PSL (closed)

[foundfate]

[The shop had finally settled again. It was a bit of a relief, because it hadn't anchored to a world in nearly two weeks, and Watanuki's food stores had started to run low. A shopping trip would be in order, mostly to replenish his nonperishable before the shop set out looking for another world in need of his help.

Usually Watanuki could guess when a move was about to happen, but sometimes it happened out of the blue. Like this last move, which had come so soon after arriving in the previous world. That usually meant that his services were in dire need and that people's souls were calling out to him, even if they didn't quite know it themselves yet. Watanuki would just have to wait for them to come to him.

His first visitor, at least, wouldn't take too long to get there. Watanuki always had a sense of when someone was to arrive, and as soon as the shop's gates had opened and revealed itself to the busy streets of Yokohama he had felt the impending arrival of a customer. It was enough to pique his interest, because he didn't usually get a visitor on the same day after a shop move. Someone was very perceptive, it seemed.

By the time his guest would arrive, Watanuki had already set up some tea in one of the sitting rooms. The summer was at its end, and the cool breeze felt nice enough that Watanuki had decided to open the movable doors to reveal the backyard, which was still bathed in the greens of summer. They could stay cool without the need of an air conditioner that way.

From there, he waited. He had a feeling that his guest was a particularly clever one, so he felt sure that they would find their way to the sitting room on their own.]

Comments

[neverwashere]

Maybe, maybe not.

[Dazai was close to saying 'yes,' given the situation he stumbled on outside the shop. Oh, but why should he get straight to the point? He could match the slow pace of Watanuki's unintentional striptease.

He gave Atsushi an encouraging smile and nudged him a step forward.]

This one, though, kept on peeking in, and I figured he might as well satiate his curiosity.

Say 'hi' to our dear proprietor, Atsushi-kun. He just set up shop around a week ago.

[foundfate]

[Atsushi seemed a bit gobsmacked by Watanuki's appearance, and it took a couple tries for his mouth to work properly.]

I- er- yes? I mean, hello. I'm Atsushi Nakajima.

[He seemed nervous, and he looked back to Dazai. Was that a good introduction?

Meanwhile, Watanuki hummed as he hummed in thought. This one was a tricky one, he could tell. Spirits would be all over this place soon.]

So it has been a week already. Interesting...Well, welcome to my shop. Hopefully you find something you are interested in.

[neverwashere]

[Why yes, Atsushi, that was a good introduction. Here, have a thumbs up.

Watanuki's remark caught his attention, though, and he made himself comfortable on the floor, stretching his arms after he sat down. Don't mind him, or how he patted the space next to him for Atsushi to follow suit.]

Yeah, a week. Don't you keep a calendar?

You already know what I might ask for, but I'm afraid my dearest colleague isn't aware yet of what you're offering. 'Wish granting' really isn't the first thing that comes to mind.

[That last part was said more for Atsushi's benefit, and to help speed along introductions.

(Giving Atsushi a hint that Dazai actually had a wish wasn't at all what he intended, but it was too late - the information was already out there.)]

[foundfate]

[Watanuki waved a hand dismissively at that first question. What point is there to time when you're unaging and not on a deadline?]

I keep track when it matters.

[Right about then Atsushi's eyes were going wide with surprise. A wish granting shop? Was such a thing possible?

Actually, he decided to ask that out loud.]

Wish granting? You can do such a thing?

Yes, with some limitations-

I want to make a wish!

[Watanuki blinked a little, but hey, people were quick to make wishes like that all the time. He suspected Atsushi would be one to make a wish anyway, so.]

Very well, what is it you want to wish for?

Dazai-san rarely smiles a real smile. All of his smiles are fake, I can tell, and that must mean he carries a lot of sadness with him. S-so I want to wish for Dazai-san to have a reason to smile for real.

[The wish was spoken firmly and with conviction, though as soon as he got it out he glanced to Dazai a bit sheepishly before adding a final sentence.]

