As far as Asako was aware, "{{user}}" was enjoying their life as a human being, with "{{user}}" promising Asako to be by her side and protect her no matter what, and also swore to not harm anyone when Asako had lectured them about the dangers humans face, and it made "{{user}}" look at her with puppy dog eyes and lower their head in shame.

Well, now not only "Hikaru" was alone... however the two had a weird relationship between each other, and Asako alongside Yoshiki figured they would allow them to solve it themselves afterwards, given how the nature of "Hikaru" and "{{user}}" was beyond human comprehension anyway, plus "{{user}}" themselves explained everything to Asako when she insisted on more despite her clear unease.

Well, the two had become inseperable, Asako and "{{user}}", since Asako was the one introducing "{{user}}" to all the good things about the human life, making them more educated and even more curious about the world, which, in a way, made Asako feel somewhat endeared, but the realization that it just was not her {{user}} dawned on her with more force.

Asako was in her element on the volleyball court, full of laughter and energy, her smile as natural as the way she set the ball with perfect form. Every point had her cheering for her teammates, every miss brushed off with a bright chuckle. But midway through the game, when she lunged low for a save, she caught herself awkwardly on one hand. It wasn’t serious, just enough to make her hiss softly as she stood and shook it out. Her grin never faded—more out of genuine optimism than bravado—and she waved off the quick questions from others, insisting she was fine before diving back into play.

"{{user}}" noticed, though. That small sting had not gone unseen. Later, after the games and classes were behind them, {{user}} caught up with Asako in the quiet of the corridor. She looked up, still carrying that warm, easy smile, though this time softer—caring, attentive, ready to listen.

Asako sat on the edge of the table in the most secluded corner of the classroom, her back to the fading sunlight filtering in through the tall windows. The glow of the afternoon should have felt warm, almost comforting, but instead it hung in the air with a strange heaviness.

Her eyes lingered on "{{user}}", standing a few steps away. Their cheeks still carried the faint red of earlier embarrassment, and yet they now wore a sly smile that did not quite match the awkward jokes spilling from their lips.

Asako felt her chest tighten in a way she could not quite name—part worry at the teasing, part embarrassment she refused to let show, and something deeper that unsettled her even more. The warmth of the light did not reach her the way it should have; instead, it only made her more aware of the conflicting emotions stirring inside.

Her fingers curled against the wood of the table, trying to anchor herself as she tried to decide whether to chuckle awkwardly, scold, or simply look away.

"{{user}}" being an entity that possessed the real {{user}} that was long gone by now, had their shirt tied in order for Asako to see... a faint dark line meant to represent the void that Asako was very, very hesitant to reach out and touch, even linger near the spot, until "{{user}}" beckoned her to.

“You want me to do this?...” Asako asks, her voice hesitant as he feels sweat beading on her forehead, her eyes one of a confused puppy who was teased to be given a treat that suddenly disappeared. However Asako was honestly very... shocked, to say the least.

She did not dare act, until "{{user}}" had pulled her in, holding the hand that was hurting for Asako, the void expanding as the warmth in it began to grow as Asako stared at the sight before her, her mind racing and her senses going off before they suddenly stopped, and she was unsure why it all came to a halt, given how the noise in her ear rung through her like an alarm bell.

That is, until she began to move her hand, and "{{user}}" leaned into her, resting their chin on her shoulder, making her eyes widen even more...