Chapter Text
Dazai had always wanted to die. That hadn't changed for a long, long time. She hadn't found a reason to live, not yet, and seeing the blue waters that were waiting for her with wide arms and no land in sight, her lips curled up, as she splashed into the water, not struggling even as her body screamed for air.
She sinks.
Sinks down into the depthless blue.
Sinks until she sees a flash of red…?
That couldn't be. No one drowned and ended up bloody. But, air had already escaped her lungs, replacing it with water, and her eyes closed forcefully before she could figure out what happened, giving into the darkness.
That was good. She could finally see Odasaku again.
Dazai opened her eyes to white ceilings and blaring overhead lights. An oxygen mask had been placed over her nose and mouth, and she could feel the familiar prick of an IV needle in her right wrist. Her vision was blurry, but that wasn't anything new to her. That was always how it had been after a suicide attempt, and it certainly wasn't going to stop any time soon.
What she was more concerned about, was the change of clothes that she had on. Prior to this fiasco, she had been wearing her usual attire that she wore every day when she worked for the Armed Detectives Agency — a long sand-coloured trench coat, the belt of which she left untied. Under it was a black vest over a striped dress shirt that was light blue in hue, a bolo tie, which was held by a brown ribbon and a turquoise pendant, along with beige pants, and dark brown shoes. She usually had bandages wrapped around her entire body too; only her face, hands, and feet are left uncovered.
But currently, none of that was on her body.
A wave of anxiety flooded over her. Were all of her scars on display? She had never taken off her bandages in front of anyone, not even her closest confidants; not even Chuuya. The only time she took of her dressing was to shower, and she even slept with her bandages on. This was… This was weird.
She wore naught but a hospital gown. She could feel the subtle rocking of the room, and given that she had fallen into the ocean earlier, she concluded that she was on a ship. There was a consistent beeping of the heart monitor beside her, displaying her heart rate. She sat up slowly, gaze scanning across the room, and beside her, checking for anything she could use as a weapon. The gun that she kept in her coat was likely confiscated with her clothing, after all.
She cursed lowly under her breath, realising that the top of the stand beside her was cleared; when she'd discreetly pulled on the drawers, all of them were locked. She was about to get off the bed, when quiet footsteps were heard, followed by a quiet conversation. She froze, quickly laying back down onto the bed, eyes fluttered shut as though she was still unconscious.
"How is she, Hongo?"
"Her vitals are all stable. The water in her lungs are dispelled, but…"
"What is it?"
"There are a lot of scars on her body, okashira."
"That's not anything new in the world, you know that, Hongo."
"I know, but still… on such a young girl who doesn't look past eighteen… some of them were even self-inflicted."
"… Let me see her."
A door was pushed open, and footsteps drew closer to her. Dazai's breathing was even, similar to when one was sleeping, and despite her increasing quivering anxiety, it didn't show in her heart rate. She'd been taught in the mafia — any sign of weakness meant death. And so, she buried her emotions down, buried her humanity down.
How ironic, that her ability was called No Longer Human.
"She's still unconscious," Hongo reported quietly, "The scars on her arms and legs are already concerning enough, but she has a lot more under the gown. Bullet wounds, slash wounds, burns, there's even whip marks on her." Internally, Dazai thrashed at the thought of her body being revealed just like that, but she couldn't act recklessly, not until she found out what was going on.
"I thought that she might've been a slave… but there's no brand on her," Hongo continued, "Other than that…" The other man had stayed silent for a long moment, before he spoke, "You say she's unconscious?" That sent alarm bells blaring in Dazai's head, because what? Her act was complete, flawless. There was no way that he could have realised that she was faking it.
"She's been awake since before we started talking outside," he commented, "I told you to keep your Observation Haki active, Hongo." Observation Haki…? What was that? She thought, before her eyes snapped open, and in one second, her eyes were flaring red as her legs were clamped and locked around Hongo's waist, pinning his arms to his sides.
The IV needle had been ripped from her wrist in a quick movement and pressed against Hongo's jugular. "Who are you? Where am I?" Dazai asked, eyes narrowed. Hongo was too calm for her liking, and the red-haired man who stood across her watched on as though he had expected this.
"We can talk after you release him," he spoke slowly, and Dazai's guard only rose. For him to be making demands when his friend was at risk of dying — he was either stupid, mindlessly arrogant or he knew his capabilities were higher than hers. Though he hadn't made any move to stop her yet, Dazai was already betting on the most latter.
