Loving Dazai

A SIP OF WINE

Dazai sat at a table near the window, his fingers drumming against the wooden surface as he waited. The local restaurant was far from extravagant, but it was quiet—discreet. A place where Kato had chosen to unwind most of the times.

Kato arrived moments later, sliding into the seat across from him without a word. He gave a short nod before signaling a waiter for a bottle of beer. Dazai studied him for a moment, noticing the faint lines of exhaustion around his eyes. He chuckled lightly “You look like hell." he reached for his bottle of beer and took a gulp.

Kato smirked, barely. "Funny, I was about to say the same about you."

Dazai smiled, leaning back. "I get plenty of sleep."

Kato rubbed his eyes, then loosened his tie. He leaned backward and draped his hand on the chair beside him. "How are you holding up?"

Dazai tilted his head, considering the question. "Not much to complain about. Business as usual. Have a deadline for my next painting, exhibition is this weekend, so a little bit stressed"

When the waitress returned, Dazai collected the bottle and poured it into a glass for Kato “We would also like a plate of sushi and some pork, please.”

“Regular portion?” the waitress asked.

Dazai nodded his head. He watched Kato drink from his cup. Dazai noted the silver strands at Kato’s temples, the deepening lines around his mouth. Time had touched him, but he was still Kato. An unwavering steel. He smiled.

Kato settled his glass on the table. "We need to talk about the next shipment. The Ax Circle wants a smooth transition—no hiccups this time."

Dazai nodded “I have some cigarettes” he reached into his coat pocket and brought a cigarette pack and a lighter out.

Kato chuckled as he took a cigarette. He placed it between his lips and lighted it.

It was like déjà vu. Dazai did the same and they smoked at the same pace. “You took the Cinnamon tea?”

Kato's eyes softened, he nodded his head. He blew out smoke before he spoke “Helen added beetroots to it. Turned out f*****g disgusting”

They both laughed.

“She’s just doing her job.”

“She is doing it so terribly.” he flicked off some ash “The boys tell me that Michael is pissed at you. There’s something going on between you and one of the strippers.”

“Who?”

Kato didn’t respond, he just continued to stare at him.

Dazai leaned forward, slightly “Ah I see. Sienna huh?” He feigned a surprised look. He pulled the ash tray and dropped the cigarette in it. “She keeps following me around—”

“And you f****d her.”

Dazai leaned backward and starred at the empty glass “That…that was long before they both started anything” It was a lie. He felt that it was a way to piss Michael off and it worked. He laughed on the inside.

“The feud between you two is becoming childish.” Kato pulled the ash tray and tapped the ash from the cigarette with a slow flick. “You both need to stop. You need a woman? Find yours.”