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The day was the same as any other. The skies were blue, the birds were chirping, and the people were bustling to and through. There was no sign that today was any different. There was no foreboding omen or sign of good fortune to come. In fact there was no indication whatsoever that today was a day of importance. That something monumental was going to happen. What was even more noteworthy, was the cause of such a pivotal occasion was something so simple as a mere sighting, a glimpse even, but it was something powerful enough to snowball into the events that were going to play out today.
Sitting on the agency's couch was two mundane people, completely unassuming and unremarkable. They looked like a couple in their early fifties, with the woman looking just a year or two younger than her husband. The man wore a nice pair of old glasses; he had a hunchback but held his chin high and sat up straight in the manner that could only be learnt from the military; he gave off a gruff aura that implied he wasn't a man to be taken lightly. He held a stern expression, but it was softened round the edges, likely due to his wife's loving touch. The woman in comparison, was warm and gentle. She appeared much more calmer and welcoming than her husband but the sombre expression hidden in her eyes, detailed a tragedy gone past that had dampened that bright, loving heart. She seemed quite sweet and caring, quite the pleasant company, but by the way she held her hands with grace and sat up strongly, indicated, like her husband, she wasn't one to be walked all over.
They were an ordinary couple, the same as many before them and surely the same as many after. They didn't look like they had a dark past nor a cruel vendetta against anyone. It didn't appear like they were here to cause any trouble nor bring them any miracles. They were simply ordinary people. A middle aged couple who had come to the Armed detective agency as prospective clients. They were even sitting patiently on the couch, where Atsushi had seated them, waiting for their designated appointment. Kunikida was quite the organised person, and it turns out these people had called the agency late last night, inquiring about booking a consultation with one of their detectives (didn't matter who), and Kunikida was quite pleased to see such good planning, calling ahead, that he booked them in his earliest available slot. So they were organised ordinary people. Nothing special to note of and yet Dazai couldn't take his eyes off them.
It was more the woman, than her husband, that had caught Dazai's attention. In particular, it was her hair that had sparked his interest. It was unmistakably red, not as bright and vivid as someone else's that he knew, but it was still unmistakably red. In fact there were signs that it was once as bright and vivid as Dazai had assumed; there were still a few locks that had a fiery tinge and her roots showed signs of a vibrant past that had darkened with age. Dazai knew that hair. He'd recognise it anywhere, and to see it here in the agency's office, on someone else's head, was somewhat of a surprise.
Upon noticing the hair, he began reexamining the couple with keener eyes and he realised he started to notice other recognisable details. The woman's soft eyes and her husband's sharp chin. The red of their lips and the shade of their skin. His nose and her ears. These details were all so familiar. The woman's happy laugh and the husbands small smile, combine them together and it's someone so familiar. Imagine her hands on a masculine body with more calluses and he can almost see it. There was an image formulating in his head of a particular person and it was very hard to ignore now he'd noticed it. Dazai didn't want to believe what he was seeing, but each feature was piecing together irrefutable evidence that was hard to deny. If he was right about this, then Dazai had to wonder, why here? Why now? So much time has past, what made today so special?
Now Dazai had noticed it, he found it even harder to look away. He had planned to spend the morning, procrastinating finishing any of his reports. Ideally, he wanted to lie on the couch, listening to music but that plan was ruined the second Atsushi sat the couple there. Instead he was hoping to play games on the computer whilst, discreetly, sliding a few files onto Atsushi's desk. Now, though, his plans have completely changed. Dazai never really cared for the clients, unless they were particularly interesting. He did his job and got cases solved, as long as he wasn't rude, why did he need to care so much? Yet, this was different. These people weren't special or anything more than ordinary, but they had his attention, he felt as if he had a personal stake in this case.
However, there was still a chance he was wrong, that his suspicions were incorrect. Dazai was basing this all off some red hair and familiar features. He wasn't a genius in genetic biology; the best he could do was make an educated guess. Dazai was simply playing jigsaw with recognisable pieces but the pieces may not even slot together in the first place. It all fit together so well in his mind, yet it all could fit wrong and he wouldn't be able to tell. Dazai could easily make a mistake on something like this. Years had passed of course and he never actually saw the pictures of the parents in their youth, but if these people are who he thinks they are, if his suspicions are correct, Dazai had to know, and he know only one person could give him that answer- the same person who deserved to know.
