Closer to You (DISCONTINUED)

19. Akutagawa

      I felt relieved as Atsushi wiped my face with the towel. The first reason being it took the salty water off of my face, the second being that it hid the growing blush on my face.

      "Atsushi..." I muttered, turning my warm face away. When I remembered the feeling of his hand holding mine it grew even warmer.

      "Hm? What's wrong?" He took the towel down from my face, peering at me over it with his head tilted slightly.

      "Why are you being so nice? You act like we were never enemies."

      "Well..." He began to look a bit nervous, setting the towel next to him. "I think I understand you better now. I felt... I felt like we'd become friends."

      "I've never had a friend."

      "Maybe I could be your first one?"

"Yes..." I breathed out, trailing off to think for a moment. "Yes, I would like that."

"Just, please don't kill me, okay?" He asked, giving a nervous smile and offering his hand. I stared at his hand for a moment. Then I realized he wanted me to make my oath official with a handshake.

"I promise," I responding, giving his hand a quick, hesitant shake before hastily letting go. I didn't want my hand to linger on his for too long.

His smile turned brighter as I shook his hand, and he looked at me for a moment before looking back to the waves. Chuuya and Dazai had gone far out now, and all I could see of them was the occasional bob of orange or brown, as the wave subsided and another brought them up.

It's hard to believe they were... friends all this time with how much they argue. My gaze travelled over to the silver-haired jinko, who was joyfully looking around the beach. I suppose that means it can work out for us, too.

    "Atsushi." He hummed in acknowledgement, looking back at me. I stared down at my hands. "How does friendship work?"

      "Well I'm not really that experienced but I think it's pretty simple!" He said, smiling brightly at me. "A friend is someone you like to be around, cause you trust them. And then they feel the same about you! It's a pretty cool deal, huh?"

     "It seems like everyone wins. So it's like an alliance?"

      "Hm... kinda! But less business."

      "I think I understand a bit more."

"Good! It's a thing you catch onto fast, so don't worry. And I'll help!"

"Uh..." I hesitated, not quite sure what to say. "...thanks."

He grinned over at me again.

"It's nothing!"

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A/N

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