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Anonymous - The British Library Board - Flowers And Water (083439) Japanese Blockprints (Olga Hirsch collection of decorated papers, bequeathed to the British Library in 1968) Late 19th Century Chiyogami, with Chrysanthemums symbolizing Imperial Japan, and Red Carnations suggesting romantic love (© 2016 The British Library)

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250x250 Lovecore Ogai Mori Icons // F2U

⤷ Mod Bun ☆

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ヽ(´ー` )┌

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Since I could not fit this one in with the rest, I coloured it instead. 

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they used to be close friends she said

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breaking my hiatus to post this very important piece…. elise as a sock puppet

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mori and elise wallpapers requested by @priestbf (hope you like them!) // please like or reblog if you save　ﾟ+..｡*ﾟ+

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“There are things which everyone does but which one does not mention to others” -  Mori Ogai

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.｡.:*･ mori ougai icons ･*:.｡.

like/reblog if you save

© on twitter @mewseok

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On Mori and Dazai

Both incredibly lonely, complex and intelligent characters. Both their similarities and differences run deep, and I thoroughly enjoy their relationship and interactions. So here comes another long ramble!

(Spoilers for light novel Fifteen. Translations cited are by @looking-for-stray-dogs. Screenshots are from @dazaiscans).

It’s not clear what Mori’s personal reasons are for being involved with the Mafia, but I think it’s a mixture of his own appetite for power and his willingness to cooperate with Natsume-sensei’s tripartite tactic to protect the stability of the city. Since he met Fukuzawa and first discussed on the tripartite tactic 12 years ago, and became the new Mafia boss 8 years ago, he only had 4 years to carry out his plan of replacing the old boss. Four years of ruthless planning and manipulating, drenched in bloodshed and destruction. And he carried it out all alone. As the boss of the Mafia, he acts as would benefit someone at the top of an organization known for spreading terror and bloodshed. At the end of the day, someone like that couldn’t help feeling he was all alone.

What Mori needed was an assistant. A secretary, a confidant, an outstanding right-hand man.

And more than that, as a town doctor turned traitor who usurped power, what he needed were subordinates he could trust. Subordinates he didn’t need to harbour secrets with. Subordinates who could understand him, even while he continued waving a solitary flag at the tip of an iceberg.

In the whole organization, Dazai was the only person who ever came close to understanding Mori, the only one who was anywhere near being Mori’s equal (in terms of their brain power, as I don’t think Mori was necessarily looking for an equal). They both seem to have an innate ability to see through a person’s deepest thoughts, fears, and motivations, which allows them to manipulate at will. Both instantly understood each other’s intentions, and there was no need for either to hide, judge, or even explain.

Mori silently observed such a Dazai.

When one thought him sharp, that cleverness was immediately erased. Right after one thought him as able to see through everything, he became an ambiguous and incomprehensible suicide enthusiast, confusing the people around him.

He hadn’t imagined this until he became the boss, but his words and actions made him think of a certain someone.

“I know someone like you,” Mori said without conscious thought.

Here, Mori admitted to himself that Dazai resembled him. However, that very similarity, plus the fact that they were in the Mafia, is the very thing that ensured they would not share a healthy relationship. Mori probably understood as much.

The mistake Mori had made in inviting Dazai. But, a mistake was not always bad. The rock he had picked up to be discarded after use turned out to be an incredibly large diamond.

Perhaps it was a wish beyond what he, in his bloodstained position, could ask for. But, if it was Dazai, or—

Mori wanted a companion, but he also knew someone in his position should not ask for too much. What would you do when what you had in common with another person was the fact that both of you were incredibly sharp, hellishly intelligent and manipulative? You’d probably suspect the hell out of them. Mori and Dazai are as similar as a death god and a devil. Dazai understood Mori enough to carry out his plans perfectly and without question, and he had enough in common with him to understand. That was all they were going to be.

