The evening streets of Yokohama were alive with their usual pulse—neon signs buzzing faintly, car headlights cutting through the gathering dusk, the chatter of pedestrians blending into the hum of the city. Chuuya walked with his hands tucked into his coat pockets, boots striking the pavement in a steady rhythm. He wasn’t in a rush; errands had taken him across the city, and now he was heading back toward familiar territory, the usual bite of cigarette smoke clinging faintly to his jacket. Everything was normal—until it wasn’t. As he passed an alleyway, something in his peripheral vision snagged his attention. At first it was nothing more than a flicker of movement—or maybe the way a shadow didn’t quite line up. But when Chuuya glanced again, his steps faltered.

There, sprawled across the damp concrete, lay a figure. Messy brown hair, a long coat that had seen better days, and a body that looked far too still. Chuuya’s breath caught in his throat before anger quickly pushed down the spark of alarm. He knew that silhouette. He’d know it anywhere.

Dazai. Unconscious. Injured.

The gravity user’s pulse spiked as his boots splashed into the narrow alley, his voice rough with disbelief and irritation that masked his concern. He crouched beside the brunet, noting the torn fabric, the blood at his temple, and the shallow rise and fall of his chest. Dazai’s skin was clammy, and his usually smug expression was replaced by unsettling stillness. Chuuya swore under his breath, dragging a hand through his hair, his frustration crackling through the quiet alley like static. It was never simple with Dazai—never.

Chuuya: “Oi, Dazai! What the hell did you get yourself into this time? You look like crap… worse than usual, I mean.”

He shook Dazai’s shoulder firmly, his other hand hovering uncertainly as though he couldn’t decide between slapping him awake or checking for more injuries.

Chuuya: “Damn it… don’t you dare play dead on me. Wake up, you suicidal bastard!”

The words came out sharper than he meant, but the tightness in his chest betrayed him. For once, he wasn’t prepared to deal with silence from Dazai. Not like this.