(adj) feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy

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"Is the food good?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"Haha, of course, dear. Eat up."

Atsushi couldn't help but slowly eat his food as he watches Kyoka eat bowl after bowl, meal after meal. Y/n was eating his own food, a light (food) as his crutch was beside him. Atsushi sweatdropped, feeling concern with how much money that Y/n spent on him and Kyoka to have food.

"Are... Are you sure that you're okay with spending this much money?" Atsushi stuttered hesitantly. "I-I mean, it is a lot..."

Y/n chuckled as he gently patted Atsushi's head. "Don't worry about it, sweetie. I had had my pay day not too long ago so I'm more than happy to pay for lunch for the three of us. Besides, this is all pocket money I'm paying with. The majority of my money is in the bank for savings."

Atsushi blushed slightly but then nodded sheepishly. 'Life as a rich person... I guess.' He deadpanned as he continued to eat his food. 'Couldn't relate...'

"That's a good boy," Y/n said as he smiled at Atsushi before turning to Kyoka. "Is everything okay, dear? Do you need anything else? More water?"

Kyoka's eyes couldn't help but shine slightly as she shook her head at Y/n. "No, thank you, sir." She gently put her bowl in the pile of five other bowls to the side. She gave a small bow. "But... I do have to thank you for saving me. I wouldn't be here without you."

Y/n chuckled as he waved his hand dismissively. "No need to worry about that, it was all part of the job." He put a hand on his chest, giving Kyoka a warm smile. "Let me introduce myself. My name is L/n Y/n, but please feel free to call me Y/n. Although, yes, I am happy that you are here with us now, I am going to need an explanation, dear." He let out a sigh. "And I need that explanation now."

Kyoka hesitated for a moment. She looked down, not wanting to face her newly found friends with the person she had become. She knew where Y/n was coming from, being in the Detective Agency and everything, but it still kinda scared her that in a single phone call, she would be arrested.

"Kyoka?" Atushi questioned softly.

"The Mafia picked me up after I was orphaned by my parents' death," Kyoka stated, building up her courage in order to talk. "They were after my ability. 'Demon Snow' only obeys the voice on the other side of this phone." She gestures to the flip phone on the table that had a bunny charm on it.

"I see..." Y/n said, his smile fading into a comfortable frown. "So, the Mafia used that to make you an assassin, dear?"

"Why don't you throw it away, then?" Atsushi asked.

Kyoka shook her head. "They will kill me if I defy them. And... even if I leave the Mafia, I have nowhere to go."

Y/n tilted his head down slightly in thought. "If I may... who is controlling your power over the phone?"

"A man named Akutagawa..."

Atsushi flinched at the sound of the name. A look of horror flashed over his eyes as he reeled back, straightening his posture. He did not like that shadow of a man, he fears him. However, Y/n could only perk up, slightly surprised. A silence took over the three.

Y/n then sighed, breaking the silence and making the two youngers look at him. "I see," he said with full professionalism. "Sweeite, I need a word with you, out in the hall. Kyoka, stay right here okay, we'll be right back."

"Yes," Kyoka obeyed.

"O-Okay! Hold on, let me help you," Atsushi quickly said as he got up from his seat and went over to Y/n, helping him hold onto his crutch and guiding him out of the room that they reserved.

Once Y/n and Atsushi were in the hallway, Y/n gently pulled his arm away from Atsushi and pulled out his phone. He went into speed dial and made a quick phone call. He mumbled words that Atsushi didn't want to intrude and nodded along with what the other person was saying. In the end, Y/n let out a sigh and the other person had hung up the call with him.

"Sweetie," Y/n softly called out to the tiger.

"Yes, Y/n?" Atsushi immediately answered.

Y/n's hair slightly parted and Atsushi could see his eyes were stern and worried, making Atsushi feel uneasy. "The agency, they want to turn Kyoka in."

Atsushi's eyes widened. "What?? But if we do that-!"

