This Dazai Is Far Too Gentle

Dazai Osamu had been able to see strange things since childhood. The black shadows behind people would always cackle in a sinister voice whenever their owners spoke, exposing their sticky, repulsive thoughts.

Because of his strange ability, his family cast him out. But a brown-haired boy reached out to help him.

Natsume Takashi was a kind person. Though he himself was passed around like a ball and had no place to call home, he braved the pressure and never once left Dazai Osamu alone.

When he left his family, Dazai Osamu had made a deal. Though he had forgotten what the deal was, the price was that he lost his memories and his eyes.

But after he went blind, Dazai Osamu's hearing became even sharper. He knew that Natsume could see strange things too. Dazai saw people's hearts, while Natsume saw yokai.

Though he could no longer see, he could still hear the yokai talking.

He thought yokai were beings that would hurt people, hurt Natsume, and hurt him.

But after arriving in Hachihara, Dazai Osamu changed his mind.

Everything here was so kind. The yokai were kind, and so was Aunt Toko Fujiwara.

Surrounded by so much kindness, Dazai Osamu was changed by it too.

He kept Natsume's words in mind.

“Because someone was kind to me, I want to share that kindness with everyone.”

Theme: An idea that came to me last night before bed.