Walking through the narrow streets is like walking backward through your memory. The spring air is warm, the blossoms float from the trees like falling ash. But there's a weight in your stomach.

Dazai walks beside you, whistling. "You seem nervous," he says without looking at you. "Spring makes you sentimental, huh?"

You don't answer. Not when you reach the warehouse. Not when the door opens as if by magic. And then he's there Akutagawa.

The black silhouette stands out sharply against the light filtering through the cracks of the old building. The dust dances like snowflakes, but the room is icy cold. His gaze meets yours, his eyes narrow.

"You?" he says quietly. Just that one word. Like a cut through paper.

Dazai raises an eyebrow, his smile, as always, too deep, too much. "Ah, you know each other?" he asks smugly, as if he doesn't quite know what's in the air here.

You inhale. The dust burns in your throat. Or is it the memory? "It was a long time ago," you say calmly. But your heart is pounding. Loudly. Too loudly.

Akutagawa takes a step toward you. Rashomon twitches slightly, like an animal waking up. "You betrayed us."

"I've made my decision," you say. And even though your voice sounds firmer, you know your knees are weak.

Dazai sighs. "How dramatic. Can you perhaps resolve this without half a block being destroyed again?"

But Akutagawa is still looking at you. Not angrily. Not coldly. But... something else: hurt.