Drowned

Anjuin used to live to protect the world, Sensei...

But now, it's his turn to live for himself. (Probably)

*

"Kayo, stay alive."

"What about you, Jun?"

"Wait for me to come back."

"Are you really... coming back?"

*

"Jun, I can see you..."

"Goodbye. (Sayonara)"

*

"Hey, do you really think there's any meaning to being alive?"

"No. But you guys are the reason I keep living, Dazai."

[Aside:

Mom: Sweetie, why did you fall for Oda-san?!

Kayo: Don't you like Oda-san?

Mom: ...Well, actually, I do.

Kayo: Then what's the problem?

Mom: ...But wasn't your original pairing with Dazai?

Kayo: ...

Mom: So what am I supposed to do with the rest of the story?

Kayo: Figure it out.

(A whole bunch of scenes drift through my mind.)

Kayo: You can write it now, right?

Mom: Oof... Sweetie, how about I take you over to Haitang?

Kayo: In your dreams.

Mom: B-but (wipes drool) it's so good...

Kayo: I'm not like that guy Kam over next door. He'd love to go to Haitang, but you don't write for him either.

Mom: He's interested in way too many people, and wants to do way too many things, so let's just forget it...

Kayo: So I'm fine? (Face darkens)

Mom: ...Well, I was just thinking about it.

Kayo: Never mind. Hand me the pen. I'll write chapter three myself.

Mom: Okay. (Quietly hands over the pen)

(Some time later, Mom comes to check on the progress and finds a sweetie with a bright red face.)

Mom: Sweetie... (lets out a shriek)

Kayo: ...W-what? (Looks up, dazed)

Mom: Stop writing. These, these, and this part too, delete them right now.

Kayo: No! (Hugs all of his work)

Mom: This isn't about whether you want to delete it! It's that none of this can be posted!!!

Kayo: ...

Mom: It's fine for you to read it yourself, but there's no way it can be posted on JJ.

Kayo: Fine.

(After deleting a whole lot...)

Kayo: Stop deleting! You're going to delete everything! (Grabs her hand)

Mom: All right, all right. Sweetie, you sure can write. (Heart pounding)

Kayo: ...What are you doing?

Mom: Thinking of a new title.

Kayo: ...Not for this story, surely?

Mom: For this very story. (Firmly)

Kayo: Don't. You're better off letting me come up with the title. You're terrible at naming things.

Mom: ...Ouch, sweetie.

Kayo: So let's just keep using the title I came up with.

Mom: Okay. (Exhales her soul...)]

Theme: Mutual salvation.