Atsushi looks down when he notices something tugging on his trouser leg. What he sees is a small black creature reaching up to his calf, sniffing at his leg.
"Oh, hello there, little one!" His voice becomes all excited and cutesy but it's not like he can help it, not with this adorable little creature granting him his attention, when he bends down to pet it. "How are you? What's your name?"
The little one tentatively sniffs at his hand before pressing its head against Atsushi's palm, snuggling and rubbing against it as if it were trying to fuse with him. Atsushi giggles at the tickling sensation and looks at the owner.
"I think your dog likes me."
~ * ~ * ~
"I think your dog likes me."
Akutagawa looks down at the voice.
"My dog?"
He watches Rashoumon rub against the young man, all her spikes and edges softened at his touch. His eyes follow the arm that managed to turn his proud ability into a tame scarf of solidified void until he finds the face of the person it belongs to. For a second he feels like someone took advantage of his defenselessness and rammed a truck right into his chest as he meets the warmest and most beautiful smile he's ever seen in his life. An unpleasant warmth creeps into his cheeks and ears as the shatters of his heart bleed all throughout his body.
"I think he does..."
