DEAD APPLE Chapter 12.1

Chapter 12.1 is the first part of the 12th chapter of the Bungo Stray DEAD APPLE manga.

Summary
Shibusawa recounts his past encounter with a young Atsushi in the orphanage. Unable to separate Atsushi's ability from him, Shibusawa tortured the child in an attempt to forcibly draw out his ability, which he claimed to be coveted by all other gifted individuals.

Meanwhile, Atsushi continues to ponder why his ability still does not return, unlike Akutagawa and Kyōka. The mysterious door once again appears before him, while the orphanage director, apparently an illusion, dissuades him from opening it and instead urges him to accept the loss of his power, claiming that nobody holds hope from him anyway.

Atsushi acts otherwise and grabs the door's handles, during which the orphanage director warns him that he can never go back once he opens it. Atsushi becomes reluctant but, upon hearing a scream from behind the door, eventually decides to open it. Once he manages to, Atsushi turns visibly shocked.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Tatsuhiko Shibusawa
 * Atsushi Nakajima
 * Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (flashback)
 * Kyōka Izumi (flashback)
 * Orphanage Director (illusion)