BSD One-Shots

Festival Fun...

Ship - Shin Soukoku

Timeline - Season 3

Included - Fluff

After a particularly grueling mission, Atsushi Nakajima and Ryunosuke Akutagawa found themselves with a rare day off. The tension of their last confrontation with the Port Mafia was still palpable, but the city of Yokohama, with its vibrant streets and bustling markets, beckoned them to step away from their usual conflicts.

Atsushi, still the same optimist that he is, suggested that they explore the city together. Akutagawa, although initially reluctant at first, eventually agreed, seeing it as an opportunity to understand the enigmatic tiger who had repeatedly thwarted him.

Their first stop was a local café, famous for its unique pastries. Atsushi eagerly ordered a selection, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the colorful confections. Akutagawa, with his usual stoic demeanor, ordered a simple black coffee. As they sat at a corner table, the awkward silence between them was punctuated only by the clinking of cups and the hum of conversations going on around them.

"So, Akutagawa, what do you do when you're not not doing Port Mafia work... and, you know, trying to kill me?," Atsushi asked, attempting to break the ice.

Akutagawa glanced up, his piercing gaze softening slightly as he looked at Atsushi. "I mostly train. I refine my abilities. There's little time for anything else."

Atsushi nodded, understanding the dedication but feeling a pang of sadness for his adversary's solitary life. "Well, maybe today we can find something fun to do together. There's a festival in town today. Have you ever been to one?"

Akutagawa shook his head. "No. Festivals are... frivolous."

"That's exactly why we should go together, Akutagawa!" Atsushi said, a smile spreading across his face. "Come on, it'll be fun. Trust me on this."

Reluctantly, Akutagawa followed Atsushi through the winding the streets were ablaze with the colors and sounds of the summer festival, a cacophony of laughter, music, and the sweet, intoxicating aroma of street food. Lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, casting a warm, flickering light that danced along the faces of festival-goers. It was a scene of joy and celebration

They wandered through the stalls, Atsushi eagerly tried everything from Takoyaki to Cotton Candy, while Akutagawa observed with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. They paused at a game booth. Atsushi, ever the optimist, decided to try his luck at a ring toss. He paid the vendor and picked up a handful of rings, determined to win something to lighten the mood. Akutagawa watched with a mixture of disinterest and skepticism.

"You're wasting your time," Akutagawa muttered as Atsushi missed the first few attempts.

"Maybe, but it's fun to try," Atsushi replied with a smile, undeterred.

With a deep breath, Atsushi focused and tossed the next ring. It sailed through the air and, to his surprise, landed perfectly around one of the pegs. The vendor cheered and handed Atsushi a small, stuffed white tiger as a prize. Atsushi beamed and handed the toy to Akutagawa.

"Here, something to remember tonight by," he said.

Akutagawa stared at the white stuffed tiger toy, his expression a mix of confusion and mild irritation. But he took it, and tucked it under his arm.

As they continued to play more games to Akutagawa's surprise, Atsushi cheered as Akutagawa won at one of the shooting games, and for the first time, Akutagawa felt a flicker of pride in something unrelated to combat in battle.

They continued exploring the festival. they visited a fortune teller, who gave them cryptic predictions about their futures, and then stumbled upon a stall selling masks. Atsushi tried on a fox mask, while Akutagawa picked a dragon one. They laughed at how ridiculous they both looked.

As the evening wore on, they found themselves at the main stage, where a troupe of performers were putting on a traditional dance. Atsushi watched, enraptured, while Akutagawa found himself surprisingly moved by the elegance and grace of the performance.

"Do you ever think about the past, Akutagawa?" Atsushi asked suddenly, his eyes still on the dancers.

Akutagawa's gaze darkened. "The past is a burden. I focus on the future."

"But our past shapes who we are tho, Right?" Atsushi said softly. "I've been through a lot too. The Orphanage, experiments... It was hard, but it made me who I am."

Akutagawa glanced at him, seeing the vulnerability in Atsushi's expression. For the first time, he realized how much they had in common. Both had endured suffering, both had fought to survive. Perhaps, in some twisted way, they were kindred spirits.

As night fell, the sky above the festival grounds lit up with a dazzling display of fireworks. Bright colors exploded in the air, reflecting in Atsushi's wide eyes. Akutagawa stood beside him, arms crossed as he held the white tiger stuffed animal that Atsushi won and gave to him earlier that day, watching the spectacle with a rare look of contentment.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Atsushi said softly.

Akutagawa nodded. "I suppose."

For a moment, they stood in companionable silence, watching the fireworks light up the night sky. The festival, with its noise and chaos, seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them sharing a rare moment of peace together.

"Today was... not as unbearable as I expected it to be," Akutagawa admitted grudgingly.

Atsushi chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment, Akutagawa."

As the final firework burst overhead, casting a shower of golden sparks, Atsushi turned to Akutagawa again. "Thank you for coming with me tonight. I know it wasn't exactly your idea of fun, but... I had a good time."

Akutagawa turned to Atsushi with a small smile "I guess today wasn't so bad,"

Atsushi smiled "Akutagawa, maybe we don't have to be enemies all the time. Today showed me that there's more to you than just our rivalry."

Akutagawa nodded slowly. "Perhaps. But don't expect me to go easy on you next time we meet."

Atsushi smiled. "Wouldn't have it any other way, Akutagawa."

They walked back through the now-quiet streets, the sounds of the festival fading into the distance. As they approached a fork in the road, Atsushi paused.

With a final nod, they parted ways, each lost in their own thoughts. The day had been unexpected, filled with moments of camaraderie and a tentative understanding. As Atsushi walked back to the Agency, he couldn't help but feel hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, they could find common ground in a world that constantly pitted them against each other. And in that hope, a fragile but genuine friendship may begin to bloom.