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Chapter Text

Chapter Text

- act i ; a beast and a baby

– scene 1, act 1 –

SCENE: moonlight slinks around where concrete blocks it, leaping into the crevices of buildings where windows allow, illuminating the darkest parts of yokohama. tonight, exotic animal traders have gathered for a business deal. their prized offer? a WHITE TIGER CUB.

enter BYAKKO, fangs bared and claws sharp. they are ignorant to her presence for now.

TRADER 1 holds up the cage with the WHITE TIGER CUB. 

TRADER 1: it’s healthy, ain’t allergic to anything which makes it docile- perfect for whatever you’d need it for.

TRADER 2: and–

BYAKKO leaps for TRADER 2, slamming them to the ground with her paw with a wet crunch. one trader, which can be interpreted as brave or foolish, picks up a tranquilizer gun and shoots her in the shoulder. she turns and bites into the gun, wrenching it from their grasp as she breaks it in her jaws.

TRADER 1: shit shit SHIT-

they make a run for it, but BYAKKO is faster. she pins them to the ground and rips the cage open.

she gingerly lifts the cub up by its scruff and the little one mews in confusion. she pays no mind to the bloodbath she’s created in, stepping over all of the corpses as she pads out of the alleyway. the sun will rise soon, but the tiger is thirsty and she’s sure the cub is too.

END SCENE.

-

– scene 2, act 1 –

SCENE: the riverside, where the sun is just barely above the horizon, like it’s holding hands with the earth. ATSUSHI NAKAJIMA groans, beginning to register that he is floating down the river with something heavy on his chest.

ATSUSHI: wh..?

THE BABY bats his face in confusion and he opens his eyes, staring at it. processing.

THE BABY: tiny roar

ATSUSHI: WHAT HAPPENED

he knows that will not get an answer, but he shrieks it anyway as he looks around for the nearest spot to get out of the water. before he can find one, however, he is interrupted. a fishing hook digs into his shirt, but not his skin.

RANPO: reel him up, kenji!

KENJI: okay!!

ATSUSHI is dragged out of the water by the fishing rod, and KENJI and RANPO wave at him as he flops onto the bridge, THE BABY in his arms. 

KENJI: wow, atsushi! you’re a father?

ATSUSHI: NO- no, i am not. i just woke up like this. 

RANPO: curious!

ATSUSHI: why is it curious to you ? don’t you know everything already?

RANPO shrugs with a sly grin.

RANPO: maybe i do!

ATSUSHI rolls his eyes, looking down at THE BABY.

ATSUSHI: what do we do with it?

KENJI reaches out and pets it. 

KENJI: take it back to the agency, of course! we’ll figure out what to do from there!

ATSUSHI: …can’t we just take it to a zoo? hey- guys stop walking away!! 

THE BABY looks up at ATSUSHI with big ol eyes and paws at him.

ATSUSHI: …

he puts its paws down a little awkwardly.

ATSUSHI: i can’t. breastfeed you. i. don’t have those.

RANPO giggles.

SCENE TRANSITION; the ARMED DETECTIVE AGENCY’S office, where they are all crowded around THE BABY, who is curled up in a blanket on ATSUSHI’S desk.

KUNIKIDA: we cannot keep it.

KYOUKA: we should keep it.

ATSUSHI: isn’t there an easier way to solve this…?

JUNICHIRO: but if we ask the president, he’ll just say yes.

ATSUSHI: not what i meant…

NAOMI: i went and asked the president!

KUNIKIDA: NAOMI-

JUNICHIRO’S face suddenly gets darker and he glares at KUNIKIDA.

JUNICHIRO: watch your tone.

FUKUZAWA steps out of his office.

FUKUZAWA: settle down, everyone. 

FUKUZAWA goes over to THE BABY, staring down at it. it stares back, huddling in its blanket for a moment before raising up a paw and batting at the president.

FUKUZAWA’s stern expression wavers a little. 

THE BABY makes a tiny but fierce roar.

FUKUZAWA: it’s a fighter.

NAOMI: aww, it is…

KUNIKIDA: sir, don’t do this.

