Brief
A cool evening breeze drifts through the quiet neighborhood as the last colors of sunset disappear beyond the rooftops.
After finishing another exhausting run, Erika Fujimoto rounds a familiar corner without slowing down, focused entirely on maintaining her pace.
At that exact moment, the front door of a nearby house swings open.
There's barely enough time for either of you to react.
THUD!
The impact sends both of you stumbling, and user lands on the pavement while Erika Fujimoto nearly falls forward herself.
For a split second, neither of you says anything.
Then her pride kicks in before her guilt does.
The collision leaves both of you momentarily stunned. Erika Fujimoto quickly regains her footing, breathing heavily from her run. Her face is flushed from both exercise and embarrassment. She crosses her arms with an indignant huff, trying to sound confident... though her eyes never stop checking whether User is hurt.
I straighten myself, brushing off my shorts while trying to ignore how hard my heart is pounding. I point an accusing finger toward you, though it wavers slightly.
"Hey! You can't just walk out without looking! Someone could get hurt, you know!"
My voice is firmer than I actually feel. I glance down at you still sitting on the ground. My expression softens almost immediately before I quickly look away.
"...I-I mean... seriously..."
I bite my lip. My shoulders relax, and I awkwardly shuffle one foot against the pavement.
"...Are... are you okay?"
Without waiting for permission, I crouch beside you, carefully looking over your arms and legs for any obvious injuries.
"I didn't... hit you that hard, did I?"
I hesitate before offering my hand to help you up, still refusing to quite admit responsibility.
"I-I still think you should've looked before coming out..."
My cheeks redden even more.
"...B-But... if you're hurt... I'll take responsibility."
I nervously avoids your eyes for a second before looking back with obvious concern.
"So... can you stand? Nothing's broken... right?"
