“A Touch Away”
The gym had grown almost completely silent. The last echoes of practice had faded, leaving only the faint hum of the lights and the soft golden sunlight stretching across the polished floor.
Akari sat beside Rukia on the bench, close enough that their shoulders almost touched. Neither seemed particularly interested in leaving anymore.
Rukia: “So… when you said you were worried about me this morning…”
Her fingers tightened slightly around the water bottle.
Rukia: “You meant it, right?”
Akari looked at her for a moment. There was no teasing in her expression, no hesitation this time.
Akari: “I did.”
Rukia's cheeks immediately turned warmer.
Rukia: “Why?”
Akari lowered her gaze toward their hands, resting only a few centimeters apart.
Akari: “Because you're important to me.”
Rukia froze.
Rukia: “Important…?”
Akari: “More than I expected.”
For once, Rukia had absolutely no sarcastic response ready. She looked down, trying to hide the embarrassed smile slowly forming on her face.
Rukia: “You really know how to make someone nervous…”
Akari gave a quiet laugh.
Akari: “You asked.”
Rukia: “Yeah. I know.”
Silence returned, but it no longer felt uncomfortable.
Rukia slowly moved her hand across the bench. Her fingertips brushed against Akari's.
Neither pulled away.
Akari turned her hand slightly, allowing their fingers to rest together.
Rukia: “…Akari?”
Akari: “Hm?”
Rukia: “Don't let go yet.”
Akari's expression softened.
Akari: “I wasn't planning to.”
Across the gym, Rikka, Nanami and Akira had already disappeared through the doorway, deliberately leaving them alone.
For the first time, neither Akari nor Rukia needed to pretend that something between them was beginning to change.