0789 Dazai Osamu/Side Stories/English

## Part 1

New Year’s Eve, Yokohama City

**Dazai Osamu**:
My goodness. It’s lively again this year. Wouldn’t you agree, Atsushi-kun?

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
I guess... U-um...

**Dazai Osamu**:
That was a rather half-hearted response. Take a look. Children are playing so happily.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
No, um, Dazai-san...

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Kunikida-san said we're all doing a major office cleanup today, remember? Shouldn't we head back?

**Dazai Osamu**:
... Atsushi-kun. It’s not like we’re skipping out on cleaning. This is proper work we're doing.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Huh...?

**Dazai Osamu**:
After all, look.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Dazai! Atsushi! If you just stand there, we’ll get separated.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
You two are my guides and luggage carriers. So make sure you follow along.

**Dazai Osamu**:
See? Even Rampo-san is saying so.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
This only happened because you tried to leave and skip out on cleaning...

**Dazai Osamu**:
Oh, is that what happened?

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Kyoka-chan and Kenji-kun came with us too... because you dragged them along...

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
When we get back, Kunikida-san will get mad at you again.

**Dazai Osamu**:
It's fine. This'll be needed later, anyway.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Huh? What do you mean?

**Dazai Osamu**:
Now, now. In any case, we succeeded in escaping from the hardship that is cleaning. What say we enjoy the last day of the year?!

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Ah, come on, Dazai-san! Please wait a second!

## Part 2

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
I understand! I'll make sure we're back in time! Please excuse me...!

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Sigh... I’m glad I brought a notepad...

**Miyazawa Kenji**:
Did Kunikida-san ask you to run an errand?

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Yeah... Everyone has a lot going on, so it seems like there's a lot we forgot to buy.

**Miyazawa Kenji**:
Is it the items written on this memo? It seems like we should split up into groups.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Good point. I was told to be back by this evening.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Wait, what? Kenji-kun, are you by yourself? Where are the others...?!

**Miyazawa Kenji**:
Ahh, the others are over there.

**Dazai Osamu**:
Hey~! Atsushi-kun~! This way, this way~!

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Ngh... Dazai-san's waving with a big grin on his face...

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
What's the matter?

**Dazai Osamu**:
Look, what do you think of these?

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
These...? What are you going to do with a pair of Groucho glasses?

**Dazai Osamu**:
I have no doubt they'll be a big hit if I wear them during the party. Look. Even Kyoka-chan has a keen interest in them.

**Izumi Kyouka**:
Ooh...

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Kyoka-chan, are you interested in these...?

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Wait. More importantly, we have to split up and get this shopping done! This isn't the time for us to be playing around!

**Izumi Kyouka**:
Is there a mission? I'll do it.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
No, I wouldn't call it a mission... It's more of an errand, I guess...

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Atsushi!

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Yes? What’s the matter?

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Take care of this bill.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Huh? Ah, right! ... Wait, you’re buying this much candy?!

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Kenji-kun, carry my things~.

**Miyazawa Kenji**:
Okey dokey! Please leave it to me!

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Kunikida-san's errand included Rampo-san's snacks, but they've already been taken care of.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Atsushi, show me that note.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Ah, okay.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Hmm... Tea leaves for the director, eh...?

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Heheh! I'll choose them for him! Kyoka-chan, lead the way to a tea house!

**Izumi Kyouka**:
Leave it to me.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
If we keep this up, maybe we will be able to make it back to the agency by evening...

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
It's great that everyone happened to be outside...

**Dazai Osamu**:
I told you, didn't I? That this would be needed later.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Dazai-san.

**Dazai Osamu**:
Now then. What else is there?

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Kunikida-san said we're preparing for the party when we get back.

**Dazai Osamu**:
... Ugh.

## Part 3

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
... Kyoka-chan, aren’t those packages heavy?

**Izumi Kyouka**:
I'm fine. But those look heavy for you.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
For me? That's not true. I'm fine!

