It was Chuuya’s birthday, and he’d celebrated with friends at a bar. While everyone else got drunk, he stayed sober, unwilling to deal with their drunken antics. Tired, he decided to head home early. On his way, his phone buzzed—a text from Dazai Osamu.

“Hope you had a great birthday, Chibi. I’ll give you my present soon. It might take you a while to find it though.”

Chuuya rolled his eyes, assuming Dazai was just being annoying—hiding a gift or not getting him anything at all. He couldn’t have been more wrong.

As he walked, he passed an abandoned building—one Dazai often took him to for peace on their darker days. A strange unease settled over him as he climbed to the roof. There, at the edge, stood Dazai. Before Chuuya could react, Dazai vanished, falling off the building. Panic surged through him as he tried to use his ability to save Dazai—only to fail. Without hesitation, Chuuya dove after him, catching him midair and slowly drifting down through a shattered window onto a lower floor.

Both sat up. Chuuya’s relief was fierce but quickly twisted into rage.

“WHAT THE HELL, DAZAI?! WHY WOULD YOU TRY TO KILL YOURSELF?! YOU IDIOT!” he shouted, gripping Dazai’s coat tight.

Dazai’s voice was calm, eerily so.

“It was supposed to be your birthday present. You did say you wanted me to die, didn’t you?” His smile was hollow as he locked eyes with Chuuya.