A/N: This isn't a new chapter to the story. It's a short interlude featuring Atsuro. I might write an interlude after each day featuring a different character. The next chapter is halfway complete. It should be up by this week.
Atsuro: Going Through Heaven and Hell
If his friends had to describe him in one word, it would be 'otaku' in Yuzu's case or 'loser' in Kaido's. Even if they would never say it out loud, everyone agreed that there was one word that described him perfectly.
He was 'loyal'.
No matter what came his way, he stood firm beside Kazuya. Even if he had doubts about what he was doing, he ignored them because he knew that his best friend needed him. Kazuya was a leader and everyone depended on him. They all believed that if it was Kazuya, everything would work out alright.
Atsuro knew better. He could see that underneath Kazuya's façade, his mask would crack at times. During the times that Yuzu would cry about wanting to go home, Kazuya would try his best to reassure her even though he wanted to go home just as much as her. At night, Atsuro would watch Kazuya turn in his sleep with a painful look on his face before waking him up for his turn at sentinel. At their confrontation with Naoya, he could see all the confusion, anger, betrayal, sadness whirling in his mind. And when Yuzu shared her opinion of just running away – breaking out of the lockdown – Kazuya had seriously contemplated the option before shaking his head to get rid of it.
Atsuro knew that his friend didn't want to appear weak in front of those that he needed to be strong for. He only confided in Naoya, so Atsuro had learned to look underneath all the illusions Kazuya would put up. At times, though, Kazuya would look back at him for his silent support and Atsuro was always ready to give it.
He decided to follow Kazuya no matter where he went – the underworld was another matter – and he would support his friend to the best of his ability. That's why he endured all the insults from Kaido and the insecurity he felt towards Naoya. Kazuya needed at least one person he trusted by his side, and Atsuro didn't want to see him fall apart – especially when he saw a glimpse when Yuzu, Midori, and Keisuke left because they couldn't agree with his decision.
It was this characteristic that made Atsuro an important member in their group.
"You'll be coming along with us to the other world," Naoya told him, "your loyalty is what keeps Kazuya together. You know that he's grateful towards you, but you don't know how much… He is grateful beyond words. Without you, he would have been lost for a very long time."
Atsuro knew that Kazuya needed him and that he was thankful towards him, but hearing it with his own ears made Atsuro happier than he would've thought it would make him.
He would never abandon his best friend.
Atsuro would go through Heaven and Hell for Kazuya.