Another similarity they share is their logical train of thought, which enhances their ability to read their opponent’s moves, plan several steps ahead and adapt their strategies accordingly. When directed at each other, this means Mori and Dazai are constantly figuring out and trying to predict each other’s plans. That’s why when they are face to face, thoroughly reading through each other’s head, they’re like a death god and a demon dancing around each other, each with a blade ready to be drawn. Although, arguably Dazai used to be less wary of Mori before a certain incident happened and Dazai became furious at how late he was to read through Mori’s plan involving Oda.

Or, “Evil expects evil from others”. Here, Dazai willingly admits that he, too, is capable of the same cruelty that Mori is capable of. (On a side note, I bet Dazai learned that smile from Mori.)

Of course, they are also vastly different. Obviously, Mori isn’t in such a rush to die.

“Dazai-kun.” Without conscious thought, the question slipped out of his mouth, “I don’t know if I can understand, but allow me this question—why do you want to die?”

Dazai looked back at Mori blankly.

With eyes that truly could not understand what the other person was asking.

Then he said, with the eyes of an innocent young boy—

“I’m the one who want to ask. Do you really think there’s any value in something like living?”

Mori must at least, I think, find Dazai intriguing, but not in the same sense as how Dazai found Oda or Ango intriguing. While Dazai was drawn to Oda and Ango because they valued life, among other reasons, Mori probably just saw Dazai as an outcast, a hellishly sharp and intelligent child who was strangely in a rush to die, and most importantly, an important piece of his big plan. Mori didn’t really want to understand why Dazai wanted to die, any more than he wanted to satisfy his own curiosity.

Mori is also extremely dedicated to the Mafia and keeping the organization afloat, whatever the means may be. This is where Dazai drew the line. I personally think Dazai is less ruthless in applying his logical reasoning to people, possibly because he does get attached to them, whether he wants to or not. While Mori keeps his actions logical, Dazai is more likely to go against logic, like when he left Mori to go to Oda’s side even though there was nothing for him there. While Mori is first and foremost dedicated to his organization, Dazai tends to get attached to the people instead, and couldn’t care less if the organization fell apart. In the first place, the Mafia only more or less served as entertainment for his tortured, cynical young soul.

That is also slowly changing though, and Dazai in the canon timeline is starting to view the ADA as a place for him to belong. As opposed to Mori or Fyodor (although it is still unclear to me whether Mori truly feels no emotional attachment to his people in the Mafia), Dazai’s starting to act for the well-being of his comrades and not just to win, or to achieve the most logically sound solution.

Of course, to develop these attachments means Dazai’s fight will only be more challenging. To win against dangerous opponents while preventing casualties is a difficult task, and Mori knows this too well. And Dazai, too, understands.

So even when Dazai knows how cunning and ruthless Mori can be, there are times when Dazai himself knows Mori’s actions are logically sound and there isn’t much his resentment can do about it, including Mori’s assassination of the old boss, and possibly Oda’s death. 

I think Mori thought of Dazai less as a subordinate than a rebellious son (lol). The way Dazai abandoned the Mafia was a bit like an aristocrat kid running away from his traumatizing family home. Mori knows Dazai is a handful to handle, and even though it was within his calculation, I imagine he must have been pretty amused when Dazai went against logic for once.

I absolutely love the way Asagiri-sensei constructed these wonderfully twisted and complex characters. I’m surprised Mori hasn’t come face to face with Fyodor yet lol. I imagine they, too, will have a lot in common.

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These have been ready for a while. I had wanted to add one more to the bunch, but it did not fit in with the rest. Another is coming soon. 

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“You dropped something, Tachihara-kun”

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I have acknowledged the strength of your organizations. They are not things to be devoured by the likes of rats.

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I am a few days late to the party, but a Happy Birthday to the best boss. 

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Dazai, Chuuya, 15 years old - Illustration by Harukawa Sango

❀ edited by me / don’t repost