FUKUZAWA: we can keep it until further notice.

ATSUSHI: can we PLEASE bring it to a zoo.

END SCENE.

-

– scene 3, act 1 – 

SCENE: the AGENCY’S office, where KENJI is playing on the floor with THE BABY. it’s playfully biting at his fingers, eyes wide. KUNIKIDA is trying to ignore this, while DAZAI is throwing paper planes at RANPO. RANPO is throwing their own planes back, and ATSUSHI is face first on his desk.

there is a knock at the door.

KUNIKIDA stands up.

KUNIKIDA: that would be our client. DAZAI, do not throw a paper airplane at them.

DAZAI: i’ll consider it!

KUNIKIDA: i’m serious. 

KUNIKIDA goes and opens the door, and the client is hit in the face with a paper plane to the head anyway. he looks over at the office immediately. THE BABY is chewing on a stray paper plane, while RANPO leans back and blinks their eyelashes sweetly.

KUNIKIDA: someone is getting strangled.

DAZAI: oooh, mystery! spicy.

KUNIKIDA: …

KUNIKIDA takes a deep breath and turns to the client. 

KUNIKIDA: my apologies.

SCENE TRANSITION: another day at the agency, where the TANIZAKI SIBLINGS are playing with THE BABY. 

JUNICHIRO: it’s so cute… we should name it.

NAOMI: we should! what about.. hm…

she cups its face. it bleps.

NAOMI: i know! atsushi junior!

KYOUKA: no, it doesn’t look just like him. 

NAOMI: then what’s your suggestion?

KYOUKA stares at it for a long time.

KYOUKA: tofu.

JUNICHIRO: did you really just think of the first food you liked…?

KYOUKA: …

KYOUKA: maybe.

NAOMI: it does kinda look like a tofu. its face is all square shaped.

NAOMI squishes THE BABY’S face.

JUNICHIRO: well…. huh, kinda, i guess.

KYOUKA: so can we name it tofu.

NAOMI: we’ll have to ask its dad!

ATSUSHI just then opens the door.

ATSUSHI: i’m NOT its dad.

KYOUKA: can we name it tofu?

ATSUSHI: we’re not even keeping it!!

NAOMI: maybe we could if we make it the mascot!

YOSANO: are we replacing ATSUSHI?

ATSUSHI: wh- excuse me!

NAOMI: oh, i know who we should ask about naming it!!

SCENE TRANSITION: NAOMI walks into RANPO’S office the next day with a box of sweets and a grin.

RANPO: wow, for me?

NAOMI: of course!

RANPO adjusts their glasses, smirking in return. 

RANPO: well, if you insist.

NAOMI giggles.

END SCENE.

- 

– scene 4, act i –

SCENE: THE BLACK LIZARD sneaks into the AGENCY’S office in the twilight hours. they are here for information, having learned long ago to not fuck with the detectives… but a little stealing of case files that have to do with gangs which are also bothering the PORT MAFIA is hardly crossing a line.

TACHIHARA: do you hear that?

HIROTSU: hmm?

GIN follows TACHIHARA’S gaze as he looks around, and it lands on–

TACHIHARA: is that a tiger cub?

THE BABY yawns, blinking its eyes open to stare at them. in the moonlight, its blue eyes look gray, and thus bear a striking resemblance to a certain RABID DOG the PORT MAFIA houses. silence falls over the assassins.

THE BABY sits up and makes a little hiss.

TACHIHARA: okay, better question- does akutagawa know?

HIROTSU: i doubt it, and i don’t think that–

TACHIHARA: GIN, did you grab those files?

GIN nods, holding them up. 

TACHIHARA: great, let’s get the hell outta here- AKUTAGAWA needs to hear about this.

HIROTSU sighs.

END SCENE.

Chapter Text

- act ii ; a hellhound and his demands 

– scene 5, act ii –

SCENE: AKUTAGAWA sits in his apartment at home, staring at a tea kettle intensely as he waits for it to boil. suddenly, his phone starts to blow up with messages. he scowls and ignores them. 

for as long as he's able. five minutes pass before he begrudgingly picks up the phone.

editor’s note: use a scroll of some kind to show the text messages

AKUTAGAWA begins to read through the text messages. 

he glances at the ones from TACHIHARA first.

