Meanwhile, within the confines of a moving carriage, Dazai sat opposite Akatsuki. He held a small silver pocket mirror, angling it slightly to catch the reflection of his own eyes—now crimson, glowing faintly beneath the dim light that leaked through the carriage windows.
Akatsuki sighed, arms crossed, his gaze steady on Dazai.
"Why are you even coming to my estate? Shouldn't you be resting... or studying that broken ability of yours? Walking cheat code," he muttered, not without a hint of amusement.
Dazai chuckled softly, the sound dry but not without charm. He snapped the mirror shut with a light click, then stretched his neck lazily.
"There's something I want to see—or rather, something I need to confirm. L told me more than I expected… and I'd rather keep certain answers in one place. What I'm looking for… well, you'll see soon enough."
Hours passed. The carriage rolled to a halt before a grand estate, rivaling the scale and opulence of the Carnage family's domain. Towering walls enclosed a manor veiled in ivy, its windows gleaming like polished obsidian.
Dazai stepped out first, his expression unreadable, though a crooked smile curled at the edge of his lips. Akatsuki followed behind, rolling his eyes.
"Try not to act impressed," he muttered.
No sooner had they entered the estate's grand foyer than a flash of green darted toward them. A woman with emerald hair and eyes like polished rubies swept across the room, her silk gown trailing like mist behind her. She pulled Akatsuki into a fierce embrace.
"Aww, mama's baby boy is back!" she crooned, her voice rich and sultry. "Thank you so much for bringing back my necklace, sweetie p—"
Her words cut short.
Her gaze shifted—fixated. Dazai.
With unnatural grace, she released Akatsuki and pinned Dazai against the wall, her face now mere inches from his. The playful warmth in her voice vanished, replaced by something darker. Nostalgic. Possessive.
"It's been so long, hasn't it, darling? Since the Demonic Era... oh, how I've missed you. Still trying to deny me, even now—"
But Dazai slipped effortlessly from her grasp. He straightened his collar with quiet precision, his tone flat yet polite.
"You must be Beatrix… or should I say, Lust? That's your sin, isn't it?" His eyes, sharp and calculating, met hers without flinching. "I'm afraid I'm not the man you think I am."
Her eyes widened—just slightly. Disappointment flickered across her face… and then curiosity. That familiar hunger returned, masked beneath a coy smile.
"Oh? So you're not him… how disappointing." Her lips curled upward, a hint of mischief returning. "But I suppose that makes this all the more… indulgent. So tell me, little rabbit —what brings you to me?"
Akatsuki, still standing off to the side, glanced between the two with growing exasperation.
"…What the hell is happening?" he muttered.