Swiftly, Dazai got up from his desk and moved into the meeting room unquestioned, which was good because this conversation was best kept private. If certain people overheard him, particularly Kunikida, a fuss could be caused and that would draw too much attention, that wouldn't be good because Dazai didn't want to give false hope to either party if he was wrong. If he was wrong, well the clients would be none the wiser, but if he was right... if he was right. Dazai had to know!
He closed the meeting room's door and drew the blinds to prevent onlooking eyes. He leant his back against the door so no one could come in unexpectedly and pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed a certain number.
"Calm down, it's important. I need you at the agency office asap, scratch that, I need you down here now. I know you're listening, you haven't hung up and good because you're gonna want to hear this, there's something here for you, so get your ass down here. See you soon. I'll be waiting."
He snapped his phone closed and reentered into the main office space, pleased to see no one noticed his absence. He was only gone for five minutes but a lot could happen in five minutes. Dazai could have missed a lot of clues and vital information, but that luckily didn't seem the case. Everything seemed to be the same as before. Dazai had done his part, making that call, he could only hope they fulfil their end of the bargain and show up. However, waiting for confirmation on something this important wasn't much fun and Dazai didn't really take a fancy to doing nothing when there were two perfectly talkative people on the couch. Kunikida seemed to be held up with his prior appointment so Dazai doubted he'd complain about keeping their clients companying, at least not that much.
"Hi, I'm Dazai, Kunikida's partner." Dazai introduced, sitting down on the opposite couch, "He'll be here shortly but since I'm here why don't you fill me in on what we can do for you before he arrives."
The couple smiled and happily greeted him, the older man shaking his hand firmly. It appeared they were quite happy to be seen sooner than later, even if that meant talking to a different detective than the one on the phone. So far so good.
"So what brought you two to the ADA today?" Dazai asked, playing perfectly, the role of the innocent detective.
"We're looking for someone-"
"Our son." The woman interjected, there was a hint of desperation in her voice. Her eyes looked hopeful but tired as if that hope had only recently been reignited and could as easily be extinguished. It was a pitiful sight, and it made Dazai even more so not want to give her false hope. She seemed like a lovely lady, he didn't want to break her heart like that.
"How long have you been looking for him? Did he go no contact with you or did he go missing?" Dazai inquired, knowing the answer to this question would immediately reveal if he was wrong or not. If he was wrong, well then this was a different couple he'd try his best to help. Having a former history in the mafia made him pretty good at tracking people down. But if these are the people he thinks they are, he may be able to help them find their son a lot sooner than they think.
Dazai waited. And waited. and waited.
When Dazai posed the question, the couple looked wary and worried. It was like they were holding back a terrible secret they didn't want revealed. Their eyes wrinkled and they looked hesitant to speak, fearful even. Could the answer really be that bad? Looking at them, they almost seemed ashamed. What Dazai asked was a routine question but it had elicited this response, it was strange... suspicious. They were here now, seeking help, what was there to be ashamed of?
"I want to reassure you, that it doesn't matter what the answer is, we just need to know to get an idea of the type of case we're dealing with. No matter the case we try to complete it to the best of our abilities." Dazai tried to promise, hoping it would put them more at ease. If they clammed up they weren't going to get anywhere.
"Ok but you have to listen to us, please." she asked, almost begging and Dazai felt inclined to listen, "He's been gone for over 17 years. We thought he died when he was five, well that was what we were told, but there was no body and then..."
She seemed to be finding it hard to say the words, struggling to find the right way to say it. Her husband, being in the same situation as her, took pity and took over for her.
"Sir, what you need to understand is that we aren't some old couple who couldn't move on from their dead son. We grieved, we mourned and we moved on."
"With a heavy heart but if we didn't move one we would've been stuck in a depressive spiral." The wife added, scrunching her kimono in her hands as she thought over the sad memories,
Her husband hated to see her like this so he took her hand to share in their sorrows, and continued, "We held a service and everything. We didn't want to believe he was dead at first but we had to move on and for the past seventeen years, we've been learning to live without our son. But something happened that brought us here to you."
