ā Ā remember, i'm always just one call away.Ā ā -Ophelia for Maki ( she knows Maki can handle her thing herself but she is still gunna offer help <3 )
Maki exhales softly through her nose, the faintest scoff of amusement escaping her as she adjusts the strap of her bag higher onto her shoulder. Her eyes flick sideways toward Ophelia, not quite meeting her gaze at first. Thereās a pause ā not awkward, but thoughtful ā like sheās weighing the sincerity in those words.
āOne call away, huh?ā she repeats quietly, her voice even but warmer than she probably intends. She shifts her stance, boots scuffing lightly against the pavement as she crosses her arms, though itās more self-conscious than defensive. A loose strand of hair brushes against her cheek, and she tucks it behind her ear with deliberate slowness.
āYou say that like Iād actually call.ā Thereās a faint curve at the corner of her lips now ā subtle, but real. Her eyes finally lift to Opheliaās, sharp and observant, searching for even a hint of teasing. Finding none, her expression softens by a fraction.
She uncrosses her arms after a second, fingers flexing at her sides as if sheās fighting the instinct to brush the comment off. āIām not great atā¦ relying on people.ā The admission is quiet, almost reluctant, but not dismissive. She takes half a step closer, close enough that her shoulder nearly bumps Opheliaās. āBut itās good to know youād pick up.ā
Thereās a brief silence before she adds, more firmly this time, āJust donāt regret saying that. I donāt call unless it matters.ā Her gaze steadies ā steady and serious ā but thereās trust buried beneath it.
After a moment, she nudges Ophelia lightly with her elbow, the gesture small but meaningful. āAnd if Iām āone call awayā too, donāt hesitate. I might complain about it,ā she mutters, a hint of dry humor slipping through, ābut Iāll still show up.ā
Her expression settles into something calm and grounded ā not overly sentimental, but genuine. āSoā¦ thanks. Iāll remember that.ā
