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A title sequence begins, showing a large green field. Soft music plays in the background as orange blossom petals fly by. The camera zooms in like a sparrow, soaring through the open prairie, before landing on a large Orange Blossom tree. The words “Late nights with Suzuki-san” are spelled out by the petals before the screen fades to black.
A woman sitting in a lounge chair appears on screen. She seems to be in her early 40s, with straight black hair pinned back in a bun. Not someone you’d look twice at when walking down a street, but the air around her radiates confidence and self-assurance. She’s wearing a dark blue blouse with a knee-length pencil skirt. Her teeth are bright white as she smiles at the camera before addressing the audience.
“こんばんは everyone! As always, it’s your gracious host, Suzuki Akemi. Here with me tonight are the members of the up-and-coming band The ADA!”
The audience cheers as the camera zooms out to show five people sitting on a brown leather couch opposite Suzumi. They all wave and smile to the camera, the second-tallest of them even gives it a wink before smiling back at the hostess. Multiple “DAZAI-SAN”s can be heard from the audience as fans fawn over the group.
“Thank you for having us, Suzuki-san.” A man with long blonde hair replied. He’s dressed rather formally compared to the rest of his bandmates.
“The pleasure is all mine, Kunikida-kun! Now, if you guys would indulge me, could you tell me where your band name came from? I’ve heard a lot of fans were curious, yes?”
Cheers once again erupted from the crowd as a loud collective “YES” could be heard. Kunikida just sighs, already knowing where this is going. A mop of wavy brown hair jumps in front of his face as a bandaged arm waves around as if to be called on.
“Oh! Oh! I can answer that question, Suzuki-san! Our beloved Ranpo-san came up with the name!”
“DAZAI! Get off-”
“Really? Isn’t he the son of your company's owner?” Suzuki asked, cutting off Kunikida’s yelling as he bashed the brunette aside. The blonde started berating him as the 22-year-old pouted, rubbing at his head. Yosano just huffed a laugh as Tanizaki tried to calm Kunikida down. The hostess could feel her eye twitch at the sight of the display.
“Uhm, y-yes it is, Ms. Suzuki.” Atsushi said, trying to take the attention off his bandmates. He fiddled with his jacket's sleeve. The 18-year-old was not yet used to interviews.
“Ranpo-san is a very close friend of Yosano-san’s, so when she first mentioned wanting to start a band, he offered to help.”
“Oh, is that so! It can be very useful to have such friends in high places.”
“It can indeed, Suzuki-san. But I wouldn’t refer to Ranpo as a friend,” the purple-haired woman giggled. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear before neatly smoothing out her knee-high skirt.
“Ranpo-san is more like a brother to me. We have known each other for quite some time, ya’ know.”
Suzuki gasps playfully. “Is that so? If I remember correctly, you were actually adopted by Fukuzawa-san ten years ago, correct?”
Yosano nods. “I’ve been a part of the family since I was 14, but it took Fukuzawa-dono some time before the adoption was legalized.”
“I didn’t know that Ranpo-san and Yosano-san were siblings till a few months ago, actually,” Tanizaki adds, fidgeting slightly.
“I’m pretty sure most of us weren’t aware, actually. We only found out after Naomi-kun, Tanizaki-san’s younger sister, asked us if we had any siblings.”
“Now I’m quite interested myself. Do the rest of you have any siblings?” Suzuki asks, slightly tilting her head to the left.
“Ah! I have a younger sister! She’s in middle school at the moment.”
“I have a younger sister as well, though she is still in the fifth grade.”
Dazai tilts his head to the right before sighing, “I have a younger sister as well. She’s so sassy, though! And so bratty, I don’t see how we’re related at all!”
Kunikida rolls his eyes. “I can definitely see the resemblance…and it’s common knowledge that you’re both adopted, so obviously you two would have differences.”
“Kunikida-kuuuuuun! Are you thinking about me?” The brunette flutters his eyes.
“No! All I meant to say is that you are BOTH spoiled. You were a childhood prodigy, yet you still make me pay for everything. I can only think it’s due to how you both were raised.” Kunikida grumbles.
“Oh, that's right! You are quite the talent, Dazai-kun. Though I am curious, is there a specific reason you left Mori Corporations? Mori-san is your father, isn’t he? I would have expected you to take over after him as the head of the business.”
Dazai goes quiet for a second, almost stunned by the question. The other four on the couch shuffle awkwardly.
