Ayamura

"I swear, you're such a fool. You either think too much or not at all... Still, of the fools in the world, I'd say you're the good kind."

- Ayatsuji to Tsujimura in Tales of the Lost.

Ayamura is the het ship between Yukito Ayatsuji and Mizuki Tsujimura from the Bungou Stray Dogs fandom.

Canon
Tsujimura was assigned to monitor Ayatsuji, whom she refers to as “Ayatsuji-Sensei” as a form of respect. The two started off on cross terms, Tsujimura finding Ayatsuji unbearable and the latter dismissing Tsujimura and insulting her on a whim. However, once Tsujimura agreed to be Ayatsuji's partner, as time went on the two displayed their close bond as partners, Tsujimura seemingly gained a crush on Ayatsuji. Ayatsuji constantly remarks on her reckless behavior and saves her on the battlefield. Though he appreciates it, stating he needed her recklessness to defeat Kyogoku.

Ayatsuji cares greatly for Tsujimura despite not showing it; taking their partnership seriously and greatly caring for her, as he betrays the Special Division while putting his life at risk to protect Tsujimura's. Tsujimura shows great admiration and respect towards Ayatsuji, showing utter shock when he "gave up" on a mission and having faith in his abilities. Tsujimura refuses to betray her trust in Ayatsuji and refuses to shoot him despite her superior's orders.

Ayatsuji prefers to work alone, though he is willing to accept help from Tsujimura (but always demanding for a deal in return, such as doing everything he says in a day and both barking and rolling around like a dog). Despite trusting each other with their lives, the two bicker and argue often finishing each other's sentences and bickering back and forth; with Tsujimura remarking how cold-blooded and cruel Ayatsuji is and threatening him with her authority, and Ayatsuji relentlessly teasing and insulting Tsujimura, clearly finding her reactions enjoyable.

When they first met, Ayatsuji calls Tsujimura a simpleton and frequently insults her throughout their first meetings. Tsujimura has great respect and awe towards Ayatsuji, though at first, she doesn't seem to have feelings for him and more fed up with his rude attitude. Ayatsuji shows out-of-character joy when Tsujimura agrees to be his partner. Instead of leaving Tsujimura to die, he solves the puzzle and saves her promptly. Kyogoku even remarks of this and how Ayatsuji only met Tsujimura that very day yet protected her anyways.

Ayatsuji is implied to have slight romantic affection towards Tsujimura. Ayatsuji states he didn't run away from the Special Division to save Tsujimura, however, when Tsujimura's mother confronts him of these facts saying, "weighing between your own life and my daughter's life, you chose my daughter," Ayatsuji hardly denies. He goes as far to state that he's okay living a life of hell and hardship as long as it's with Tsujimura. He comments on how good she looked in a leash and teases her in a manner that could be interpreted as flirting. He even buys a leash for the forementioned reasons. Ayatsuji seems to respond childishly and tease only Tsujimura, seeming keen on the idea of Tsujimura becoming his servant and pet.

Tsujimura has hinted feelings for towards Ayatsuji; In the manga, she's seen blushing when he teases her or merely responds to her. In the light novel Tsujimura describes her face to have slowly turn red, her temperature rising, and other signs of attraction. When Ayatsuji "died", Tsujimura was shown to be in intense turmoil and grief upon his "sacrifice" and in great relief once he turned out to be alive. Tsujimura is bashful when confronting Ayatsuji about his sacrifice for her. When Tsujimura refuses her organization's orders and goes to save Ayatsuji, Kyogoku calls her Ayatsuji's familiar spirit because of her intense loyalty to Ayatsuji.

Prologue: Happy Birthday (First Half)
When Tsujimura is assigned on her first mission to watch over Ayatsuji, she heads to the Ayatsuji Detective Agency, only to see Ayatsuji torturing Tanizaki and tying him upside down in the office. We see Ayatsuji greatly antagonizing Tsujimura, attempting to send her off of her job and throwing insults and remarks.

