Monday the eighteenth dawns peaceful and cloudy.

And Akira wakes to a makeup stain on her pillow and the distinct feeling that she has Fucked Up. 

Ugh. 

She checks her phone: sure enough, there's a text from Ann from late last night asking if she's taken off her makeup yet that she completely missed. 

She rubs her face (smearing the makeup more) and goes downstairs to wash it all off in Leblanc's bathroom sink.

Sojiro briefly cocks an eyebrow but doesn't say anything.

Her phone buzzes. 

Morning, sleepyhead. Let me guess, there's a fresh makeup stain on your pillow?

Akira sighs and texts back. 

Yep.

Whatever news you got from boss must have really rattled you. 

Don't panic. Don't make a habit of it, it's bad for your skin, but there shouldn't be any serious consequences as long as you wash thoroughly. 

If you carefully apply mildly soapy water to your false lashes they should fall away naturally. Best done with a cotton ball, but anything you can dab at them gently with will do in a pinch. Don't get the soap in your eye if you can avoid it, obviously. It can take a little time to get them to release. Don't pull at them or you'll risk damaging your real eyelashes. 

Thanks, Ann. 

There's some paper towel in the bathroom, that should work well enough as a dabbing pad. It's not ideal but it should work. 

She takes off her glasses and follows Ann's instructions. 

Eventually all the false lashes come free, and all the makeup is carefully washed off. It takes some time, but she gets everything.

Alright, all dealt with. 

Being a rough morning. Had a bad dream and now I'm dealing with this. Thanks so much for the help.

Don't mention it. Now you'd better hurry with that commute you've got. 

Yeah. 

Akira steps out of the bathroom and goes to get her morning curry.

"Morning, kid."

He slides her a plate of curry and a coffee, and a bowl of food for Morgana.

"Thanks again, Boss."

"Morning." Her face itches. Her own damn fault, but...

She could give boss her fake smile, but she doesn't really feel up to it right now. 

Akira eats. 

Sojiro arches an eyebrow, then takes the coffee and wordlessly replaces it with a mocha.

That gets a smile from Akira.

"Thanks, boss."

She cradles the mocha in her hands and sips it slowly. 

She's going to be late at this rate... 

She finishes up, goes and grabs her pack from upstairs and changes into her uniform, and heads off to school, a bit more briskly than usual.

As she gets to Yongen-Jaya station and heads down the stairs, Akira can see the train to Shibuya already waiting at the station.

Ah shit —

She runs for it. 

She ducks inside the doors moments before they close.

She grabs the post by the door.

Yeah, today is not being a good day.

The train is absolutely packed. Standing room only. But it gets to Shibuya safely.

Akira disembarks and goes to make her transfer.

— only to run right into Ann in the middle of doing the same thing. 

"Oh! Akira!"

Ann gives a little wave. "Nice to see you!"

"Hey, Ann." Akira manages a small smile. "Almost missed my train getting the makeup off. Not a great day so far."

"Well, you've got Shiho to look forward to after school, don't you? I know that'd cheer me up." 

Ann tilts her head. "Would you like a hug?"

"... not in public, thanks. But I really appreciate the gesture." 

Akira exhales a little. "Yeah, I do have Shiho to look forward to. I just — I almost messed it up before it even started, and..."

"Chin up," Ann says. "I'm sure it'll go fine. You were worried about the Ryuji date too, and it went well, right?"