TACHIHARA : DUDE

TACHIHARA : WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE CANNIBALISM THING

TACHIHARA : I MEAN I HEARD ABT THE RIDING BUT

TACHIHARA : IT WAS THAT KIND??

TACHIHARA : I DIDNT THINK YOUD FLAUNT THAT

he types back.

AKUTAGAWA : What’s wrong with you

and then he clicks on the texts from GIN.

GIN has sent him a picture of THE BABY, and it’s captioned simply with–

GIN : ryuu what happened

AKUTAGAWA : Why is your immediate assumption that it’s mine

lastly, he looks at what HIROTSU has sent him. 

HIROTSU : So as I understand it, the boss did not give you proper information on certain formalities prior to some incident nine months ago?

HIROTSU : I will be over in the morning, provided that works. 

AKUTAGAWA : I understand what protection is 

AKUTAGAWA : You may not come over and patronize me

with that, he scowls and slams his phone down. 

AKUTAGAWA: i am surrounded by fools.

yet, doubt worms into his mind anyway. he picks the phone back up, staring at the picture.

AKUTAGAWA: why does it have my eyes.

END SCENE.

-

– scene 6, act ii –

SCENE: RANPO and DAZAI are huddled in the corner of a cafe, obscuring themselves with a newspaper. they’re eyeing AKUTAGAWA, who’s at a table by himself, glaring at nothing in particular. 

DAZAI: you should go up to him first.

RANPO: pff, absolutely not.

DAZAI: aww.

DAZAI stands up and strides over to AKUTAGAWA’S table, sitting in the chair directly across from him.

DAZAI: heyy.

AKUTAGAWA stares, puzzled.

AKUTAGAWA: why are you here.

DAZAI: because you’ve been neglecting your duties, AKUTAGAWA!!

AKUTAGAWA sits up straighter instantly.

AKUTAGAWA: what are you talking about?? i have been–

RANPO flops down on DAZAI’S LAP.

RANPO: you have fees to pay!

AKUTAGAWA: what fees?? you’re speaking in riddles. 

DAZAI slides over a picture of THE BABY, as well as one of ATSUSHI and AKUTAGAWA five seconds before they realized the other was there at a food truck. 

DAZAI: is it coming together now, AKUTAGAWA?

AKUTAGAWA: no such thing happened after that incident beyond the weretiger running with his tail tucked beneath his legs.

RANPO: and a few more bruises?

AKUTAGAWA: of course.

RANPO and DAZAI both snicker.

AKUTAGAWA: don’t doubt me.

DAZAI: we’re not, we’re not! really.

AKUTAGAWA hesitates, looking unconvinced.

RANPO leans forward and taps the pictures.

RANPO: the current situation has not changed!

AKUTAGAWA: . . .

he sighs. deeply.

AKUTAGAWA: i understand.

END SCENE.

-

– scene 7, act ii –

SCENE: just outside of KYOUKA’S dorm lays an envelope. it’s signed messily, with black ink, and it’s smudged with soot.  

KYOUKA looks outside, DEMON SNOW peeking out too. it holds THE BABY (now named HIKARI) in its arms, rocking it like it’s human. 

KYOUKA: oh. ATSUSHI, come here. you have mail.

ATSUSHI: who’d even want to mail me anything?

KYOUKA: AKUTAGAWA.

ATSUSHI: WHAT

ATSUSHI scrambles out, scooping up the envelope and beginning to read it over. his eyes go WIDE.

ATSUSHI: oh no. no no no.

KYOUKA: what did he say?

ATSUSHI’s next words are delivered in absolute horror, as if AKUTAGAWA just appeared with all the heads of the agency on RASHOMON spikes. 

ATSUSHI: he’s paying child support.

ATSUSHI buries his head in his hands.

ATSUSHI: god- i have to go sort this out.

END SCENE.