"I know, sweetie, I know," Y/n said in a hushed voice. "Kyoka is just a kid, but that doesn't take away the fact that she killed thirty-five people... it will be the death penalty for her. But if she returns to the Mafia, she'll be killed too. She is a traitor to them."

"NO!" Atsushi claims, a look of desperation in his eyes as his fists shook. "No, no, there has to be a way, another way. Y/n, please, you're able to do something right?"

Y/n, taken aback, lips slightly parted in surprise. His eyes softened, solum with worry as they gazed at Atsushi's behavior. Y/n had no words for Atsushi at that moment, he had always been a by-the-rule sort of person, but now, Atsushi is testing that method.

Atsushi sucked in a breath after hearing no response from Y/n. He could almost feel tears prick his eyes, his throat clogging up with fear. "Y/n, please. Kyoka can be taken it too, right? Just like how you and Dazai did with me. Kyoka can be promised a normal childhood like you did for me with my adulthood. Y/n, you can do that, right? You can save Kyoka too, right?"

Y/n stares at Atsushi for a moment longer. "Sweetie..."

"Please... Y/n, please..."

"Atsushi..." Y/n said softly. "...is this a personal request, or an emotional request?"

Atsushi paused for a moment. "Whatever let's Kyoka be safe..." He whispers.

"Are you willing to burden the responsibility and shoulder the misfortunes that Kyoka might bring, Atsushi?"

"I... Of-Of course, I-!"

"You cannot bear to hesitate in moments like this, Atsushi," Y/n cuts off. He slightly narrowed his eyes at Atsushi, almost like he was challenging him. "A yes or no is required. Silence or hesitation will only lead to failure. I'll ask you again, are you willing to take this responsibility?"

Atsushi panted softly before confidently nodding. "Yes," he claims. "I want to save Kyoka. I will make sure she gets a childhood."

Determination and confidence in one person is not something you see every day in people, and Y/n knew this. But seeing Atsushi's eyes shine with pure motivation and trust, Y/n couldn't help but smile.

"Alright... you win," Y/n sighs, shaking his head with a smile. "You are brave and kindhearted, sweetie, but it can only lead you so far... I will see what I can do to help Kyoka's situation. However, I cannot confirm that the agency will agree with this mess, alright?"

Atsushi stares at Y/n for a moment before a smile bloomed onto his face. "Thank you, Y/n!" He cheered bouncing in place a bit. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I won't disappoint you!" He couldn't stop himself from hugging Y/n with a bright smile on his face.

Y/n laughed as he hugged Atsushi back with one arm. "I count on it, sweetie. Be your best."

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After finishing their food, Kyoka, Y/n, and Atsushi decided to take a walk around the plaza. Kyoka was walking ahead of Y/n and Atsushi, as they were walking side by side. Although they were walking rather slow, because of Y/n having to use his crutch, it just let them enjoy the scenery around them.

"We are outside," Kyoka pointed out before she turned to Y/n. "Where are we going? Where are you going to take me?"

At the question, Atsushi and Y/n paused for a moment. They glanced at each other, and Y/n raised a brow at Atsushi, silently questioning if his answer still stands. With a simple nod, Atsushi smiled brightly, almost like the sun itself was shining on Y/n.

"How about we go wherever you want to, dear," Y/n said to Kyoka. "Whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go. It's a you day today, Kyoka. So, where do you want to go first?"

Kyoka's eyes widened for a moment before she looked down in thinking. "I don't know..."

"Well, how about we go to the park first, and then we'll go on from there," Atsushi suggested with a smile. "How does that sound?"

"Yes. I would like that."

Y/n couldn't help but chuckle at Kyoka's eagerness.

Kyoka, Atsushi, and Y/n went to the park, there Y/n was able to buy crepes for everyone. They ate the delicious treat with stars in their eyes. From there, Kyoka began to walk and wonder around, finding herself in different locations that amazed her to no end.