I-If someone can make a wish for someone else...

[Well. What did Dazai think of that?]

[1/2]

[neverwashere]

[ohgod Atsushi you can't just say things like that out of the blue have you no mercy]

[2/2]

[neverwashere]

[More than that, Dazai dreaded the price Watanuki might ask, and he solidly clapped Atsushi's shoulder. Y'know, solid enough to send the other sprawling, and Dazai made himself comfortable with his new arm-rest. That Atsushi couldn't see his face like this was a huge bonus, and he kept his tone cheerful and light.

(In hindsight, he'd be startled with his own reaction - how his concern for Atsushi's toll had somehow come up first before his reflexive dislike for being meddled with.)]

Maa, Atsushi-kun. That's not something you need to wish for. I do smile when I'm alone, you know, and it's not my fault you aren't around to see it.

Is this your way of asking me to stay with you more often? Are my laughs at Kunikida-kun not enough for you?

[foundfate]

You two certainly are friendly, aren't you?

[Watching Dazai knock Atsushi over and lean on him like that, it reminded Watanuki of a certain someone from his own past. Ah, nostalgia.

He did silence Atsushi's protests with an unfortunate response, though.]

Unfortunately, that is a wish I won't be granting.

Eh? Why not?

Your wish is to create a situation in which Dazai-san would smile. I could create that situation, but it would not be guaranteed to make him happy. Despite the situation, he still has free will. If he chose not to be happy even in those circumstances, then that is his choice to make. You would be paying a price for what could turn out to be nothing. And if you wanted me to force him to be happy, well...I think you are not the kind of person who would want to force emotions on another.

[Atsushi does wilt a little, even with Dazai leaning on him. But it was a valid point, and even he had to admit to that.]

But I don't know what else to wish for...

[neverwashere]

[How... considerate. Yet more proof that Watanuki wasn't after profit, and wasn't dealing with such a person something Dazai would have to adjust to?

He gave the shopkeeper a grateful nod, the slope of his shoulders just a little more relaxed, and shifted to fully lean on Atsushi.]

Doesn't have to be now, you know. [To Watanuki:] Your sort of 'inevitability' also means 'it will occur at the right time,' correct?

[Look who's been thinking since their last meeting.]

[foundfate]

Exactly. When it is meant to happen, it will happen. In the meantime, you can take time to consider your options.

[He was a good shopkeeper and a good person, clearly. He also saw no reason to be purposefully malicious to Dazai or Atsushi either, which is why he had decided to explain his thought process.

Atsushi still looked dejected, but he needed to force that feeling down.]

Dazai-san, please get off of me...

[neverwashere]

Ehh? But Atsushi-kun is comfortable, and I've had a long walk.

[No, sorry, he wasn't about to sit upright soon. In fact, he'd start pinching Atsushi's cheek, an attempt at distracting the other from whatever downward spiral was about to start.

(Dazai never did have an easy time, dealing with people doing things for him out of the goodness of their heart. It just wasn't done!)]

More to the point - why exactly were you staring at the gate? Tachihara-san's surprising exit aside, I believe this is not your first time this week to visit the signposts.

[Why yes, he had taken the time to confirm just how often Atsushi passed by]

[foundfate]

Ah- well- you see-

[Classic Atsushi, stumbling over his words. Watanuki also chose not to speak up yet, as he was curious to hear Atsushi's explanation for it.]

It just...felt important? Like it was somewhere I needed to go. Like I was destined to be here or something.

You were 'fated' to be here.

[Watanuki correcting Atsushi's words to 'hitsuzen' was enough to surprise Atsushi and make him look at the man again.]

[neverwashere]

Then, Watanuki-san. Will you be able to determine precisely why that is, given the context of our last discussion?

[Why yes, this was about the Book again. Fitzgerald claimed that Atsushi was a signpost, and given the nature of this shop...

