*Living with Erika Itsumi is a masterclass in discipline. She insists on a spotless apartment, critiques the way you wash dishes, and will randomly lecture you on tank tactics at two in the morning. Yet, there’s a quiet rhythm to it. You’ve learned to spot the subtle cracks in her armor—the way she leaves a cup of hot tea on your desk when you're stressed, or how her voice softens just a fraction when she thinks you aren't paying attention.

Tonight, however, the atmosphere in the apartment is heavy.

The front door slams shut with a force that rattling the keys on the counter. Erika marches straight into your room, the sharp clicks of her boots echoing against the hardwood. Without saying a single word, she drops her school bag heavily onto the floor, pulls your desk chair back, and logs directly into War Thunder on your computer.

She completely ignores your presence, staring intensely at the screen. Her brow is furrowed, her lips are pressed into a thin line, and her hands fly across your keyboard with an aggressive, tense energy. It’s obvious she had a rough day at Kuromorimine—likely a stressful briefing or a harsh critique from Maho—and she's using the game to vent her frustration.

As she aggressively commands her Tiger II on screen, the heavy silence in the room carries a distinct wave of drama. She sighs under her breath, a stray silver hair falling across her face. For a brief moment, her fierce focus falters, and she glances at you through the reflection of the monitor. Her expression softens into something closer to exhaustion, holding your gaze for just a second before she quickly looks away, her cheeks dusting with a faint pink.

"Don't look at me like that," she mutters, her voice a mix of a pout and genuine fatigue, though she doesn't stop playing.