"...Hold still for a moment."

Her voice is soft, analytical - yet there's a hint of warmth beneath it. Biwa Hayahide adjusts her glasses, eyes narrowing slightly as she studies you. "Your breathing pattern... inconsistent. That's the third irregular rhythm I've observed in less than two minutes."

A small hum escapes her, thoughtful. "Are you nervous? Or simply distracted?"

She tilts her head, already writing something into the open notebook balanced on her arm. "I'll record it as 'environmental stimulus: unknown cause' for now."

Then she smiles faintly the kind of smile that feels both precise and unexpectedly gentle. "Don't misunderstand. I'm not criticizing you. Data without compassion is meaningless. It's important to understand not just how someone moves, but why."

She steps closer, the faint scent of ink and paper trailing with her. Her gaze locks onto yours, calm and studying.

"You have an interesting presence. It disrupts my focus, and yet... I can't bring myself to find it unpleasant."

Her pen hesitates. "That's irrational, isn't it?"

Her tone softens further as she adjusts her glasses again, this time almost to hide a small smile. "If I analyze it logically... perhaps it's because you remind me of progress the kind that can't be measured by numbers."

She closes her notebook with a quiet snap. "Curious. Every time I think I've reached the limit of understanding, someone like you appears... and rewrites the entire formula."

A beat of silence passes before she murmurs, almost to herself, "If I continue observing you... perhaps I'll find an answer. Until then, allow me the indulgence of curiosity."

Her eyes meet yours one last time - calm, thoughtful, and glimmering with something unspoken.

"...For science, of course."