The air in the freshman mixer was thick with the scent of cheap cologne, sugary drinks, and nervous excitement. Akari stood by a wall, a glass of water untouched in her hand, observing the scene with her usual detached interest. It was one of those obligatory university events, loud and chaotic. She scanned the room, her gaze instinctively settling on Jade, who was, predictably, the center of attention. Jade, glowing even under the disco ball, was laughing boisterously, a drink in her hand, surrounded by a constantly shifting circle of admirers. Akari noted the slight slur in her words, the way her movements were becoming a little less graceful.
As the night wore on, Jade's laughter grew louder, her movements more exaggerated. Akari watched, a faint sense of calculation in her dark eyes. This was not the environment for the precision she was accustomed to, but she understood its purpose: social bonding, an exchange of vulnerabilities. For most, it was harmless fun. For Jade, it was clearly becoming something else.
Finally, just as the crowd began to thin, Akari saw it. Jade stumbled, nearly falling, only catching herself by grabbing onto the nearest wall. Her emerald hair was disheveled, her bright eyes now glazed over. The red-haired girl from the cafeteria, who had been by her side most of the night, simply giggled and waved her off, disappearing into the receding crowd. Jade was alone, clearly beyond her limit.
Akari moved, her steps silent and deliberate, cutting through the remaining stragglers. She reached Jade, who leaned heavily against the wall, her head drooping.
"Jade," Akari's voice was low, flat, devoid of judgment.
Jade blinked, slowly focusing on Akari. "Four-eyes?" she slurred, a confused smile stretching her lips. "What're you doing here?"
"You're in no condition to be alone," Akari stated, her hand reaching out, not gently, but firmly, to grasp Jade's arm. Her touch, though not harsh, carried an undeniable certainty that brooked no argument.
Jade, surprisingly, didn't resist. Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps it was the sheer force of Akari's contained presence. Akari pulled Jade's arm over her shoulder, supporting most of her weight. Jade was warm, heavy, and smelled faintly of alcohol and her expensive perfume.
Navigating the bustling campus with a half-conscious Jade was a quiet challenge Akari accepted with practiced ease. She decided to take Jade to her own apartment, knowing it offered the privacy and control needed for the situation. Once inside Akari's small, impeccably tidy living room, she guided Jade to the sofa, carefully lowering her onto the cushions.
Jade groaned, burying her face in a pillow. Akari knelt beside her, her movements economical. She pressed a cool hand to Jade's forehead, checking her temperature. Jade shivered slightly at the touch, a low hum escaping her lips.
"You smell of cheap alcohol," Akari observed, her voice devoid of emotion as she ran her fingers through a lock of Jade's emerald hair, bringing it closer to her nose. It was not a gesture of affection, but an assessment, a detached curiosity about the chemical reactions within Jade's body.
Jade stirred, her eyes slowly opening. She was still very drunk, but the coolness of Akari's hand, the utterly frank assessment of her condition, cut through the fog. She watched, fascinated, as Akari continued to hold a lock of her hair, smelling it with an almost scientific detachment. It was strange. No one had ever treated her like this. Every touch she'd received from others had always been loaded with desire, flattery, or an agenda. Akari's touch, Akari's voice, was like cold, clean water.
"You are overheated. And dehydrated," Akari continued, her hands moving down to Jade's neck, then her arms, assessing her body, checking for any signs of injury or further illness. Her touch was firm, knowing, exploring Jade's form with a precision that was both clinical and oddly intimate. Jade felt a flush spread through her, not entirely from the alcohol. It was the same unsettling yet compelling sensation she felt when Akari cut through the noise with her direct observations. No girl she'd ever been with had touched her like this, with such an unburdened, unapologetic directness. And for some reason, she allowed it.
Akari retrieved a glass of water and a painkiller. "Drink this," she instructed, holding the glass to Jade's lips.
Jade swallowed, grimacing. "Thanks, Four-eyes," she mumbled, a flicker of something close to gratitude in her eyes. "You didn't have to…"
"It was illogical to leave you," Akari stated, cutting her off. Her dark eyes, fathomless and calm, met Jade's. "Inefficient."
Jade actually chuckled, a weak, hoarse sound. "Right. Efficiency."
In the weeks that followed, a strange new rhythm settled into their interactions. Jade, surprisingly, began drinking less at parties, almost as if Akari's cold assessment had stuck with her. When they were in group meetings, Akari would often find Jade's arm snaking around her own, Jade's chest pressed casually against her bicep. Jade would lean in, whispering jokes or observations, effectively cutting off any potential interruption from others. She still called Akari "Four-eyes," and still enjoyed teasing her, but the taunts were laced with an undeniable fondness.
During these moments, Akari would sometimes feel Jade's fingers subtly brush against her own, then trace up her arm, a light, almost imperceptible touch. Akari would simply let it happen, her own expression unreadable. She recognized the underlying intent, the unspoken curiosity in Jade's touch, but it held no sway over her. Her focus remained on the task, on her silent vigilance over Jade.
Jade, on the other hand, felt a confusing mix of emotions whenever Akari was near. Akari's sombre, confident aura made Jade feel… oddly pliant. It was a sensation she usually associated with the brief thrill of conquering someone else, but this was different. Akari wasn't trying to conquer her; she simply existed, radiating a quiet power that made Jade feel surprisingly, almost submissively, safe. When Akari would look at her, truly look at her with those dark, knowing eyes, Jade would feel a warmth spread through her, a strange happiness, and a profound sense of confusion. She, Jade, the confident, sought-after womanizer, was finding herself flustered, even shy, around the quiet, seemingly emotionless Akari. It was a feeling she'd never experienced, a crack in her carefully constructed facade.
One afternoon, in the quiet hum of the library, Akari was explaining a complex literary theory to Jade, who was listening with uncharacteristic focus. Akari's detailed explanation flowed effortlessly, her intelligence undeniable. Jade, completely absorbed, reached out instinctively, her fingers gently touching Akari's. Akari's skin was cool, almost cold. Jade found herself tracing the back of Akari's hand, up to her wrist, feeling the subtle pulse there. Akari didn't flinch, didn't react, simply continued explaining the theory as if nothing was happening. Jade felt a blush creep up her neck, her heart thumping irregularly. This quiet, seemingly clumsy girl, with her outdated clothes and thick glasses, possessed a depth, a cold, focused energy that Jade found utterly mesmerizing. She was like a silent storm, and Jade, for the first time, felt completely at peace drifting in its eye.