Finding her confidence again, the wife took over from her husband, "We live in the San'in region, not Yokohama, but, my husband's a doctor you see, and well things had been quiet at the clinic for the past few days and I've always wanted to visit this city, so we came and we've been having a wonderful time these past couple days but yesterday, it happened."
Her eyes became glassy, almost dreamlike, as she remembered the events of the day before, and Dazai saw the hope relight in her eyes the same way it lit up when she saw him, "It was early afternoon, and we were heading back to our ryokan to rest. The main streets were busy so we decided to take the back alleys to get there faster, and that's when we saw him. Fiery red hair and all. It was our son. He is an adult now, all grown up but I'd recognise my son anywhere and I know it was him."
"You probably think we're crazy but we know our son and it was him. We only caught a glimpse, but when we tried to chase after he was already gone. We didn't know what to do, but then we remembered you, the ADA, and we've heard all the great things this agency has done." They looked so hopeful, the husband talked with such conviction, anyone would believe him, " The miraculous cases you've solved, and we thought if anyone could help us find him, it would be you guys. So will you help us find him."
"We'll do our best." Dazai promised, but his eyes were sad, he's suspicions were almost confirmed but he wished they weren't. This couple had already lost their precious boy, and they've healed and moved on. This whole situation was clearly opening up old wounds, he had to hope it was worth it all. "Do you have any pictures of your son so we can get an idea of who we're looking for."
"Not of him as an adult, but I've got this old picture of him when he was five that I always keep in my purse." She revealed, pulling her purse up from the floor. She took a minute to look through it but it wasn't long till she was pulling out an old photo, framed nicely, and clearly loved.
There was no mistaking it now. Dazai knew that face, regardless of the age, just like the parents, he'd always recognise Chuuya.
~~~
Chuuya was annoyed. He was so close to finishing his reports in his office when he got an impromptu call from one very annoying mackerel. No explanation whatsoever, just instructions to get down to the agency now! If the mackerel didn't sound so serious, he would have simply ignored him, but he did sound serious and that was what had caught his attention. Dazai loved to play around, tease and annoy others, but when things mattered he get serious, and only then. This had to be important. That was the only reason he had left work early and headed straight to the Agency. He didn't tell anyone he just did. Got the first train, not even grabbing his car or even his bike and just made his way on the quickest route and did the other half by gravity. All of this better be worth it or else Dazai would have hell to pay. What the hell did he mean there was something for him at the agency? Why would anything for him be there?
By the time Chuuya arrived at the agency, he was slightly out of breath and ready to blow up a storm, however when he looked through the window in the door, he froze in his tracks. What were they doing here? They lived in the san'in region, that was 500 km away- why were they here? They shouldn't be here. He couldn't let them see him. He wasn't a five year old kid anymore. They didn't need to see what he had become. Chuuya's heart was racing now and he really wanted to turn around and leave as if he had never come in the first place, but for some reason his feet wouldn't move. He was stuck in place, desperately wishing to be anywhere else, and hoping that no one would notice him as he pressed his back to the wall, hiding behind the door. His wished to remain unnoticed. He wished he wasn't here.
"So I guess I was right then. They're who I think they are." Dazai spoke, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
"If you mean my parents, then yes. They're my parents or so I've been told." Chuuya gulped, eyes frozen on the couple.
There was a slight longing in Chuuya's eyes as if he wanted to reach out and say hello. It was like the couple was calling out to him and Chuuya couldn't find it within himself to look away. Deep down, he didn't want to look away. He wanted to stare forever, to witness their smiles and fall into their laughter. To be a part of their joy as much they wanted to be a part of his. Dazai could see it all in Chuuya. He saw how Chuuya's heart was reaching out for what was only metres away. It was crying to go over there and make every dream of his come true. It was clear in the way Chuuya fixated on the couple, admiring their every breath, taking their every move. It was clear how his breathing matched theirs, though they were meters away they were perfectly in sink. It was clear by how Chuuya hadn't turned to face Dazai once since he appeared nor did he notice his entrance until he spoke up.
However, Dazai could also see how fearful Chuuya was- he was encapsulated by it. Chuuya was trembling. His feet were firmly grounded but looked ready to bolt at any second. His eyes were shaking and Dazai caught every time Chuuya's breath hitched or started to quicken before eventually calming only to repeat the cycle all over again. It was obvious he was trying to avoid being seen; his back was flat against the wall for heaven's sake. That wasn't all. Chuuya was tensing up, to protect himself. His hands were clenched tight, starting to draw blood. Worst of all, Chuuya was barely aware of his surroundings. All he could see was his parents, and know that Dazai was beside him. That was it.
