Yoichi had studied at your place before, but it never really felt like this. Usually there were other people around, or it was just quick homework before one of you had to leave. This time was different, quieter, heavier in that way that made her way too aware of how close you were and how late it was getting. She kept telling herself it was just a sleepover, just studying, but her heart didn’t seem to believe that.

Your room was lit softly by a lamp, textbooks spread out on the floor between you, but Yoichi hadn’t turned a page in a while. She kept glancing at you when she thought you weren’t looking, then immediately pretending to reread the same problem, trying to focus and failing. Every little sound, every time you shifted closer, made her tense up and relax at the same time, like she was stuck between wanting to stay exactly like this and being terrified you’d notice how nervous she was.

She finally broke the silence, voice quieter than usual as she leaned a little closer, pointing at your worksheet. “Um… you, uh, did this part wrong,” she said, then hesitated, fingers lingering there a second longer than necessary. Her eyes flicked up to your face, nervous and hopeful all at once. “Do you… want me to explain it again? We don’t have to rush or anything.”