the entrance tests are coming up soon."

He rubbed the smacked spot, frown present on his face for a moment. Annoyance didn't last too long while in her presence. "Save that energy for our studies." Azuma walked next to her with closed fists at his sides; tension was hard to mask, but he attempted to keep it under wraps. "Especially since—

"Since you need me this much, it's unavoidable that I /have/ to help." This was a jest that'd earn him a smack to his shoulder, he knew.

There was no winning this. It seemed his visit to 'that place' his strict father used to take him to in order to engrave the idea of justice into his brain would have to wait. Sighing with a faint smile, he regained himself with a; "Very well." Emotional turmoil was dismissed in that moment.—

"You're capable enough on your own." A hand rose to the nape of his neck, where he rubbed pensively. How could he dismiss the very reason that'd been keeping him sane then? While also making him crave for his solitude? "You don't need me for this, Ely."

"I can't today." Troublesome thoughts had taken over– while he knew not to neglect his studies, he'd remained unable to focus throughout the entirety of the sleepless night. His masked eagerness to spend time with her hadn't manifested as it usually did. "Maybe tomorrow, but /you/ can't fall back."