Aizawa had left for his apartment before Kim got home. Asuna was laying on the couch when she heard the front door open, sitting up slightly to catch sight of her best friend.

"Nezu wants to talk to you tomorrow morning," she said blankly, shuffling to put down her belongings before moving to see Asuna in the living room. "You've been crying NaNa," she observed quietly before sitting beside her on the couch.

Asuna nodded, sitting up now and shifting to the edge of the couch cushion. She knew she should've stuck it out at the school but it was either panic and breakdown in public or hide away in her apartment and the let walls witness her episode. She was exhausted but her brain wouldn't stop going.

"Okay... I'll probably leave early to go see him in the morning... sorry to leave you like that," she apologized.

"You're fine! Nezu is just worried about you. He knows about everything, ya know... he's just trying to help," Kim explained softly, as if she was tip-toeing around glass.

Again, Asuna simply nodded. Sighing she got to her feet, heading to the kitchen to retrieve a glass of water. When she was happy with her liquid intake, she walked down the hall.

"Night Kim. Don't stay out too late," she waved off. She just wanted to be left alone now. She didn't want to be treated like a charity case or throw a pity party.

"NaNa come on! I just got here. Please, let's go out. Have a beer or something," she pleaded watching her friend from the hallway.

"Kimmy please... just go out without me. I feel safer here and I just want to be left alone," she sighed, turning from her door to look at Kim. Her eyes begged to just be left alone.

And Kim let her go. Asuna closed her bedroom door, leaning back against the wood. She just wanted to turn everything off, to not feel anything anymore. Placing her glass on the side table, she laid on her bed, begging for sleep to just hold her in its embrace. However, it was the banging around the apartment that woke her from her sleep. Immediately she looked at the alarm clock.

"It's nearly 2am, Kimmy," she muttered under her breath as she got up and stumbled toward her door.

Coming down the hallway, she saw her best friend tossing her shoes aside while she sat on the couch.

"Kimmy... what kept you so late," Asuna yawned as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Ohmygod," Kimmy yelped and then laughed. "We just lost track of time."

"We," Asuna asked, raising an eyebrow and leaning on the wall for support.

"Oh! I ran into Aizawa at the bar. Have you seen his eyes," she sighed like a lovesick puppy.

It was then that Asuna paused. Her heart hurt again but... Aizawa was just a friend. So that shouldn't have cut her so badly.

"Um, yeah. I mean, I guess. I never just looked at his eyes," Asuna stated as she rubbed her eyes.

"NaNa he's so pretty," she slurred, leaning back on the couch to look at the ceiling.

Jealousy? Well that was a new look for Asuna. And a new emotion to process. But she shook herself from her thoughts, retreating to her bedroom.

"Go to bed, Kimmy. We have work tomorrow," Asuna called out to her before closing her bed room door again.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"I'm here," Asuna called out as she rushed into Nezu's office, trying hard to catch her breath. She didn't actually go back to sleep. Instead she laid there trying to figure out her emotions and how to hold herself together.

"Ah, Miss Ito. Please, come in," Nezu motioned for her to take a seat across from his desk.

Taking a second to collect herself, Asuna did as instructed and sat across from him. It was then she started to fidget with her fingers, waiting to hear that what she did was completely unacceptable and will be a mark on her file. Instead, she was met with a smiling face and a cup of tea.

"Sir," she asked softly as she accepted the tea.

"So yesterday was just a bump on your path to recovery. I know it's been some time but we have backslides. It happens. But we have to keep moving forward. All I ask is from here on out, if you must leave early, please drop my office so we can chat some and we can be sure you get home safely."

Asuna frowned slightly. Of course Nezu knew of her personal situation, she was transparent with him after the last attack. She was sure if he didn't find out himself, Aizawa told him about Dai being back out.

Asuna went to speak when Nezu held up his little paw, "No need Miss Ito. I understand. You've got yourself in a sticky situation. But no matter, you will be safe and taken care of. If you ever need, please come to me and we can make accommodations on campus for you."

It was the saddened look in her eyes that caused Nezu to pause a moment. He started to frown himself when he saw how, for just a moment, she allowed herself to feel the bag she truly felt at that moment.

"Miss Ito, please understand we are doing all we can to see what we can do about reversing the effects of the eraser bullet. Unfortunately, it is going to take time to see what we can even try to do. But, do not lose hope! You are surrounded by many friends who love you and wish to see you succeed," he tried his best to lighten the mood, to show her she wasn't alone after all this time.

Asuna nodded, sitting back in her chair, her hands now still but her eyes focused on a stray string of her skirt. She swallowed thickly, trying to get that lump out of her throat that was keeping her from crying.

Nezu hopped down from his chair and walked around his desk to her side. Gently he placed a paw on her calf, seeing as it was the only thing he could truly reach from his height. "Miss Ito, you are one strong woman. Don't let these villains take joy from you. You are still helpful. And lovable. We, the staff and school, will always be here for you. For whatever you need."

It was the smallest of smiles that graced her lips, a few tears escaping down her cheeks as she nodded once more. "Thank you... truly. I appreciate our friendship and workmanship. If I need to step out again, I'll come to you first."

Nodding, Nezu patted her leg before heading to his door and opening it.

"I'll see you later on, Miss Ito. Have a good day in the office," he chimed, his smile wide on his face.