Praise (shinsoukoku)

Chapter 11

„Why though?" Akutagawa asks the weretiger after hearing about his proposal for the mission both the agency and the port mafia were called for.

Atsushi was telling him how when his part of the mission ends, he should immediately go back home instead of staying around to later inform Chuuya and Mori about his progress.

"Just trust me, okay?" He asks the diablo with a tone that makes Akutagawa feel as if he was really being cared for. The tone was so deep, soothing, comforting... How could he even say no to that?

"...yes" He answers and blushes, which makes Atsushi chuckle a bit.

He helps put Akutagawa his coat on and suddenly pulls him towards himself, kissing him on the lips.

"You're great" He whispers to the diablo and Akutagawa looks away in embarrassment, still not used to Atsushi's compliments.

Were they... a thing now? Akutagawa still couldn't believe him.

After all, who could love such an ugly thing like him?

The two men leave the house and Atsushi wants to hold hands, but Akutagawa puts his own hands in his pockets.

The weretiger opens his mouth, wanting to say something but ultimately closes it. He looks hurt and Akutagawa feels guilty but he knows that even if Atsusih was so nice to him in private, no one should see it in public.

Atsushi deserves someone much better than Akutagawa. The diablo didn't want to embarass him by holding hands with him. He didn't want to damage the weretiger's reputation.

They walk in silence. Akutagawa doesn't say anything, not knowing what to talk about. Atsushi, too focused on thinking why Akutagawa didn't want to hold hands with him. Did he give the diablo the wrong signals? DId he think they were going back to normal after what happened the day before? Or all the days before, even?

And so, for almost an entire half hour they don't say a single word to each other.

Finally, Akutagawa and Atsushi arrive at the building and each go to their respective groups; Atsushi to Dazai, Kunikida and Yosano and Akutagawa to Chuuya, Mori and Kyouyou.

Kyouyou puts her hand on the diablo's shoulder and has a sad expression on her face.

„Gin was... an exceptional, powerful young woman. She didn't deserve to die by getting ambushed. I'm sorry for her loss. I will miss her too..." She tells him and Aktagawa looks up at her, giving her a nod. Kyouyou smiles sadly and removes her hand, letting the diablo, emotionless once again, walk towards Mori.

Chuuya walks over to Akutagawa too, wanting to speak with him but Akutagawa turns around first.

"I don't want to talk about it. Please. Don't... Don't ask me how I feel" The diablo says in a quiet and vulnerable voice and Chuuya understands. He reaches out his hand and caresses AKutagawa's head.

"Okay. I won't. But if you ever need someone to talk to, you can always come to me" Chuuya suggests.

"Thank you" He says, knowing very well he would never take that offer.

There was no way Chuuya would want to listen to any of his worries or problems. He was probably just saying that because he felt the need to, not because he actually cared.

A few seconds later, Akutagawa and Mori talk a bit and the diablo finally gets all the information he needs to finish his part of the mission. He will need to be near the nuclear reactor, but will have to be careful because it could explode any second.

It was as if Mori was sending him on a suicide mission, because if the nuclear reactor really exploded, Akutagawa would have no chance at running away. He'd die, that was definite.