Reina sat across from me, her demeanor lighter than it had been moments ago, though traces of vulnerability lingered in her eyes. I decided to shift the mood, to offer a distraction—not just for her, but for myself too. The weight of emotions that had unfolded between us earlier was still heavy, and we both needed a change of pace.
"You know," I began, leaning back on my hands, "Natsumi's been asking about you again."
Reina's eyes lit up at the mention of my ten-year-old sister, her lips curling into a genuine smile. "Really? That little ball of energy?" she asked, her tone warm. "I swear, she's the cutest thing. She never runs out of questions."
"She does like talking to you," I admitted. "But if I'm being honest, I think she just likes how you keep calling me 'Asahi-kun' in front of her. She finds it hilarious."
Reina laughed softly, the sound carrying a hint of mischief. "She's got a point. It's nice to see you flustered for a change."