She caught up to him quicker than he expected, and he paused with his hand on the open door as she rubbed up against him. He looked down, frowning still but beginning to believe.

"You don't have the sense of self-preservation god gave a guinea pig, do you," he murmured softly. "Even Senpai ran, sometimes, and he trusts me with his life."

He bent down and curled strong fingers around her upper arm. "Get up. You'll tear your skin on the concrete if you crawl."