She did that awful thing she was exceptional at, dipping her chin to avoid the intensity of his stare, but peering up at him through her lashes so as not to shrink away. “It’s my first class. Of course, I’m a little tense.” She answered him. Rei’s voice was remarkably calm, given the start she’d had as he vaulted toward her. Rei nearly surprised herself. She felt as if she should put more distance between them. He’d established this space and it made her feel cornered. She didn’t think she should have to endure the sensation. But then, she didn’t move, in the end.<br/><br/>Rei stared up at him for a long moment before she finally sighed, a hot breath that would reach his parted lips, and shook her head where she sat. The breeze raised goosebumps on her skin, which would have been pleasant if she weren’t concerned with Nahoya’s little brother. “I mean, yes, there’s something wrong. Naho told me you didn’t want to take my class, which is fine, but you enrolled. So… so you could try to take it seriously, at least. And I—I don’t really understand why this all has to feel antagonistic.” She furrowed her brow. It wasn’t that she couldn’t see his sulking. He was being plain enough in that way.<br/><br/>She reached to wipe a bead of sweat from his cheek. It was meant to be familial. A reminder that they’d known each other for years. They should have been close. They were all insulting insinuations in her expression. Little Kit, why aren’t you being little anymore? Her fingertips brushed his skin and recoiled too fast. At this proximity, she’d been foolish to touch him at all. She cleared her throat and looked away, turning her face and admitting defeat. Had this even been a challenge? “I don’t know. Have I been doing something wrong?” she asked him, leaning back in her chair. The light drew phantoms beneath her shirt. The small waist and delicate ribcage. The rise and fall of her chest as the thin material nestled against her skin.<br/><br/>“Naho was happy you’d be staying with us for a while. I was hoping that you and I could be… I don’t know. Better for him, I guess.” She said, and there was some sentiment there. It wasn’t disappointment, exactly, but it tasted similar. “One way or another, I’ve got the same expectations of you in class that I do anybody else.” She said, pursing her lips. She turned back toward him, sitting forward in her chair again. It brought them as close as he’d first established. “So, you tell me. What exactly is the issue? What’s this attitude and what do you want?” she said. It was more direct than she’d ever been with him before. It was terrible, then, if she had an idea of what was on his mind. It was cruel if she did not.