At the end of the first half, Ango reveals that the reason Ayatsuji remarked that he knew "today would be a terrible day" is because today is Ayatsuji's birthday, and Tsujimura responds with adequate shock, confused.

Prologue: Happy Birthday (Second Half)
When Ayatsuji and Kyougoku solve the puzzle easily, Tsujimura is impressed, to which Ayatsuji remarks that the puzzle was "unacceptably simple" for someone like Kyougoku or him. When Tsujimura falls asleep due to the sleeping gas launched by the Architect, Ayatsuji attempts to wake her up with threats of stepping on her, and when she doesn't budge, he steps on her with both feet—to which Tsujimura awakes angrily in pain. The two are locked alone in a room, and a collar is around Tsujimura, chaining her to the floor unable to move. When the poisonous gas fills the room as another puzzle appears. Ayatsuji attempts to solve it before the it fills the room, and while doing so, Tsujimura marvels at his intellect and skill. However, Ayatsuji hits a roadblock in the puzzle and announces they're screwed. Ayatsuji is able to breathe through the air outlet at the ceiling, and he reveals that the Architect's goal here is to tell him to leave Tsujimura to die. Despite the unfavorable circumstance of certain death, Tsujimura has faith in Ayatsuji's abilities.

As Ayatsuji mentally calculates the answer to the puzzle, he prompts Tsujimura for her last words, saying he can still listen "at the very least," and how he's "not sure if it'll provide Tsujimura any consolation." After silence, Tsujimura asks Ayatsuji to tell her about her mother. She states Ayatsuji was the detective who solved the case when her mother died, and Tsujimura begs him for an answer of how she lived, how she died, the emotions she had, her last words, and throughout this Ayatsuji remains silent. He then asks if that was the sole purpose why Tsujimura wanted the job of monitoring him, so that she could ask him these questions. Tsujimura confirms this and states all the pain of testing and training was nothing knowing she could achieve this goal. Ayatsuji doesn't believe her and states she's betting her entire life on this unlikely opportunity. Tsujimura doesn't budge, and Ayatsuji questions why she's going this far for her mother when their relationship was so terrible. Tsujimura confirms this and states that knowing her is as important as the "very act of being born." Ayatsuji remains silent and affirms her statement, saying "believing that is what makes people think that their birthday is something to celebrate." Tsujimura realizes that's why Ayatsuji hates his birthday.

Ayatsuji tells Tsujimura to forget about her mother, to stop looking at him as a source of information, and to not look at him like someone to keep watch over; instead, a partner. Tsujimura questions him, and he explains, "with a partner, your life doesn't only belong to you. They put their lives on the line for each other." He then states, "if you swear that you will do that. I'll put all my effort into solving this problem in time."

They escape the manor after Ayatsuji reveals the door's been open the entire time.

Ayatsuji remarks to Kyogoku: "She said the life she's been given in valuable. Even when death had her by the throat." referring to Tsujimura during the gas room incident. He goes on to say, "Her deduction skills may be second-rate. But that foolishness that allows her to act without seeing future consequences is something you and I don't have. And that's when I thought...Cleverness will never be enough to take you down. I need stupidity that is polished like a crystal."

After the confrontation with Kyogoku and the Architect and the events at Narwhal Manner, Tsujimura angrily tells Ayatsuji to focus on writing his report. Begrudgingly, Ayatsuji offers a trade: if Tsujimura "runs in a circle three times and barks", and "puts on a leash, act like a dog and make sounds like one while doing her work", then he'll write the report. Tsujimura exclaims how one-sided the deal is, and afterward she contemplates the events at the Manor while she discusses things with Ayatsuji.

As Ayatsuji announces they'll be heading to the scene of the crime, Ayatsuji gives Tsujimura a leash, to which she exclaims in confusion asking if he bought this. He then states he realized how good the collar looked on Tsujimura at the gas room in Narwhal Manor and demands her to wear the leash whenever they're outside. While saying so, Ayatsuji has a smug smile. Tsujimura retorts she'll knock his head upside with the report.

