A normal school week for Atsushi was bearable. The weekday lectures dragged on, the workload was intense and the level of brainpower it took to get all his assignments done was severe. But despite all that, his most stressful day was Tuesday. Not because of the multiple lectures, or the waking up early or even the rushing around, which he hated. It was because of the one Seminar he had. And that Seminar meant presenting his work and talking in groups. It required a level of social confidence Atsushi lacked. He dreaded every Tuesday, he'd often sit and stare at the chair in front of him, wondering how those days could possibly be any worse.

Well, apparently the debate club was also held on Tuesdays.

After the predictable and hectic day of work left Atsushi feeling scatter-brained and self-conscious, he was understandably excited to get home and have a nap. However, his solo plans were quickly intercepted by his hyper-observant flatmate, who'd been waiting for him to finish his class.

"Atsushi, it's debate day. Or did you forget?" He said, linking his arm down and dragging Atsushi's much smaller frame toward the student union. Atsushi didn't even consider fighting the taller man, no matter how much his bed was calling to him. Fighting with Dazai was like trying to get a hyperactive rabbit to stay still, impossible, and probably a little dangerous.

"Wha—I didn't forget" Atsushi claimed, almost jogging lopsidedly to prevent Dazai from literally dragging him along the pavement.

Dazai looked down, his chocolate eyes sparkling with a look of arrogance which twisted Atsushi's stomach, he knew what was coming, "Your feet were angled left, more toward home than the union, which as you know is toward the right." He smiled.

Atsushi had always known Dazai to be observant. He seemed to notice everything, especially the little things. It was terrifying, knowing that a person's brain could function that highly. What's worse was Dazai wasn't even trying to be smart, yet he'd say ridiculous things only a genius would notice. Like the change in the angle of his friend's feet.

Nevertheless, he loved being the smartest person in the room, he loved feeling above everyone else. That's also why he liked the debate club so much, he could educate himself while showing off. A lot of people, understandably, hated Dazai for that fact.

And Atsushi would be lying if he said he didn't feel completely inferior to the taller man. Being around Dazai was difficult sometimes. On the days when Atsushi really didn't want to do anything at all, when he didn't want to get out of bed or eat or even roll over into a more comfortable spot. On those days when Atsushi was consumed by his thoughts of self-hatred, being around Dazai served as a reminder for how appalling he was. How stupid and pathetic he was in comparison to his friend. Yet, Dazai was so Intune with Atsushi, he truly cared about him and wanted the best for him.

And because the latter reasoning was so sincere Atsushi came to admire him, no matter how annoying he was sometimes. Dazai was a one in a million type of guy. Besides, Atsushi knew Dazai on a different level to everyone else. He knew his secrets, his biggest fears, his insecurities, motivations, his hopes, and his dreams.

He knew Dazai.

Which is why, despite every cell in his body telling him that going to debate club was a bad idea, he trusted Dazai's motives for getting him to join.
Atsushi felt like he'd blinked once and suddenly the pair was in front of a large wooden door, the silver plaque in the center reading, Debate Society. Atsushi's legs were trembling, his entire body was riddled with Goosebumps and his stomach was bubbling with a lethal dose of straight anxiety.

What if he said something stupid and embarrassed himself? What if these people didn't like him? What if they didn't like him, but also didn't say anything about not liking him? Then he'd be left to walk around thinking he had made friends when in actual fact they hated him. What if they did just hate him?

Dazai, as always, noticed his eyes racing back and forth and the subtle sweat that had started to cascade down his brow. Dazai gently pulled Atsushi away from those thoughts with a comforting squeeze on his thin forearms "I know that you're scared, Atsushi." He paused, his tone filled with nothing but sincerity "But if you never try, you'll be scared forever."

Those words hit Atsushi hard because he knew that Dazai was right. He was in complete control of his own mind, even if he didn't feel like he was. Atushi tried his best to hype himself up, taking little steps from side to side like he was gearing up ready to charge in.

Dazai was right. He had to try.

So, with a deep breath stuffed into Atsushi's feeble lungs, he sent a quick nod Dazai's way; and before the silver-haired boy could take it back, the doors were pushed open.
Atsushi, out of habit, had closed his eyes when the doors started to open. It was almost like a defense mechanism for him. Like when you drop a plate or a balloon pops near you, your eyes instantly shut. It was the same for Atsushi, only what triggered his eyelid closure was a lot less dramatic than a plate falling. He was still nervous reck after all, a few simple words weren't going to do much to change that.

However, his eyes shot open when he heard the familiar voice, "Atsushi! You came" Junichiro was walking over calmly, a smile as bright as his orange hair on his face. The silver-haired boy felt a flicker in his chest, Junichiro had really remembered his name. Junichiro made himself comfortable in Atsushi's space, standing close enough to him that he had to peer up.

