"permanent ones?"

you laughed.

"that's usually how tattoos work."

he hummed thoughtfully, genuinely considering it instead of dismissing the idea. after a long moment, he nodded once.

"...all right."

"...that's it?"

"...i like the idea."

there was no dramatic speech, no teasing, no nervousness.

if it was something that would make the two of you happy, then he didn't see a reason to refuse.

choosing the design, however... that was much harder.

"how about these?"

you held up your phone, showing him a pair of delicate flowers.

he studied them for nearly a full minute before shaking his head.

"too complicated."

"okay... what about stars?"

"too many points."

"...hearts?"

"common."

you sighed dramatically.

"...you're impossible."

"i'm being thorough."

after nearly an hour of scrolling through ideas together, you finally found it.

a simple sword.

on the other sketch, the same sword intertwined with a tiny wildflower.

you smiled.

"look."

tetchou leaned closer.

"...separate, they're simple."

"mhm."

"together, they complete each other."

he was quiet for several seconds.

"...i like that."

the tattoo appointment itself was surprisingly peaceful.

while the artist prepared their equipment, you bounced your leg nervously.

tetcho noticed immediately.

"...are you anxious?"

"...a little."

without another word, he reached over and intertwined your fingers with his.

"you can squeeze my hand."

"...even if it hurts?"

"especially then."

the artist started with you first.

you tried your best to stay still, but every now and then your grip tightened around tetcho's hand.

he never complained.

never pulled away.

instead, his thumb slowly rubbed circles over your knuckles until you relaxed again.

"you're doing well," he said quietly.

you smiled.

"...thank you."

when it was finally his turn, you watched carefully.

"...does it hurt?"

"a little."

"that's all?"

"yes."

"...you're unbelievable."

he tilted his head.

"...why?"

"because i'm over here fighting for my life."

"...oh."

"...i assumed everyone reacted differently."

once both tattoos were finished, the artist wrapped them carefully before giving you instructions for aftercare.

outside the shop, you couldn't stop smiling.

"can i see yours again?"

tetcho rolled up his sleeve without hesitation.

the tiny sword rested neatly against his forearm.

you held yours beside it, where the matching flower curved gently around the blade.

"...they match perfectly."

he looked from your tattoo to his own before quietly taking your hand.

"...they do."

that evening, while the two of you sat together on the couch, you caught him absentmindedly looking at the tattoo again.

"...regretting it already?"

he shook his head immediately.

"...no."

"...then why do you keep staring at it?"

he thought for a moment before answering.

"...because one day..."

he gently traced the edge of your bandage with his fingertip.

"...even after years have passed..."

"...i'll still be carrying something that reminds me of you."

your heart melted.

"...tetcho."

"...hm?"

"...you're really romantic without realizing it."

he blinked.

"...was that romantic?"

you laughed softly before leaning over to kiss his cheek.

"...very."

he smiled a small, genuine smile reserved only for you.

"...good."

because if there was one thing tetcho never questioned... it was choosing something that would let him carry a piece of you with him for the rest of his life.

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"...they found me," you sighed.

your date blinked. "friends of yours?"

"...unfortunately."

before you could explain further, dazai cheerfully slid into the empty seat across from you.

"hello!"

"..."

"what a lovely coincidence."

"you've been following me."

"semantics."

chuuya stopped beside the table with his arms crossed.

"we weren't following you."

dazai looked at him.

"yes, we were."

"..."

"...shut up."

your date looked between the two teenagers.

"...should i leave?"

"no."

"yes."

you and dazai answered at the exact same time.

chuuya pinched the bridge of his nose.

"ignore him."

"hey!" dazai gasped dramatically. "i'm the charming one."

"that's exactly why they should ignore you."

you took a sip of your drink.

"...what do you want?"

dazai clasped his hands together.

"have you considered joining the port mafia?"

"...no."

"have you considered reconsidering?"

"...still no."

"what if i ask nicely?"

"no."

chuuya leaned forward.

"look, you're talented."

"thanks."

"you'd do well with us."

"that's nice."

"so?"

"...no."

he stared.

"...that's it?"

"that's it."

dazai frowned thoughtfully.

