『A crystal can only reveal its hidden structure when fractures thread through its inclusions』
Jewelry embedded with the finest of gemstones will always capture a person's attention. Whether it be through the flurry of colors running through the glas...
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『ARC THREE: AGENCIES AND CRYSTALS』
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Akihiko was beginning to grow impatient with the itch wriggling underneath his skin. He pressed his lips together into a tight line as he firmly pressed his hand against his thigh. This urge that pestered him like a fly constantly buzzing around near his ear was thinning his patience by the second. Breathing in deeply, the crystal tried to slow down the rapid thumping of his heart rate. He had to keep himself from tapping his boot against the ground at a rhythmic pace.
Team Alpha had shifted to the hallway, waiting for the doors to creak open to allow them into the maze. Since they finished their plan ahead of time, they still had a good fifteen minutes to spend before the exercise began. Akihiko had shifted back a bit, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. Kagemi had left earlier to clarify something with Yoshimi and Tanami and Yua drifted away to talk about something with the other girls.
The moment those three left, the ringing and the thumping against his skull calmed. Like a refreshing wave of water had been poured on top of his head to wash away a portion of annoyance that he felt. Raising a hand, he rubbed the back of his neck to release the small amount of tension that laid there.
"Hey, what's up with you?"
Picking his head up, the teenager's periwinkle eyes fell onto his sister. Tanami's eyebrows had pushed together while creases were drawn across her forehead. It was clear that worry was sketched all over her face and her hand had moved to link and squeeze his own. Blinking once, Akihiko registered the slight chill that sunk through the fabric of his glove. He resisted the urge to suck in a deep breath from the coldness that radiated from his twin's hand.
Why was she cold anyway? Did Tanami get sick from being under the rain on Saturday? But she did not look sick. Was the AC blowing too much cold air into the hallway? He was not paying attention because of whatever this itch or urge or whatever it was. Maybe it was the temperature of the hallway.
"I'm fine," the two words slipped out of his mouth with ease. It was easier to say something short than explain whatever the heck he was feeling.
A long, questionable hum drew itself out of Tanami's throat. She sent him a suspicious look. "Alright, but if something's up and you don't tell me, I'm going to- I'm going to-"
"-not finish that sentence apparently." Yua clamped a hand around Tanami's shoulder. A playful grin slipped onto her lips at Tanami puffing her cheeks out.
Akihiko waved his hand and shook his head. He tried his best to plaster a small smile on his face to reassure her. "I told you I am fine. Do not worry about it."
Tanami still did not buy it but at least she did not pester him any further on the topic. Unfortunately, his moments of peace were quickly interrupted and he nearly groaned because he just wanted a few seconds of calm.
