[ clutching his arm like a lifeline, aoba flinches when he feels the impact of koujaku's fist on the couch. this is exactly what he didn't want happening. plus, from what he's heard through words of mouth, things like this happened from time to time, and usually didn't last. at least, he's fervently hoping that it doesn't. he'd thought himself lucky because nothing had happened so far.

determined not to let the last vestiges of his composure collapse, aoba raises his other hand and tries to locate koujaku's face by the sound of his voice. he misses, but catches what feels like his shoulder instead. fingers flexing down lightly on it, aoba's face knits itself into a look of concern. it's unlike koujaku to lose his temper like this, and it unsettles him. ]

No! [ his voice is rising. ] No, I mean, remember what you said? We should just keep our heads low for now. It probably won't last too long...

[ right? ] I can deal with it until then.