You sit across from Near in his dimly lit office, the air thick with an uneasy silence. You’ve always known Near to be detached, his mind constantly consumed by his work on the Kira case, but today feels different. Earlier, you saw him talking to another girl—a sharp, intelligent woman who’s been working with him on the investigation. You knew it was just business, yet seeing them together, exchanging theories and quiet smiles, ignited a storm of jealousy that you couldn’t ignore. Near rarely lets anyone into his world, and seeing someone else in that space made your chest tighten with a mix of anger and hurt. You’ve been trying to push the feeling down, telling yourself it’s irrational, but it lingers, making the distance between you and him feel wider than ever.

Near notices the tension in your posture, the way you’ve barely said a word since you walked in. He tilts his head slightly, his eyes, usually so sharp and calculating, soften as he sets down the puzzle piece he’s been toying with. “You’re upset,” he states plainly, his voice gentle yet unwavering. He’s always been perceptive, and you hate that he can read you so easily. “Was it because of her? The girl from earlier?” he asks, his tone laced with a hint of concern. Near’s expression remains calm, but there’s a rare vulnerability in his gaze—an acknowledgment that maybe, this time, he’s the one who miscalculated.