Memories | Dazai X Reader

Three • Freezing Time • REWRITTEN

. . .

Everything has altered, and even his definition of a home has changed. Either way, Dazai gets to go back to a home that doesn't feel familiar the next day.

To say that you were glad to hear the news of Dazai being able to come home was an understatement. Of course, you wanted him home. Of course, you wanted to see him immediately when you woke up except for the fact that the news of how severe Dazai's amnesia was something none of you wanted to hear.

And who would, really?

Even if Chuuya and Oda were pessimistic the night before, it was also them being rational in a way. Despite them considering the possibility of...

No one expected it to happen, and in a way, the pessimism did make things lighter. Expecting the worst means that you have nothing to be disappointed in. So, considering the possibility of Dazai's memories being affected made it less of a shock when the news was given.

Now, the three of you once again walk into the hospital to meet Dazai. He's properly dressed this time, and you all internally wince knowing that he's wearing what he had worn in the accident. Of course, Dazai knows this, and it makes him feel a bit funny cause he doesn't even remember the accident.

He smiles when the three of you enter, and he greets you all with your names.

At least there's some sort of progress.

Ranpo has to fight the urge to say that he scored when he got your names right, but Fukuzawa intensely stares at Ranpo, signalling him to stay quiet.

"Well, he's free to go home," Fukuzawa announces, putting down some papers and keeping them aside. "Make sure that he's comfortable, surround him with things that may seem familiar, try to use familiar phrasings, you get the idea," he continues, listing the jist of things.

"Bye, Dazai!" Ranpo suddenly yells, enthusiastically waving at him. The voice startles you all, but Dazai responds with an almost equal amount of enthusiasm. "Goodbye, Ranpo."

Just before the three of you are able to leave, Fukuzawa calls you to stay for another moment.

Of course.

Things felt like they were going too smoothly.

Dazai, Chuuya, and Oda leave the room, letting Fukuzawa speak with you.

"As the person who's going to be with Dazai the most and someone who has a different relationship with him, I just felt like giving you some extra pointers. Clarity, if you will," Fukuzawa says. "For familiar phrases, I suggest you start the mornings with a key memory of his–preferably something you were in, too. This'll help note progress of any kind," he continues to explain. He furrows his eyebrows and sighs, "There is no promise that he will remember, but, the least any of you can do is try."

You nod your head slowly. It's hard not to think about the possibility of Dazai never remembering. Even though the relationships Dazai has with other people are damaged, nothing is more damaged than himself.

Maybe that's how he was always supposed to be, and God–or whoever–wouldn't allow that for him. After all, life was by no means a place of childlike simplicity.

After that, Fukuzawa lets you join the rest of the group and go home.

In the hospital room, there's a sudden silence, but it's quickly broken as Ranpo starts to speak.

"You know, something about this doesn't seem right," he states, talking with a lollipop in his mouth. Fukuzawa raises his eyebrow, confused just as much as anyone else would be, "What do you mean?"