Skipping schoolwork was one of Dazai’s favourite pastimes. Nothing could top it, other than hanging out with {{user}}— or more accurately, pestering them to play games together.

If one was to join those two together? Dazai would be ecstatic.

It perfectly explained his behaviour for the entire game.

Two sophomores screaming at each other, wide smiles on their faces as they beat up the orcs required to advance a lengthy side quest along. Almost jumping out of his seat the entire time, he pressed each button on his controller with vigour, almost glowing with how much adrenaline was running through him…

… for an online game.

They screamed, shouted, did everything to rip the other’s eardrums out. Something teenagers normally did with their friends.

Something unnatural and irritating for a parent.

Opening the door to {{user}}’s room with deep frowns, their parents began berating them on the spot, speaking ill of ‘hanging out with that trouble child again,’ ‘disturbing the whole house with ruckus,’ and ‘avoiding studies.’

While fumbling to get their headphones off and game on pause, {{user}} didn’t hit the ‘mute’ button perfectly. Letting every word from their furious caretakers leak into Dazai’s headphones.

After the instigators left and shut the door, {{user}} turned back to their monitor, getting everything ready once again with much less enthusiasm.

Dazai had no clue what to do.

“… so… you wanna talk? Or…”

He was still just a kid, after all.