"perhaps our presentation needs visual aids."

before anyone could stop him, he grabbed a sugar packet and stood it upright.

"this is you."

he placed a spoon beside it.

"this is the port mafia."

he dramatically pushed the sugar packet toward the spoon.

"see? together."

you looked at the table.

"...that's your pitch?"

"i worked very hard on it."

your date quietly raised a hand.

"can i ask a question?"

"of course," dazai replied.

"what exactly does the port mafia... do?"

"..."

"..."

chuuya coughed.

"...various things."

"legal things?"

"..."

"mostly legal things?"

"..."

"next question."

you rested your chin in your hand.

"i'm trying to enjoy my afternoon."

"you can enjoy afternoons in the port mafia," dazai said.

"we have afternoons."

"that's your selling point?"

"...we also have evenings."

the waiter arrived carrying a slice of strawberry cake.

"who ordered-"

"me!" dazai answered immediately.

the waiter placed it on the table.

dazai happily picked up his fork.

"thank you."

the waiter blinked.

"...sir, you haven't paid."

dazai slowly set the fork back down.

"...minor complication."

without a word, chuuya pulled money from his pocket and paid.

"again?" he muttered.

"you're so generous."

"i hate you."

after stealing exactly one strawberry from the cake, dazai pushed the plate toward you.

"consider this... a signing bonus."

"...you ate the strawberry."

"...details."

"why me?" you finally asked.

"out of everyone in yokohama."

this time, neither of them answered immediately.

instead, chuuya shrugged.

"because you're good."

dazai nodded.

"and because boss wants you."

"i've already said no."

"yes."

"multiple times."

"also yes."

"..."

"...we're very persistent."

your date looked thoroughly confused.

"does this happen often?"

you nodded.

"last week they tried recruiting me at the bookstore."

"that almost worked," dazai argued.

"you hid inside the mystery section."

"it was tactical."

"you whispered 'join us' from behind a shelf."

"...psychological warfare."

chuuya sighed.

"look."

his tone softened just a little.

"if you ever change your mind..."

he slid a small business card across the table.

"...give us a call."

you looked down.

the card simply read:

port mafia

and beneath it...

please answer this time.

you looked back up.

"...did you print these specifically for me?"

"...maybe."

"dazai insisted," chuuya admitted.

"i thought it added personality," dazai said proudly.

you smiled despite yourself.

"...i'm still not joining."

dazai groaned loudly enough for half the café to hear.

"another tragic defeat."

chuuya stood.

"come on."

"already?"

"yes."

"can i at least finish the cake?"

"...fine."

five minutes later, after eating nearly the entire slice himself, dazai finally stood and brushed the crumbs from his coat.

as they reached the café door, he looked back over his shoulder.

"same time next week?"

"...please don't."

"i'll put you down as a 'maybe.'"

"that's not what i said."

"excellent! progress!"

before you could protest again, chuuya grabbed dazai by the back of his coat and began dragging him out the door.

"quit bothering them."

"i'm recruiting!"

"you're freeloading!"

"both can be true!"

their argument faded down the street until all that remained was the sound of your laughter.

your date watched them disappear before slowly turning back to you.

"...are they always like that?"

you smiled into your drink.

"...believe it or not..."

"...today they were actually behaving."

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"it's hot," you observed with a small smile.

"...it is," he admitted after a brief pause, sounding almost reluctant to acknowledge that the weather had won this particular battle.

you disappeared for only a few minutes before returning with something hidden behind your back.

"close your eyes."

he regarded you for a moment, clearly wondering where this was going, before quietly humoring you.

when he opened them again, you were holding out a tiny cat-shaped ice cream, complete with little chocolate ears and a smiling face that looked almost too cute to eat.

"..."

"..."

"you look like you're judging it."

"i am wondering," he said evenly, "whether eating it would be considered a crime."

you laughed.

"only if you let it melt."

he accepted it carefully, as though it were something precious instead of a frozen dessert. for several seconds, he simply admired the tiny cat.

"...it resembles one."

"i knew you'd like it."

a faint smile, so small most people would never notice it, softened his expression.

