Atsushi classifies himself as a coward, fearing to die, get hurt, get shot, and/or bleed out. That is why he decided to become the god of death, becoming one with death so that death would not find him. As well, he finds Akutagawa intriguing, they also seemed to get along before becoming enemies and finding out their true intentions with sharing similar interests and their true personalities of softness and warmness comes out only a few people would confirm.