"We're not going to hurt you," Hongo continued, even as the needle pricked against his skin. Dazai didn't move for a minute, before she exhaled, pulling the needle away from Hongo's neck and pulling herself off of him. She sat back down on the edge of the bed, clicking her tongue, staring up at the two tall men standing in front of her.
She felt weirdly shorter than usual. She stared down at herself, eyebrows furrowed, before her gaze flickered to the mirror that was placed across her bed, and… What the fuck? Hongo was right. She didn't look like an adult woman, at all. Like she wasn't 22.
Her hair was long, like it was back when she was 16 and still within Mori's grasps. She tore her eyes away from the glass, gaze returning back to the red-haired man. Okashira, Hongo had called him. He was clearly the leader in whatever organisation this was.
"What did you do to me?" Dazai scowled, eyes flashing back to the doctor. Hongo raised his hands in surrender, before answering, "We saw you dropping into the ocean, and Okashira brought you to our ship. I've been giving you treatment ever since."
Dazai couldn't feel the familiar throb of poison coursing through her veins, so she ruled that out. Her suicide attempts had her ironically growing a resistance to toxins, unfortunately. "I'm saved, then? … Tch," Dazai grumbled after a short pause.
Hongo stared at her incredulously, before the red-haired man cut in, "What's your name, missy?" Dazai bristled at his words, before replying slowly, "I asked you first." The grip on the needle that she had so nicely pulled out from her skin tightened again.
"I'm Shanks, the captain of this ship. This is Hongo, our doctor," he answered coolly, "We're currently in the East Blue, close to Dawn Island." Dazai processed his words, before tilting her head, "Are you fucking with me right now?" Hongo's eyes narrowed, about to retort with his hand travelling to the sabre sheathed by his side, when Shanks' gaze flickered over to him with warning, "Hongo."
Unwillingly, Hongo's hand dropped back to his side, while Shanks asked, "Why, do you think I'm lying to you?" Dazai could tell he wasn't lying. Or maybe he was a good enough liar that even Dazai couldn't see through him. "I've never heard of 'East Blue' or 'Dawn Island' before. What country is this?" She just had to confirm her theory.
"Country? Well, I guess if you somehow consider that a country… Goa Kingdom is within Dawn Island."
"… Fuck," Dazai muttered to herself, closing her eyes for just a brief moment, "I don't suppose you'd have heard of 'Japan' or 'Yokohama' before, then?" Silence ensued between the three, and Dazai could only exhale again. "Never mind."
"I've answered your questions. Now answer mine."
"I'm Dazai. Dazai Kuraishi," she replied after some hesitance. Shanks nodded, "That's a start. Then, Dazai… how did you fall into the ocean?" At his question, Dazai could only frown. "I don't know."
"Dazai."
Hearing the strain in the man's voice, Dazai scowled, "I'm telling you, I don't know." She was being truthful. All she knew was that an Ability user had somehow gotten the best of her — she didn't know why her own hadn't activated, but that was it. Next thing she knew, she had been fighting against air resistance and falling to her demise. Or so she thought.
"… Okay. Sorry about pushing it," Shanks conceded, before asking again, "Where were you before this, then?" Dazai sighed heavily, leaning back slightly as she used her arms to support her weight, "Yokohama. Though I doubt you've heard of it."
"You're right," Shanks confirmed her statement, to which she only exhaled in response, before being reminded of her current situation. "Where are my clothes and bandages?"
Hongo replied, "They were wet, so I put them out to dry. I'll go get them for you. About the bandages, I have some that I can give you instead of reusing your old ones." The moment he stepped out of the room, a heavy silence loomed over the infirmary.
Shanks' eyes were trained on her, just like her ones hadn't left his. "Just who are you?" Dazai started, "You could tell I was awake." The captain agreed, "It's one of my abilities. It's called Observation Haki."
Dazai's shoulders were on guard instantly. He was an Ability user? No less, 'one of his Abilities'? He had more than one? No, that didn't make sense. Each person could only have at most a single Ability. He told Hongo to keep his active, which meant Hongo had it, too. Having similar Abilities was possible, but for it to have the same name… No. There's something more to it.
"I can sense presences, strengths, emotions, and intent with it," Shanks continued, "I could sense your anxiety. Though, it was buried down by a lot, so normal people with Haki wouldn't be able to tell." Dazai didn't know if she should feel comforted by his words. What he was saying basically was thrown in her face, telling her that she was being vulnerable.