"...thank you."

you walked together through the park in comfortable silence, listening to cicadas buzzing lazily in the distance. every now and then, you glanced over just in time to catch him taking another careful bite, making sure not to ruin the little cat's face too quickly.

"you're eating around the ears first."

"...i thought it would survive longer that way."

you couldn't help laughing.

"president, it's ice cream."

"...i am aware."

"you've gotten attached already, haven't you?"

he looked away ever so slightly.

"...perhaps."

your smile warmed more than the summer sun ever could.

before the ice cream disappeared completely, you reached over and gently wiped a tiny dot of melted vanilla from the corner of his mouth with your thumb.

he blinked once.

"...thank you."

"you're welcome."

for the rest of the walk, his hand quietly found yours.

the heat hadn't disappeared.

the sun was still relentless.

but somehow, with one hand holding yours and the other holding the remains of a tiny cat-shaped ice cream, summer didn't seem nearly as unbearable anymore.

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꒰ boyfriend!yuji ꒱ who loves physical affection

holding your hand, hugging you randomly, pulling you close, it all comes naturally to him

꒰ boyfriend!yuji ꒱ who hypes you up over everything

new outfit? cool haircut? did literally anything? he’s your number one supporter instantly

꒰ boyfriend!yuji ꒱ who gets protective without losing his softness

he’s kind by nature, but if someone hurts you, the kindness disappears fast

꒰ boyfriend!yuji ꒱ who always tries to make you laugh when you’re upset

even if he has to embarrass himself a little to do it

꒰ boyfriend!yuji ꒱ who gets flustered when you compliment him unexpectedly

suddenly he’s laughing nervously and rubbing the back of his neck

꒰ boyfriend!yuji ꒱ who treats even small moments with you like they’re special

convenience store trips, walking home together, sharing snacks, it all means a lot to him

꒰ boyfriend!yuji ꒱ who listens to you with complete sincerity

when you talk, he pays attention like your words genuinely matter

꒰ boyfriend!yuji ꒱ who loves you openly, warmly, and with his whole heart

nothing complicated, just honest, wholehearted love

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until parent-teacher conferences.

"she's a wonderful student," her teacher said with a warm smile. "very respectful."

dazai grinned proudly, resting his chin on his hand. "i know. she's inherited all of my brilliance."

the teacher laughed politely before her expression softened.

"...however."

there it was.

"she doesn't really interact with the other students."

his smile faded ever so slightly.

"she isn't being bullied, is she?"

the teacher shook her head.

"not at all. it's more that... she chooses to be alone. she doesn't dislike anyone, but she keeps to herself. she spends lunch by herself, does every group project quietly, and leaves school alone every day."

after that conversation, dazai started paying closer attention.

he realized she never came home talking about classmates. there weren't any group chats lighting up her phone, no sleepover invitations, no birthday parties to attend, and no stories about friends she'd laughed with during lunch. when she finished school, she came straight home, completed her homework, read a book, had dinner with him, and repeated the exact same routine the next day.

what unsettled him the most wasn't that she was alone.

it was that she seemed completely content with it.

one afternoon, he picked her up from school earlier than usual.

he leaned casually against a nearby wall while students streamed out of the building in loud groups, already making plans for the weekend. eventually, he spotted her.

she walked with her backpack slung over one shoulder and headphones resting over her ears. a few classmates smiled politely or waved as they passed.

she nodded back.

they continued talking to each other.

she continued walking home alone.

not once did she hesitate.

not once did she look back.

that evening, after dinner, dazai knocked gently on her bedroom door.

"come in."

she was sitting at her desk with a textbook open in front of her, pencil moving steadily across the page.

he walked in and sat on the edge of her bed.

"i've decided to conduct a very serious investigation."

she glanced up with a small smile.

"...about what?"

"my daughter."

"...you're acting weird."

"that's because i'm worried."

the smile disappeared from her face almost immediately.

"why?"

he hesitated for a second before asking quietly,

"...do you have friends?"

she blinked.

"...not really."

"not really?"

she shrugged as if it wasn't worth discussing.

"i know everyone."

"that's not what i asked."

another shrug.

"...i just don't really talk to people."

"why not?"

she looked genuinely confused by the question.

"...because i don't need to."

he stared at her.

