Well now his blush is in full force. "You keep saying these things," he mumbles almost inaudibly.

"Uh. Yes? I. Do? Should I, um. Stop?"

"N-no!" he immediately replies, flinching almost like he's been burned (and wincing from the movement). "J-just, what do you mean, why do you say these things."

Oh god, they're having this conversation, it's happening, it's really happening, she was not prepared for this at all, someone help her.

"Well I, um. Mean. Exactly what I'm saying? I care about you and want you to be happy and don't want you to be in pain. And. I like. Being around you."

Well that's nice and vague, isn't it, and it doesn't mean she reciprocates his feelings.

"Y-you know what, forget I said anything. I can get to the infirmary myself." And he speeds his pace up, which is not that impressive given the wounds but still, the intent is clear.

"Wait, no, Inori—" She jogs to get in front of him and keep him from hurting himself any further, and also keep him still while she fumbles awkwardly at how to say feelings.

"I'm sorry, I'm. Not very good at this side of things, um. I, er. This. Is my attempt at a confession? I, um. Like you in a non-platonic fashion? And also just generally like you as a person and respect you very much and, um. Yeah."

He stops walking, alright. "In a. Non-platonic fashion," he repeats.

She fidgets and attempts to stare a hole through her shoes.

"Yes. I-I-I mean I would also be okay just being friends with you if you don't feel the same, I, just, um." Fidget fidget fidget fidget. "If you wanted something more than that then, um. I do too."

Inori.exe has stopped responding.

Oh no, please say something. Is this not reciprocated? Because if it's not reciprocated Akiho would please like to disappear from the universe, forever, just blip right out of existence. It's fine, right, Inori regularly needs time to figure out how to say words, right, he's not. He's not trying to figure out how to let her down gently, is he? Right?? Oh god what if she misread every single signal and this is about to become so awkward, she is going to be so upset about having ruined her friendship with him, aaaaaa.

"... Do you?" she asks, after a few moments of agonizing silence. "Want to be something more with me, I mean."

There's probably actual steam coming out of his ears.

"Y-yes? ...yes. Yes."

He, too, cannot look at her and he, too, is staring holes into his shoes.

"Ohgood," she breathes, and then she reaches out to take one of his hands in both of hers. That's fine, right? They've held hands before.

....

Okay, uh. Now what.

Who are you asking here, Inori.exe is still rebooting.

...he does sort of make circles against the back of one of her hands with his thumb, though. Sort of stimmy.

Well! That's very nice, actually. She gives his hand a reassuring squeeze and smiles at him. Well. Smiles at her shoes.

And then she remembers that he is, in fact, still injured.

"... Oh, uh. We should probably still get you to the infirmary, because you have got to still be in pain," she realizes in a rush.

"...oh. Um. Yeah."

He does not take any steps towards the infirmary.

"... The offer to carry you there is still open, you know," teases Akiho, still holding his hand. Yes. Teasing. She knows how to tease him, that is familiar territory. That is not strange and terrifying like this, uh. This other stuff.

—that breaks the spell. He covers his face with his free hand, still red as a tomato, but manages to look up at her.

Then he remembers how pretty and nice and smart and powerful and mature and great she is and needs a few more seconds before he convinces himself to resume walking. While holding her hand.

She gives a little giggle, and entwines her fingers with his. She will hold his hand with just one of her hands, how about that. That sounds like a plan. And then the other hand can be used for self consciously combing her fingers through her hair, because it's probably a mess right now. For some reason that matters right now. She’d like to be as pretty as possible, or something.

Fortunately walking to the infirmary doesn't require either of them to be particularly eloquent, because unless it's playful teasing, she's all out of words.

Yeah definitely.

He knocks when they arrive.

    "Come in," says the voice of the jujutsu medic.

Inori opens the door and—only remembers he's holding Akiho's hand too late, and burns up anew when he sees her eyes fall to their hands before returning to their faces.

    "Yes?" she asks.

Awwww he’s so cuuuute.

It is a little embarrassing to show up to the infirmary holding hands, but. It’s fine. They have sorted out their feelings, and that is the important part. The rest of the world can just figure itself out.

“He’s injured,” she says, pointing with the hand that is not holding Inori‘s. “It was uh, ribs and pelvis, right? Anything else?”

Right yes injuries. "Arm," he says, letting go and walking over to Ieiri.

    The medic places a hand on his arm and frowns. "Practice should probably not go this rough," she sighs, clicking her tongue, but the injuries are mild enough it only takes a few seconds of concentration to fix the worst of it. "Take the rest of the day off, maybe sleep." She glances at Akiho for a second before looking back up at Inori and waving him out.

“It was not training, actually. Uh. Some students from Kyoto showed up, and. Were terrible. But thank you very much!”

… and then she can reclaim his hand as they leave, right? It is hers to hold, now?

Yes it is and any leftover stiffness is absolutely just because Inori is a dork who does not know how to navigate any of this!

She seems to be the more functional of the two of them, so it’s up to her to figure out where they go. How about a nice out of the way spot, with an excellent view of all of the nature around them, where they can. Sit. Together. That’s fine, right?