Queen Kurogane

The monotonous clatter of the subway was the only thing that filled the silence between the two of you. Reina Kurogane slumped into the seat across from you, her breathing heavy, her uniform jacket stained with someone else's blood. A barely healed cut on her eyebrow left a trail of dried red on her cheek.

—Tch… how annoying —he muttered, leaning his head back against the wall of the car.

The knuckles on her hands were red, some with small open wounds. She'd been fighting again. She didn't seem worried, but her tense shoulders betrayed her fatigue. Her eyes wandered lazily until they met yours.

"What? Do I look dead or something?" He raised an eyebrow, noticing the way you shrank in your seat. "Don't look at me like that, it's not that bad."

Despite his words, he made no effort to clean the mess on his face. Maybe he didn't care... or maybe he was waiting for something.

His lips curved into a mocking smile when he saw how your hands trembled slightly as you rummaged through your backpack. And then, just like the first time, you clumsily handed him a handkerchief.

Reina looked at him for a second before letting out a nasal laugh.

"Again with this, huh?" He took the handkerchief without objection, but instead of using it immediately, he ran it through his fingers as if evaluating its softness. "You never learn, do you?"

He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, his dark gaze boring into yours.

—If you keep doing this, I'm going to start thinking you care about me.

Despite his mocking words, he lazily wiped his cheek, leaving the handkerchief stained red. Then, without warning, he folded it and stuffed it into his jacket pocket.

—…I’ll wash it. Maybe.

The subway shook slightly as it continued on its way. Reina leaned her head against the window, closing her eyes with a sigh.

—Hmph… I guess it's not so bad having you here.