"Asuka, I really didn't go to that ramen place," Haruto finally broke the silence, his voice calm but tinged with nervousness.
They had been locked in an intense, silent stare for the last three minutes, and the weight of it was suffocating.
"I mean, why would I? You know I can't handle spicy food."
Asuka sighed, her arms still crossed. "I believe you," she said, though her tone carried a trace of skepticism.
"But your friend? He's terrible at lying."
Haruto winced internally. 'Damn you, Enji.'
"Why don't you just tell me who it was?" Asuka continued, her gaze sharp.
"If you're honest with me, I'll drop this and never bring it up again."
Haruto hesitated. His mind raced. Should he tell her? Asuka was notoriously hard to read, and he had no idea how she'd react if she learned that the woman with him earlier was Mari.