**Miyazawa Kenji**:
If those are too heavy for you two, I'll carry them, so please let me know!

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Thank you too, Kenji-kun. But really, I'm fine. I'm glad I had people with me.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
I'll bring the director's tea leaves back with me! I chose the tastiest-looking ones in the shop.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
It took you an unusually long time to make your decision.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
I don't know what makes tea delicious, so I was looking for some the director would like.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
I also chose some for Yosano-san! I'll give Kunikida and Tanizaki a share of the candy! Hahaha!

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Rampo-san looks like he’s having fun.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
So this is the last dusk of this year...

**Dazai Osamu**:
Did you have a good year?

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Huh?

**Dazai Osamu**:
Heheh. I was just wondering what you were thinking to the setting sun.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
I was thinking about... how this year is ending.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
When I was still in the orphanage, I never imagined I would spend time with someone like this. So it feels kind of strange.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Also... I was hoping that next year, you'd do your own reports a little more.

**Dazai Osamu**:
Nobody knows what next year will bring, Atsushi-kun.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
You just have to try a little harder, so please do so.

**Dazai Osamu**:
Well, who can say? As the saying goes, tomorrow is another day... Now, we've kept everyone waiting. Let's go.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Hey, you two! We’re going to leave you behind!

**Miyazawa Kenji**:
I'm hungry. I can't wait for the food at the party!

**Izumi Kyouka**:
Let's get back and prepare everything together.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Right... Why don't we head back to the agency?

**Dazai Osamu**:
Well. Let's race back to the agency. If you lose, you'll take care of my share of the preparations! ... Ready, go!

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Huh?! Dazai-san, you're not carrying any of the packages! Ohh...! That's no fair! Dazai-san~!

## Part 4

**All**:
Cheers!

**Dazai Osamu**:
I'm glad we can greet the end of the year without incident again this year.

**Kunikida Doppo**:
What do you mean "without incident"?!

**Dazai Osamu**:
Oh, if it isn't Kunikida-kun! What's the matter? Why are you frowning when we're having a party?

**Kunikida Doppo**:
Whose fault do you think that is?!

**Dazai Osamu**:
What~? Whose?

**Kunikida Doppo**:
It's your fault!

**Dazai Osamu**:
What~?

**Yosano Akiko**:
Oh boy, there they go again. Those two never get tired of that.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
You should just leave them be.

**Yosano Akiko**:
You've got a point there.

**Haruno Kirako**:
That's right. Everyone. Apparently, there's going to be fireworks going off at the square today.

**Haruno Kirako**:
Why don't we all go to watch them after this?

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Fireworks! Fireworks on a day as cold as this?! How interesting. Yosano-san, let's go take a look.

**Yosano Akiko**:
Yes, yes. Make sure to put on your coat before you go outside.

**Edogawa Rampo**:
Director, come with us to the fireworks!

**Izumi Kyouka**:
Fireworks...

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Kyoka-chan, come see them with us! I'm sure they'll be pretty.

**Izumi Kyouka**:
Okay.

**Tanizaki Naomi**:
Come on, let’s go, Jun-sama!

**Tanizaki Junichirou**:
Whoa! Naomi, that's dangerous, so don't pull me...!

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Dazai-san! Let’s go... Huh? Where’s Kunikida-san?

**Dazai Osamu**:
He said he'd clean a little and lock up before heading over.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
What? On his own...? I don't believe it. He should have said something.

**Dazai Osamu**:
I'll go get him, so the rest of you should go on ahead.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Thank you... Please bring him along.

**Nakajima Atsushi**:
Well then, let’s go, Kyoka-chan.

**Izumi Kyouka**:
Okay.

**Dazai Osamu**:
Good grief. Kunikida-kun's diligence is certainly praiseworthy. Although I'd prefer not to follow his example.

**Dazai Osamu**:
Now then, I suppose I'll go pick up our stick-in-the-mud.

The End