Chapter Text
Atsushi isn’t sure how long they’ve been roaming the streets and alleys of this city, but that’s okay.
They don’t need to know, content with exploring and playing until it was time to go on to the next place. It wasn’t like they had anyone to really go back to, other than the deep voice in their head that would talk to them from time to time. They liked to also converse with stray cats that hid about the place, giving the child (?) tips on the best napping spots and hunting places.
They liked to watch people too. Humans were fascinating things, always busy, always moving. Sometimes they would look at Atsushi, sometimes giving them food or just ignoring them. That was okay.
Mainly, they spent their time near the river, after all, the waters were fun to play in and there was a nice tunnel to sleep in when they wanted to.
They meet their first ability user while taking a swim in the river. The sun was setting. It was a nice scene.
Until they saw the body floating down the river.
They almost ignore it, but that wouldn’t be the right thing to do. Even if they aren’t sure what a right thing to do is, it’s obvious whoever this person is jumped in without knowing how to swim, and that is bad on its own.
So they paddle after, snatching them by the collar and dragging them to shore with their teeth, watching as the human sits up, chestnut hair dripping wet and turning to them.
Dazai is almost pissed off when he’s dragged out of the water. His suicide attempt ruined!
He is pissed until he finally sees just who pulled him out.
It’s a child.
A child, that has white and black fur running up their arms, legs, and face, a fluffy ring of it around their neck. Their hands are clawed and that’s not the most striking things about them.
Their face is covered in stripes, mouth full of sharp teeth. Sunset eyes curious gaze at him, slit-like ac at while a pair of round ears sit on top silver hair, while a long tail flicks behind them.
The kid isn’t even paying attention to him, more interested in grooming themselves.
“Say little one, why did you interrupt my suicide?” He asks with a smile. They finally lookup.
“Only fish should be in rivers. Humans are too big,” is the only reply he gets before the child shakes themselves of extra water, making to trot away.
Somehow, he managed to get the child to follow him with the promise of food (paid for by Kunikida of course) and learned a little bit more about this mysterious tiger child.
Already, Dazai could tell that life was going to become much more interesting.