cuckfail nikoboy

It wasn’t an accident, it wasn’t a coincidence, it wasn’t a mistake, and it wasn’t even Mori Ogai’s plan—it was a conscious choice made by the man who meant everything to Dazai.

Dazai knows that Oda wouldn’t have stopped if Dazai had been able to reach out and grab his shoulder to prevent his friend from willingly walking into the arms of his killer.

If neither of them had been so stubborn, Dazai wouldn't have asked the bartender to bring an extra glass, which remains untouched.

When Ango spotted Dazai, he froze on the stairs, hesitating to go further into the bar. It was a public place, but Sakaguchi always felt that it belonged more to Dazai than to him.

“I know you’re not to blame for his death. We all warned him. But he was always a headstrong one,” the glass slammed down on the bar counter, spilling some of its contents over the edge, “Don’t think I’ll forgive you. I just wanted you to know.”

Dazai didn't budge. But Ango, too, seemed afraid to even breathe.

Tears welled up in his eyes. Ango knows. He knows that Dazai was just a child who had lost the adult he loved. Ango knows that life taught this little boy not to rely on anyone or blame anyone—because there’s no one around. And he knows that he became an object of contempt because this teenager, wrapped in bandages like armor, proved unable to survive the ordeal that life had sent his way. It’s unlikely that Dazai believes in God. If he were in Dazai’s shoes, Ango would have long since cursed the “almighty” every single day for turning his back on him. He left the child to fend for himself, even though he swore to help with everything, to guide him by the hand through all hardships. But the definition of “fate” fits perfectly. Because fate is beyond our control, and God is not omnipotent.

That’s why Ango didn’t take offense; he tried not to let Dazai’s reaction get to him. It’s hard. It’s no easier for Ango, but there was—and still is—a fundamental difference between him and Dazai: Ango was an adult. And Ango decided to remain an adult until the very end. Even if Dazai causes an accident, Ango will pretend he doesn’t care—after all, they’ve always let him get away with too much; Oda has spoiled this restless boy far too much.

this took me a while because i had something going on...

bungou stray dogs characters don't belong to me!

Oda Sakunosuke, “City of Trees” from Stories of Osaka Life

Like yeah this is Your Vessel. You can kinda change it, but not a ton. At least not without spending large amounts of money or having undesirable side effects. And no you can't choose how your Vessel looks, that's based on your parents sorry. Also as you age Your Vessel will change, sometimes in ways you don't want. Can't really do much about that either.

And all interactions have to be through Your Vessel. You can never escape Your Vessel. If you want to have irl friends they'll have to see Your Vessel. And if you don't show someone Your Vessel, they're going to have an image in their head about what Your Vessel looks like, and its almost certainly not what it actually looks like.