Now, Tsujimura recalls the events of Kyogoku's schemes, ending by stating "the contest would continue on to that fated evening above the waterfall", and the event ends with saying, "To be continued in the <Bungo Stray Dogs Side Story Ayatsuji Yukito VS Kyougoku Natsuhiko", confirming Ayatsuji and Tsujimura's first meeting is in fact canon to the BSD universe.

Act 1
Ayatsuji is solving the murder of a young child in a church. Shortly after he solves the case and easily pins the culprit, Tsujimura enters the scene to reprimand Ayatsuji for accusing a criminal without permission. We see the two’s unfriendly bickering attitude. In response to Tsujimura's reprimanding, Ayatsuji states he's a loyal, obedient dog and goes to mimic dog ears with his hands to make fun of Tsujimura. Ayatsuji tells her that “her time is as graceful as ever. ” The murderer runs towards Tsujimura in an attempt to escape, and Ayatsuji shouts telling her to catch the culprit. Tsujimura kicks him and immobilizes the man with ease, telling him that he has the right to remain silent and the right to emplpy a defense lawyer if he wants. Ayatsuji provokes her by saying that she has a predilection for these sayings. Tsujimura again gave him a lecture saying that the next time he goes alone he will be reported to his superiors, but Ayatsuji does not seem to care. He retorts asking the murderer why people call Ayatsuji the "Homicide Detective", and Tsujimura reaches out to stop Ayatsuji. He then tells her to release the culprit, which leaves her confused and a little reluctant. Ayatsuji warns her asking if she wants to get caught in "it" too, and in the end, when she releases the culprit, he runs out towards the exit in a frenzy; Ayatsuji’s special ability Another activates, leaving the stained-glass mural above to break and fall on the culprit, killing him. Tsujimura exasperatedly watches as Ayatsuji's ability ends the murderer, speechless and looking down. Ayatsuji walks off states it was a natural phenomenon of his abilities, stating if someone's crimes are revealed by him, "they're 100% guaranteed to-" and Tsujimura cuts him off, finishing his sentence: "-...Die in an accident."

Act 2
The next day, Tsujimura heads to the Ayatsuji Detective Agency to monitor Ayatsuji, as that is her job for the time being. Before entering the office, Tsujimura poses and says her favorite movie line: "It's your mistake to be born in the same era as me." Upon entering, Ayatsuji reads a book, not paying attention to Tsujimura. The latter threatens him, reminding Ayatsuji that depending on the conduct she can shoot him to death. Ayatsuji remarks how effective the threat was - he tells Tsujimura he'll give her his upmost respect if she makes him a coffee. Tsujimura is surprised by the simple request and makes the coffee, but soon after she realizes she's been tricked and gets angry saying she's not his maid. The two start arguing about yesterday's case and Ayatsuji's conduct. Tsujimura tells him that his oversight is a privilege of the government, and how he should show her some gratitude. Ayatsuji interrupts saying that he is grateful, making Tsujimura blush. However, she gets irritated again when Ayatsuji says he is thankful that someone easy to deal with like her was sent to supervise him. Ayatsuji drinks the coffee Tsujimura made, and he says that it is not bad., and Tsujimura grows flustered completely and blushes at the sudden compliment. Though, quickly, Ayatsuji claims that Tsujimura was scolded by her boss prior to arriving. Next, he states she picked up a latte at the coffee shop and passed by the narrow book town in District 1. Ayatsuji states she contacted the sniper team and changed all observation points to D2, and then quoted a movie line before entering. Tsujimura is stumped and questions how Ayatsuji knew all of this, and he quickly relays his thought process and observation behind all statements he's made. In a panic, Tsujimura frantically questions how Ayatsuji knew about the movie line, he responds flatly, "If you don't want to be heard, keep your voice down." Tsujimura recalls the event as the most embarrassing moment in her life after weakly covering her face. In the manga, Tsujimura's entire face turns red. While observing Ayatsuji write his report of the case from yesterday, Tsujimura ponders on his special ability, but is cut off short by his teasing: Ayatsuji asks why she's staring at him so intently, remarking that if she's in the mood to be a maid after all, she can change her outfit to a maid dress. Tsujimura denies (and in the manga she blushes at this), urging him to stay silent and complete his report. Ayatsuji and Tsujimura go back and forth discussing the odd details of the crime the previous day.

