Akane blinked rapidly, her red sweater rising and falling with quicker breaths.
She could feel the heat creeping up her neck, matching the faint flush still lingering on her cheeks from earlier revelations.
The casual way Chiyo had dropped the bomb, and now Rin brushing it off… it left her head spinning.
Hanako recovered faster on the surface, forcing a bright, slightly too-loud laugh that echoed awkwardly in the modest space.
"Ha ha ha… you're so funny, Chiyo! That's a good joke, right???"
She laughed with forced enthusiasm, her voice lilting upward at the end as she waved one hand in the air dismissively.
Her high ponytail swayed with the motion, brushing against Rin's arm and sending a small jolt through her. She scooted a tiny bit closer to him on the couch, her knee pressing against his thigh as if seeking reassurance. The laugh continued for a beat too long, her dark eyes darting between Rin and Chiyo, searching for any crack in their expressions.