“There wasn’t really a reason. I just wanted to take a break from the classical music scene and focus on myself, that's all.” He smiled ‘sweetly’ at Suzuki; it seemed plastic with the way it slipped on so easily.
Suzuki smiled back faintly before nodding. “That’s understandable. I was a huge fan of your compositions. Are you still fond of the piano?”
“Ah, not really… I can still play if that’s what you’re asking, but I find it gets tiring after a few years, at least it did for me.”
There was an awkward silence for all of about three seconds before Kunika loudly cleared his throat. “Why don’t we change the subject?”
“Ah, yes! My apologies, why don’t you guys tell me about the song you’ll be playing later? It’s not like one of your normal ones, I’ve heard. What’s it about?”
The band turned their eyes to Dazai, who looked surprised a bit before sighing. “The song we’ll be playing today is called Alley Rose. I- uh wrote it myself. It’s quite dear to me, and if I’m being honest, I was hesitant to add it to our track list.”
“May I ask why that is?” Suzuki questioned.
“Alley Rose was a song that I first composed when I was 18, right after quitting the piano, actually. It’s one of the first songs I’ve ever written, and reminisces on the relationship I was in at the time.”
Suzuki leans in a bit, “Well, now I’m even more excited to hear it! Is there anything else that makes it different from your other songs? You guys mainly create ‘pop punk’, correct?”
At this, Yosano nods, “Yes, that’s correct. However, I would say that this song is mainly in the ‘pop’ category.”
“That and it’s in English, so it’s quite different than our usual,” Tanizaki adds.
“It’s sung in English? I didn’t know you guys were multilingual!”
“Not all of us are, I can only speak Japanese… though I’m pretty sure Kunkida-san knows English and Chinese.”
Suzuki looks towards the blonde, who nods in agreement. “I can also speak Korean and am currently learning Russian.”
“Well, the more you know! I wouldn’t have guessed you knew so many languages, Kunikida-kun!”
Yosano snickers. “Wait until you learn how many Dazai knows. I almost didn’t believe him at first.”
“Dazai-kun?”
Dazai sits up, smiling slyly while glancing at Kunikida, “I know how to speak a total of ten languages, and am currently learning two!”
The host gasps in delight. “Really?! Which ones?”
Holding out his hand, he starts counting them off one by one. “Well, I know Japanese, of course, English, Chinese, Korean, Russian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Vietnamese. The two I am currently learning are Latin and Greek.”
Suzuki stares at him in shock. “Wow, Dazai-kun, that is very impressive! I can’t wait for you to show off your talent, and who knows, maybe that French will come in handy with our special guest tonight!”
Dazai looks at her, confused, but Suzuki simply smiles it off and turns to the camera. “Make sure to tune in after this break to listen to The ADA’s new single Alley Rose!!”
_____
The lights are turned down as the camera pans to a stage. Kunikda looks at the rest of the band, checking to make sure everything is set, before giving Tanizaki the go-ahead. Hearing the first key of the keyboard, Dazai takes a deep breath before beginning.
“I picked you up from the corner store… Your eyes were red and your lips were torn.”
Dazai could remember it clearly. The shape of his nose, the curl of his hair, the freckles splattered like stars across his body.
“So much you say that subjects sore, so much you’ve changed since you were born..”
This song always made him go back to that day. The last day. He barely remembers the first. That man being so engraved into his life, his mind, his soul, he doesn’t think there was a day before the last that he spent without him.
“You wrapped your fingers around my neck, and pulled me into your desperate breath-”
—
4 years earlier…
—
He got the text at 6:45. Nothing too extravagant, just a simple:
“Come pick me up”
Obviously, he knew it was Chuuya. Who else would text him on a random Tuesday? No one else had his phone number (he blocked Mori earlier that day for being annoying), well, except for Odasaku, but the man always calls. He sighs, walking towards the back of the corner store, where he knows the ginger is most likely waiting.
Turning the corner, the brunette stops. Chuuya was sitting at the base of the wall, blood dripping onto his white shirt. It looked to be coming from his nose, but he couldn’t really tell with the way his lip was bleeding profusely. Dazai took a tentative step forward.
“Chuu? What happened?”
The other man sluggishly lifts his head. “‘Zai? Don’t worry about it. I just need some help getting back home.”
Dazai simply sighs before nodding, walking towards the wall where the other is sitting. He assesses the injuries. They don’t look too serious, but knowing from personal experience, that isn’t always the truth.
“Alright, chibi, let's get you home, yeah?”
