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Nijika wouldn't exactly call herself an expert on what Bocchi was feeling.
At least, having only known her for three weeks, she didn't feel that she was at that point yet. But she had picked up that she was starting to get at least some sort of handle on what Bocchi's thoughts were.
She noticed how her hands started fidgeting whenever she was trying to hide nervousness -- how her ears flushed hot red whenever she did or said something embarrassing, or how she would smile without a care in the world whenever she was pleased with herself, an occurrence Nijika never saw often.
Today, Bocchi was acting...off, even for her.
It wasn't the fact that her eyes were darting all over the place like bullets, or that her movement was clunky and forced.
No, it was that Bocchi was avoiding her.
She would constantly stand a distance from everyone else in the room, and especially Nijika. When someone approached her, her response was to give a small yelp and hurry somewhere further away.
Nijika was very aware that Bocchi wasn't someone who liked interaction at all. Heck, Ryo gave her that nickname to symbolise her loneliness.
But this was different. It wasn't glaringly noticeable, but enough to at least get Nijika's attention. Purposefully ignoring whenever her name was called, refusing to respond to Nijika's attempt to try and make small talk...it all didn't feel right.
Nijika was determined to get to the bottom of this.
So she put down her broom, sighed, sat down at a nearby table, and looked up.
"Hey, Bocchi-chan! I need to speak with you quickly!"
Bocchi didn't respond.
A little louder, and a little more forceful. "Bocchi-chan! Now's not the time for games!"
As soon as Nijika saw the color drain from Bocchi's face, she regretted saying it, and she felt her face tighten too.
Bocchi stumbled over herself trying to walk to where Nijika was sitting. She was sweating profusely.
"Hey, you don't need to be so tense," laughed Nijika, gesturing towards a chair. "Have a seat."
Again, Bocchi didn't respond, but she slowly sat down, head facing towards the ground. She looked left, looked right, played with her hands, and looked left again.
Nijika recognised it instantly.
Fear.
She's scared of something.
Me? Maybe she thinks I did something to her?
"Just to be clear, I'm not mad at you or anything. I just wanna ask something," Nijika said softly, shaking her head.
The words seemed to put Bocchi at a slight ease, as she had stopped fidgeting, and was now fixated on a spot on the floor.
Nijika sighed, deciding to push on further.
"Have you been alright lately? I'm concerned about the sudden change--"
She stopped and gasped.
In the corners of Bocchi's eyes, Nijika could see tears beginning to form. A sniffle or two escaped, and her shoulders slumped back.
Nijika was at a loss for words. She sat, motionless, until something in her head finally kicked. She reached out, pulling Bocchi into a tight embrace.
"Hey, it's alright," she whispered, trying to keep her voice as calm as she could. "I'm here. You're safe."
Another sniffle, before a broken, muffled voice murmured from Nijika's shoulder.
"I...I'm s-sorry..."
Nijika turned her head. "About what? I'm really not mad at you for anything. Really."
Taking the time to try and compose herself, Bocchi finally responded, her voice slightly clearer.
"I f...forgot a-about your birthday...a-and I o-only found out w-when K-K-Kita-san told me...and--"
A prickling chill made its way slowly and painfully up Nijika's spine.
"M-My birthday?"
Nijika felt the movement of a head, up and down, small and silent.
Crap, crap, crap. I didn't tell her. I didn't tell her about my birthday. She probably thought I was furious with her, and tried avoiding me. How long has she been beating herself up over it?
She pulled the still silently sobbing Bocchi tighter, her eyebrows furrowing in disappointment.
I should have known. Dammit!
"It's not your fault."
The sobbing stopped. "H-Huh?" Bocchi asked slowly, raising her head off of Nijika's shoulder.
"It's not your fault," Nijika repeated. "It's mine. I didn't tell you about it, so please don't think I'm upset with you for it."
She chuckled slightly. "If anything, you should be upset with me for making you go through all th--"
"N-No! I c-could never get m-mad at Nijika-chan!" Bocchi exclaimed, before slowly putting her arms around Nijika. "N-N-Never," she said again, softer.
Nijika smiled.
The two stayed in that position for several minutes. Absent-mindedly, Nijika had begun stroking Bocchi's hair.
In the end, she didn't know Bocchi well enough at all. She thought she was making progress, only for it to turn around and bite her when she was least expecting it. And it was her fault, too.
And now look what she'd gone and done. Made a friend panic over nothing.
"Um..." started Bocchi. "I-If it helps, I d-don't blame y-you." She stopped herself, then began speaking quicker. "Ah, uh, I-I'm probably wrong anyway, s-so please don't l-listen--"
"No, you're right," sighed Nijika. "It's a small mistake. There's no use sulking about it."
Another few silent minutes passed by, each small second being cherished by the two.
Eventually, Nijika stretched her arms and prepared to stand up. "Shall we get some foo--"
She was stopped by Bocchi pulling on her tightly, refusing to let go. She was scrunching up her face in discomfort.
Nijika hesitated, then sat back down with a small smile.
"All right, then. Just a few more minutes."