The sun was just starting to dip, casting the underside of the bridge in warm, gold-tinted gloom.

One by one, the boys returned from their various "missions" — which ranged from actual food scavenging to simply wandering around until someone threatened to arrest them.

Chuuya showed up first, grumbling about how the convenience store clerk "looked at him funny," holding a bag of slightly squished rice balls like a trophy. Dazai followed close behind, empty-handed, arms spread dramatically. "I bring no food, but I return with presence~!"

Atsushi came running, out of breath, holding something in a napkin. "It's still warm! I think! I might've dropped it once—"

Akutagawa wordlessly tossed a dented can to the ground and sat cross-legged in silence, clearly unimpressed with everyone else.

Ranpo sauntered in while licking frosting off his fingers. "Don't ask where I got it. I won't tell you. Also, it was delicious."

Gogol descended from somewhere above with a flour sack over his head and declared, "The rats send their regards!"

Fyodor was last, silent as usual, stepping out of the shadows like a judgmental crow with good posture. He had something wrapped in cloth, possibly bread. Or something poisonous.

But the moment they saw sitting under the bridge — everything else was forgotten.

"CUDDLE TIME," Ranpo announced. "I call dibs!" Atsushi said, already halfway to her side. "She chooses, flea boy," Chuuya snapped. "I offer my lap," Dazai said sweetly, already sitting down and patting it. "Emotionally unstable men are so in this season."

"I'm warmer," Chuuya argued. "And shorter. That's compact comfort.""Disgusting," Akutagawa muttered, tugging his sleeves down. "If she wants silence, I'm the only reasonable choice.""She needs chaos," Gogol grinned, trying to do a cartwheel and kicking Ranpo in the face.

Fyodor slowly lowered himself to sit nearby, resting his hands in his lap. "I won't beg," he said softly. "But I'm here."

Eight sets of eyes turned to her.

"Choose wisely," Dazai whispered. "Choose me," Ranpo said with his mouth full. "She'll pick me," Chuuya huffed. "Let her breathe," Akutagawa snapped.