Nakajima Atsushi...and the slow steps it takes to fully believe in yourself. A lot of stories have the main character go through some deep monologue that ends with a boost of bravery and "I still have a long way to go"/"even if I fall I will get up again" message by the end, and that's not a bad thing at all. However, with atsushi it's so important to have a deeply wounded character who selfishly wants to hide and survive slowly take the steps needed to believe in his own heart.
A lot of people criticized atsushi for being too cowardly and whiny to be a protagonist, they remind me of the people in my life who rush me into "getting better", wanting him to develop at a pace faster than he can manage. but to me it's comforting to know that he acts like most of us. We are always afraid and full of doubts in life, sticking to much easier routes and bsd doesn't immediately condemn you for it. It's comforting to know that these slow, staggering steps are both normal and achievable, that you can find confidence at your own pace.
Thank you atsushi for being the main character ever.
I offer one of my favorite rarepairs....
Gonna bring this back until it is not valid anymore. Bro is having the worst day ever LOOOOOL. 🔥
atsushi nakajima doesn't know what various physical signs of affections mean -- he grew up with none afterall
the first time kenji hugs him, he asks why he's squeezing him
he's a quick study tho, so he's able to hug kyouka after realizing she's not dead
but he gets shy about asking questions, doesnt even know what questions to ask, so he just does his best
for example
kunikida, ruffling atsushi's hair: thanks brat
atsushi, not knowing why he's messing up his hair: ????
*later*
kunikida: thanks kid
*hair ruffle*
atsushi, lightbulb moment: :O
so...
fukuzawa: your report was well done, atsushi
atsushi: thank you!!
atsushi, remembering kunikida:
atsushi, shuffling forward, and shyly ruffling fukuzawa's hair:
fukuzawa:
atsushi:
fukuzawa:
atsushi, proud for doing it right: okay bye then :)
fukuzawa, half confused, half touched:
/
atsushi, noticing two strangers holding hands:
atsushi: why r u guys doing that
strangers: uh we're partners?
atsushi: is that what partners do?
strangers: uh yes???
atsushi: huh
*later*
akutagawa: hurry jinko i do not have time---
atsushi, reaching out and holding akutagawa's hand:
akutagawa:
akutagawa:
atsushi, to himself: oh my god, has he been a bitch becuz i didn't realize work partners had to hold hands????
/
atsushi, nervous:
junichiro, giving him a comforting shoulder squeeze:
atsushi: ohhh i get it
junichiro: ???
*later*
poe, his usual shy anxious self:
atsushi, going over and squeezing his shoulder:
poe, red, more anxious, flabbergasted:
atsushi, who did it and then just left:
karl:
poe:
/
dazai, patting atsushi on the back: good job atsushi!!
atsushi: ????????
*later*
yosano, covered in blood and guts, after saving civilians:
atsushi, materializing randomly, patting yosano's back, awkwardly: good job yosano!!! you're amazing like always!!!!
yosano, touched and amused: thank you atsushi
/
dazai: atsushi i got you this
atsushi, confident after his encounter with fukuzawa, reaching up and ruffling dazai's hair: thank you !!!!
dazai: af;lksdjf;las????
/
and so on and so forth
Meme redraw ☆
uhh, dazai loses his ability for a day so he can pet the big cat <3
EXTREMELY funny Chuuya frame in retrospect