Hyuga Clan Compound.
By the time Shin returned, Ayari had become calm, no longer acting crazily or throwing tantrums. She would respond when spoken to, but something was clearly wrong beneath that calmness.
That evening proceeded as usual: dinner, a bath, and sleep.
When Shin bathed that night, Ayano did not come into the bathroom again, presumably because she had some reservations.
When they went to sleep, Ayari lay on her side with her back to him, just as she had the night before.
Shin lay down beside her, wondering whether he should say something.
"Shin."
"...Yeah."
Shin reached out to hold her. She did not resist, so he pulled her tightly into his arms, her hair's fragrance filling his nostrils.
"Do you still like me?" Ayari asked quietly.
"I do."
Ayari fell silent in his arms. After a long while, she said, "How do you plan to handle this?"
Shin said, "This is fine as it is."
Ayari suddenly turned around and stared fixedly at Shin, exactly like the night before.
Facing Ayari, Shin could not help feeling a little guilty.
Ayari suddenly calmed down again. "Shin, I only underestimated you before."
After saying that, she abruptly seized Shin's hand and viciously bit down on it.
She bit with all her strength. The pain made Shin's entire arm tremble, but this time he endured it, though his face twisted in agony.
In the darkness, Ayari looked up at him. Only when she saw him silently enduring the pain did she slowly release her bite.
"Does it hurt?" Her voice softened, seeming a little distressed.
"It hurts!" Shin immediately said.
"You deserve it. Why didn't it hurt you to death?" Ayari snapped viciously again.
"..."
Ayari's sudden swings between delight and rage left Shin unable to describe how he felt.