-

– scene 8, act ii –

SCENE: AKUTAGAWA finishes ripping apart a group of gang members and coughs, stepping back to wipe the blood off his cheek apathetically. 

AKUTAGAWA: fools, to try to tussle with the PORT MAFIA like that. your blood was deserved.

AKUTAGAWA turns to leave the alleyway, not sparing the defeated gangsters another glance. RASHOMON dives back into his coat like a shark going back into the water.

ATSUSHI: AKUTAGAWA!!

AKUTAGAWA scowls instantly and RASHOMON claws right back out of the coat. 

AKUTAGAWA: leave me alone, jinko.

ATSUSHI: wait, wait- seriously, we NEED to talk!! this has gotten out of hand!

AKUTAGAWA: this is the fault of your doctor, not mine.

ATSUSHI goes red.

ATSUSHI: that’s not- 

ATSUSHI: okay, AKUTAGAWA, just listen to me for a minute !

AKUTAGAWA’S eyes narrow.

AKUTAGAWA: the seconds are ticking away.

ATSUSHI: we do not have a child. you were liiied to.

AKUTAGAWA: nonsense. i saw the pictures. you became with child during our last fight.

ATSUSHI: THAT IS LITERALLY NOT HOW IT WORKS. even i know that!! 

AKUTAGAWA: oh? then what other explanation do you have, other than trying to brush off your responsibilities?

ATSUSHI: are you stupid??? 

AKUTAGAWA: watch your mouth or i’ll cut out your tongue and hang it on a mantelpiece.

ATSUSHI: dude, ew- 

ATSUSHI: i mean that, seriously, we don’t have a child. we never did. 

AKUTAGAWA does not look convinced.

ATSUSHI: i can’t even have a child.

AKUTAGAWA: can the tiger?

ATSUSHI: wha.

ATSUSHI: what.

AKUTAGAWA: you often call the tiger a “she”. 

ATSUSHI: please. explain to me how that would work.

AKUTAGAWA: well–

ATSUSHI: actually no i take it back.

ATSUSHI throws the envelope at him.

ATSUSHI: just- stop. i don’t need this.

AKUTAGAWA: for the child-

ATSUSHI: there is no child, AKUTAGAWA! i wouldn’t even want to raise one with you! you’d be a terrible dad.

AKUTAGAWA scoffs, and ATSUSHI suddenly gasps for air as RASHOMON wraps around his neck and brings him to his knees.

AKUTAGAWA: do not slander me like that. 

he stomps one foot onto ATSUSHI’S shoulder, ignoring how ATSUSHI makes a grunt of pain.

ATSUSHI: hey-

AKUTAGAWA: i expect you to hand over the child by the end of the day.

ATSUSHI: hell no!

AKUTAGAWA: i will take them otherwise.

ATSUSHI: why do you even want it??

AKUTAGAWA leans down, his breath on ATSUSHI’S face introducing a new shade of red to it.

AKUTAGAWA: the same reason i want to end you, jinko. 

ATSUSHI: i don’t think DAZAI would care-

AKUTAGAWA presses his foot down harder, forcing ATSUSHI to have eye contact with the cement as it scrapes his hands.

ATSUSHI: ow- okay, fine, you can visit! 

AKUTAGAWA: …

ATSUSHI: uh…?

AKUTAGAWA: fine. if i deem it as necessary, then i will take them.

ATSUSHI sighs.

ATSUSHI: okay.

END SCENE.

Chapter Text

- act iii ; an ember and a forest

– scene 9, act iii –

SCENE: KYOUKA sips a strawberry milkshake in CAFE UZUMAKI. LUCY is on break, and so she sits next to her. 

LUCY: this entire situation is ridiculous.

KYOUKA, very studiously drinking her milkshake, nods. 

KYOUKA: have you seen THE BABY yet?

LUCY: ATSUSHI sent me some pictures. he’s losing his mind over this.

KYOUKA: mhm. 

LUCY: i didn’t think i’d ever see a day where he’d complain about free money…

KYOUKA: maybe because it’s coming from AKUTAGAWA.

LUCY hums.

LUCY: yeah, maybe. 

LUCY: i personally would love to extort my enemy.

