The late afternoon sun filters through the windows of the cozy café, casting a soft golden glow across the small space. You sit by the window, staring out at the busy streets, sipping on your cup of tea, lost in thought. It's been a long week, and all you've wanted was a moment of peace, away from work, away from everything.
A sudden, familiar voice breaks the calm silence.
"There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere," Dazai Osamu says cheerfully, sliding into the seat across from you. His dark trench coat drapes loosely around him, and his eyes, though masked by that usual carefree smile, seem to glint with something deeper—something more intense.
You let out a soft chuckle. "You always show up when I least expect it, Dazai."
"Well, that's the beauty of it, isn't it?" he responds, tilting his head, eyes locked on yours. "I love surprises. Especially when they involve you."
You've known Dazai for a while now. He's always been playful, a bit of a flirt, but there's something comforting about him too. At first, you thought it was just part of his strange charm, the way he would tease you endlessly or appear out of nowhere, but over time, there's been an unsettling feeling that you can't quite shake. It's like he's always watching, always near, even when you don't see him.
"How did you know I was here?" you ask, trying to keep your tone light.
Dazai leans back, shrugging. "A lucky guess, I suppose. Or maybe I just know you so well."
There's that feeling again. His smile seems just a little too wide, his gaze lingering a little too long. But before you can say anything more, he reaches across the table and takes your hand in his, gently but firmly.
"(Y/N)," he murmurs, his voice dropping lower. "You've been avoiding me lately, haven't you?"
Your heart skips a beat. Have you? Maybe you've been pulling away, unconsciously distancing yourself from him. After all, Dazai has always been intense, his presence overwhelming at times. But you hadn't meant to hurt him.
"I've just been busy, Dazai. That's all," you reply, trying to pull your hand back, but he doesn't let go. His grip tightens, just slightly, and his smile falters for the briefest moment.
"Busy? Too busy for me?" His voice still carries its usual playful tone, but there's an underlying sharpness that wasn't there before. "You wouldn't lie to me, would you, (Y/N)?"
You shake your head, forcing a smile. "Of course not. It's just work and everything—"
"Work," he interrupts, laughing softly. "Ah, yes, work. That little thing that keeps you away from me. But I know you're lying." His eyes darken, and the playful edge in his voice vanishes. "You see, I've been keeping an eye on you. Watching over you."
Your blood runs cold.
"You haven't been busy," he continues, his thumb brushing over the back of your hand. "In fact, you've been deliberately avoiding me, haven't you?"
"I... I don't know what you're talking about," you stammer, your heart racing now.
Dazai's grip on your hand tightens again, painfully this time. His eyes are no longer playful—they're possessive, obsessive. "Don't lie to me, (Y/N). You know I don't like it when you lie."
You try to pull your hand away, but he doesn't let go. "Dazai, you're hurting me."
"Am I?" His voice is cold, emotionless now. "I don't want to hurt you, (Y/N). I would never hurt you. But... you're making it so hard. You keep running away from me, pushing me away. Why? Don't you understand how much I care about you? How much I need you?"
Your heart pounds in your chest, fear creeping up your spine. "Dazai, I—"
"Shh," he whispers, leaning across the table, his face inches from yours. "Don't say anything. Just listen."
His eyes bore into yours, and for a moment, you're frozen in place, trapped under the weight of his gaze.
"I've done everything for you," he murmurs. "I've watched over you, protected you, made sure you're safe. No one else can take care of you the way I do. No one else loves you the way I do."
Your throat tightens, and you feel tears prickling at the corners of your eyes. This isn't the Dazai you know—or at least, it's not the version of him you've allowed yourself to see. The playfulness, the teasing... it was all a mask, hiding something much darker.
"I won't let anyone take you from me," Dazai whispers, his voice dangerously low. "You're mine, (Y/N). Only mine. And if I have to keep you with me forever to make sure you understand that, then so be it."
His words send a chill through you, and suddenly, you realize just how trapped you are. His grip on your hand feels like a vice, and there's no one else around to help you. The once cozy café now feels suffocating, the air heavy with tension.
"I... I need to go," you manage to say, trying to keep your voice steady, but the fear is clear in your tone.
Dazai's smile returns, but it's no longer warm or comforting. It's cold, cruel. "Oh, I don't think you're going anywhere."
In one swift motion, he stands, pulling you up with him. His arm wraps around your waist, holding you close to his side. To anyone else, it might look like a loving embrace, but you know better. His grip is possessive, controlling.
"Let's go somewhere quieter," he says softly, his lips brushing against your ear. "Just you and me. Doesn't that sound nice?"
Your heart pounds in your chest, panic rising as you realize just how deep you've fallen into Dazai's obsession. You should've seen the signs earlier—the way he always knew where you were, the way he always showed up at just the right moment. You thought it was coincidence, maybe even fate, but now you know the truth.
There's no escape. Not from him.
As he leads you out of the café, his arm still tightly around you, you can't help but wonder if there ever was.