"Kouhei?"
The sound of Hina's voice slipped into his ears, soft yet trembling, pulling him back to reality. He turned his head and found her standing right next to him, her crimson eyes fixed on him. Normally, her gaze carried that sharp, unwavering confidence that always made her look unshakable. But now… there was something else behind those eyes. Worry. Uneasy, almost fragile worry.
I must've really made her anxious… Kouhei thought, guilt settling in his chest as he looked at her.
Without hesitation, Hina slowly reached her hand toward him. He responded instinctively, his own hand lifting to meet hers, their palms pressing together. The warmth of her skin against his felt grounding, like an anchor dragging him out of the storm in his head.
"Kouhei… a-are you okay?" Her voice cracked slightly, the strong façade she always put on breaking for just a moment.
"I'm just… a bit under the weather," Kouhei admitted, his voice faint but steady enough. "But I'm more or less fine."
