the girls the other.
“We weren’t anticipating a fifth,” said Hirotsu to Akira.
She waved a hand in a careless manner. “It’s fine.”
“She’s coming with me,” said (Y/N).
“With three people, it’ll be more difficult to escape,” warned Hirotsu. “And you’ll be expected to split up into individual groups again.”
(Y/N) grabbed Akira’s hand tightly. “Doesn’t matter. She’s my best friend. I’m not leaving her behind.”
Akira grinned and squeezed her hand. “Fuck yeah. I’m sticking with you until the bitter end.”
The group of escapees took a few steps. Akira stopped and smirked. (Y/N) gave her a deadpan glare. It was a clear message: Whatever you’re thinking, stop. Akira ignored it.
“Since my next family reunion will be…never, deliver my father a message!” chirped Akira. “I guess you know him as Mori, right?” A foxy glint rested in her eye.
Hirotsu, Gin, and Tachihara stopped. When the words finally registered, Tachihara’s mouth dropped open. Gin and Hirotsu managed to keep themselves to just widening their eyes. Still, to all three, the news was surprising. They know understood why Dazai had mentioned her during the meeting Fukuzawa and Mori had regarding working together against the Guild. They had been confused about the “Akira” they spoke of, but now, after meeting her and receiving this information, it all made sense. Perplexing sense, but sense all the same.
Akira didn’t pay attention to their reactions. She desired to cause trouble for Mori, and even in a small way, this was mischief. Mori wanted to pretend she didn’t exist? Fine. She finally had the reason to show it to the world. Previously, she had kept it quiet since she had no contact with him. Now? Akira was standing in front of the Port Mafia after seeing her father. It was the right opportunity.
“Either way, tell him I’ll see him in hell!” chirped Akira as she, Yosano (Y/N) walked away into the tunnel.
“Was that necessary?” asked Yosano.
“Nope!” Akira grinned devilishly. “But that’s what makes it fun.”
(Y/N) sweat-dropped. “You’re going to get us killed someday…”
“Probably, but at least it’ll be fun,” said Akira.
A slight smile graced Yosano’s features. Shaking her head, (Y/N) lead the group to a ladder which led to a sewer grate. The map indicated for them to head up to street before splitting up. As they climbed, the sewer grate was lifted above them. (Y/N) held up a glowing hand in case it was an enemy, but the pleasant surprise of Kyouka and Atsushi.
“Kyouka! Atsushi!” exclaimed (Y/N) and Yosano happily as they clambered out of the sewer.
“Heya,” said Akira, recognizing the pair and pulling herself up to the street.
They all hurried into the ambulance Atsushi and Kyouka were traveling in.
“You!” Atsushi blinked. He hadn’t expected to see Akira again.
“Yeah, yeah, me.” Akira waved a hand. “I decided to be nice and help (Y/N), and now I’m helping the entire Agency and on the run.”
Atsushi nodded slowly.
“We thought you two got killed! I’m glad you guys are okay,” said (Y/N).
“No, we fought and escaped,” said Kyouka.
“What happened to all of you?” asked Atsushi.
After she healed Mitchell enough, Yosano related the rescue by the Port Mafia and the trip to the safehouse. She omitted the fighting that had gone on, but she explained how Fitzgerald had seemed to trick them and their escape with the mafia’s help once again.
“Fitzgerald double-crossed you?” questioned Atsushi.
“Yeah, it was a trap to lure us out of the safehouse,” said Yosano.
“That’s not possible.” Atsushi’s somber gaze was leveled on Yosano. “Fitzgerald may be arrogant, but he values his employees. If he was going to trap the Agency, he’d do it after Mitchell here recovers.” Atsushi gestured to the young woman plugged into IVs in the ambulance.
“That makes sense…” (Y/N) narrowed her eyes. However, it was a trap. Someone knew exactly what Fiztgerald’s plan was…There’s a spy involved.
“Let’s go,” said Atsushi. He opened the window to the front seat. “Driver, we’re set—!”
A military sword stuck out from the driver’s neck. Blood covered the dashboard.
“We’re under attack!” cried Atsushi. “Get out of the truck!”
Jumping out, (Y/N) froze as she spied the robed figure from before. I was right! Someone knows the plan!
“Go, (Y/N),” said Yosano. “I’ll take him on.”
“No!” (Y/N) shook her head vehemently. “We’ll have a better chance if we all fight toge—!”
“You said it earlier. At least one of us has to survive to save the others and rebuild the Agency,” said Yosano. “And you need to keep Mitchell safe. You need to bring her to Fitzgerald before the authorities shut off the roads. That is our only hope for reviving the Agency!”
“I’ll stay with you,” said Akira.
“No!” Yosano glared at her.
Akira narrowed her eyes. “You can’t order me—!”
