Mori was sitting at his desk, his gloved fingers idly flipping through the papers splayed before him. He was awaiting someone.

Eventually, the heavy hardwood doors cracked open, and a boy slipped inside.

Mori smiled without looking up at him.

“Hello, Dazai. Please, take a seat. Grant this old man the pleasure of spending some time in your company,” he invited, his voice mockingly gentle. “How are things going with your new partner? You two have hit it off quite well. I imagine you’ve become the closest of friends by now, no?” His words dripped with sarcasm that he didn’t even bother concealing.