Soukoku Analysis
"The Dog Thing"
Dazai, specifically in his younger years was someone who struggled with emotion. He understood them and how they formed and controlled someone actions on such a deep level that he gained a detachment and lack due to his heightened understanding. He is also someone who craves to understand humans and emotion. He wants to know what leads humans to certain moral decisions and wants to find a reason for living through that understanding.
Stumbling upon Chuuya during this time in his life probably affected his way of thinking. Dazai someone who's understanding of a brains cognitive function is so deep that he has detatched these emotions from himself felt something in their interactions. Dazai felt irritation, annoyance, joy and most of all curiosity in their interactions during their search for Arahabaki.
While I can go deeper with this information were focusing on "The Dog Thing" at the moment. Chuuya had made Dazai feel emotions on a level he never has before. He found a person who can bring these feelings out in him and he didn't really know how to react or express the emotions. I belive the dog thing and the "thats what makes me love you" is the outcome of not knowing how to process them in a weird, somewhat posessive way.
Dazai was a teenager who struggled with a nihilistic view of life and Chuuya was a teenager who only ever knew a world of violence and reliability on his power, he couldn't ever be vulnerable. He relied on his temper as a coping and regulatory tool. He was someone forced into a position of leadership, protection and caring. Their individual struggles ultimately leads to their complex dynamic. Their bickering and arguing is the only way two kids growing up with their adult environment and emotions knew how to handle their bond. Dazai dealing with potentially finding a bond he might care for was expressed through his taunts and teasing.
One of the many being, "you're my dog" Chuuya has always been seen as a protector, especially for the sheep. Dogs represent loyalty and protection. Sheepdogs specifically lead a pack and belong to a structure. I believe Dazai calling Chuuya his dog kinda shows this in a figurative way. Chuuya needs a purpose-- a place to belong. Whether it be forced in the role of a King or serving the mafia and being apart of the crowd, he protects and people rely on his strength.
I believe Dazai specifically calling Chuuya his dog--especially right before the sheep show up-- not only shows Dazai's plan for Chuuya joining the mafia but also how he wanted their partnership. No matter how much he claimed to detest it. He wanted the loyalty and trust. It would also give Chuuya the role of a protector that he needs, the only role he's known.
He was curious and wanted to understand Chuuya, along with the new/rare emotions he brought and struggled expressing. I believe Dazai calling Chuuya his dog specifically shows that he wanted Chuuya around. Its a telling of Dazai wanting that bond and presence and ultimately he got it.
