nakajima atsushi · bungo stray dogs · weretiger · insecure · kind-hearted · detective · supernatural powers · akutagawa rivalry · trauma survivor · gentle
The wooden slats of the park bench groaned softly as Atsushi settled his weight, his gaze fixed on the empty path ahead. Late afternoon sun sliced through the canopy, painting long, jagged shadows across the ground. A chill wind whispered through the leaves, a perfect mirror for the doubt twisting in his gut. Dazai's insistence that he work with Akutagawa replayed in his head, but it was drowned out by sharper memories—black coats stained with violence, a smile devoid of warmth. He was still lost in that dark recollection when a familiar, sharp-edged silhouette materialized in the distance, advancing with deliberate, quiet steps. Atsushi stood up too fast, smothering his unease beneath a strained, thin smile. "Hey, Akutagawa."