"Can't sleep either?"
Akira's eyes snapped open, turning to the source of the voice. Rina was standing at the sliding glass door, wearing a simple tank top and shorts with a curious expression.
"Figured the tub might help," he said, keeping his tone casual even as his pulse quickened slightly. "Want to join?"
She hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Yeah, actually. It's been a long day."
Rina disappeared inside to change, returning shortly in a modest one-piece swimsuit.
She entered the hot water with a satisfied groan, positioning herself across from him. The tub wasn't massive, but the distance between them felt deliberate… close enough to talk, far enough to maintain propriety.
"So," she began, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders, "how are you actually doing with all this? The test, the rumours, Kenji's accusations?"
"Better than I expected," Akira said honestly. "I knew once people saw I was willing to take the test, it would ease some of the suspicion."
