The sky above Ukai stayed gray even as evening deepened. The sun was somewhere behind the clouds, but it didn't show itself. It only changed the shade of everything, like someone slowly dimmed a lantern's amber light.
Raizen exhaled and glanced down the street. "It's getting late."
Hikari hummed in approvement. "It is."
"The sun's going down, and it'll get dark soon." He nodded toward the wet street. "I'll walk you back."
Hikari's expression shifted instantly. Just a tiny change, but Raizen caught it. Hesitation. A quick calculation.
"You- you don't have to" she shrugged, trying too hard to look casual.
Raizen frowned. "I'm not asking because I'm bored."
Hikari let out a soft breath through her nose, like she almost laughed. "You think I'm that lost around here?"
Raizen gave her a look. "I think it's late, it's raining, and Ukai is a maze even in daylight. I'm not letting you go alone."
"Do I look so defenceless to you?" Hikari sighed.
