Snippet #2689144

Mary, having been standing nervously by the door the whole time, starts when Dazai addresses her once again on his way out. She gives him a bow as he leaves, then quickly shuts the door and turns away from it. The heat radiating from her cheeks must mean she's blushing something awful. How could Dazai just do something like that—shamelessly flirt with her while offering whatever suicide idealization he had to her? It's left her all nervous, to boot—she didn't necessarily decline, so would he be waiting for her to die with him over some tea? Would he, grief-stricken by being stood up, end his life by himself? Wilhelm startles her out of her reverie (albeit unknowingly) and, for a moment, it seems she's forgotten how to speak. The poor girl's mouth hangs open and all that spills out is a gentle 'ah!' of surprise before she regains herself, giving a smile.

❝I do appreciate your concern, Mister Wilhelm! However, yes, I'm fine—rather, I will be. Mary Shelley is swayed by no man!❞ She reaches up to pat his cheek, laughing gently, the sound as pleasing as bells.

It seems everyone is embarking on the outing to meet this Emily Dickinson, and Mary wouldn't like to stay back all alone. She's done it plenty of times before, to be sure, but this required a new member, and lots of danger. Something rises within Mary, and she starts to feel excited. Her smile grows wide. A job directly from the Detective Agency! A job that was meant for Dazai-san. Which means it'll be dangerous and exciting. We may be way in over our heads, but...

Mary straightens herself out, closing an eye in a wink and pressing her index and middle finger to her forehead in a theatrical motion in response to Erena's request. ❝Well certainly, Erena! Who am I to refuse a Goddess?❞ She giggles and hops up and down, clapping her hands together. ❝That just leaves Mako, then. I do believe he would love to come, though. I reason Shuu-sama is right—there is strength in numbers, and if we are to possibly go up against the Guild, we could use all the help we can get!❞

Shuuji nods in response to all of the feedback he receives. Everyone seems to want to go, and who is the president to refuse? He looks to Wilhelm, shaking his head slightly. ❝You know, just 'Shuuji' or something is fine. No need to be formal with me, you know that.❞

After a moment, he stands, tucking his other hand in the sleeve of his yukata. ❝Then that makes eight of us, since I'll be going too. Switch the sign on the door—we'll be back after the job's done, and I'll treat everyone to some food on the first floor.❞ He pauses for a moment to look down at the folder Dazai had presented him with. Would he be needing to bring that? It couldn't hurt. He reaches out towards the folder and, when it's in his hands, he tucks it into his sleeve as well. Mako hasn't exactly answered yet, but there isn't a doubt in Shuuji's mind that he'll want to come too. He walks past his coworkers towards the door, expecting them to follow.

Mary catches his sleeve.

She needn't speak—he knows what she wants to say, and for a moment, his lip curls. He would never lash out at her for being reasonably worried, but that fact could never stop him from random, fleeting bouts of anger that cause is face or fingers to twitch. He glances to her, voice even quieter than usual. ❝Don't worry about me, Mary-chan. I should be more worried about you, considering your lack of combat ability without your golems. You need me, too. You need me to know who's a threat and who isn't.❞ He shakes his head and opens the door when Mary lets go of his sleeve, stepping aside to let her step out. ❝I won't wither away in that chair, either. ❞

He looks over to Erena then and takes a moment before he speaks, looking as though he's racking his brain to remember something. ❝It's a Monday. That's your strongest day, right? If we'll be facing off against the Guild today, we'll definitely need you to use it.❞