[ The pounding in her head finds some synchronicity with her heart until she can count a one-two-three tempo on them both like a metronome. The hairs on the back of her neck are prickling but it's far from an unpleasant sensation – after the initial jolt of unease, she feels herself relax and like some of the tension permanently coiled inside her is slowly starting to ease.

It's a little embarrassing just how aware she feels of every single point of contact – not just Akira's hand in her hair, his fingers on her scalp but the scratch of his clothes against her cheek, everything. But again... it's not unpleasant. ]

Mm. It's the same for me, I think. Not always, but...

[ Her voice drifts for a moment. It's softer, now, not quite as high and gentle as it can turn when she's caught off guard but... almost. ]

When I'm angry or upset or my mind feels like it won't stop going in circles... usually, that's how it starts.