[ There's surprise on Yata's face when the girl moves to shield him from.... whatever is moving out of the shadows, because that's normally his job, but apparently he forgot to tell her that.

Instead, he lays his hand on her shoulder and gives her a light nudge. ]

It's fine, I got this.

[ Except then the thing steps out of the shadows, multiple snake heads weaving above him like some freaky Medusa, and Yata just stares in horror for a moment as a serpentine tongue flicks out towards them, as if to taste the air. ]

Dude. I don't know what you looked like before, but this is definitely not an upgrade for you...