Canon is Bungou Stray Dogs, on the new ending

[houndofcalamity]

Your gall would be impressive if it weren't displayed so shamelessly. After dropping out of contact for no reason beyond your own weaknesses you resurface just to scream ceaselessly about something so ridiculous.

Do not presume that I want or need your empathy or pity.

Comments

[gekkajuu]

...

[He shouldn't say anything. It can't possibly lead to anything good, and he knows it. But he wants to say it.]

I'm glad. That you got what you wanted.

["Will get what you want", perhaps; time is a strange thing in this place.]

[houndofcalamity]

[The comment earns Atsushi a warning glare.]

You do know know what I want, mantiger.

[gekkajuu]

That's a silly thing to say when you've practically told me as much.

[Timelines are strange, but in retrospect, the signs were there since that fight on the ship, nevermind the far less subtle statements later. Not that Atsushi knows the details. And he doesn't need to, but... he's curious. Especially because everything Dazai means to Atsushi is so very different from what he associates with Akutagawa.]

Why are you so obsessed with Dazai-san?

[houndofcalamity]

[Akutagawa visibly bristles at the question, eyes narrowing as if he's gauging whether or not it's worth the energy to start a fight.]

I am not obsessed. [He doesn't offer any more than that.]

[gekkajuu]

It's true that you're strong. When it comes to fighting, you're probably stronger than me. But I don't think that's the kind of strength Dazai-san admires the most.

[Atsushi doesn't mean that he himself does have whatever Dazai admires the most. If anything, he's trying to make Akutagawa think about what he does and why he does it.]

[houndofcalamity]

[Unfortunately Atsushi's message seems it be misunderstood as Akutagawa clenches his fists. He can't understand why strength isn't enough. Dazai and the world in general literally pounded it into his head nonstop for years and the concept of needing to do more than be the apex predator is foreign.]

Enough! You just love to hear yourself preach about things you don't understand while daring to be equally condescending and ignorant about what you have!

[gekkajuu]

[Atsushi scowls. It's all Akutagawa ever seems to do: lashing out blindly. It would be pitiful if it wasn't so frustrating.]

... I didn't come here to fight.

[houndofcalamity]

[He snorts and glowers at Atsushi icily.]

Then why did you come, if not to gloat?

[gekkajuu]

I told you, didn't I? I wanted to congratulate you.

[Stating it so simply makes him feel silly in retrospect. Why did he bother doing a thing like that?]

We may be enemies, but that doesn't mean I enjoy seeing you unhappy.

[houndofcalamity]

[Akutagawa just stares at him like he's insane and/or speaking a foreign language before coughing.]

A word of advice, mantiger. You shouldn't waste the time considering the emotions of enemies unless it is to take advantage of them.

[gekkajuu]

Thank you for that advice, but I'll pass.

[More to the point: he can't help feeling how he feels. It's not his choice to make.]

The fact that we're enemies has nothing to do with it. I have no obligation to try making you happy - and I won't. After everything you did, I'm not sure you deserve it.

But... if you wanted Dazai-san to acknowledge you, I'm glad that he did.

[houndofcalamity]

[Akutagawa is still staring at him like he can't even parse what Atsushi is saying, expression still a frown. It seems like he's considering something but in the end decides it isn't worth it and scoffs, crossing his arms.]

... I was never interested in your input on it considering it's something you couldn't possibly understand. Are you finished?

[gekkajuu]

If you want people to understand you, you have to be willing to explain yourself. Not everyone can read your mind just by looking at you.

[Ranpo could. Dazai probably could, too. Atsushi just isn't smart enough - but he doesn't think he's alone in that. Akutagawa has every right to not want to be understood, of course, but if he's going to complain about Atsushi not understanding him -...

Well, it's not like Atsushi expects to get through to the guy. It's a little annoying to keep clashing with Akutagawa this way, though! Atsushi has never been all that good at handling conflict, let alone this kind of intense personal animosity.]

But, if you don't want to explain... yes, I'm finished.