Linking the murder of the young boy to an outside abettor and the culprit's activity to a well, Ayatsuji leads Tsujimura to the office basement. In the basement lies a garden of antique dolls that Ayatsuji collects as his pastime, and Tsujimura remarks how creepy the chilling basement and said dolls are. The two discuss the mysterious well known in gossip magazines and such, and Ayatsuji commands Tsujimura to get a request for the Special Division so that they may investigate the well.

Act 3
Ayatsuji and Tsujimura head to investigate the well. They find four bamboo blades and six round stones. Ayatsuji deduces that the objects are related to a curse. Ayatsuji commands Tsujimura to check for salt on the leaves, and when she questions this, he tells her to lick it. When Tsujimura prepares to lick it but stops hesitantly, blushing and annoyed as she states they can simply have the lab test for salt. Ayatsuji seems greatly disappointed that Tsujimura realized he was tricking her yet again. Ayatsuji states he's giving up the investigation, and confused, Tsujimura states they need to lab check the objects, and they have to find other leads-However, Ayatsuji counters this saying that the well is their first and last lead for the case. He then shares about a common thread among ghost stories - that spirits dwell in wells. Tsujimura asks if a ghost is behind this ordeal, and Ayatsuji deduces that the culprit set it up only to look like the well is haunted. Intrigued, Tsujimura asks if he already identified the culprit of the crime. Ayatsuji deduces the secret behind the six pebbles and four bamboo leaves, and orders Tsujimura to check the vicinity of the well tomorrow. Ayatsuji gives a detailed analysis of the secrets behind the well, and Tsujimura realizes Ayatsuji gave up at the well only because he didn't want to get his hands dirty. Ayatsuji smirks and orders Tsujimura to take a colleague with her and get her hands dirty.

He finishes with stating he wishes her every success and dubs her "Detective Assistant." (In the manga, Tsujimura blushes with a sigh and Ayatsuji grins widely, saying he looks forward to her performance, while likewise calling her "Ms. Detective's Assistant") The following day, the two meet up and while deciphering a code from the well, Tsujimura seems desperate to impress Ayatsuji in deciphering the mystery, and Ayatsuji throws insults and remarks at a confused Tsujimura. When Ayatsuji, Tsujimura, and Asukai discuss what their next course of action is to take down Kyougoku, the three are attacked by the police's Special Forces. While Tsujimura is stunned in fear, Ayatsuji grabs her and calls her a fool, quickly saving her from the gunfire and bringing them into a storage room to take cover.

Act 4
After the incident that claimed the lives of the special forces, Tsujimura meets Ayatsuji in front of the Ministry of Justice for her testimony. As Tsujimura becomes anxious, Ayatsuji tells her not to expect him saying that she "only made a natural, rookie mistake" and to "be careful next time", as he claims that there is no next time in matters regarding life and death. Tsujimura then muses on her ability, which does not follow her orders and which she knows almost nothing about.

Act 6
"Ayatsuji-...-sensei......! I'll find you...wherever you are......!" "Thinking of me...like a little girl......!" "Gone without sayin' a thing......! Don't give me that, you cold-blooded man......!"

