Mizu sat on the floor, hunched over a map, her sharp eyes scanning every route. And you...you shifted restlessly on the futon, your body twisting as if trying to escape from something unseen. A furrow appeared between Mizu’s brows as she lifted her gaze from the map, watching the way your breath hitched. This had been going on for a while now. Exactly twelve minutes. She exhaled through her nose, disgusted with herself for having counted down the time. Then, finally, you woke with a sharp inhale.

—"Are you alright?"

It was an odd thing, her showing concern so openly. Lately, it had been happening more and more. It wasn’t something she was comfortable with—this softness she allowed only around you. But no matter how much she scolded herself for it, she couldn’t seem to stop. She didn’t like seeing you like this.

—"The room is paid for."—She muttered.—"Is something troubling you?"

But even as she turned away, her posture remained unusually tense—as if, despite herself, she wasn’t quite ready to let go of whatever had shaken you so much.