[It was only a few seconds, but Hakuryuu could have sworn ages had gone by since he spoke his last word to let silence fill the space between them. His eyes don't dare look up until she speaks, chocolates resting in his fingertips and outstretched towards her until she gave the word.

He didn't ask for forgiveness often, but he wasn't foreign to the concept. In fact, he was strangely diplomatic when the time came, much to the surprise of anyone who saw him on the field. Someone so quick to call out their keshin easily could be talked into reason, and he was prideful, but not arrogant enough to refuse to apologize.

But she speaks, her voice much softer than he'd ever heard it (to be honest, he'd only heard it mostly cheering on the other team and...well, angry at him), and he takes note of how much like Sorano or Yamana it is. It had a rougher edge to it, but it was a flower just like theirs. Just...one that could bite back. His eyes cast up at her acceptance of his apology, feeling the chocolates lift out of his hands and into hers for inspection.

This...was going a lot better than he hoped, and a his eyes flick a shade brighter.]

You didn't need to. You had every right to be angry about it. I would have been if the roles were reversed.

[Hands shove in his pockets, eyes closing to contemplate that a few seconds.]

...

[That is, until she leans in close to him, his eyes snapping open on instinct and he practically jolts straight up.]

I...! There's a lot I have to make up for. Tenma says that, though.