Things had gotten rather complicated, to say the least, and Ann was not sure how to go on about this. They were trying to hold a normal conversation with Ritsu, just talk to him. And while on the surface he seemed to be doing just fine and no one suspected a thing, the small signs usually said it all. The strained voice, the near voice crack, the gaze, him usually turning away... It was all tiny details but if one has been around him long enough it was easy to notice. These were not habits Ritsu usually displayed. In fact it all seemed oddly out of character for him. And yet he was trying to mask it, hide it behind the usual smile and teasing attitude Yet it all lacked live, it was unbearable to listen to sometimes. The words felt forced out of his mouth, almost dropping each time. And he excused himself fairly quickly all the same, disappearing before they could even get a word with him. It was worrying, to say the least. They had no chance to explain anything. Ritsu retreated quickly, always, as if trying to avoid something... Or well, someone of course. But it was all so odd, confusing. They had never seen Ritsu like this nor had they ever imagined seeing him like this.

A direct approach didn't work which had left Ann clueless. It was frustrating, they just wanted to bash the next best wall in. For days they had been wondering what was going on, how to approach this, but nothing came to mind. They could have avoided it easily by just keeping their mouth shut. But they didn't, they had to mention it. Without thinking of course but they did it anyway. And thus they wanted to smash their own skull in for that.

Then again... Keeping shit about it for eternity may have not been the way either. One day they would have had to tell him, one way or another. One day, yeah... So better earlier than later? No, that was not a way to look at it. Because when thinking back there had been a tension building up recently, something hard to put into words. They had a gut feeling but no confirmation. And they certainly had no confirmation now either, just a hunch. Ah, why do these things have to be so complicated!? Honestly, they just wished for it to have never happened! If they didn't–

Ah no, not the frustrated talk again! That brought them nowhere, the both of them. They had to do something about this. Something, anything... Not just sit there and wish for the impossible. Communicate... Yeah. But how? Ann was at a literal loss for that after all. They were cornered, whether they liked to admit to it or not. Asking for help? That was the last thing they usually considered, given their stubborness to figure it out. And yet, they had to. The only person they could think of asking at a time like this... As much as they had wished to avoid it...

"Rei–San? I... Uhm... Talking..." Yeah, in the end Ann had given in. They had decided to just go on ahead and ask Rei himself. They didn't have a clue anymore and it did involve him, somewhat. So, at the next best opportunity when seeing him they had stopped him dead in his tracks, approaching him despite the feeling of unease. They needed help, desperately. Someone's words in any way. Ah, that sounds desperate. But still...

In any case, they had gotten his attention pretty much right away, his surprised expression turning into a light, caring smile. "Ah, if it isn't the young lady. Greetings " He began... Though in the end not sounding too surprised. As if– No way, right? "Is something the matter?"

He did not even hesitate, asking the rather obvious question. They should have expected this. Then again, the answer might have been obvious. Instead of opening their mouth however they had just nodded.

"Then please, speak up. I'm all ears. " He responded, smiling ever so kindly.

That alone was making them fumble, not sure if they should even say it out loud, let it escape their lips. Thus they were stalling, pretending to find the right words and allowing their lips to tremble. They looked like a nervous wreck and they certainly had been. ' Should I even tell him? ' they wondered and yet... After deciding to take a deep breath they nodded. They had come here for a reason!

"It... Just... Well... Something about... See... Ritsu, he–" They stuttered, trying to put the words into order. And even then they were just tripping, over and over, to the point it had been embarrassing. But they did not have to continue, not for long at least.

"Ah yes, Ritsu... Nyeli told me already. " They heard Rei sigh. One quick look up and they could see that his smile had turned more serious. And yet, there was a certain calmness about it... It was almost scary to be honest.

"Huh? Nyeli? He said what?"

"Something slipped which set Ritsu off. " The voice had been ever so sharp, or so Ann thought, flinching on the spot.

"I– Not meaning too! Honest! It just... Got out of my mouth so– And– Uhm..."

"Now now, calm down. I'm more than certain that it wasn't on purpose." Finally, his face seemed to relax and so did his voice. There was still a serious air about it and yet, it had not been even close to harsh. Though it was at least a little bit softer. "But I assume we both are more than aware of what you have mentioned."

This left Ann speechless for a moment. They were staring in silence for a moment, processing this. Sure, they had always considered the option that Rei might have known something but they thought it had been a higher chance that he just didn't catch on. That or– Wait no, there was another option possible here. "Did... Nyeli say some... thing?"

He remained silent for a moment, as if thinking. Was he? Maybe he was trying to remember. Regardless, the answer had been obvious in the end. "Yeah, you may say that."

Ugh... This was embarrassing. Even Rei knew now... "Did he? I see..." They first said, adding shortly after: "Rei–San, listen! That... Over! I'm oven– Falsch falsch falsch! Nicht oven! Over... Over! I'm over–"

"Haha, calm down." He interrupted, chuckling for a moment which got them to go silent for a moment. "I think we're more than aware. Otherwise you wouldn't be taking care of my little brother, would you?"

"W... Well..." It might have had an interesting phrasing yet they nodded slowly. After all, it had gotten the point across. The two were on the same page. "So... Uhm... About–"

"Hah, I appreciate that you place this much faith in me." He interrupted, his tone losing a bit of its softness, yet nowhere near terrifying. "But I am afraid that I might not be of much help here. "

"Eh!? But... You two–"

"Oh come on, I'm sure you have figured it out by now." He began one more time, them being all ears. Figured it out? What did they have figured– "Young lady, you should not waste your breath on me. Show Ritsu how much he means to you."

Those had been the last words on the matter, leaving Ann baffled... Well, almost. ' Show Ritsu how much he means to you. ' The obvious answer... To show him... Right?