Hongo returned with her clothes, and she could only stare at the familiar fabrics for a long moment when he held it out to her. "Is something wrong?" Hongo questioned, to which Dazai breathed out slowly, "You're telling me… that when you pulled me up from the ocean, I was wearing these?"
"Yes. Are these not your clothes?" Hongo replied in confusion, looking down at the black coat that he held, along with a white dress shirt, black pants and a black necktie. "… They are. But I burnt them four years ago," Dazai gritted through her teeth, snatching the clothes from him, "Why the hell was I wearing this?"
She glared at the fabrics with all her might, hatred radiating from her soul, as though they would tell her why, instead. Even without Observation Haki, Hongo could feel the depths of the girl's emotions. "I can get other clothes for you," he offered, "Though it might be big on you."
Dazai breathed out heavily, before shaking her head, "No. It's fine. Is there a toilet in here that I can change in, or…" Her gaze flickered between the two men, who immediately caught the implications of her words. "We'll stay outside," Hongo answered quickly with a quick cough, "Ah, you wanted bandages, too." He took out a few rolls of bandages, before asking, "Is this enough for you?"
"… Around five more, if possible."
Hongo nodded, handing her the bandages, before stepping outside with his captain, pulling the door shut behind them. Dazai sighed quietly, before muttering, "Is this your sort of joke… God?" She pulled off the hospital gown, tearing off the Holter Monitor on her body, vaguely wondering why Hongo hadn't done that before he left. Then again, she had already ripped out the IV needle, so it wasn't that much of an issue.
She started wrapping the bandages around her body — arms, thighs, calves, chest, stomach, neck. Satisfied with the positioning, she shifted around slightly, checking that she could still move around freely with it. Then, she pulled on her dress shirt. Now, that was a little easier to get over, since she also wore one as an ADA member. She folded her sleeves up to her forearms, leaving some of her bandages visible.
The black pants, necktie, and coat, however…
She grimaced, pulling on the necktie, because she just didn't feel normal without something pressed around her neck. Then, her pants, obviously, because she couldn't go without it. She had no interest in being a naturist, thank you very much. She stared at the black trench coat for a long moment, before deciding to do without it. She tugged on her hair lightly, wondering if she should cut it short with a quiet exhale.
She pulled open the door to see Shanks and Hongo standing by the entrance, leaning against the wall as they chatted with each other. "You're done changing," Hongo commented, to which Dazai answered flatly, "As you can see."
Shanks hummed, folding his arms, "So… Dazai, how old are you? 15? 16?" The girl sighed at his question heavily, before responding, "About that… I'm actually 22." The two men stared at her, bewildered.
"WHAT?!"
Dazai muttered, "I don't exactly know what happened, but somehow my body is turned back to my 16-year-old one. Which is why I look…" She gestured at her own appearance. Then, she glanced back at them, "I don't suppose you could return my gun to me?"
"Nope," came Shanks' one-worded reply. "Pity," Dazai murmured. She was about to speak again, when her eyes had darted to the corner instantly, shoulders tensed. Shanks watched her action carefully, having already pieced together Benn's presence from his Observation Haki. Though, for someone who didn't know what it was, she probably already had an affinity for it, considering how Hongo still seemed oblivious to it when he didn't activate his Haki.
And, well, Shanks could only sigh quietly. Just because they were in the East Blue didn't mean they should let their guard down — even if it was the weakest Blue. Even if it was the weakest Blue… Damn it. That's why he didn't bat an eye and jumped in right after the drowning girl.
He was being hypocritical, damn it. But he couldn't help but wonder how the girl had trained her instincts, and why she had to. He knew well that women shouldn't be underestimated, and yet he couldn't help his protective instincts when he met one who was in trouble. He really should stop that.
"Captain, how's the kid?" A black-haired man asked, cigarette placed between his lips, and rifle tied to his waist by a sash. Her eyes studied his facial features, before a sparkle appeared in her irises. "Somehow, I have a bad feeling about this," Hongo muttered, to which Shanks smiled awkwardly, "He wouldn't lay a hand on the kid, would he…? Even though she's technically 22… but she looks like a teen…"
"Hey, how are you?" The first mate questioned, scanning the girl's body, "Looks like a lot of bandages… I'm Benn Beckman. Nice to meet ya. I hope Captain hasn't been bothering you too much." Dazai's lips curled up, as she grinned, "Benn-san, are you interested in a double suicide?"
