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This was an easy mission. Kenji wasn’t quite sure what happened. Atsushi and him were assigned to a mission of guarding some important objects. Kenji wasn’t entirely sure why or what the objects did, but he didn’t really think it mattered.
As they had expected, some men came to take it. They weren’t anything strong or special. They carried batons and failed to hit either Kenji or Atsushi with them.
One almost did, so Kenji ripped the baton out of the man’s hand. After a moment, Kenji realized they weren’t normal batons. “Atsushi! The batons are-“ his voice cut off as he turned to Atsushi who let out a cry. Cattle prods. Kenji saw that the one guilty of hitting Atsushi was the only one left.
Kenji easily dealt with him. He put his hands together and told the unconscious bodies around them. “I hope you learn your lesson and do better in the future.” Kenji smiled.
Kenji turned to Atsushi who he noticed had rolled into a ball of sorts. “Are you okay Atsushi?” Atsushi gripped his head with his fingers digging into the base of his skull. The cattle prod these men carried weren’t that strong in voltage, and Atsushi was a strong person. Kenji thought Atsushi was really cool, so to see him spooked like that made Kenji a little saddened.
Kenji went right next to Atsushi and peered at him. The tiger had his eyes screwed shut and his breathing was uneven. Kenji had seen this before. Panic attacks, Yosano had called them. She told him how to help out too.
He tried following her instructions. “Atsushi? Um take deep breaths.” That’s what she told him helps best. Atsushi didn’t seem to hear him, so Kenji put a hand on Atsushi’s knee. “Atsushi?”
Atsushi’s head jerked up to face Kenji, and Kenji isn’t sure if he’s ever seen Atsushi like that. It was unnerving. His pupils were dilated and his mouth was ajar and moved up and down slightly. “That was the moment I used my claws… that was the moment I used my claws…” Atsushi kept repeating it over and over. His head ducked down again, not looking anywhere near the blond boy.
Kenji was confused. What had Atsushi been talking about? Then he realized that Yosano had told him, sometimes people get a bit mixed up on where or when they are. “Atsushi, it’s Kenji.” Kenji carefully touched him again. Atsushi’s muttering halted.
Atsushi seemed to be less frightened by the touch this time. Atsushi stared through him. It was an odd feeling, being looked through instead of at. “It’s okay Atsushi. Do you know where you are?” Kenji was pretty sure that was a question he was supposed to ask.
Atsushi blinked at him again; his chest rose and sank heavily with each shallow breath. Atsushi looked around a little with his widened eyes. Kenji heard footsteps behind him running towards where the objects were. He turned his head and saw someone dressed similarly to the thieves. “Hey! Kenji-Kun, Atsushi-Kun!” Dazai waved as he approached from behind the thief.
Kenji saw Dazai punch the guy in the back of the skull and the guy slumped. “Ranpo-San suggested I come see you guys.” Kenji glanced at Atsushi then, and Dazai sat in front of Atsushi.
“At~su~shi~kun, you in there?” Dazai poked Atsushi’s face. Atsushi flinched, then stared at Dazai. “What did I tell you last time?” Kenji noticed Dazai had gotten slightly more serious.
Atsushi squeezed his nails into his palms. “‘M sorry Dazai-San.” The three were quiet for a second, before Atsushi spoke again. “You knew Shibusawa, right?” Atsushi’s voice was quiet, and his breathing was still a little off.
Kenji remembered that name. He was the one who caused the fog that separated people and their abilities. Dazai nodded slowly. “What about him?” Dazai’s eyes were narrowed and examining every detail of Atsushi.
“I… I had to use the tiger’s claws.” Atsushi muttered looking at the floor. Kenji was really lost. What was Atsushi talking about? Had he met him before the fog incident? As confused as Kenji was, Dazai seemed completely understanding of the situation.
“Hmm Kenji-kun, if you were in danger and hurt someone to protect yourself, are you at fault? Even if you couldn’t even control yourself?” Dazai asked with a raised brow. Atsushi’s eyes drifted to Kenji.
Kenji was even more confused. “Of course not! Why would you be?” Dazai chuckled and patted Atsushi’s head. “Atsushi, are you okay?” It seemed something in Atsushi had calmed down even more.
“Sorry Kenji. I don’t know what came over me.” Atsushi awkwardly laughed and sat up normally. “Also, Dazai-san,” Atsushi paused for a moment, “I didn’t think I was really at fault. I appreciate it though.”
Dazai have a thumbs up. “Also, if you were worried I had any sort of positive feelings towards Shibusawa, you have nothing to fear. That man was a pain in my neck.” Dazai sighed dramatically. “Besides, he very sadly came back from it anyway.”
Atsushi chuckled in a weird way at Dazai. “Are you feeling better?” Kenji asked Atsushi, and Dazai helped Atsushi up.
Atsushi smiled at Kenji. “Yeah, thank you, Kenji.” Kenji didn’t really feel like he did much to help, but he was glad Atsushi felt better. “Let’s get some dinner, I’m sure you’re hungry.” Kenji smiled brightly and nodded exaggeratedly.
Kenji always thought food tasted better with someone else to share it with.