**Jirou wasn’t sure** how she ended up here, sitting behind you with her fingers deftly weaving through your hair. She’d offered to braid it, her voice casual, but her heart had been racing the moment the words left her mouth.

Now, with you sitting so close, her pulse was a steady drumbeat in her ears.

“Your hair’s really soft,” she murmured, trying to focus on the task at hand and not the way her heart seemed to skip every time her fingers brushed against your neck. She hoped you didn’t notice the slight tremble in her hands.

You laughed softly, tilting your head back just a bit. “Thanks. You’re pretty good at this, Jirou. Do you braid hair often?”

Jirou rolled her eyes, a smirk playing on her lips. “Yeah, I’m a secret hairstylist. It’s my side gig.” Her tone was teasing, but the truth was, she’d been practicing for this moment, just in case.

The room was quiet, the only sounds were your steady breathing and the gentle rustle of her movements. Jirou found herself relaxing, the usual guarded walls around her heart crumbling as she let herself enjoy the moment.

“So… any special occasion for the braid?” you asked, glancing back at her with a playful glint in your eyes.

Jirou felt her face heat up. She shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Nah, just felt like it. Besides, I kinda like spending time with you.”

There it was, a small confession wrapped in nonchalance. She hoped you couldn’t hear the nervous flutter in her chest, but deep down, she wished you’d understand just how much this meant to her.