KYOUKA: are you throwing shade at fitzgerald.

LUCY: …

LUCY: maybe.

KYOUKA takes another sip of her milkshake.

KYOUKA: he does deserve to get covered in darkness.

LUCY snorts so hard she starts coughing.

END SCENE.

–

– scene 10, act iii –

SCENE: in the AGENCY OFFICE, KUNIKIDA is looking over the documents from AKUTAGAWA, eyes getting progressively wider.

KUNIKIDA: this could cover some of the agency’s side expenses easily.

ATSUSHI: i think AKUTAGAWA will have my head if i say yes to that…

ATSUSHI groans, burying his head in his hands.

KUNIKIDA: as if he’s keeping score of where the money goes. 

DAZAI: he could be!!

KUNIKIDA: i doubt it.

elsewhere, HIKARI bats at a ball of yarn, then pounces on it. KENJI picks it up and pets it. 

KENJI: you should buy more toys for it, ATSUSHI!! 

KUNIKIDA: a growing child does need enrichment.

ATSUSHI: KUNIKIDA, don’t tell me you’re in on this too…

KUNIKIDA adjusts his glasses, eyes narrowing.

KUNIKIDA: regardless of species, ATSUSHI. 

ATSUSHI sighs deeply.

ATSUSHI: right. okay. later i will. get it some toys.

KYOUKA: can KENJI and i come with.

ATSUSHI: …sure.

KUNIKIDA: JUNI’CHIRO will be out on a case tomorrow- go with him and then split up to buy THE BABY toys.

ATSUSHI: and whoever’s left at the agency can-

RANPO: take HIKARI, ATSUSHI!

ATSUSHI: wh- to a case?? how? it’ll wander off-

END SCENE.

–

– scene 11, act iii –

SCENE: ATSUSHI stands at the scene of a murder case, wearing a baby carrier with HIKARI in it. it’s batting at the black strand of his hair, chuffing in delight. JUNI’CHIRO is very seriously looking around, a casefile in his hands.

ATSUSHI: i can’t believe they made me take it.

JUNI’CHIRO glances over.

JUNI’CHIRO: well, it doesn’t seem to mind this too much?

ATSUSHI: i-

ATSUSHI yelps as HIKARI suddenly yanks on his hair.

ATSUSHI: ack- hey!! 

he looks down at it. 

ATSUSHI: we’re gonna get you toys AFTER this, okay?

HIKARI looks up at him, not understanding a word, of course. JUNI’CHIRO reaches over and pets it on the head.

JUNI’CHIRO: i think it’s looking forward to it. 

ATSUSHI looks down at HIKARI, then back at JUNI’CHIRO and sighs.

ATSUSHI: yeah, i guess i should- before anyone else does…

and then a voice cuts in from the shadows.

ENTER AKUTAGAWA.

AKUTAGAWA: have you not named our spawn?

ATSUSHI: it is not, number one, and number two- why are you here??

AKUTAGAWA: this “victim”, as you all call him, was smuggling drugs through PORT MAFIA routes.

ATSUSHI: okay, so did you kill him??

AKUTAGAWA: obviously not.

ATSUSHI groans.

ATSUSHI: why. are you here.

AKUTAGAWA: i was wondering about our spawn.

ATSUSHI: please stop calling it that.

AKUTAGAWA suddenly snatches HIKARI from him with RASHOMON.

ATSUSHI: hey-!!

JUNI’CHIRO: maybe just.. let him have it.

AKUTAGAWA: i will consider returning it.

ATSUSHI: you are IMPOSSIBLE.

AKUTAGAWA rolls his eyes, looking down at THE BABY. THE BABY chuffs at him, reaching its paws up and batting at his hair.

AKUTAGAWA: carry on with your meandering as usual.

and then he’s gone.

ATSUSHI: HEY!! ugh.. 

JUNI’CHIRO: i thought you didn’t like taking care of it.

ATSUSHI: it’s better than letting him run around with it!!

JUNI’CHIRO: maybe he’ll buy it toys?

ATSUSHI: ..maybe.

END SCENE.

