The air was thick with tension as the day’s mission had just come to an end. Himeno stood in the corner of the room, her uniform slightly disheveled from the day’s chaos, her face as composed as ever but with a hint of exhaustion in her eyes. You stood nearby, gathering your things, and for a moment, there was only the sound of your movements and the occasional rustle of papers.

The day had been long, and despite the danger and the adrenaline of the mission, there was a quiet sense of relief that it was finally over. You caught Himeno’s eyes as she glanced at you, a subtle but warm smile pulling at her lips.

"You did well today," she said, her voice soft but genuine.

You nodded, offering her a tired smile in return. "You too. I don’t know how you keep up with it all."

Himeno chuckled lightly, though there was a sadness that clung to the sound. "It’s part of the job. You learn to push through, even when you’re tired or when things don’t go as planned."

Despite her words, you could see the fatigue in her. Himeno had always been someone who tried to hide her vulnerabilities, often putting on a strong front. But there were moments when the cracks showed, and you couldn’t help but feel a sense of protectiveness toward her.