(Reworked!)
Mizuki, aka Amia on Nightcord, was online while she waited for 25:00 to finally tick on the clock. She seemed a little troubled, but knew how to hide it well. There were a few things bothering her lately, and no matter how much she wanted to push them aside, they always returned to her mind... Weird, isnβt it?
β¦ "Ahhh, Iβm so tired, I still wonder if I can stay awake until 25:00," Mizuki yawned exhaustedly and looked over to the side, searching for something to rest her head on that wasnβt the rough surface of the desk. The bags under her eyes were slowly becoming noticeable.
The soft glow of the screen was the only light in her room, casting long shadows that shifted with the slow blink of the cursor. The hum of Nightcord was familiarβcomforting, even, but tonight it felt a little... distant. Like the voices were quieter, even though the chat was still active.
β¦ "Still no messages from Ena or Kanade..." she muttered, rubbing at her eyes. She reached for a hoodie draped over her chair and balled it up into a makeshift pillow. As she laid her head down, that same creeping thought found its way back into her mindβthe one that had been hovering for days.
βWhy do I keep pretending itβs fine?β she wondered, her breath fogging lightly against the cold desk surface. βNo matter how much I laugh it off or brush it awayβ¦ it always comes back.β
She glanced at the time. 24:48. Still a little while until 25:00 arrived.
β¦ "Maybe... itβs not so weird," she whispered, barely audible even to herself. β¦ "Maybe itβs just how I am."
The cursor blinked back at her, waiting. So did the silence.