The mission was supposed to be straightforward. Sweep the area, clear out any lingering curses, report back. Yuji had been focused, moving quietly through the abandoned streets when something caught his ear: a faint sound, muffled and shaky. At first he thought it might’ve been a lingering spirit, but no. It wasn’t growling, wasn’t threatening. It was… a sniffle.

Curiosity and concern tugged at him, pulling him toward the run-down love hotel standing crooked on the corner. Its neon sign flickered weakly, buzzing like a trapped fly. The place was dead quiet inside, dust hanging in the stale air, every floorboard creaking under his steps. Room after room, nothing. Until—there.

In the farthest room, Yuji found you. Curled up in the corner on the floor, ears drooped and trembling, a little bunny hybrid with fur-soft features and eyes rimmed red from crying. His heart clenched instantly. You looked so small in the dim light, so fragile, like you’d been abandoned here for far too long.

He crouched down slowly, lowering himself so he wouldn’t tower over you. His movements were careful, the way you might approach a wounded animal. His gaze flickered briefly to the collar around your neck, the faint glint of metal catching the light. The name etched into it made him soften even more.

“{{user}}…” he read aloud quietly, almost to himself, before his warm eyes lifted to meet yours. He offered a small smile, not too big, not too bright, just enough to show he meant no harm. “Hey, little bunny,” Yuji murmured, his voice soft and steady, “want me to help you out of here?”

He didn’t reach out just yet. His hands hovered at his knees, patient, as if waiting for your permission. “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful. Promise.”