"… Excuse me?" Benn replied, bewildered by her statement. She smiled widely, taking hold of his hand, "I wish to commit double suicide with a beautiful woman or a handsome man. Would you be willing to join me in a double suicide?" Benn blinked slowly, before tilting his head with a slight quirk up of his lips, "Flattered by the compliment, but I'm not keen on dying."
"Ah, pity," Dazai hummed, hands returning to her sides, "Well, I'm up for it whenever you are!" Benn stared at her, before nodding after a long pause, deciding to accept it for what it was, "Sure." Shanks gaped, "What the hell?!" Dazai simply glanced over, before humming, "Ah… I wouldn't mind a double suicide with you too, Shanks-san!"
She clapped her hands together excitedly, "Let's continue where I left off, then!" Benn stared at her blankly, before asking, "And by that, you mean…" Dazai's eyes cracked open, as she smiled, "Death by asphyxiation, of course!"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Groooowwwwllll…
"Ah…" Shanks sweatdropped, before pointing up, "Let's go up to the deck. Lucky's probably made something for you." Dazai beamed, "Oh, great. I hope there's crab." She hummed happily, following Shanks up the stairs.
"… Didn't you just go on about dying?" Hongo sighed, "What happened to that?" Dazai blinked, looking over at the doctor, before responding, "I want to die, but I hate pain! I can't imagine starving to death at all!"
Dazai hummed to herself quietly, as she sat at a table and food was served to her. "Oo, yummy," Dazai chirped, continuing to eat as her gaze flickered around the crew, who were subtly watching her, as well.
What an interesting ship.
Eating her food halfway, she leant back, head tilting upwards as she looked at Shanks, who was talking with Benn quietly at the railing. "Shanks-saaan," she spoke casually, "Is there really no way of getting back my gun?"
"Why do you want it back?" One of them questioned, eyes narrowed in distrust. "Hmm… because if one of you decides to kill me, I'll be defenceless?" Dazai replied rhetorically, "Or something like that~!"
Shanks sighed heavily, before shaking his head in exasperation, "I'll give it back to you, on one condition." Dazai's lips curled up, "Hm? What's it?"
"Win against Yasopp in target practice."
The crew burst into disbelief, with statements along the lines of 'Yasopp is the best sniper around' and 'there's no way she's getting her gun back'. Dazai raised an eyebrow, gaze flickering over to the headband wearing pirate, already prepping his gun, though his eyes stayed on her.
"Sure, I don't mind. I guess I don't get to use my own gun?" Dazai replied, to which Shanks hummed, "You two'll be using the same type of gun. That works for you, right, Yasopp?"
Dazai fiddled with the gun in her hand, trying to get a feel for it.
"Are you sure about this, Okashira? What if she suddenly decides to turn on us?"
"He's right, Okashira. Besides, there's no way a little girl's defeating Yasopp."
"You're not intending on her getting the gun back, are you?"
Dazai nodded to herself slowly after familiarising herself with the weapon, spinning it around her finger. "I'm good to go whenever you are," she replied, glancing at the sniper who stood beside her, posture casual, yet slightly wary.
"How are you with moving targets?" Yasopp asked, and the girl hummed, "Used to them." Her vague answer caused Shanks to raise an eyebrow, folding his arms. As a colony of seagull flapped across, Yasopp spoke slowly, "Think ya can get all of them?"
Dazai's lips curled up, not replying as she simply raised her arm. Without taking aim, her finger pressed the trigger instantly.
BANG!
A seagull fell into the sea, as the rest squawked indignantly, their positions getting awry.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Click.
With five consecutive shots and the gun out of bullets, five seagulls fell into the ocean. Yasopp whistle lowly, "Nice aim." Dazai simply returned a smile, "I've had practice." Shanks hummed slowly, "You're good, but this is average work for great gunmen."
"I suppose so," Dazai answered, "Anyway, the gun's out." Yasopp grinned, "Just give her the pistol back already, Cap. She might just be as good as me." Shanks snorted, before handing the girl back her gun. "Thanks," she murmured, checking the weapon for any scratches. At the grip, the initials 'P.M', 'D.K' and 'N.C' were carved onto it. Her thumb brushed across it with a small smile, before she asked, "So, where's the closest place you can let me off?"
"We're planning on docking at Foosha Village," Shanks answered, leaning back against the railing of the ship, "We've got… a little guest there. Been going back there every once in a while."