"...you don't?"

she shook her head.

"i'm fine."

"don't you ever get lonely?"

"not really."

"you've never wanted someone to hang out with?"

"...why would i?"

her answer came so naturally that it hurt him more than if she'd broken down crying.

she wasn't hiding anything.

she truly couldn't understand why he was asking.

"i go to school," she explained simply.

he nodded.

"i study."

another nod.

"then i come home."

"..."

"i spend time with you."

she smiled softly.

"...that's enough."

his heart tightened painfully.

the next words slipped out before he could stop them.

"...what if i'm not here someday?"

her smile vanished.

"...you will."

"but what if i'm not?"

she looked down at her hands for a long moment.

"...then i'll still have school."

he stayed silent.

"...and homework."

still nothing.

"...and books."

she forced a tiny smile.

"...i'll be okay."

she sounded so certain.

as if she'd already prepared herself for that possibility years ago.

"...who taught you that?"

she frowned.

"taught me what?"

"that you only need yourself."

she was quiet for several long seconds before answering.

"...nobody."

he waited patiently.

"...it just seems easier."

there it was.

finally.

"people leave," she said softly.

"friends move away."

"they stop talking."

"they get busy."

she picked absentmindedly at the sleeve of her sweater.

"...so i figured... why bother getting attached?"

"..."

"it's less work."

those two words hit him harder than he expected.

because he recognized them.

they sounded frighteningly familiar.

he'd spent years convincing himself of the exact same thing.

and somewhere along the way...

his daughter had learned it simply by watching him.

he moved closer until he was sitting beside her.

"...look at me."

she slowly lifted her eyes.

"when i was younger," he began quietly, "i thought exactly the same way."

she looked surprised.

"...really?"

he nodded.

"i convinced myself i didn't need anybody. i thought if i never let people get close to me... then they couldn't hurt me."

he let out a small laugh.

"and you know what?"

"...what?"

"it worked."

"..."

"for a little while."

his smile grew softer.

"...until i realized that being alone and feeling safe aren't the same thing."

he gently tapped the center of her forehead with one finger.

"having people around isn't about depending on them every second."

"..."

"it's about having someone who notices when you're missing."

"..."

"someone who laughs because you're there."

"..."

"someone who's happy to hear your voice."

her fingers tightened around the blanket in her lap.

"...that sounds nice."

his chest ached.

"...it really is."

"i'm not asking you to become the loudest or most outgoing person in your class."

"okay."

"you don't need twenty friends."

"...okay."

"but..."

he carefully reached over and held her hand.

"...don't convince yourself that you deserve none."

for the first time since they'd started talking...

she looked uncertain.

"...i never thought about it like that."

"...i know."

after a long silence, she spoke again.

"...dad?"

"hm?"

"...if i wanted to try..."

she hesitated.

"...would that be weird?"

his smile this time was small, genuine, and filled with pride.

"...not weird at all."

nothing changed overnight.

she still loved quiet afternoons with her books. she still preferred staying home over crowded places. she still wasn't the type to talk to everyone she met.

but little by little... she started sitting beside the same girl during lunch.

she accepted an invitation to study together after school.

she even let someone walk home with her.

small things, tiny steps.

but they meant everything.

a few months later, dazai came home from work and immediately noticed an unfamiliar pair of shoes sitting neatly by the front door.

he froze.

"...there's an intruder."

from the living room, her voice called back.

"dad."

"...yes?"

"...this is my friend."

he blinked.

"...friend?"

she sighed dramatically.

"...please don't make this weird."

his eyes immediately filled with tears.

"my daughter has a friend!"

"...dad."

"she willingly invited another human being into our house!"

"...dad."

"this is the happiest day of my life!"

she buried her face in her hands while her friend tried, and failed not to laugh.

"...is he always like this?" her friend whispered.

"...unfortunately."

before either girl could react, dazai wrapped both of them in the biggest hug he could manage, grinning so brightly it almost hurt.

he knew one friend wouldn't magically change everything.

and that was never the point.

the point was that his daughter had finally started believing something he wished he'd learned much sooner.

that letting people into your life wasn't a weakness.

sometimes... it was the bravest thing you could ever do.

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