"Oh my gosh, are you ok?" Atsushi lunged forward, and rolled the strange guy over onto his back. He knew it had to be the one who had ran into him a few minutes ago. He picked up the pharmacy bag that had fallen on the ground, contents jumbled, and he couldn't help but peek inside. "Well, that's a lot of cough syrup, I wonder why..." But his thoughts were cut short when he realized black jacket guy was coughing.
At least he's conscious.
"Hey, are you ok?"
The man pulled himself onto his knees as his cough subsided.
"I am fine, if you don't mind-" he held his hand out for the cough syrup but Atsushi didn't take the hint. He clasped his hand and said "I'm Nakajima Atsushi, it's nice to meet you!"
With his free hand, jacket guy pointed at the bag. "Oh..." Atsushi released the man's hand and held the bag out, by the handles, in both hands as he bowed again. "Sorry! I didn't look...no I did, but I didn't mean to.." His head was down so the stranger didn't see the blush trail across his cheeks.
"It's fine. This weather just aggravates my cough." He tried to stand up, but as he put weight on one leg, he fell back to his knees.
"Are you ok? I can call you a cab if you need one."
"I only live a few blocks away."
"I'll help you get there then! I live close by also!" He offered a genuine smile.
Akutagawa knew he would never, under normal circumstances, agree to such a request. It was beneath him to ask for help like he was a charity case but..
"I forgot my phone, so I guess it's fine this time."
"What's your name?"
"Ryuunosuke Akutagawa. Just call me Akutagawa."
Atsushi offered his hand to Akutagawa again, and this time he begrudgingly used his arm to pull himself up.
"I am ok. Let's just start walking."
"Ya you really look just great." Atsushi's eyes narrowed. Is this guy for real? Akutagawa had heavy black bags under both eyes, his hair had obviously not been brushed, he was pale, his cheeks sunk in and it looked like he had the beginnings of wrinkles, though he couldn't be much older than Atsushi.
"Are you hungry?"
"No. I just want to get back, drink my cough syrup, and check on Gin."
Who could Gin be? Maybe a girlfriend. Atsushi couldn't help but wonder who would find Akutagawa particularly attractive. Maybe he would be if he took care of himself.
"Oh, Gin? That's nice you have a girlfriend who can take care of you when you're sick." Smooth ice breaker, Atsushi grinned to himself.
"You idiot. Gin is my little sister. I was supposed to meet her, she's probably worried."
Ice breaker melted. Maybe I should just help him along in silence Atsushi thought. He didn't seem interested in making friends or even conversation for that matter. He couldn't help it though, he was talking again before he had barely promised himself he wouldn't.
"What were you going to do together?"
"Don't sound so weird about it, I do her laundry for her."
"Well you certainly don't look like the type to do his little sister's laundry."
Akutagawa stopped, his hand dug into Atsushi's arm. This took him by surprise, and he tripped a bit as he came to a standstill.
"Shut up. Why is everything you say so damn stupid. She's the only family I have left."
"Lucky." It was genuine. Akutagawa didn't catch on, though.
"What did you say?"
"You're lucky. That's one more family than I've got."
"Oh, I'm sorry I guess." For the first time, Akutagawa's body relaxed just slightly, and he loosened his grip on Atsushi's arm again, proceeding to walk.
Atsushi just waved his hand through the air. "It's easier for me, I've always been alone."
"What do you mean 'easier for you'?"
"Well, I can't imagine losing everyone I cared about."
"May I ask how you know I lost my family?"
Atsushi smirked, he wanted to lighten the atmosphere again, "Oh I'm not sure...maybe it has something to do with that huge chip on your shoulder..ever consider that's why you keep falling over?"
"You think you're so clever." Akutagawa was about to let go of Atsushi's arm, but his knees buckled again, and he instead bent over to catch his breath. He could sense the irony in this and what had just been said, and purposely avoided eye contact with Atsushi.
"We're almost there, that's my apartment building." Akutagawa pointed at the run down building right across the street. There were traces of grafitti on the wall where someone had obviously tried to wash them off.
"Just a bit further then!" Atsushi piped in. He couldn't help feel a little relief that they could soon part ways.
