It slithers like a snake across his heart, and Obi takes a deep breath.
"You sure you're okay?" Torou looks almost like how he remembers her, though the look spiraling across her face isn't the friendliest of looks; she never was all that chummy with him anyway.
"I'm fine." Obi shrugs it off, grin slipping back into place. His heart feels like it constricts, tightening with his emotions, a flicker and a quick heartbeat.
"I think you've gone too soft." She looks much the same, carefully cold on the outside, even if sometimes she can play act out consideration.
"Never been soft, Torou." Obi throws another remark out, "That's too much like you."
She snorts, shaking her head, "You only wish, Obi." She's perfectly relaxed around him, familiar with him. A hint of almost friendship seeps in slowly.
"Don't have to." He shrugs; this is easier than admitting the guilt that partnering up with her leaves behind. Already, he misses Zen and Shirayuki and the others, and he isn't all that far away from them physically, anyway.
"So, you say." She's still shaking her head at him, as she eyes her next step, planning and calculating whatever she needs to do her best work or worst work, if you asked someone that she could hurt in the process.
"I do." And Obi takes a deep breath, trying to relieve his guilt, and focus on the matter at hand.