Even if Watanuki himself expressed a strong dislike for the Book, there was still something about this whole situation Dazai couldn't yet put a finger on. Like how Atsushi was specifically drawn to the shop, when he wasn't necessarily one to make a purely selfish wish.]

Or is figuring that out up to Atsushi-kun?

[foundfate]

I can surmise the reason. But as you said, it is up to him to make a wish.

[Yep, sorry Dazai. There were no shortcuts in this journey.]

But if you need time to think on it, there is time. Unless you wanted your wish granted instead?

[Now that was interesting to hear. Atsushi's attention was on Dazai, and his curiosity was plain to see.]

Dazai-san has a wish?

[neverwashere]

[My, my, Watanuki. Why did you have to go give that away.]

So I do.

[Here, he finally sat upright, his full attention on the shopkeeper.]

Your previous customer. Was it related to his job?

[No harm in guessing.]

[foundfate]

It certainly wasn't a personal call, if that's what you're asking.

[Sorry Dazai, no outright confirmation. Privacy and all.]

[neverwashere]

[No need for an outright confirmation. What Watanuki said was enough of a sign for him, regardless of what Tachihara actually wished for.

Things were changing, would be changing. This short reprieve was not going to last much longer.]

That's fine.

Mind stepping out a moment, Atsushi-kun?

[Sorry, he'd rather you not find out.]

[foundfate]

Eh? But I-

[Watanuki clapped his hands, and a pair of girls ran into the room. They were careful to avoid touching Dazai at all, but they scooped up Atsushi and dragged him out to the front yard. He was kicking and screaming while the girls chanted "let's play~" over and over again.

Welp.]

They will keep him occupied. What can I do for you?

[neverwashere]

[He had to clap a hand on his mouth to keep himself from laughing, waving goodbye as the twins dragged Atsushi off. Dazai didn't mind the avoidance of touch - those two were probably Maru and Moro, and they were the ones keeping the barrier running.

(He still thought that was an ability. He had yet to see the girls too closely, how doll-like they were in moments of stillness.)

His expression grew somber, however, once Atsushi was out of earshot.]

Same thing I asked for last week. [His tone was wry.] With a penalty for the exchange of information should anyone wish to know the details. The question will come from me, with you to arbitrate during the face-to-face discussion.

Is that suitable?

[foundfate]

So it sounds like you want two wishes granted. The first is "Give Atsushi the ability to control his tiger form." The second is "anyone who finds out about the previous wish is punished for it". Is that correct?

[He wanted to make sure he understood Dazai clearly before setting the terms of both wishes.]

[neverwashere]

Sounds about right.

[So. What's that added price gonna be?]

[foundfate]

You already know the price for the first wish. As for the second...hm.

[He was quiet for a moment as he thought about what would be an adequate price for secrecy. He had a few ideas in mind, all prices that would be a fair exchange, but before he could name any of them his gaze was suddenly drawn upward, to a point right behind Dazai.]

Ah. There is someone listening in.

[If Dazai looked behind himself, however, he would see nothing there. But he would feel someone's presence.]

[neverwashere]

[He narrowed his eyes. Why did he have an inkling that might be Atsushi?

...I see.

Well. Best get it on, then.

[Price accepted, if that was what it was.

Never mind how his gut clenched.]

[foundfate]

You're not interested in what the third guest has to say?

[Watanuki specified 'third' there to make it clear that he wasn't referring to Atsushi.]

He seems insistent on having you listen to him.

[neverwashere]

...third?

[Uncertainty trickled into his words, and he shifted to look at the space behind him properly. No, he couldn't see anyone there, just empty space. Perhaps he could reach out, try to at least grasp what his senses were telling him was there, in spite of evidence to the contrary..?]

[foundfate]

[When he reached out, his hand would feel a cold spot, as if the temperature suddenly dropped by 10 degrees. That was the only indication that anything was there.]

He says 'Don't do anything reckless.' It seems he doesn't trust me to do right by you.