It was an uncomfortable juxtaposition. Such a strong want whilst simultaneously feeling such a strong wish for anything else. It was powerful enough to destroy a person, and Chuuya didn't know how to process all these emotions. He thought he had left this all behind and he wouldn't have to deal with it again, but here he was and here they were too. Chuuya just wanted the whole world to stop. Dazai hated to see Chuuya like this. He was starting to wonder if it was a wise decision to bring him here to begin with. Maybe it would've been better to leave things how they were but it was too late now. Chuuya was here now, he'd seen them. All Dazai could do was to keep things moving and work with what he's already done.
Dazai gently grabbed Chuuya's wrist, feeling the other's racing pulse under his hand, and made Chuuya look at him, "Let's get out of here, ok."
Chuuya simply nodded, relieved to be looking at Dazai more than anything else. He let Dazai take control and lead him to the rooftop, whilst he focused on catching his breath. His heart had been racing for awhile and it was hard to get it back under control, but Dazai was patient with him so Chuuya just focused on himself. When they reached the rooftop, Chuuya instantly crumbled to the floor, leaning his back against the walls. Dazai sat down beside him and Chuuya felt himself lean into their hold. It was comforting to rest his weight on the other and it felt even more so when Dazai took his hand, squeezing it tight to reassure him. That made things so much easier, Chuuya used it to ground himself and gradually he was breathing normally again and he was calm once more.
"Are you feeling better?" Dazai softly asked, real concern and care in his voice. It was nice to hear and comforting to hide in.
"Yeah." Chuuya slowly breathed out, "I'm calm again."
"Want to talk about it?" Dazai offered, eliciting a smile from Chuuya because of his sincerity.
"Do I have a choice?" Chuuya asked back, now properly cuddling himself in Dazai's arms.
"Well I could say you don't have to but then that wouldn't solve anything, so sadly no you don't. Sorry." Dazai appolagised, caressing Chuuya in his arms.
"First, tell me what they're doing here. When you told me there was something here for me, this isn't what I expected, so explain." Chuuya ordered and Dazai obeyed. He told Chuuya everything the couple had told him, watching intently as the redhead took in and processed every one of his words, everything his parents had said.
Chuuya thought hard before sighing and leaning against Dazai's front and speaking aloud, "That explains it then. I thought someone was chasing me yesterday. I thought it was a cop; who would've guessed it was my parents. The one time they take a trip here and I actually run into them. There are almost 4 million people in this city and they still managed to see silly old me."
"Well, you were always one for beating the chances." Dazai joked and they both laughed at that.
"Yeah, even when I don't want to, it appears." Chuuya responded, frowning slightly, and Dazai noticed that.
"You didn't want to see them?" Dazai questioned, confused.
"Dazai, I've seen them before. Mori tracked them down when I became an executive. I went to see them back then but I didn't go say hello. I never introduced myself." Chuuya revealed,
"Why?"
"They were happy and I didn't want to change that." Chuuya responded, eyes cast up in sky, trying not to think about it.
"Didn't you want to see them. They were your family." Dazai wondered, looking at Chuuya who wasn't looking at him.
"The Port Mafia's my family. That's enough for me." Chuuya repeated the same words he told Mori that day, hoping this was the end of the conversation but knowing it wasn't. Dazai knew Chuuya too well for that.
"The way you looked at them said otherwise." Dazai disagreed, "You looked like you wanted to go to them."
"I can't."
"Chuuya, I don't understand. You want to see them, I know you do so why do you stop yourself?" Dazai asked, worried for Chuuya's sake.
This brought up a hundred powerful emotions in Chuuya's heart, anger being the strongest pushing him upright to face Dazai, filled with the fire that Dazai loved and shot it at him instead, "Why do I stop myself! BECAUSE I HAVE TO. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO SAY, HI I'M YOUR SON AND ... I'm a criminal. The last they saw me I was an innocent five year old, and now I'm a member of the underground. I don't even remember them... and yet I still don't want them to see the monster I've become."