Chuuys nods slightly before hissing a bit in pain. “Yeah. Don’t call me chibi, you stinky mackerel.”
“Whatever you say, slug.”
—
“You told me ‘I’m just so nervous, dear..’ Well, how the hell do you think I feel?”
Dazai snaps back to the present, just now realizing that they were on the second verse. The song was so engraved into him that he sang the chorus without even realizing it. He shakes his head a bit, trying to get his mind together. Yosano sends him a questioning glance, but he just smiles at her before continuing.
“I waited all year at your feet, like maybe you’d love me! So~”
“Don’t leave me hanging alone again! Don’t leave me hanging alone again!”
He can hear the crowd singing along. Some of them were butchering the English, but he didn’t care. This is what he loved about music, what he loved about songwriting. Bringing people together, no matter the genre, no matter the language. He could hear it at their other concerts. The non-Japanese speakers butchering the songs, but singing along the best that they can. The way that some of the other fans would try to help them out by teaching them the correct pronunciation.
He saw it all. The fan videos, the comments. He kept every piece of mail, every drawing, every letter. His music was one of the reasons he lived, and his fans were an extension of that. He hopes they could feel his gratitude. That HE feels his gratitude. Chuuya was his first-ever fan. The one who got him into singing in the first place. Every song they make is for their fans, but every song he writes is for Chuuya.
“And I~ Don’t even care, if it makes me sound insane~! I ran my fingers through your hair, and I thanked God to touch the flame.”
He can feel his phone vibrate in his pocket. Hopefully, it isn’t too important. The only person he could think of who would text him at this time is Odasaku, but he knows he has an interview. In fact, the man is probably watching it right now with his gaggle of orphans. Maybe it could be Ango, but he’s probably with Odasaku. The two are basically attached at the hip.
“And that if you ever leave me, that I’d be the reason why.. And I don’t even care if it’s just a summer fling! If it’s all experimental, and you go back to safer things!”
“‘Cause I swore hands were made were fighting,”
They weren’t, he knew that now.
“I swore eyes were made to cry,”
He didn’t cry as much anymore, and while he loathes to admit it, he cried a lot when writing this.
“But you're the first person that I’ve seen, that's proven that might be a lie~ so… don’t leave me hanging alone again… Don’t leave me hanging…”
Their chat log has been inactive for four years. They made a bet, yeah, but it still hurts, still feels like a part of his soul was in France.
“Oh, where’d you go go, Alley Rose, Oh where’d you go go go~ AHH~”
Atsushi and the others continue to sing the rest of the chorus and the outro. Dazai catches his breath a bit, trying not to huff into the microphone. The ending part of that section always took it out of him. The next time they sing this, he’ll have to tone it down a bit. He takes another deep breath before adding his adlib and finishing off the song.
“Oh, where’d you go go go~?”
The audience erupts in applause, and it’s hard not to keep a smile. He can remember when he hardly smiled at all. His world was dark then. Walking in a deep black miasma that only he could walk through. And even though he could, he didn’t. He sat there while the miasma ate away at him, almost covering him completely. Before a quick flash of light, a flame broke through the darkness. And suddenly, he wasn’t alone anymore, because there was a hand pulling him out and helping him walk again.
—
“お帰りなさい! I must say, Dazai-kun, that song was beautiful. It almost brought me to tears, and I’m sure everyone else agrees, right?”
Cheers erupt from the crowd a third time, while the blowing of noses could be heard all around. The brunette smiles sheepishly at the host.
“Thank you, Suzuki-san, I really appreciate it. Though I can’t take all the credit, ya’ know! These guys helped me a lot when it came to adding the instruments; I only wrote the lyrics.”
Yosano leans over Atsushi and pinches Dazai’s arm. “Don’t sell yourself short, bozo. You’re quite literally our lyricist, let her compliment you.”
Dazai rubs his arm lightly, his lower lip puckering out in a pout. “Yosano-saan~ that hurt, ya’ know!”
Suzuki chuckles at their bickering. It was different than the type Kunikida and the brunette displayed earlier. A lot more familial, and in a way, it reminded her of her own two children.
“The two of you must be very close, yes?”
The younger woman startled at the question a bit. Leaning back into her seat before answering. “Yes, we are. I’ve known Dazai for a couple of years now, actually.”
“Yes, yes! I’ve known Yosano-san since I was 16.”
“That’s quite a while! How long have the rest of you known each other?”
