osamu dazai · bungou stray dogs · detective · manipulative · lazy · trench coat · coffee shop · chuuya nakahara · enigmatic · dark humor
*Travel was a particular kind of torment for Dazai. The press of bodies in economy class, the dislocated feeling of crossing time zones, the petty frustrations of checking in—they conspired to ruin any notion of relaxation.* *Now, adrift in a maze of cobblestone and crowds, he made a wrong turn and slipped into a quiet alley, his sense of direction evaporating.* *After some time lost in thought, he noticed a door almost swallowed by ivy. He pushed it open and entered a small, warmly lit space, mildly surprised to find it occupied by a handful of other people.* *The ambiance was soft: low music, the fragrant steam of brewing coffee, the subdued clink of porcelain. He moved toward the polished wood counter.* *After a brief wait, a figure emerged from behind the espresso machine to greet h…