It was heartbreaking. It was heartbreaking because Dazai knew Chuuya meant every one of those words and Dazai disagreed with them too. He took Chuuya's face in his hands, caressing him lovingly. He made Chuuya look him in the eyes. Made him connect with him. Dazai looked at Chuuya and loved him; he loved the tears that were falling from Chuuya's eyes; he loved the sorrow that he felt; he loved the kindness Chuuya showed to everyone; he loved everything about chuuya, the good and bad, but he hated how he wouldn't show himself that same love. Dazai looked into Chuuya's eyes and made sure that he looked into his and that he was listening because the words he spoke were important and had to resonate.
"Chuuya Nakahara, now you listen here you wonderful human being." Dazai ordered imbuing his words with love and affection, "You are not and have never been a monster. You are a glorious creation, an amazing person that is so human and so wonderful that I am forever grateful to have met you and I know anyone who meets you would also be grateful to have you in their life. You deserve love and you deserve family, and you can have more than one. You don't need to decide between the Port Mafia and your parents, You can have both. Nothing about you is a monster. Tell me you understand that. Tell me."
"I'm... I'm not a ... I'm not a monster." Chuuya cried,
"Again." Dazai ordered, holding him tight, rocking them gently.
"I'm... I'm not a monster."
"Again."
"I'm... not... a... monster."
"Again."
This repeated again and again, each time getting a little louder, a little less tearful and a little more confident. Each iteration got stronger, and each time Chuuya said it Dazai felt prouder. They repeated it over and over for what felt like hours but was simply five minutes, but it was worth it all, because they repeated it all the way until Chuuya believed it.
"I'M NOT A MONSTER!" Chuuya roared and this time he really did believe it. He deserved love. He deserved family and he was grateful for what he had but he didn't have to settle for just that. He was allowed to ask for more, and Chuuya believed that. He was leaning against Dazai's chest now, catching his breath all over again for a different reason this time, but believing in everything Dazai said. However he still had his worries, logical ones in his opinion.
"Dazai, I'm part of the Mafia. My parents are good people, they don't deserve to have to deal with the darkness of the underground. To be associated with it because of me." Chuuya pointed out, hating the harsh reality.
"I don't think that's your choice to make." Dazai argued, "I've talked to your parents and from speaking with them, I know they'd give anything to see you again as an adult, regardless of who you turned out to be. I'd think they'd love you all the same. Just like I do. Just like everyone who knows you does."
Chuuya sighed, knowing Dazai was right, "You really think I should speak to them don't you."
"I don't think, I know you should, because you want to and you deserve to." Dazai reiterated.
"Do you really think they'd want to meet me?"
"They came all the way to the ADA to find you. You've gotta give them some credit for that." Dazai teased, making Chuuya smile that soft smile Dazai loved so much. They were happy and that was good. It was nice to be together, peacefully in each other's embrace. It was all good and fun until Chuuya had a thought that concerned him.
"We've been up here for a bit, don't you think they would have gone already?" Chuuya asked, worried now that his parents had left, when earlier that was what he wanted the most.
Chuuya was scared his parents were gone but Dazai just smiled unworried, like he knew something Chuuya didn't, "Nah. I told them I knew someone who could help but it might take some time for him to arrive and they said they'd gladly wait however long if it meant they could see you again."
"They did?" Chuuya asked, feeling a warmth bloom in his chest.
"Yes," Dazai nodded, pleased to see the joy he brought the other, "Would you like me to get them?"
"Please."
It was the magic word and who was Dazai but to obey its command. He followed the spell's wishes and made his way downstairs where he knew Chuuya's parents were waiting. Dazai beelined past Kunikida, ignoring how his partner scolded him for talking to his client without him and not even bothering to fill him in, focusing more on the couple instead. They were sat where he left them on the agency couch. They were nervous but clearly filled with anticipation for whatever news Dazai brought them, hopeful it was the good news they wished for. They followed him out of the agency office without question, and Dazai led them to the rooftop with ease, informing them his friend was waiting for them there. He promised them it was good news and his friend could help, and they believed him. Dazai opened the door to the rooftop and watched them walk through before closing it, leaving what was to happen next to Chuuya and allow him to have this moment in private.