“Ah,” started Astushi, “ Tanizaki-san and I are actually classmates, so we’ve known each other for a while, but I met Dazai-san a few months before Yosano and Kunikida-san.”
Suzuki nods, “Yes, that’s right, he was your mentor.”
“Yeah, he was the one who suggested I join. I was a bit sceptical at first, but I’m really glad I agreed!”
“Awe~ Atsushi! I’m glad you joined too, what would I do without my little mentee!” Dazai exclaimed while tugging the younger male into his side, rubbing his face on his head.
“Ah- Dazai-san!”
Kunikida sighs, a small smile appearing on his face. “I’m happy you joined too, lad, you too, Tanizaki. The band wouldn’t be the same without you.”
The orange-haired man blushed at this, “T-thank you, Kunikida-san.”
“Awe~ let’s not get sappy now, we’re still on live TV.” Yosano snickers.
“It’s fine, Yosano-kun, I’m sure the fans don’t mind this cute moment. Ah! That does remind me, though, I did promise a special guest, didn’t I?”
The members immediately look up at this. Who could this special guest be? Whispering could be heard from the audience, all of them wondering the same thing.
“Please welcome Japanese-French actor and model, Nakahara Chuuya!”
The audience goes crazy as the ginger male walks on stage, sitting in an armchair next to the couch. The two 18-year-old band members were outwardly gawking, both of them obviously excited. Kunikida smiles at the guest, giving him a simple greeting, while Yosano nods. Chuuya acknowledges them both, keeping his eyes trained on the band's singer.
Dazai simply stares.
The model chuckles, “What’s with that look, mackerel? You finally decided to take up your namesake?”
“Chibi can’t be talking; he hasn’t gotten taller at all. If anything, I think he might’ve shrunk.” The other responds automatically.
Suzuki looks between the two of them, eyes sparkling with interest. “Oh? Are the two of you already acquainted?”
Dazai simply clears his throat, a light blush spreading across his face. Chuuya raises an eyebrow at him, goading him to reply. The brunette looks at him for a while before sighing.
“I-uhm-well..”
“They used to date,” Yosano states blandly. The ginger just nods.
“Yes, it’s nice to see you again, Yosano-san.”
“You too, Chuuya. Are you back in Yokohama for a while? Let’s go out to drink once this is over.”
“Hm, sure. Though I’m planning to stay in Yokohama for quite some time, so I’ll be seeing you around frequently.”
The woman looks at him with a raised eyebrow, a smirk making its way onto her face.
“Oh? Is that so? May I ask why?”
“Well, you see-” Dazai cuts him off quickly. “Wait!” He stares at Chuuya for a few seconds, blinking his eyes in confusion.
“You’re staying in Yokohama?”
Chuuya just smirks at him. “We had a bet, didn’t we? And I’m prett-y sure I won.” He smiles at the other. His expression mirroring a cat that got the cream. Dazai merely stutters before looking at the other, even more confused.
“What do you mean? I didn’t lose the bet! If anything, you lost it!”
Atsushi looks at the two of them curiously. “Excuse me? But what bet are you talking about, Chuuya-san?”
“Hm? You’re.. Atsushi-kun, right? The mackerel's new mentee?” Chuuya asks questioningly.
The white-haired male squeaks. “Ah! Y-yes! Wait- NEW mentee? Did Dazai-san mentor someone before me?”
“Dazai-kun was the mentor of Ryuunoske Akutagawa before he left Mori Corp, Atsushi-kun,” Suzuki adds in.
“REALLY?! Dazai-san mentored a professional like Akutagawa-san?? I never would’ve guessed..”
Dazai looks at his mentee with a hurt expression. “Atsushi-kun! Are you saying I’m not a professional!? I’ll have you know I’ve been acting in movies since the age of 5!”
Atsushi just rolls his eyes, “I know Dazai-san, but Akutagawa-san is so... Perfect! It’s hard to imagine him needing a mentor.”
“He wouldn’t be so perfect without my mentorship..” The other grumbles quietly, crossing his arms.
Chuuya laughs at the display. “Ya’ know, Jinko, it almost seems like you have a crush on my boy.”
“JINKO?! How do you- did he- wait, ‘YOUR boy?’ are you and Akutagawa-san dating or something?..”
“What?!” Dazai exclaims, turning his head to look at the other so fast, it’s a surprise he didn’t crack his neck.
“No, Ryuu and I aren’t dating.” The ginger responds, chuckling softly. “I’m already taken, and he’s more like a younger brother than anything.”