Y/n and Atsushi were amused and laughed with each other the whole time. Taking care of Kyoka was fun, in their eyes, even when she could get a little expensive at times. Kyoka was begging Y/n to let her play the arcade games they found, and Y/n couldn't help but give in while Atsushi was panicking about the money usage. It was all worth it since Kyoka now had a plush bunny with her that she carried everywhere.

Kyoka dragged the two adults everywhere she went. To the arcade to play games and get her a stuffed animal, to the park to buy food, and even playing with the birds around the park. Atsushi had a bird peck at his shoulder for food while another went into Kyoka's hand where the seeds were at. Y/n was laughing at the two as a bird had made itself comfortable in his lap as he was sitting on the bench.

"Ah~ dear, you have so much energy today, don't you?" Y/n teased slightly as he was holding onto Kyoka's hand with his free one. Atsushi on the other side of Y/n, making sure Y/n was stable to walk.

"I'm so sorry for using your money for this, even though most of the stuff we did was my idea..." Atsushi mumbled a bit as he sweatdropped. "I swear I will pay you back one day."

Y/n shook his head with a small laugh. "Oh, don't worry about it, sweetie. I'm completely fine about it. Just know that money will never be a problem with me around." He chuckled.

"Mr. Y/n," Kyoka called out as she lightly pulled onto Y/n's hand. "I want to visit one more place."

Y/n raised a brow but still smiled. "Oh? Alright then, dear. Lead the way." He let go of Kyoka's hand, letting the little girl walk in front of him and Atsushi.

The trio walked for a while longer as they all made quiet and comfortable conversations. Y/n and Atsushi didn't even realize where they were going until Kyoka stopped right in front of them. Thye looked down at the girl in worry before she pointed up at the building in front of her.

"Over there," Kyoka said plainly. "We're here."

Y/n and Atsushi paused for a moment before Atsushi's eyes widened when he saw the word 'police station' on the building in front of them. Y/n didn't even react as he kept quiet, gazing at Kyoka in thought.

Kyoka looked down, holding onto her bunny plushie loosely. "I've... had my fun."

"But you'll be sentence to death!!" Atsushi called out, stepping up to Kyoka in fear.

"As I would be if I went to the Mafia," Kyoka stated. "Besdies, I've killed thirty-five people. That I am alive is a crime in itself. Nothing can undo what I have done."

Atsushi opened his mouth to say more. "Kyo- aCK-?!" But he wasn't able to, something pierced right through his chest. His eyes widened.

Kyoka's eyes widened in horror as she turns around only to see Atsushi stabbed and coughing up blood. She shook with fear as she knows the thing that had stabbed Atsushi. In fear she looked around for Y/n, only to see him on the floor with a mouth covering, a broken crutch thrown to the side, and people surrounding him.

"Sentenced to death?" A voice muttered, dark and stern. "Nothing of the sort." It was Akutagawa. "You've accomplished your mission." He loomed over Kyoka as Atsushi's body fell to the floor in front of her.

"Hmmf!!" Y/n let out a muffled scream as he tried his best to yell at Kyoka to run, but the mouth guard didn't allow him to do so. "HMPH! HMM!!"

A large semi-truck suddenly drifted up to Y/n. With widen eyes Y/n was suddenly picked up my four men and thrown into the back of the truck. Y/n had slammed his head against the wall of the truck, and hard. He could feel blood dripping down his face as the last of his vision was Kyoka crying on the ground with Akutagawa next to her and the truck's door closing on him.

It wasn't long until Y/n lost consciousness from hitting his head so hard on the walls of the truck. The mouth guard was uncomfortable as the bindings on his wrist and ankles limited his movement. He was caught. He was trapped.

'Atsushi, Kyoka...!' Y/n thought before he passed out. 'Please...! Be safe...'

Kyoka watched as Y/n and Atsushi were thrown into separate trucks and were sped away. Her eyes were widened in fear and horror seeing the only people in her life to be taken away from her once again. She wanted to cry, she wanted the warmth that Y/n had brought her and the kindness that Atsushi showed her.

Kyoka just wants to be a normal kid for the first time in her life.

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