S3E2 of Bungou Stray Dogs fucked me the hell up and here’s why:
Dazai giving Chuuya a choice about whether he uses corruption or not is so much more important now.
This episode we got to meet some of the sheep Chuuya’s been “leading”. The interaction felt extremely bizarre to me. The sheep were the ones barking the orders, despite going out to a dangerous area to steal liquor, which Chuuya warned them not to do.
Yet these two kiddos were expecting Chuuya to use his ability to wipe up their messes. And how does Dazai react? Well…
He looks kinda pissed off actually. Chuuya is a powerhouse. The boy can’t be downed by guns or an experienced Mafia ability user. Yet, as Dazai points out, even though Chuuya has all the power in that relationship, the sheep are the ones acting like wolves in this situation. And Chuuya just lets them.
Chuuya is loyal as fuck. We’ve always known that. So much so that I’m sure he gets his trust abused regularly (and by people other than Dazai). The difference is this: the mafia may have wanted Chuuya for his powers originally, but so far they’ve never forced his hand to use them. The Sheep expect Chuuya to, since he’s the only one that can among their numbers. And if Chuuya disobeys? They emotionally blackmail him.
Dazai dislikes this for some reason.. But why? He manipulates people for a living. He’s great at it after all. But I think he has come to respect Chuuya as an ability user at this point. And as a leader. He sees how far Chuuya is willing to go for them, but also how it wears him down that the people he’s putting his neck out to protect don’t seem to be appreciative. They don’t respect him. They use him. Strain that trust that is so integral to Chuuya’s personality. So, Dazai decides to show that he trusts Chuuya.
He lets the hostages go. Now, there’s nothing forcing Chuuya’s hand. He’s free to investigate this further, with the superior resources that the Mafia provides. Or to do the Sheep’s bidding. Chuuya unsurprisingly chooses the first. Because this is a personal matter to him, for reasons we don’t find out until later. But, I also think he understands what Dazai is doing in this moment. The Sheep may have accepted Chuuya, but they were never on an equal playing field with him. Ever. Dazai stresses that Chuuya should get to choose his path. Which, when you have the um…affliction that Chuuya does, is a rare thing. He probably feels like he doesn’t have much choice in any facet of his life. But Dazai offers him one anyway.
And the Sheep stab right where it hurts when they don’t get what they want.
So, let’s review. Chuuya and Dazai came together reluctantly because Mori saw that they had qualities that would work well together. They’re not complimentary personality wise. They bicker, they fight, but they also work together almost seamlessly. Dazai knows how strong Chuuya is. He knows that Chuuya can and will kick anyone’s ass, including his own. He also sees how deeply Chuuya cares for his comrades and craves a place to belong. And when a guy like that has his trust abused, Dazai might normally just be like “ha, serves you right, not my problem.” But with Chuuya, he doesn’t. He takes the time and care to demonstrate that he’s not like that. That they can go towards their goals together, combining their own methods in a way they find fun (the bet) but without hindering each other. And, specifically, without blackmailing Chuuya into it. He sets Chuuya free, expects nothing, but expresses that their job isn’t finished and trusts Chuuya to see it through to the end. That’s fucking beautiful.
Oh, and then that bastard throws Chuuya a party too??? Fucking cute.
This just gives so much more context to their relationship and I LOVE IT. To me, with my damn shipper goggles, I kind of see a hint of why Dazai and Chuuya still work so well together after Dazai leaves the Mafia. Chuuya trusts him to still do what needs doing, even if they’re using separate methods. Dazai will blow up Chuuya’s car and trick him into having certain reactions, but when their backs are against the wall, Chuuya trusts Dazai to stop him before Corruption kills him. And Dazai trusts Chuuya to not let them die. But they both always have that choice. It says a lot about Chuuya’s character at least that when Dazai offers “use Corruption or not” as a choice, he doesn’t even think there is a choice in the matter. He wouldn’t leave the job unfinished, or leave Dazai to die.
Fuck man. These boys. Can’t wait for the next episode.