When his parents arrived, Chuuya was leaning against the balcony, staring at the scar on his right wrist. He was biting his lip, wondering what they were going to think. Would they really be glad to see him or would they regret everything after seeing who he had become? Chuuya took a deep breath and asked himself if he was ready for this. There was no going back now and maybe that was a good thing. Chuuya had been running from his past in his life for too long. There was as much good there as there was bad in the memories he couldn't remember. So what if he was tortured and used to create a singularity. He was Chuuya Nakahara and he was loved. He remembered how his friends, the flags, looked hard to find him some information about the past. That picture of him as a five year old, he still carried it to this day. He cared so much for his past family, he never stopped caring, just learnt to live without them, but he could have both. He had two loving parents and they deserved to meet him.
Chuuya looked up and saw his parents, wide-eyed and holding their breath, too scared this was an illusion,
"Hello, I'm Chuuya Nakahara, and I am your son."
Chuuya didn't know what he expected, anger, outrage, tears? What he could definitely say, it wasn't his mother gasping and hiking up her kimono, just so she could run up to him and wrap him in a hug. She hugged tight but with a warm and gentleness. It was soothing and loving and Chuuya didn't want to let go. He was being hugged by his mother, Chuuya doesn't think he ever thought he'd ever get this- to feel a mother's love. It was wonderful. Parental affection felt like the greatest thing on earth. Feeling such unconditional love for a boy she barely knew was amazing and life changing. Chuuya felt himself melt into his mother's touch and he only started to cry when he felt his father's firm hand squeeze his shoulder. It felt like he had gotten everything he had ever wanted all at once. He found himself calling out to his mother and father, calling them mum and dad as he wept, and that only made them hug him tighter. Chuuya could feel their tears too but he didn't care, he was crying equally as much and anyway these tears felt well deserved.
After a while, their tears eventually dried up and only then did they pull apart, but only slightly. They sat down on the floor together and only then did Chuuya start to explain everything, his whole life history and they listened intently. He discussed how he was kidnapped by a scientist called N to be used in these experiments to create a singularity. Chuuya did his best to explain what an ability was but was surprised to see his parents knew what they were quite well. Ability users were still somewhat a myth amongst people who didn't know, only a small percentage of the population having them after all, but as he thought about it, he wasn't as shocked as he thought he'd be. His father was a military Doctor and his mother was of Samurai descent, of course they'd be knowledgeable on abilities and ability users. That's how Chuuya found out his parents had known about his amplification ability. It appeared as a kid he loved running around the military compound, making friends with the soldiers and if he ran into an ability user he loved making them stronger with his ability. It was so cool to watch it grow and Chuuya's parents told him how he'd shine with glee whenever he watched it happen.
Even though he couldn't remember these memories, Chuuya still felt the same amount of embarrassment and fondness any child would with their parents. He hadn't lived with his parents for almost two decades but it felt like he'd spent his whole life with them. They were caring and lovely and listened to every part of his tale, never judging him for anything he did or went through. When he told him how he lived on the streets when he was seven, they didn't look at him like he was a street rat but simply saw their son and always did. He explained how he was taken in by the sheep and he protected them and they told him they were proud of him for that. Chuuya never thought he'd need to hear that so much more than in that moment. He continued the tales of his past, skipping over some details and some big chunks of info here and there. They had the rest of their life to go over this so he just told them what they deserved to know. Chuuya told them he was a member of the Port Mafia, the night wardens of Yokohama. He warned his parents that he was involved in some dirty and dangerous things but he had also done some good and helped protect the city. This was the thing he feared to tell them the most, but they deserved to know and he was happy to see they loved him all the same.
"You're alive and you're as healthy as you could be given what you've been through. You've made a life for yourself and maybe it's not the brightest but it's yours and for that we are proud and that is all we care about and all we could ask for." Chuuya's mum promised him, kissing him on his forehead and Chuuya felt like crying all over again.
"I have to warn you but I don't remember anything before the age of seven. I have fragments of memories but there truthfully isn't much. Most things I know are from picture or what I've read or been told. I'm not the same person I was at five. I don't even have the same ability anymore. I'm even more powerful now: I can manipulate gravity instead." Chuuya divulged, wanting his parents to know the full extent of the truth.