Dazai raised an eyebrow, spinning her gun around her finger, "Your kid?" Benn smirked at the thought, before replying, "He wishes." Dazai tilted her head then, before continuing, "A protégé, then?"
Shanks scratched his head awkwardly, before murmuring, "Well, something like that. It's a little ironic, though, considering his grandpa's a Marine. And well, we're, y'know, pirates."
Dazai blinked slowly, before replying, "Well, I did not know, but I see." Lucky commented, "Well, I'd say we're pretty popular… surprised you didn't know. Okashira's pretty much an eye-catching pirate…" Dazai's gaze flickered back to the captain of the ship, who simply grinned, adjusting the straw hat on his head.
Shanks had met all sorts of people in his past decade of being captain, and almost two decades of piracy if you included the time he travelled with the Roger Pirates, including those that were intimidating, though he was rarely affected. This girl on the other hand… She looked harmless, having a petite body that of a 16-year-old like she had appeared to have become despite being a 22-year-old.
He wasn't particularly sure what to think of that, but well. Looks are deceiving. Shanks knew that very well. He thought back to Portgas D. Rouge, captain of the Blackjack Pirates back when they were still active during his own Captain's era. A beautiful woman she was, enough to capture Roger's attention as he fell head over heels for her, but tenacious she was, as well. He could only wonder what had happened to them, as their faces had fallen off the Earth much like the Roger Pirates after Gol D. Roger's death.
The girl standing in front of him, though… Her eyes unnerved him. Staring into them felt like there was nothing behind those irises. The slight sparkle that people usually had was absent; for a moment, he felt like he was staring into a dead person's soul. He quickly tore his gaze away from the girl, just as his navigator yelled, "Land ho!"
Docked on Foosha Village of Dawn Island, Dazai leant against the railing of the Red Force, staring down at the villagers that had walked over to greet the pirate crew happily. "They don't seem afraid about you being pirates," Dazai commented quietly, glancing at Benn who had walked over with a grin.
"This isn't our first rodeo here. We've convinced them that we don't mean trouble, not unless they cause trouble for us," Benn explained, arms folded, "We've been using this place as our base for almost a year now, because Captain can't bear to leave the kid alone."
"I heard that!!" Shanks yelled, shooting a playful glare at his first mate, as he heaved boxes that he had gotten from the villagers back onto the ship. The crew dropped the anchor down to secure their ship, before they started heading down to the village.
"Shanks, you're back!!" A child-like voice yelled, following the pitter-patter of footsteps as he jumped into the Captain's arms. "Hey there, Anchor!" Shanks grinned widely, arms wrapped around the kid securely. "How've you been?"
Dazai watched curiously, gaze rested on the boy who was a literal ball of sunshine. Her lips curled up, reminded of one of her own students. The other one… well. She'd effectively traumatised him as much as she was traumatised herself by another man, so it's not a very good thing to talk about.
It was then the kid had noticed her presence on the ship. He gasped, eyebrows furrowing in annoyance, much to her surprise. "No fair, Shanks! You said you couldn't bring me because I'm a kid, but she's a kid, too!!" He whined, thrashing out of Shanks' arms with a petulant grumble.
"Ah, he's throwing another fit," Benn murmured with a quiet chuckle, while Shanks had tried to placate the child. "Well, I'm definitely surprised to be called a kid by a kid, but well," Dazai replied with a sigh, "But Anchor, really? That's his name? Why would his parents name him that?"
Benn snorted, "That's not his actual name. He's Luffy. I think he's the only one his age in this village, so he was pretty lonely before he met us. Gets along with Captain, because he's as childish as him, too. Tried chasing us out the first time he came here, but was completely enamoured within minutes after Shanks told him about our voyages."
"Is that so?" Dazai hummed, stepping down the ship, while Luffy was somewhat placated by Shanks, who was now holding the calmer child back in his arms. A girl had walked over, too, with green hair and a yellow kerchief.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Makino," the girl smiled politely, "I'm happy to meet another girl around my age." Dazai smiled in response, deciding not to comment on her actual age, before she greeted, "I'm Dazai. Dazai Kuraishi. Nice to meet you, Makino-chan."
"I'm so sorry about Luffy. He's been asking Captain Shanks to bring him along for a long time now, so when he saw you, he just snapped…" Makino murmured, glancing at Luffy who was still pouting, "I heard from the others that they managed to pull you out from the ocean, I'm glad you managed to survive that."
