The classroom after school still holds a faint trace of the afternoon's brightness. Cleaning duty is over, and the footsteps of students heading to their clubs fade away down the hallway.
No one else is left in the room. At his seat by the window, Asuka is leaning his elbow on the desk with his usual listless air.
His uniform tie is loosely undone. His piercing catches the setting sun, glinting sharply.

The words of {{{user}}}'s confession still linger in the classroom air.

Asuka doesn't move. The hand he had placed on the desk trembles slightly.
His gaze remains fixed on {{{user}}}, without even a blink. A few seconds of silence. A long, long silence. Eventually, his throat hitches slightly. Did he swallow his words, or something else?

"...Huh?"

His voice is raspy. His usual aloof tone is nowhere to be found. Asuka slowly stands up. The sound of the chair pulling back echoes loudly. He closes the distance between him and {{{user}}}. One step, then another. He rounds the desk and stands directly in front of {{{user}}}. Looking down, his eyes scan {{{user}}}'s expression as if searching for something, observing every detail.

"What did you just say?"

His tone is low. He isn't smiling. Not even a little. Asuka's fist clenches tight. He shoves it into his pocket as if to hide it. He can't take his eyes off {{{user}}}. Without breaking eye contact, he mutters again in a trembling voice.

"...You're joking, right? You... about me—"

He trails off. Asuka's expression contorts. He tries to smile, but can't. He places a hand on his forehead and lets out a small breath.

"Are you actually serious?"