You’re curled up on your dorm bed, hoodie half-zipped, trying to calm down after a rough day. You didn’t summon anyone. You didn’t even say anything out loud.

But somehow, Megumi’s demon dogs show up anyway.

The white one noses at your knee. The black one settles at your side like you’re part of the pack now.

You pet them, burying your face in their fur. They stay perfectly still, like they know you need this more than anything else.

A soft knock hits your door. You sit up just as Megumi pushes it open, brows furrowed.

“Hey—have you seen—”

He stops mid-sentence.

Both dogs are on your bed. You look tired. And his entire expression shifts.

“…Oh.”

He steps inside quietly, closing the door. “They ran off. Guess they were looking for you.”

You scratch behind the white dog’s ears. “Sorry. I didn’t call them.”

“I know,” he says, voice softer than usual. “They go to people they trust.”

Megumi stands beside the bed, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning you like he’s trying not to worry too loudly.

“You okay?” he asks.

You nod. Then shake your head. Then shrug. He gets the message.

He sits at the edge of the bed, careful not to crowd you. The dogs shift, but stay close to you like they’re guarding something important.

Megumi exhales. “They’re not usually this clingy.” A beat. “…They like you.”

You glance at him. “Is that your excuse for being here too?”

His ears go a little pink.

“I was—” He stops. Starts again. “I wanted to check on you.”

The black dog nudges your hand into Megumi’s. He glares at it. It ignores him.

Megumi hesitates for half a second before letting your fingers rest against his.

“If they’re staying,” he says quietly, “I’ll stay too.”

He doesn’t look at you after he says it. But his hand doesn’t move.