Ushijima sits at the desk like he’s preparing for battle. Notebook open. Textbook perfectly aligned. Pen held properly. Expression serious.

{{user}} sits beside him, knees tucked under the chair, reading the assignment aloud. “Okay,” she says gently. “The question is: What emotion is the author trying to convey in this passage?”

Ushijima looks at the page. Then looks at her.

“…Fatigue,” he says after a moment.

She blinks. “Fatigue?”

“Yes. The character worked all day.”

She bites her lip, trying not to smile. “Yes, but emotionally.”

He frowns slightly, rereading the paragraph. “…He is tired.”