Kaito kept eating.
Beside him, Riku turned a page.
Across the table, Mei finally unwrapped her chopsticks carefully and set the paper beside her tray in a neat folded strip instead of throwing it away immediately.
"Kaito-kun," she said quietly.
"Yeah."
"Did you finish the communication assignment."
"Last night."
She nodded once.
Small.
But her shoulders relaxed slightly afterward.
Kaito had started noticing that about her recently. She approached conversations expecting problems first, relief second.
Daiki looked over immediately.
"You didn't finish it."
"I finished most of it."
"What does most mean."
Mei looked down at her tray.
"The important parts."
"That is not a reassuring answer. You are supposed to be the shy and studious one."
She pushed a piece of fish to one side of the bowl.
Then back again.
Daiki pointed across the table toward Kaito.
"He'll help you."
Kaito looked up.
"I didn't agree to that."
"You have kind eyes. This is your burden."
