Now see what you've done, Seiichi? She thinks she's the one that needs to apologize.

He has barely a moment to berate himself, however, before her hand covers his and the room fills with whispers. For that one singular moment, the sudden intimacy of their contact is deeply uncomfortable, and he can barely take in what she's saying for all the blood rushing through his ears.

But her hand is warm and soon his cheeks are too, and he's not sure if he's more shocked or impressed by her boldness, even in the innocent context she intends it in. But it's sort of amazing she had the confidence and comfort with herself to just... do it. And for him, after he was so self-centered as to get wrapped up in his own bad memories when it was her story.

What is this strange, tingly feeling in his chest all of the sudden?

...What did she just say? He's pretty sure he just missed it. This is mortifying.

He smiles and takes a wild stab with a reply that seems safe, and there's pleasure across his face even as his insides feel like they're full of bees.

"Thank you, Von Aegir-san. Let's get back to our sketches, okay?"