[ There are things Atsushi knows about Dazai, and those things are mostly "there are things I'll never know about Dazai-san." Even Kunikida, with all his nagging and jostling, admits that the guy is an enigma— Atsushi doesn't harbor much hope in the way of cracking the Dazai code anytime soon.

So he doesn't question the subject change, or the fact that he'd like to ask about those priorities. Not knowing won't stop him from trusting Dazai inherently, anyway: the other man's already done so much for him for Atsushi to start being suspicious anytime soon. ]

I'm glad you're postponing the dying thing... [ he mutters under his breath, before letting go of his semi-mentor's hand to trot a few paces further up Trash Mountain. ] But, I could climb up first, and... maybe use my suspenders as a rope to pull you up?

[ Would this even work??? Atsushi?? ] Ah, I say this right after I encourage you not to be lazy...