[He nods, though there's a part of him that still feels conflicted. And that conflict is no doubt what's drawing the little crowd around them.]

[He looks down and pats one of the taller ones on the head, causing it to happily hop in place.]

These are a type of ayakashi called Arukibake. Most ayakashi are dangerous, but these guys... they follow people who've recently been depressed or lonely. I think they're just trying to keep us company.

[...]

[Meanwhile, one of them has found a leaf with a hole in it and is wearing it on the same side of its "face" as Dain wears his mask, strutting around and posing dramatically.]

[Is it trying to make him laugh, or is it mocking him?? Yes.]