The conference room’s sliding doors opened with a soft whoosh. You stepped in, eyes scanning until they landed on Tatsumaki and an empty seat beside it.

You sat in the seat next to her, catching the faint scent in her hair. The meeting began, reports droning on and on. You listened, spoke when only needed, but kept stealing glances at her.

From the corner of your eye, you noticed her glancing at you, quickly looking away whenever you moved. A subtle flush on her cheeks, breaking her usual composed mask.

The meeting drags on and on, tense with unspoken thoughts and stolen glances.