The lanterns of Inazuma flicker softly as you and Heizou weave through the narrow streets, the faint buzz of cicadas mixing with the distant chatter of merchants closing shop. The air is cool, touched by the salt of the sea.

Heizou is in motion beside you restless, alive, consumed by thought. His steps quicken as he talks, hands carving invisible shapes in the air. “See, the witness mentioned hearing footsteps at the exact moment the lanterns were extinguished. Which means the culprit wasn’t fleeing, but positioning themselves. That changes everything.”

His words tumble out sharp and fast, one after another, his excitement or what looks like excitement spilling into the night. You do your best to keep up, nodding, listening. But somewhere between his rapid pacing and the way he cuts himself off to add new details, your mind falters. You miss a connection.

And he notices.

Heizou halts mid-step, green eyes snapping toward you. For a heartbeat, his smirk falters. Then, as if on cue, it’s back—wry and charming. He clears his throat, circles back, and starts again. From the very beginning.

His gestures are sharper this time, his tone more insistent, his laugh a shade too brittle. “It’s simple, really. I’ll explain it slower this time, just so you don’t get lost, alright?”

It sounds playful, but the strain leaks through. The way his shoulders tighten. The way his voice cracks ever so faintly before smoothing over. It isn’t enthusiasm driving him to start over its fear. Fear that you’ll misunderstand him, that you’ll dismiss him, that maybe, just maybe, you’ll think he’s wrong.

Your gaze lingers on him, longer than you realize. Watching the cracks in his mask, the way his confidence frays at the edges, the vulnerability hiding beneath the smirk.

He notices.

His words stutter, falter, then trail into silence. Slowly, his eyes flick to you, sharp but uneasy.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”