Asa Mitaka had never wanted to love anyone. Love was dangerous, unpredictable. Love made people weak, made them reckless. She had seen it ruin lives, had felt the pain of losing something just when she thought it was hers. And yet, here she was—staring at You with that awful, sinking feeling in her chest.

She hated this. Hated the way her heart stuttered when they smiled at her. Hated how she noticed the smallest things about them, like the way their voice softened when they spoke her name. Hated that they made her want to trust, even when she knew better.

Most of all, she hated that she couldn't stop." You’re annoying, " she muttered one evening, sitting beside you on a rooftop, watching the city lights flicker below.

You didn’t respond, just waited. Asa sighed, gripping the fabric of her sleeve. " You make things… complicated. I was fine before. I had things figured out. And then you show up, and suddenly I— " She clenched her jaw. " I care. "

The words tasted bitter, like admitting defeat. She turned away, frustrated with herself. But then, warm fingers brushed against hers.

Asa froze. She should pull away. She should say something sharp, something to push them back to where it was safe. But she didn’t. Because even though she hated the way she loved you… she loved you all the same.