“Let me do this!” Yosano clenched her fist. I couldn’t save you from pain all those years ago! I let Mori ignore you and left you alone! I never came to find you! Let me save you now! Please, Akira…”
The red-eyed woman blinked in shock at the admission. “Akiko—.”
“Go. I know we’ll meet again.” Yosano smiled tenderly. “Then, we can catch up like proper friends.”
Akira huffed and hid her concern behind annoyance. “Goddammit, don’t get yourself killed.”
“Be safe, Yosano,” said (Y/N).
Yosano nodded. “Right…”
“I’ll drive,” said Kyouka, pulling the driver’s body out of its seat.
With a final look over their shoulder at Yosano, the group got back into ambulance.
“Akiko!” called Akira, holding the door open. “Watch out! Something strange is going on! I’m sure you’ve noticed it! That guy…doesn’t smell right. Please, be careful! I won’t forgive you if you die!”
The ambulance drove away. Yosano watched it go before turning to her opponent.
Akira, I’ll fight my hardest. I promise.
l
In the ride over, the groups explained what had happened to them while separated. (Y/N) recounted what had happened in the woods and Port Mafia safehouse. Atsushi explained what Ranpo had told them of the Book and the page the Decay of the Angel possessed. He told of how they used it to manipulate reality and bring down the Agency. It was a terrifying power for the group to have, they were all aware of that. They remained quiet during the rest of the ride. Daunting prospects seemed to await them. They hoped that seeing Fitzgerald would lead to a better situation in some small way.
They pulled into a small alley. Kyouka had already memorized the exact address of the Guild’s new headquarters, so it wasn’t hard for her to drive them back. They slipped quietly inside before anyone on the street noticed who they were.
Fitzgerald frowned upon seeing them and remarked, “I believe we had a deal.”
“Mitchell is outside in the ambulance, healed by our doctor,” said (Y/N). “We need your help in exchange for it.”
“I believe I fulfilled my end,” said Fitzgerald.
“Correction: Someone knew what was happening, and it turned into a trap,” snapped (Y/N). “We’ve now had to split up and are likely all in danger. So you really haven’t done anything for us.”
Fitzgerald put his hands up. “All right, all right. I believe I remember someone your Detective Ranpo put away a recently. He can help your cause. Will that do, old sport?” asked the blonde man.
(Y/N) nodded. “Can you find him?”
“Of course,” said Fitzgerald jovially. “I have the ‘Eyes of God,’ after all.”
He began to set up the system while Kyouka and Atsushi watched. Akira and (Y/N) hung back while observing. (Y/N) glanced at her friend.
“I’m sorry for getting you dragged into all this. I would say you could leave, but…” (Y/N) trailed off.
Akira chuckled. “But my bar is probably being watched and there’s a target on my back now as well.”
“I’m sorry,” said (Y/N) sincerely.
Akira waved a hand. “You tried to keep me out of it. I decided to keep looking into it and join you.” She shrugged. “You’re my best friend. It’s no big deal.”
“Still, I feel like I’m messing everything up…” said (Y/N), sighing sadly.
“You’re doing well,” she said.
(Y/N) took a deep breath, and her breath caught for a moment. “I’m trying. I have to be tougher than I’ve ever been, especially since Dazai…” Her voice shook briefly. “Since Dazai got caught…it’s been hard. He’s the one who’s good with schemes and planning for the future. And then there’s Kunikida. He keeps the Agency strong, the next pick for it’s president after Fukuzawa. Everyone looks up to him. Don’t forget Ranpo and Yosano, the original operatives. Both are smart and strong.” (Y/N) bit her lip before continuing. “My point is that everyone who should be in charge here and could actually do something is gone. I’m not them. I’m doing my best, but I’m not them…”
Akira grabbed (Y/N)’s shoulders. “You’re doing fine. You’ve kept it together. People listen to you. For God’s sake, even I do what you ask. And listen, I saw the way those kids—” Here she referred to Kenji, Atsushi, Kyouka, and Jun’ichiro “—looked at you. You’re their family. Sure, your boyfriend, Akiko, and glasses have roles they play at the Agency, but so do you. Glasses chose you to continue on for a reason. People naturally look to you. You easily work with the situation your given and bring about the best outcome. I mean, those kids instantly looked at you for guidance and reassurance. You gave them that and strength. You’re pushing forward so that the Agency has a future. You’re stronger than you think. You’re persevering, independent, kind, caring, confident, determined, everything the Agency needs at this moment. You’re doing great as yourself. I mean, come on, it’s in your nature.” Akira smirked. “Where (Y/N) (L/N) has a will; there’s a way.” She looked at her friend. “So, whaddya think? Can you do this?”
(Y/N) grinned. “I’ve got the will.”