Ah, she was such a kind and gentle soul. Dazai would've loved to ask her about committing double suicide, but alas, she had standards and she would not stoop to ask a minor. She could however admire her beauty. Once again, Dazai decided not to comment on her suicidal tendencies, as she followed the girl where she brought the rest of the pirates — to the bar.
Her ears were pricked up instantly, as she declared her want for alcohol. "Are you sure?" Shanks muttered, glancing at her worriedly, "I mean, you're technically an adult, but your body isn't…"
She glanced at him, unamused, "Since when did pirates care about following rules?" Besides, she'd been drinking since 16, trying to die by alcohol poisoning, but they didn't need to know that. Benn snorted, "She got ya there, Cap." With that, she was handed a beer mug, and despite preferring hard liquor like whiskey, she could still enjoy a nice, cold beer.
She tilted her head back, letting the liquid flow into her mouth, as she swallowed it. Ah, it's been a while since I've had alcohol, she thought. Sitting down at the counter seat, the kid from before had clambered beside her, and then Shanks sat down on the one beside him.
"You!" He yelled, pointing a finger at her, "I'm gonna become a pirate better than you!" She raised an eyebrow, before replying with a curve of her lips, "That so? Good luck with it, then." He faltered, baffled by her 'nice' behaviour. "You're supposed to be mean and tell me a kid can't be a pirate!!" He argued, huffing at her.
"So you want me to be mean?"
"… No…"
Dazai had never been good with kids. She doubted she ever would. Just think about the two children that she had taken care of back in the Port Mafia. Both of them were currently homicidal maniacs.
"Heeyy! Tell me about your adventures, too!" Luffy cheered excitedly, looking at Dazai excitedly. "Erm…" Dazai muttered awkwardly. Beside her, Shanks witnessed her predicament, but instead of helping her out, he decided to set fuel to the fire.
"Tell us, too. I'm quite curious about you, Dazai," he grinned, looking at her with a stupidly optimistic smile that made her want to slam her head onto the bar counter and hopefully die from it. Unfortunately, her motto was to have a clean, bright and cheerful suicide without bothering anybody. She also would feel bad for Makino, whom despite her age, was the owner of the bar she was in, and she didn't want her to have to clean the blood out of the wood.
It was really hard to get blood out of wood, speaking from experience. Also, it would hurt really badly, and Dazai didn't like pain.
She could only grimace as she thought back to her 'adventures', that included torturing people, killing people, creating strategies that involved killing people, killing herself, finding a hallucinogenic mushroom while trying to find a poisonous one to kill herself…
They were definitely not kid-friendly.
"You don't have to force yourself to talk about your past if you don't want to," Benn reassured after her long silence. "No, I…" Dazai hesitated, before sighing heavily, "All of the stories I have are kind of morbid… I don't really think it's appropriate." Meanwhile, Luffy was growing impatient, eyebrows furrowed. "Heeeyyy!! Why're you not talking?!" Luffy whined.
Somehow, he seemed to have warmed up to her after realising that she was in fact not in Shanks' crew. "Luffy, we talked about this, remember?" Makino chided gently, "Some people have things that they don't want other people to know. We don't push them, okay?"
"Okay…" Luffy's dejected whine had Dazai wincing in awkwardness, as she flashed Makino a thankful smile. The bartender gave her a thumbs-up, while Luffy had perked back up instantly, "What's your name? I'm Monkey D. Luffy!"
"Dazai Kuraishi."
"Nice to meet you, Isshi!!" Luffy grinned widely. Dazai raised an eyebrow at the sudden nickname. "Isshi…?" She repeated slowly. She wasn't used to anybody calling her by her name. Most, if not all the people she knew referred to her as 'Dazai'. The last time someone called her by her name was…
She was snapped out of her thoughts by Luffy who huffed, "Your name is too long! I can't pronounce Kuraishi!"
"… You just did," Dazai commented, but Luffy only continued to pout, "Isshi is Isshi!!" And with that, she gave up. "Alright, alright. Isshi it is," she conceded with a quiet sigh, moving to pat his head gently.
Luffy preened at the physical affection, beaming up at Dazai, who faltered for a moment, before ruffling his head again. Her stomach felt queasy. She didn't really know what to do with kids. They'd only ever stared with her with fear or hatred, or some sort of negative feeling.
This was new.
She didn't know if she liked how it felt.
When she retracted her hand a few seconds later, she moved to gulp down her beer, before muttering a quiet 'I need some fresh air' before leaving the bar.