“Oh!” Atsushi says, his face bright red. “My apologies, Chuuya-san.”
“It’s alright, kid.”
Suzuki jumps in, a little surprised that the conversation managed to get away from.. Again.
“Did you say you were already taken, Nakahara-kun? How long have you and your partner been together?”
Chuuya eyes the brown-haired signer before replying. “My partner and I have been together for quite some time now, about six years, if I remember correctly.”
“Six years? Can we expect a wedding anytime soon?”
The ginger smiles sweetly before addressing the man on the couch, “I don’t know, can we expect a wedding soon, Osamu?”
Dazai’s face turns bright red. He doesn’t even hear Kunikida’s shout of surprise or the way Yosano snickers at the question. He doesn’t even know how to reply. What is one supposed to say to such a question?
“Is Chibi proposing to me?”
The other scoffs, “If anything, you’re supposed to be proposing to me. We had a bet, ya’ know.”
“W-what exactly is this bet the two of you keep talking about?” Tanizaki questions. How did today get so chaotic?
“Me and the mackerel over there made a bet four years ago before I moved to France. Whoever reached out to the other first has to propose, and the winner gets to have the other take their last name. I won, Osamu lost, now I want my ring.”
The brunette sputters. “I did not lose! If anything you lost, by addressing me first!”
At this, Chuuya chuckles. “Did I really?” He pulls his phone out of his pocket before addressing the audience, “Exactly one year ago, famous singer Osamu Dazai sent me a drunk voicemail.”
“Oh no,” Dazai whispers, putting his face into his hands.
“Oh no, indeed. Would you guys like to hear said voicemail?”
“NO!”
“Yes!” Suzuki and Yosano exclaimed.
“Good, cause I’m already clicking on it.”
A bit of static erupts from the phone before you can hear a distant sound of breathing. It was quiet for a few seconds before a distinct voice could be heard from the device.
“Chuuy~a… I mi~ss you! Why did you have to move?” A hiccup can be heard before a sniffle.
“If you come back, I won’t make fun of your height anymore. Though you probably haven’t grown an inch, heh.”
Dazai groans, his ears turning a bright red at the sound of his own desperation.
“Chuu~ya! I-I promise that if you- you come back, I’ll-uhh-I’ll -” A feminine voice can be heard in the background. “Osamu, what are you doing? Are we calling Chuuya? Hii Chuuya! Me and Dazai are out drinking for your anniversary~”
“Go away, Akiko-san! Let me talk to chibi!”
“He’s been real prissy a~ll night, won’t stop whining about you.”
“Yosano-san!!”
Present-day Yosano giggles as Dazai glares at her. “Hey, it’s not my fault you lost your bet.”
“Anyways, hurry up back soon, okay? I mi~ss you~!”
“Shut up, Osamu!”
“Yosano-”
The voicemail suddenly ends there. Suzuki looks back and forth between the two- fiancés? Are they technically engaged now? Before she could ask, Kunikida-san spoke up.
“Could one of you send me the date of the wedding? I need to add it to my planner.” He was already pulling the notebook out of his pocket.
“Ooh! It should be in the Spring, like the reunion of Hades and Persephone!” Atsushi adds excitedly.
“Who exactly is who?” asked Tanizaki.
“Obviously, Chuuya’s Persephone, he’s the one coming back.” Yosano snickers.
It’s Chuuya’s turn to go red as he watches the others discuss his wedding. “Whoa there, let’s slow it down a bit, yeah? The mackerel still hasn’t done his side of the bet.”
Tanizaki eyes the brunette, almost edging him to get on with it. The singer only looks at him with a raised eyebrow. “I can’t really do it now. The rings at my apartment.”
Gasps and cheers erupt from the crowd at what was basically a confirmation. Yosano reaches over to shove Dazai’s side, while Atsushi claps in excitement. It is here that Suzuki decides to end the show. She already knows it’s going to be her most-viewed episode yet.
“Well, you’ve heard it here! Congratulations, Nakahara-kun, Dazai-kun. おやすみ, everyone! And sweet dreams!”
—
As they head off set, Dazai suddenly remembers something. He stops walking and grabs his phone, immediately unlocking it. Chuuya gives him a questioning look, but he just shakes his head, signaling the other to keep walking. Scrolling through his notifications, most of them being from Twitter as fans go crazy about the reveal, he comes across a text notification from Ranpo. It seems to have been sent when the band was playing. All it says is:
“Congratulations.”