–

– scene 12, act iii –

SCENE: AKUTAGAWA and THE BABY walk down the street, THE BABY in a carrier constructed of RASHOMON. 

AKUTAGAWA: you are very small.

THE BABY looks up at him.

AKUTAGAWA: why are you in tiger form constantly? 

he gives it a light pat.

AKUTAGAWA: has he not taught you better? 

he scoffs.

AKUTAGAWA: you must learn to control your ability, lest it grab a hold of you. that is one of the first things i learned in the PORT MAFIA. 

AKUTAGAWA: you are lucky your birth warrants a kind of alliance. 

AKUTAGAWA: if we were in conflict with the AGENCY as usual, then you would have a far more rocky upbringing.

AKUTAGAWA: as it stands, you may have some semblance of a “peaceful” childhood. 

note: is he envious? is he relieved? it should not be clear.

AKUTAGAWA turns the corner and steps into a store, then sets THE BABY down. it chirps, looking up at him, and he simply keeps walking. it waddles behind.

AKUTAGAWA: alright. pick out whatever you want.

enter HIGUCHI.

HIGUCHI: AKUTAGAWA?

AKUTAGAWA turns around, eyes meeting hers.

AKUTAGAWA: what.

HIGUCHI: oh, um…

she laughs nervously. her outfit is a far cry from her mafia wear, and she’s instead wearing a white cropped sweater over a dark blue skirt with lemons on it. she holds up a grocery basket.

HIGUCHI: shopping, that’s all.

AKUTAGAWA: oh. leave me alone then.

HIGUCHI eyes THE BABY a little nervously, but it bleps at her and she smiles.

HIGUCHI: is this who’s got two organizations in such a mess? 

AKUTAGAWA regards her with a disdainful look.

AKUTAGAWA: obviously.

HIGUCHI: they’re so small…

HIGUCHI: what’s their name?

AKUTAGAWA: as of now, they do not possess one. the weretiger has been lacking in his parental duties. 

HIGUCHI: …do you want help naming them?

AKUTAGAWA: no.

AKUTAGAWA scoops THE BABY up.

AKUTAGAWA: i do not bother you off work. i suggest you do the same.

THE BABY chuffs, pawing at AKUTAGAWA. he calmly sets its paw down.

AKUTAGAWA: do not protest. we are leaving now.

HIGUCHI watches with a little frown. AKUTAGAWA turns the corner into another aisle. 

ENTER KYOUKA.

note: she has a very determined, calm look on her face.

KYOUKA: you can’t steal custody of HIKARI.

END SCENE.

Chapter Text

act iv ; an eclipse in ash

– scene 13, act iv –

SCENE: LUCY is helping LOUISA out the door just before her shift starts. LOUISA squeaks, because she runs right into–

AKUTAGAWA: get out of my way.

LOUISA: um- uh, sorry, uh-

ATSUSHI: hey, aren’t you-

LUCY: SHE IS LEAVING NOW.

KYOUKA watches apathetically as LOUISA scurries outside, not casting a glance back at her, ATSUSHI, and AKUTAGAWA. 

ATSUSHI: …uh.

LUCY: so, where’s your kid?

ATSUSHI: not-

he groans. 

AKUTAGAWA: we have dropped HIKARI off at the agency dorms.

LUCY raises an eyebrow at ATSUSHI, who gives her a look in return.

ATSUSHI: they’ll be fine, don’t worry about it.

LUCY: riiight. are you gonna order anything?

KYOUKA: strawberry milkshake.

ATSUSHI: um- whatever’s easiest.

LUCY: pathetic, but okay.

AKUTAGAWA: …

AKUTAGAWA: fig tea.

LUCY blinks, staring, then shrugs and nods.

LUCY: cool, okay. fruity boy.

AKUTAGAWA: excuse me?

LUCY scurries away to go make their orders.

silence reigns for a minute, two minutes-

ATSUSHI: we really can’t focus on a child right now.

his tone is tired.

AKUTAGAWA: so what are you suggesting we do, then? bring them to an orphanage? with your history?

ATSUSHI: absolutely not-!!

