The tension's even more palpable now, and Akiha realizes she's made a mistake.

"I'm..." Sorry? But the money's already in her hand, and she can't take that back. For a minute, she imagines a different world - one where she asked if Nico wanted it to be one, used her given name, Nico giggled a little and said they could see...

But this isn't that. She snapped at Nico and pushed her away, literally, and now she has to deal with that.

She puts the money away and falls back into step beside Nico, already missing the warmth of her arm.

"... I didn't know you had those sorts of inclinations, Yazawa."

That is not what she should be talking about right now, but the words are out there.