"In fairness, he probably didn't have much choice." A deep voice erupted from the side, causing Atsushi to jump slightly in surprise. It was Kunikida, leaned against a wall with that familiar notebook in his fingers. He looked unbothered by Atsushi's sudden appearance, even though it wasn't sudden at all to him because he'd written it down in his notebook.

Dazai waved his hands in the air dramatically, it was the weakest attempt of self-defense Kunikida had ever seen. It made him huff out a small, surprisingly gentle, laugh. Something in Junichiro's surprised expression told Atsushi that Kunikida wasn't one to laugh often.

"Anyway!" Junichiro quickly grabbed Atsushi's attention again, gesturing him to follow. "Let me give you a tour" He smiled warmly.

"It's just one room Juni—" Kunikida's grumbling began, only to be sharply cut off by the redhead.

"I'm giving him a tour!" Atsushi was still nervous and jumpy, but something about Junichiro's calm yet assertive and playful aura made him feel quite secure.

Junichiro lead Atsushi back to the main door, almost as if he was a detective retracing the steps of a murder. It was an odd thing to do for sure, but Atsushi liked it. He liked the way Junichiro lead him around the room as if it were a museum, making sure he knew where everything was kept, where they sat, where all the emergency exits were. Atsushi's eyes wandered over to Dazai, who was very successfully annoying Kunikida, when he noticed Atsushi looking, he sent him a big goofy smile and a thumbs up.

Dazai had told the society a little about Atsushi. About how he struggled with self-confidence and a plethora of other things. So, Junichiro was simply making sure Atsushi was comfortable in his environment. In his own weird way, Junichiro was making sure Atsushi felt relaxed in the debate room so that he'd enjoy being there and keep coming back.
It was working too, Atsushi felt like he'd be able to exist in the average-sized seminar room.

Well, he did until an unfamiliar voice broke and threatened to rattle his entire cocoon of comfort to the ground. "You're the new member?" a strange tone flared up behind a literal mountain of snacks.

Dazai was at Atsushi's side in a flash like some type of overprotective mother. Kunikida wandered over too and handled the introductions, "Atsushi, this is Edogawa Ranpo. He's the head of the debate society and one of the most, if not the most, intellectually gifted members of the University. He's a very valuable member of our team." Kunikida said, all very formally, as the mountain of snacks began to split revealing a dark-haired male hiding underneath a large brown newsboy cap.

"That's quite the introduction," Ranpo replied, hands behind his neck like he didn't have a care in the world. He probably didn't, to be honest. "But yes, it's all true, I'm the great debater." Atsushi was understandably shaken by the confidence radiating off Ranpo. And Ranpo was disturbed by the concept of having this feeble creature on his debate team, but he didn't say that. He'd already received firm warnings from Junichiro to play nice and he was in no position to argue with him. So instead he said, "Welcome to the team" and shoved an assortment of pastries in his face, "Would you like one?" Atsushi shook his head, no. "Good answer."

The group sat together around a small table, wheelie chairs banging into each other like a really bad pinball game. Kunikida took the lead, discussing different debate themes and topics. He was trying to organize a mock debate, splitting the group up into small teams for them to go at it. Well, Kunikida explained the event a lot more eloquently than that, but the general idea stayed the same.

"Can I argue with Dazai about capital punishment?" Ranpo said, green eyes sparkling with mischief, Junichiro fell into a fit of laughter and so did Atsushi, only much more timidly. The silver-haired boy was very accustomed to Dazai's wild obsession with death, suicide to be exact. There was no malice behind it, no ill will or earnest desire to end his own life. He just found the whole topic fascinating for whatever reason. "I really want to argue with Dazai about capital punish—"

Kunikida cut off Ranpo's sadistic fun-poking, "We can debate the ethics of the death penalty, yes, but directing that topic specifically toward Dazai is not a proper debate." Kunikida informed him.

Ranpo slumped in his chair, "Oh" tone disappointed, "Then I don't want to."

Dazai got a laugh out of that one, not because he found it funny but because Kunikida didn't.

Kunikida's direction changed, "Atsushi" traces of annoyance were obvious in his tone, and it was hard for the silver boy to remember that it wasn't because of him or aimed at him. "Do you have any suggestions?"

"Uh" Atsushi's brain was surprisingly still, his nervousness at levels low enough for him to understand his own thoughts, "What about something simple and education-based, like tuition fees?"

Kunikida was visibly impressed by the suggestion, expecting nothing more than a nervous ramble that made no sense. "Yes, that's a very good idea Atsushi. I'll write it down."

Dazai, who was sat next to him, gave him a soft pat on his thigh under the table. Atsushi looked down only to find a small piece of paper in his lap. He eyed Dazai suspiciously and made sure that nobody was in eyeshot of the note before opening it.

And when he did, his heart swelled.

It read, 'I'll buy us takeaway tonight, I'm proud of you'

1932 words. Not bad. Please tell me if you think these chapters are too long, it's just I personally quite like longer chapters more!