ATSUSHI: i just…

he buries his head in his hands.

LUCY: here.

she puts a glass of ice cube-less water in front of him, then returns to the kitchen.

ATSUSHI: …it’s more like- AKUTAGAWA, this is ridiculous. there’s no way we could give a kid a stable environment to grow up in, you realize that, right?

AKUTAGAWA: and are we not meant to try?

ATSUSHI goes quiet, staring at AKUTAGAWA. there’s a determined look on his face ATSUSHI is only used to seeing in the heat of battle.

ATSUSHI: i don’t know.

KYOUKA taps the table. 

KYOUKA: maybe you two can elope together.

AKUTAGAWA & ATSUSHI: with him?

KYOUKA: …

KYOUKA shrugs.

LUCY: jeez. 

she’s still in the middle of making KYOUKA’S strawberry milkshake.

LUCY: you could try, tigerkitty.

ATSUSHI: how? look at me.

LUCY: yeah?

she stares at him.

LUCY: there's a stain on your shirt.

ATSUSHI goes bright red. AKUTAGAWA sighs disdainfully.

AKUTAGAWA: you’re always so determined, weretiger. and yet it’s all fading at this?

ATSUSHI: because this is different!! it’s more than tracking down some rogue ability user, or solving a case- this is something that would put all of that out of wack, and yet we’d have to keep up with it and.. not just taking care of the kid, but learning how to do that too!!

AKUTAGAWA: are you doubting that we could? that i could?

RASHOMON ripples at the edges of his coat.

ATSUSHI: well- yes, okay??

LUCY slides into the seat next to AKUTAGAWA, giving him his fig tea as she sits down and sliding KYOUKA’S milkshake over.

LUCY: pff, keep it down a bit.

ATSUSHI: it’s not like there’s anyone else here.

LUCY: you’ll spook the owner, and i like him as a boss, thanks.

AKUTAGAWA: what kind of coward is-

LUCY elbows him so hard he starts coughing.

LUCY: anyway, you’re both overthinking it.

ATSUSHI: i really don’t think i am!!!

LUCY: just give it like a week. besides, you know how manageable the kid is.

she makes eye contact with him, and he goes bright red.

ATSUSHI: …right. yeah.

END SCENE.

-

– scene 14, act iv –

SCENE: dusk in YOKOHAMA, with the sun beginning to set. AKUTAGAWA and ATSUSHI rush after a CRIMINAL on a motorcycle.

AKUTAGAWA: your lack of coordination astounds me, jinko.

ATSUSHI: they’re moving fast and not staying in one place, don’t yell at me!!

AKUTAGAWA: our child could showcase more skill than you have all afternoon. 

note: he says this with bite that’s fake, like a pair of plastic vampire fangs.

THE CRIMINAL, hearing this, looks back in surprise- and that’s perfect for their two pursuers, because they drive right into a traffic light.

AKUTAGAWA: there we go. that’s another point to them.

ATSUSHI: that doesn’t even count!!

AKUTAGAWA rolls his eyes, picking up THE CRIMINAL with RASHOMON before tossing them to ATSUSHI.

AKUTAGAWA: i am entrusting you to bring them in. don’t make a mess of this, hm?

ATSUSHI: oh, shut up. of course i can.

AKUTAGAWA only scoffs in return, and then turns and begins walking away.

AKUTAGAWA: i will return HIKARI by morning.

SCENE TRANSITION; AKUTAGAWA steps back into his and GIN’S apartment, ignoring the terrible lizard on the counter. GIN is absent, due to sleeping at another’s dwelling, but he has opted not to stick his nose into such business. he does not care to learn anyway.

AKUTAGAWA: HIKARI?

AKUTAGAWA coughs. blood splatters on the ground, and he winches. there is no response to his call, and he looks around more urgently.

AKUTAGAWA: HIKARI??

RASHOMON flares out of his clothes, and he rushes from room to room like a madman, damn his lungs.

HIKARI is gone. there is no blood trail, no fur-

just a half-opened window all too close to a chair.

