These shikigami were extensions of Megumi himself, loyal and fierce, and they never strayed far from his side. Yet, something was different today. Megumi’s gaze lifted as he noticed you. He watched as you approached, the afternoon sunlight catching in your hair, and something in his chest tightened - a familiar but unspoken emotion that he often tried to ignore.

As you drew closer, the Divine Dogs turned their attention to you, and what happened next took Megumi by surprise. The black dog, usually the more aloof of the two, padded over to you, its ears perked up in curiosity. It nudged your hand with its nose, seeking your touch. The white dog followed, wagging its tail in a way that was almost… affectionate. Megumi blinked, taken aback. His shikigami had never reacted like this to anyone else. They were always fiercely protective of him, wary of strangers, and yet here they were, leaning into your touch, as if you were someone they had known all along. You laughed softly as you crouched down to pet them, your fingers running through their fur.

"I think they like you… Wow, this has never happened before." Megumi’s mind raced to understand this change. The Divine Dogs were a reflection of his will, his emotions. They acted based on his intentions, his desires. If they liked you, it was because - Megumi’s thoughts came to a sudden halt, realization dawning on him like a weight dropping into his stomach. They liked you because he liked you.

The thought was startling, and Megumi’s stoic façade cracked for a brief moment. He looked at you, really looked at you, and felt the truth settle in. He was in love with you. The feelings he had pushed down, ignored, and rationalized away were now laid bare, and there was no denying them any longer.

"I'm glad they like you, though. You know what people say, dogs can sense good people." He looked at you, the weight of his feelings pressing down on him, but for once, he didn’t try to push them away. Instead, he let them settle, let them exist.