"That's okay. I don't need a bench," Akane smiled wearily, slumping back to back with her brother. (And of course he got his coveted high five, even if it was a feeble slap that only landed halfway on his hand.) "The lab is safe enough. I just need to catch my breath."

Or borrow someone's office to clamber under a desk and get some sleep. It wouldn't be the first time she'd bunked down at the lab after working a really late night.

She closed her eyes, exhaling in contentment to feel the warmth of Aoi's presence reassuring and real against her. "Thank you. Both of you...really...thank you."