Bungo Stray Dogs (文豪ストレイドッグス)

Odasaku!

What's up?

Sorry to wake you, Sensei.

Sensei?

Why'd you call 'im that?

Just look how wise he looks.

He even gives up his seat when I have guests.

So you're not gonna believe what happened today.

There was a ridiculous shootout inside a warehouse.

Really...

I wound up trading shots with a very energetic group of guys!

Their truck featured a machine gun!

Sounds like a rather hairy situation.

So... those injuries of yours...

I'm assuming you got those from the hail of bullets.

Actually, it was my own fault because I had to pee

and in my rush I tripped right into a ditch.

That so...?

I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go...

So true.

This is Osamu Dazai...

An executive in the Port Mafia, a criminal organization.

In the end, those guys fell right into my trap

and ran away crying, even though I barely roughed them up.

I really thought they'd be able to take me out, but no dice.

I was disappointed to say the least.

We have a saying in the Port Mafia

"The biggest misfortune for Dazai's enemies

is that they are Dazai's enemies."

His body of work is written in darkness and blood.

Makes even the members of the Port Mafia tremble.

He was practically born to be one of them.

Oh, man!

Isn't there some simple, reliable way

for me to commit suicide somewhere?

Doubt it.

Odasaku...

Hmm?

Man fears death, yet at the same time,

is also drawn to it.

Death is endlessly consumed in literature, in cities, in life.

It is the singular event that none may reverse.

That's what I pursue and desire.

Barkeep!

One glass of bleach, please!

We're all out.

Aw, that's a shame.

How 'bout a bleach-based cocktail?

We're all out.

Looks like you're outta luck.

You shouldn't let him talk like that, Odasaku.

Hmm?

He might not go off the rails

if you called him out every now and then.

Ango!

Although a hammer to the back of the head

might work better than words.

Oh, just a tomato juice.

I have to drive.

It's been a while.

How's work been?

Well, today was pretty rough.

Buying the necessary smuggled items was tedious.

After hours of negotiating, all I got was this antique watch.

This rounds out about 74% of transactions that have...

This is Sakaguchi Ango.

He's one of the Port Mafia's intelligence officers.

Just about all critical and classified information passes

through Ango when communicating with outsiders.

The secrets he carries about the Port Mafia

are more valuable than gold.

There must be as many people who'd love

to torture him as there are stars in the sky.

It's not a job for the weak.

So, it sounds like you fuzzed your job too then.

I "fuzzed"?

That's right, we're fuzz buddies!

Come to think of it, it's been a long time

since we first became drinking buddies, Odasaku.

but I don't think I've ever heard you complain about work.

As the lowest ranking member of the organization,

I'm afraid my stories would only bore you.

There you go being secretive...

Come on, tell us about your day.

Let's see, I punished a kid for stealing from a store

in a shopping district that pays us protection money.

I resolved a fight between the lover and the wife

of one of our shell company executives.

And lastly, I disposed of a bomb found behind one of our offices.

Wow! I wanna go out and dispose of bombs too!

Do you think that the two of us could switch jobs?!

You wouldn't be able to handle it.

Yeah, you'd get blown up.

You serious?!

Hey, did you hear that, Ango?

He said blown up!

That I'd get blown up!

As the lowest ranking member

of the organization, the jobs that come my way

are the ones no one else wants to deal with.

You could say I'm basically a glorified handyman.

Moving on, did the two of you come here tonight

for some kind of official business meeting?

Nah, it was merely coincidence.

But I did have a sneaky feeling

that I'd run into both of you here.

Was there something you needed from either of us?

Ah... no.

I just thought if I showed up here tonight,

it might turn out like the old days.

That's all really.

So then what are we toasting to?

Anything you like.

Who says we need a reason?

To the Stray Dogs.

To the Stray Dogs.

Hey Ango, do you have a camera

in your bag by any chance?

Yeah, I use it for work.

Why don't we take a photo?

To remember.

What do you mean?

Yeah, remember what?

That all three of us were here together.

The three of us come here to drink all the time.

Heh.

Whatever you want, Mr. Executive.

Make sure to get my good side, 'kay?

I want you to capture all my manly charms.

I don't want my picture taken.

Uh...

So, why do you suddenly want a picture?

Call it a silly hunch if you like,

but I just have this feeling that if we don't do it now,

we might never have another chance

to prove we were all together like this.

Hey Odasaku, say cheese.

Huh?

As it turns out, his hunch was correct.

That was the last time that special friendship

between the three of us was ever captured.

Because soon after that photograph was taken

one of us would be dead.

Someone of my low status

would ordinarily never enter the headquarters of the Port Mafia.

The reason for his summoning me was unknown,

but his word within the Port Mafia was absolute,

and so I beckoned to his call.

Name's Oda.

I'm here on official business at the request of the boss.

I'm Oda.

Boss, it's Oda.

I'm coming in.

Come on, Elise, just wear the dress. Please!

Just for a bit!

A teensy-weensy little bit!

No!

I don't wanna!

Come on, my dear.

Just try it on, all right?

I put a lot of thought into picking this out.

I mean just look at these crimson frills!

Don't they look like flower petals?

I'm sure you'll look great!

Look, it's not like I hate pretty clothes.

But I do hate you groveling, Rintaro!

Boss, you called for me?

How may I serve you?

Hm?

Now then, to begin...

Yes?

Nothing you hear leaves this room, understand?

Yes, I wasn't even here.

I appreciate you making the time to meet with me,

despite your very pressing issues with that young lady.

What matters did you wish to discuss with me?

Well...

Uh.

Never mind.

I called you here for a singular reason.

I'd like you to find someone for me.

Find someone?

You'd entrust someone like me with such an important task?

I've heard good things about you.

I personally wanted to ask you to carry out this job.

The missing subject in question

is intelligence officer Ango Sakaguchi.

Our sources say he was reported to be missing as of last night.

It seems he never even made it home.

Whether he vanished of his own free will,

or if he was taken away by brute force,

we still cannot say for certain.

As you well know,

his position gave him access to sensitive information.

Such knowledge could be used to decimate us

if sold to rival organizations.

However, taking that element out of the equation,

Ango is still a valuable employee.

If something has happened to him, I wish to help.

Take this with you.