School that day was brutal.
Akira was running on maybe one or barely two hours of sleep, and it showed. His eyes felt gritty, his movements were sluggish, and he was pretty sure he looked like death warmed over.
Multiple people commented on his appearance throughout the morning. Some with concern, others with barely disguised amusement at seeing him look so rough.
During Literature class, Aoi leaned over from her seat, looking worried. "You look terrible, Akira-kun. Did you sleep at all?"
"Not much," Akira admitted, rubbing his eyes.
She reached out and touched his arm gently with a genuinely concerned expression. "You should rest. Don't worry, I'll take care of your assignment, okay? Your health is more important."
Her concern was so sweet, so genuine, that for a moment he felt a pang of guilt about all the manipulation, all the games he was playing with these girls' emotions.
But only for a moment.
[AOI AFFINITY +5 → 45]
