{ 2 days later }
Akira was sitting in the living room. Her breathing was still, stable and controlled. The air, however, wasn't.
Hinasuke was sitting on top of the kitchen counter, Yoshida's arms were crossed as he stood beside Hinasuke and Yano stood next to the lamp on the far left corner of the room, her eyes glowing a faint crimson.
All eyes were on her. On Akira.
For a long while, only the soft hue of the golden lamp filled the tense air as the late night breeze brushed past the curtains, stirring a faint cold in the room that only seemed to amplify the dense air further.
Finally, after a long staredown, she leaned back on the couch, voice softer than silk as she asked, "What's with the serious faces guys? Are you all mad at me?"
"Hardly. We're just tryna figure out who you are..." Yano replied quickly, jaw tensing.
Akira chuckled softly, "Who I am?" She repeated, "I'm Akira. Come on, guys. What's up? What's really going on?"
"We were hoping...you could answer that," Hinasuke muttered, voice deep.
Akira looked at Hinasuke with a fragile look, "What do you mean? It's me, Hina. Why wouldn't it be?"
At the softness in her voice, Yoshida shifted a bit, but didn't say anything.
Hinasuke then stood up, hands sliding out his pockets as he removed a photo of the nurse she had killed 2 days ago, "You did this."
He didn't ask, he stated. It was more like he was accusing her of...what? Defending herself?
"I was only defending myself, you know that. You know I wouldn't ever hurt anyone unless they hurt me—"
"You wouldn't hurt anyone even if you tried to! Not unless..." His voice trailed off, "Not unless it had something to do with Akashi."
At that, Akira stood up, hands shaking as her eyes softened, "No, you know that's not true. I'm over his passing, you know that. You all know that."
"Over? Akira, you just lost him! How the hell can you say you're 'over' his death?" Yano chimmed in, her eyes narrowed, head tilting in disbelief and residual anger.
Akira took a step back, eyes flickering with hurt and confusion, "Wha—What? Yano...he...he died a year ago..."
Finally, the blondie snapped as his voice came out shaky, "Would you cut it out with that bullshit?! We know you're not Akira!"
The room was silent, the wind howling past the window as the force of the air slammed the window shut, causing cold air to bleed into the room as curtains sprang across the room.
His voice deepened as is fell to a lower tone, "At least .. you're not the Akira we know. You're not our, Akira."
At that, the girl drove a hand through her violet mess of hair before she looked up, eyes clasped and cloudy as she struggled to carry her voice through the howling wind, "I am Akira. My name is Akira Hashinada, why don't you believe me?"
Yano looked at her, crimson eyes softening for just a fraction before she forces her gaze away, "Our Akira never had short hair. She's never cut her hair. She said she'd always keep it because it reminded her of how Akashi would always try to—" her voice cracked as she blinked rapidly, feet tapping the floor, "Because it reminded her how Akashi would try to braid her hair every single time they had to entertain themselves in the cold..." Her voice faltered as she glanced at her once, "But you wouldn't know that, would you?"
"I do know that! Oh God, I do know that, Yano! Please believe me!" Akira cried out, hand over her chest, "I don't know what's going on, but...look at me."
She stepped forward once, " Do you really think I'm lying to you? Do I look like a fake?"
"Why would you cut your hair?" Hinasuke muttered beneath his breath, his tone harsh.
Akira stopped mid step, eyes softening beyond words as the sparkle of grief only intensified as her purple eyes met his emerald ones, "What?" she whispered, barely audible above the cold air rushing in, "Hina, how could you...of all people ask me what you saw me do?"
Just then, Yoshida stomped out of the room, door flinging open them crashing shut against the doorframe.
Eventually Yano followed suit and that meant...
Leaving Akira and Hinasuke alone.