"I wouldn't expect you to be the same kid. I don't care if you can't remember, we'll just tell you everything you've missed and I look forward to making new memories with you. You're grown up now and I'm so happy to have you back in my life and would you... Show me please." His mother asked and Chuuya felt obliged to complete the request. He started small making his hat float, then built up big to him walking up the building's wall and floating up above their heads. His parents stood there staring in amazement and waited for Chuuya to come back down and when he did they hugged him again.
Chuuya's mother caressed his face, leaning his head against hers as she whispered, "It's beautiful, just like you."
His mother made him feel special with her words. She was an elegant woman but she treated him with such love and care. He knew if she ever met ane-san that they'd get on just fine. His mother was the same height as him and for the first time in his life, he felt grateful to be this small, simply to have this greater connection with his mum. They talked some more for a bit about whatever random topics they could think of and after some time, his mum went downstairs to thank Dazai, leaving him and his dad alone. His father had been quiet the whole time his mum talked and Chuuya was now starting to wonder why. He was getting slightly nervous that he'd only gotten his mum on his side and his father was secretly disgusted at it all. Only asking could find out.
Chuuya took a deep breath and began to ask, "Is everything ok-"
Chuuya was stopped mid sentence by his father pulling him into a tight hug. The hug was loving but also felt desperate and sorrowful. He only understood what was happening when he father started to cry and apologise.
"I'm so sorry. I'm soo sorry. My dear boy you went through a lot." Chuuya's father cried while hugging him tighter, "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault, could you ever forgive me?"
All his fault? What on earth did his father mean? This was not what he expected to hear today but now he had to know.
"All your fault? What do you mean?" Chuuya slowly pulled himself from his father's hold, though still allowing his dad's hand to remain on his shoulder, and looked into the older man's eyes, demanding an answer.
His father swallowed and steadied himself but answered as requested, "The military was scouting for body donations. I didn't know what they were going to use them for but I was required to make a note of any deceased that wasn't too badly injured. One day, when you were with me at the military clinic, I was reading a report about the singularity in france when one of the scientists came to check up on my notes for the body donations. We started talking and ended up on the topic of ability users and I somehow started talking about you and your ability. I was just so proud of you. I didn't question the way he lit up when I mentioned your ability, but then a few days later, when you were playing in the garden, your mother ran to the clinic screaming you were missing. We looked everywhere for you and then one of the scientists came to us with a piece of the yukata you were wearing that day and told us you had died. A few months later, I was transferred to a different base, and it was only after we held a ceremony and finished grieving that I put the dots together."
Chuuya's father explained with teary eyes. He looked like he was about to break and Chuuya found himself pulling his father back into the hug as he wept, "I thought they had killed you. I thought they had experimented on you and killed you. I'm so sorry, if only I had kept my mouth shut."
"It's ok. I forgive you." Chuuya squeezed his dad tighter, now being the one to provide the comfort, "It wasn't your fault. How were you to have known what they were doing?"
They stayed in that hug for a bit before eventually pulling apart once again. They were both teary eyed once more but neither of them cared. They had gotten a lot off of their chest today and they felt a lot better for it. They couldn't change the past but the future was theirs to take and they'll spend it how ever they wish to. Soon Chuuya's mum reappeared with Dazai in toe, both wearing a happy smile. His mother rushed up to him once again and his boyfriend came up to his side to take his hand.
"Chuuya, this is my number, please don't ever be afraid to reach out. We are your parents and we'll always be here for you. You may have your life here in Yokohama but please come visit us in San'in at least once or twice, you'll always be welcome. Drop in uninvited, I encourage it." Chuuya's mother promised, kissing him on the forehead once again.
"Chuuya, we're in Yokohama for one more day tomorrow, so if you've got time, it would be nice to hang out. We're at this hotel, just ask for us and we'll come." Chuuya's father offered and Chuuya felt honoured to be invited out so soon after being reunited.
The sun was starting to set now so his parents made their way off. Chuuya and Dazai waved them goodbye, Chuuya leaning against Dazai, and Dazai with his arms around Chuuya.
"So? Was it worth it?" Dazai asked.
"Yeah. Even better than I imagined." Chuuya revealed.
"I'm glad" Dazai said, giving Chuuya a kiss.
This was the start of a brand new future and Chuuya couldn't wait to embark into it.