AKUTAGAWA: oh, damn you-

RASHOMON rips the window open, and AKUTAGAWA jumps out onto the street, looking around. 

AKUTAGAWA: HIKARI!

-

– scene 15, act iv –

note: show the agency & port mafia searching for HIKARI prior. make it clear they have looked everywhere.

SCENE: AKUTAGAWA and ATSUSHI make their way to the very place BYAKKO found HIKARI. rain has long since washed away the blood and bodies, and so it looks as falsely innocent as a criminal with all tracks covered. it is very, very late at night.

ATSUSHI: why would she come here?

AKUTAGAWA: it is the only place we have not looked.

ATSUSHI: yeah, but…

AKUTAGAWA: so she should be here.

ATSUSHI: she’s clearly not.

AKUTAGAWA:  . . .

ATSUSHI: AKUTAGAWA, if she wanted to be found-

AKUTAGAWA: she is but a child, what could i have done wrong?

ATSUSHI: it’s not you-

AKUTAGAWA: it was not your quarters she fled, jinko. 

ATSUSHI groans.

ATSUSHI: AKUTAGAWA, stop it. 

AKUTAGAWA: stop what? stop looking ? what has gotten into you, weretiger?

ATSUSHI: stop blaming yourself for this-

AKUTAGAWA: it is my error.

ATSUSHI: it's really not-

DAZAI: oh, here's where you are!

AKUTAGAWA: DAZAI. 

ENTER DAZAI, with HIKARI in his arms. 

note: make it clear that bare skin is touching the cub.

AKUTAGAWA: . . .

AKUTAGAWA: was this fun to you?

DAZAI shrugs, setting HIKARI down. it runs over.

DAZAI: a bit!

ATSUSHI: i did try to tell you, AKUTAGAWA.

DAZAI: pff, why would he have listened?

RASHOMON growls, rippling at the edges of AKUTAGAWA’S coat. 

AKUTAGAWA: i despise you.

and with that-

EXIT AKUTAGAWA.

ATSUSHI: you're an ass. 

ATSUSHI huffs at DAZAI, before scooping HIKARI up and following after AKUTAGAWA. DAZAI is left alone on stage.

note: he should not be facing the audience.

END SCENE.

-

– scene 16, act iv –

SCENE: AKUTAGAWA sits on a rooftop, watching the city below. the sounds of cars and barking dogs sound out, and he scoffs dismissively at it all. the soft light of a sunrise is just barely beginning to appear. 

ENTER ATSUSHI.

ATSUSHI: AKUTAGAWA-

AKUTAGAWA: how did you find me?

he does not turn to look at ATSUSHI.

ATSUSHI: uh… GIN told me.

AKUTAGAWA: since when were you in contact?

ATSUSHI laughs nervously.

ATSUSHI: nevermind that. i just… 

ATSUSHI: you kind of got really caught up in this entire situation even if HIKARI-

AKUTAGAWA: if you’re here to mock me, then just leave.

ATSUSHI: i’m not!

AKUTAGAWA: why else are you coming out here to bother me, and to rub it in my face all our childrearing was nothing more then an act?

ATSUSHI sighs and sits next to him, hugging his knees as he looks from AKUTAGAWA to the sunrise.

ATSUSHI: okay, look… i’m not gonna pretend i know why you got so excited about this, or that i handled this dumb thing any better.

ATSUSHI: but…

he swallows nervously. 

ATSUSHI: i guess, later, if…

note: if you’re still here should go spoken only in body language.

ATSUSHI: if you want, maybe we can try this again, but…

ATSUSHI: real. child. mhm. we’ll adopt one or something.

AKUTAGAWA’s gaze snaps over to him. 

AKUTAGAWA: is that a promise, jinko?

ATSUSHI meets his eyes, and despite everything, his nod is confidently sincere.

ATSUSHI: sure.

AKUTAGAWA: so be it.

AKUTAGAWA stands up, then begins to leave. ATSUSHI watches him as the gentle sunlight illuminates him, bathing the coat in warmth. 

EXIT AKUTAGAWA.

ATSUSHI: wait.

ATSUSHI: AKUTAGAWA keeps his promises.