The Life We Pretended

episode 16

The day started like any other—but not for everyone. Aru walked into the classroom, unaware that across the room, a small group had already gathered, heads close together, voices low, expressions suspiciously excited. “Today,” one of his friends whispered, “we confirm everything.” “There’s nothing to confirm,” another replied. “Exactly. That’s why we need to confirm it.” “Your logic is broken.” “My curiosity is strong.” “That’s worse.” They all nodded like that made perfect sense.

Aru dropped his bag onto his chair and sat down. “Why are you all whispering?” he asked casually. Instantly, they straightened. “We’re not.” “You are.” “We’re discussing… homework.” “…You don’t do homework.” “We’re starting today.” “That’s suspicious.” “Everything is suspicious to you,” one of them shot back. Aru narrowed his eyes slightly. “…You’re hiding something.” “We’re not.” “You definitely are.” “Sit down,” another friend said quickly, pushing him lightly. “Class is starting.” Aru didn’t push further—but he didn’t believe them either.

Across the room, Rei sat as usual. Calm. Quiet. Uninvolved. But if someone looked closely, they’d notice he glanced once—not at Aru—but at the group around him. Just for a second. Then back to normal.

Classes went on, but something felt slightly off—not in a big way, just in the way people kept looking at Aru a little longer than usual, or how his friends seemed unusually focused on him. At one point, one of them even turned around mid-class just to check if he was still there. “…What?” Aru mouthed. She shook her head quickly and turned back. “…Weird,” he muttered.

When lunch break finally came, everything happened at once.

Aru stood up like always. Grabbed his bag. Started walking out.

And this time—

He wasn’t alone.

Not that he noticed immediately.

Under the tree, Rei was already there, sitting down, looking as calm as ever. Aru walked over. “You’re early again.” “…You’re late again,” Rei replied. “Consistent.” “Predictable.” “Same thing.” “Not really.” “You’re going to say that every time, aren’t you?” “…Probably.” Aru sat down, dropping his bag beside him. “Good. I’d be disappointed if you changed.” “…You wouldn’t notice.” “I would.” “…Maybe.” A small pause. Aru opened his lunch. “My friends were acting strange today.” “…They always are.” “More than usual.” “…That’s concerning.” “Exactly.” Rei nodded slightly. “Then stay away from them.” “I can’t.” “…Why?” “They’re my friends.” “…That’s unfortunate.” “Wow.” Aru laughed slightly. “You’re rude today.” “Accurate.” “There it is again.” “…It fits.”

They started eating.

Normal.

Quiet.

Until—

A rustling sound came from behind the tree.

Aru paused mid-bite. “…Did you hear that?” “…Yes,” Rei replied calmly. “Animal?” “…Unlikely.” “Then what—”

“NOW.”

Suddenly—

Four of Aru’s friends jumped out from behind the tree.

“CAUGHT YOU.”

Aru froze.

“…What.”

Rei didn’t move.

Not even slightly.

“…What are you doing,” Aru asked, completely still.

“Observation,” one of them said proudly. “Investigation,” another added. “Research,” a third nodded. “…You’re hiding behind a tree,” Aru said. “For science,” she replied. “There’s no science here.” “There is now.” Aru looked at Rei. “…Do something.” “…No,” Rei said calmly. “Traitor.”

His friends quickly surrounded them, sitting down without invitation. “Wow, this is comfortable.” “Nice spot.” “Good choice.” “…It’s not public anymore,” Aru muttered. “It is now.” “You ruined it.” “We improved it.” “You didn’t.”

One of them leaned closer. “So.” “…No,” Aru said immediately. “We didn’t ask yet.” “You were about to.” “Maybe.” “Definitely.” Another friend turned to Rei. “You’re very calm.” “…Thank you.” “That’s it?” “…Yes.” “You’re not surprised?” “…Not really.” “Why?” “…Because this was predictable.” Aru turned to him. “…You knew?” “…Yes.” “And you didn’t tell me?” “…No.” “Wow.” “…You would’ve overreacted.” “I’m not overreacting.” “…You are.” “I’m not.” “…You are.” “I’m not.” “…Okay.” “…That sounded fake.” “It was.”

His friends burst out laughing. “This is better than we thought.” “You two talk like this all the time?” “…Unfortunately,” Aru said. “It’s entertaining,” one of them said. “It’s annoying,” Aru replied. “Same thing,” she shrugged.

Another friend suddenly pointed at them. “See?” “…What?” Aru asked. “You sit close.” “…We’re sitting normally.” “No, you’re sitting close.” Aru glanced down briefly. There wasn’t much space between them. “…There’s ground,” he said. “There’s more ground over there,” she pointed. “…Go sit there then.” “We’re fine here.” “Exactly.” “…You’re impossible.” “We know.”

Rei continued eating like nothing had changed. One of the girls leaned toward him again. “You really don’t care?” “…About what?” “All this.” “…No.” “Why?” “…Because it doesn’t change anything.” She paused. “…That’s actually a good answer.” “I know,” Rei replied. Aru looked at him. “…Don’t encourage them.” “…Too late.”

After a while, the chaos settled into something calmer. They stopped interrogating and started just talking—random topics, jokes, complaints about school. It wasn’t as quiet as before, but it wasn’t unbearable either.

“…You brought your entire friend group,” Rei said quietly to Aru. “I didn’t,” Aru replied. “They followed you.” “That’s worse.” “…It is.”

Eventually, the bell rang again.

“Round two tomorrow?” one of them asked. “No,” Aru said instantly. “Yes,” another said. “We’ll see,” someone added. “…You’re not invited,” Aru muttered. “We don’t need invitations.” “That’s the problem.”

They all stood up, heading back.

The rest of the day felt louder—but not in a bad way. Things had shifted slightly. Not hidden anymore. Not exactly exposed either. Just… more open.

After school, when Aru and Rei started walking again, Aru finally said, “…They’re not going to stop.” “…I know,” Rei replied. “You’re okay with that?” “…It doesn’t matter.” “You really live like that?” “…Like what?” “Like nothing matters.” “…Not nothing,” Rei said. “Just unnecessary things.” “…And this?” Aru asked. Rei glanced at him briefly. “…This isn’t unnecessary.” Aru paused for a second. “…Good answer.” “…I know.”

They reached the crossing.

Stopped.

Same as always.

“…See you,” Rei said.

“…Yeah,” Aru replied.

A small pause.

“…Tomorrow,” Aru added.

Rei nodded once.

“…Tomorrow.”