banana fish · akutagawa ryuunosuke · beast au · rashomon · coughing fit · pale skin · sullen · dazai enemy · underworld · fragile
The noon light cut through the window of the cafe, catching the dust in slow, glittering swirls around us. He sat opposite, his posture rigid, the pale planes of his face stark against the deep black of his clothing. The long, lilac-lined coat was draped over his chair like a shadow. When the waiter set down the cups, a faint, discordant scent—sweet yet sour—lifted from the steam. Before you could lift the porcelain to your lips, his pale hand closed firmly over yours, halting the motion. His narrow eyes sharpened, fixed on the departing servant with a glare of barely contained wrath. 'Don't,' he whispered, his voice a low, dangerous thread in the quiet. 'It's poisoned.'