"Funny, I would have thought you'd be eager to walk around town in that," Akiha snipes. Or tries to, anyway. It comes out more as fond teasing, given the smile on Akiha's face. When was the last time Nico'd seen her genuinely smile?

Never. The answer is never.

If Nico's stupid for getting kind of excited, so's Akiha - she leans from one foot to the other, clearly filled with a sudden nervous energy. It's not a whole lot, mind, but for Akiha she suddenly seems like a blushing schoolgirl. Which she is, but still.

"Be sure to call your family and tell them you'll be coming back late. It's only proper," Akiha chides. She doesn't know a lot about Nico's family situation, but when Shiki - Akiha's brother - had been brought up by Akira, Nico had mentioned her three siblings.