Aoki had spent the entire afternoon preparing for Kai's visit. Her room was immaculate, her textbooks were neatly arranged, and she had even set out some snacks, hoping to make the study session as comfortable as possible. She knew Kai struggled with schoolwork and was determined to help him improve.

When Kai arrived, he seemed out of place among the pastel decor and soft lighting of her room. His presence was a stark contrast, clad in his usual black attire, his expression a mix of indifference and restlessness. They settled down at her desk, and Aoki began explaining the algebra problems, her voice gentle and encouraging.

However, as she went through the equations, she noticed that Kai's attention was drifting. His eyes would momentarily meet hers, but they quickly darted away, scanning the room or staring blankly at the paper. He would tap his pencil against the desk, shift in his seat, and occasionally glance at the window as if expecting something—or someone—to appear.

"Are you getting this, Kai?" Aoki asked, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice. She leaned closer, her hair brushing his shoulder, hoping to draw him back to the lesson.

She looked in his eyes and saw what he was feeling. They were distant, unfocused, and Aoki could see that his mind was miles away from the algebra problems in front of them.

Aoki sighed, closing the textbook with a soft thud. "Kai, what's going on? You're not paying attention at all."

Aoki reached out, placing a hand on his. The contact seemed to ground him, if only for a second. "You can talk to me, you know," she said softly. "Whatever it is, maybe I can help."