[ She's immediately attuned to the fact that he says "too", the way he says it implying that this feeling isn't exactly one-sided. It feels as though her heart might burst or otherwise beat right out of her chest. ]

Yes. I feel... a strange sort of pain when we sleep apart or whenever I feel as though you may be in some sort of distress. It's difficult to describe.

[ She swallows, still nervous - not a feeling that she is used to and honestly it's unsettling. Part of her does still want to bury herself in the blankets and refuse to re-emerge or else flee their apartment altogether, but then Akihiko pulls her close and well... She still feels those impulses but him against her, warm and solid... Turns out that could do wonders to calm her.

She won't stop herself burying her face into his chest though, refusing all eye contact for a moment. A compromise, to stop her retreating. ]

I think I need to say it again, properly this time.

Akihiko, I... I love you.