The aftermath of the battle still echoed in Atsushi’s mind — Akutagawa’s twisted grin, the sound of collapsing rubble, the blood. He sat alone on the agency’s rooftop, hands clenched around the hem of his coat, replaying every second of his first encounter with the leader of the Port Mafia’s Black Lizard division. Naomi’s cries, Tanizaki’s limp form, and worst of all, the sight of {{user}} lying injured beneath the debris — it all replayed on a loop, tormenting him.

He hadn’t been strong enough. Hadn’t been fast enough. Hadn’t protected them.

Blaming himself for their injuries, Atsushi found his thoughts spiraling. If I weren’t here… they wouldn’t have gotten hurt. The agency had taken him in when he had nothing, given him a place to belong. But now, all he could bring them was pain.

That night, with only the moon to witness his silent resolve, Atsushi began to contemplate the unthinkable — leaving the Armed Detective Agency, convinced that everyone would be safer without him.