- Tsujimura, out of breath, trying to find Ayatsuji to save him in Gaiden. Once she's alerted that Ayatsuji disappeared after framing an innocent, Tsujimura investigates Kubo's death and contemplates Ayatsuji's 'betrayal.' When called by Ayatsuji, the former bids farewell and Tsujimura wells up, under the impression of his 'betrayal' and angrily screaming at him how selfish he is. Ayatsuji coldly responds for her to quit investigating Kubo's murder before hanging up, Tsujimura remains hopeless and attempts to forget Ayatsuji for the time being.

When Tsujimura is ordered to dispose of Ayatsuji, she grows hesitant and unsure. However, upon contemplating the intel behind the case, she promptly realizes the truth behind Ayatsuji's actions. Tsujimura had murderous intention whilst unintentionally trampling Kubo with her car during the drawbridge incident. Therefore, in order to prevent his ability from activating, Ayatsuji betrayed the Special Division to prevent Tsujimura from being killed. Tsujimura realizes his selfless actions and his motive behind the 'betrayal' and makes up her mind to defy her superiors' orders by refusing to shoot Ayatsuji.

Epilogue
A week after Tsujimura's hospitalization, she makes fun of Ayatsuji after he shows anger towards Kyogoku, causing Ayatsuji to rhetorically ask whether she would like to repeat her  ' training ' in 'obedience and honesty' they did during her hospitalization. Tsujimura collapses to the floor and begs him not to, causing Ayatsuji to smirk and drop the topic as Tsujimura sighs in relief. From the subtext we can assume this is an innuendo.

Quotes
"Let's go, Tsujimura-kun... I'm only going to say this once, but if you do anything unnecessary, I am leaving you behind. Got it?"

- Ayatsuji to Tsujimura, home screen of their card in Bungou Stray Dogs: Tales of the Lost.

"Don't forget the promise you made at Narwhal Manor, Tsujimura-kun. You said you'd give your life to protect me... Heh."

- Ayatsuji to Tsujimura, home screen of their card in Bungou Stray Dogs: Tales of the Lost. "'Emotions piercing me head to toe—the feeling that Sensei died in order to protect me—devoured my body down to every cell.'"

- Tsujimura on Ayatsuji's "death" in Bungo Stray Dogs Gaiden. "The ability I possess is a cursed ability that spreads death all around regardless of my will. From the moment I obtained that power, it's been fated that I won't get to live a decent life. I'll probably spend the rest of my life surrounded by death and blood, surrounded by lamentation and resentment. Until the moment this life runs out. And in the deadly struggle against Kyōgoku, many people have been wounded, have fallen. That will go on. There's no victory in the battle against the evil left behind by Kyōgoku. There's no other way for the battle where my defeat has been decided to go to but onwards until death. But...But even so, if it's with—""

- Ayatsuji about his life and Tsujimura in Bungo Stray Dogs Gaiden.

Fanon
Ayatsuji and Tsujimura are not popular characters in the fandom, only appearing in the game and light novel (with Tsujimura's brief appearance in Dead Apple.) Ayamura is rather overshadowed by TsujiChuu. Despite this, some people believe that this ship could become canon, because of Tsujimura's hinted attraction to Ayatsuji and vice versa.

In fanon, Ayatsuji's way of expressing his feelings towards Tsujimura is through his teasing, alluding remarks, notably being interpreted as flirtation. Fans find Ayatsuji's obsession with Tsujimura being in a maid outfit amusing and relate it to Ayatsuji's possible attraction to Tsujimura.

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Gallery
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Official Art
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Trivia
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 * Ayatsuji and Tsujimura have a card together in the game Bungou Stray Dogs Tales of the Lost.
 * Ayatsuji and Tsujimura sharing 'tsuji' in their name is why Gaiden's antagonist targeted them.
 * Ayatsuji teases Tsujimura about being his maid and servant throughout the manga and light novel. He shows great excitement and interest to this idea (compared to his usual cold self), even bringing it up with her mother, while Tsujimura antagonizes it angrily.
 * Ayatsuji states he finds Tsujimura’s frustration face entertaining and remarks he wants a doll-maker to preserve her expression.

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