episode 19
1411 Words
Seat change days were always chaos. It didn’t matter how calm the class usually was—once the teacher announced it, everything turned loud, fast, and slightly competitive. “YES,” someone shouted from the back. “NO,” someone else replied immediately. “I just got comfortable,” one girl complained. “That’s the point,” another said. “It’s illegal,” a boy added. “…It’s not,” the teacher said without looking up. “It should be.”
Aru rested his chin on his hand, watching the mess unfold. He didn’t really care about seats. Not exactly. But still… he glanced once—just once—toward Rei’s side of the classroom. Rei was sitting as usual, calm, not reacting much, just watching the board like nothing chaotic was happening. “…Of course,” Aru muttered under his breath. “What?” his friend beside him asked. “Nothing.”
“Everyone pick a number,” the teacher said. Groans. Complaints. Some excitement. “Don’t cheat.” “We’re not cheating.” “…You’re thinking about it.” “…Maybe.”
Numbers were picked. Papers were shuffled. Desks scraped across the floor. People started moving, switching, arguing about who got what. “This is my seat.” “Not anymore.” “I was here first.” “Not anymore.” “I hate this system.” “Then don’t sit.”
Aru checked his number.
Then looked at the seating chart.
Then—
Paused.
“…You’ve got to be kidding me,” he whispered.
“Where are you?” his friend asked, leaning over.
“…There.”
“…Oh.”
“…What?”
“…Nothing.”
“…Say it.”
“…You’re sitting next to Rei.”
Aru blinked once.
“…Oh.”
Rei had already moved by the time Aru reached the seat. Of course he had. Everything about him was always… on time. Organized. Calm. Annoyingly prepared. “…Move,” Aru said lightly as he approached. “…I already did,” Rei replied, not looking up. “…You didn’t even wait.” “…For what?” “…I don’t know. Something.” “…There’s nothing to wait for.” “…Right.”
Aru dropped his bag onto the desk and sat down beside him. It felt normal. And also… slightly not. Not uncomfortable. Just different.
Behind them, someone whispered, “This is going to be interesting.” Another replied, “Very.” A third added, “We should watch.” “…Stop,” Aru said without turning around. “We didn’t say anything,” they replied. “…You didn’t have to.”
Rei glanced at him briefly. “…You’re popular today.” “…I’m always popular.” “…That’s not true.” “…Wow.” “…Just saying.” “…Rude.” “…Accurate.” “…Worse.”
Class started.
At least, it was supposed to.
But new seats meant new distractions.
“So,” the girl in front turned around slightly. “How does it feel?” “…How does what feel?” Aru asked. “Sitting here.” “…Like sitting.” “That’s it?” “…Yes.” “…Boring.” “…Then don’t ask.”
On the other side, someone else leaned back toward Rei. “Take care of her.” Rei looked at him. “…She can take care of herself.” “…Still.” “…Still what?” “…Just saying.” “…Don’t.”
Aru smirked slightly. “…You’re getting instructions now?” “…Apparently.” “…Good luck.” “…I don’t need it.” “…You do.” “…No.” “…Yes.” “…No.” “…Yes.” “…Stop.” “…Okay.”
The teacher finally started the lesson.
For a few minutes, things settled.
Pens moved. Pages turned.
Actual studying happened.
Then—
“Do you understand this?” Aru asked quietly, sliding his notebook slightly toward Rei.
Rei looked down. “…You skipped something again.” “…I didn’t skip it.” “…You did.” “…Where?” Rei pointed. “…Oh.” “…Fix it.” “…You sound like a broken machine.” “…You sound like someone who doesn’t read properly.” “…I read.” “…Not enough.” “…Wow.” “…Just fix it.” “…Fine.”
A small silence.
“…Thanks,” Aru said after a moment.
“…You’re welcome.”
Halfway through the class, sunlight shifted slightly through the window, falling across the desks. It hit the edge of Aru’s notebook, then his hand, then part of his face. He squinted slightly and moved a bit.
Rei noticed.
Without saying anything, he shifted his notebook slightly, adjusting the angle so the light blocked just enough.
Aru paused.
“…You didn’t have to do that.”
“…I know.”
“…Then why did you?”
“…It was bothering you.”
“…It wasn’t that bad.”
“…It was.”
“…You’re annoying.”
“…You’re welcome.”
Aru looked at him for a second—
Then looked away.
“…Still annoying,” he muttered.
Behind them, quiet whispers again.
“They’re talking a lot.”
“They always do.”
“Not like this.”
“…You’re watching too much.”
“…Maybe.”
By the time the bell rang, the class had returned to its usual energy—but something felt slightly different. Not big. Not obvious. Just… something.
“Break time!” someone shouted unnecessarily.
“Thank you,” another replied dramatically.
Chairs moved again. People stood up. Conversations started instantly.
Aru stayed seated for a second.
“…You’re not moving?” Rei asked.
“…In a minute.”
“…Why?”
“…Just sitting.”
“…Okay.”
A pause.
“…You going somewhere?” Aru asked.
“…No.”
“…Good.”
“…Why?”
“…No reason.”
“…Alright.”
Aru’s friends gathered around quickly.
“So?” one of them said.
“So what?” Aru replied.
“How is it?” another added.
“…How is what?”
“Sitting there.”
“…It’s a chair.”
“…That’s not what we meant.”
“…Then say what you meant.”
“…Is it awkward?”
“…No.”
“…Are you talking?”
“…Yes.”
“…A lot?”
“…Enough.”
“…Interesting.”
“…Stop being weird.”
“We’re not weird.”
“You are.”
“Okay, maybe a little.”
On the other side, Rei’s side wasn’t much quieter.
“Careful,” one of the boys said to him.
“…Why?” Rei asked.
“…She’ll distract you.”
“…She already does,” another joked.
“…Not like that,” Rei replied calmly.
“…Sure.”
“…What?”
“…Nothing.”
“…Then stop talking.”
“…You started it.”
“…You did.”
“…Okay, maybe I did.”
“…Exactly.”
Later, as the day continued, the new seating slowly became normal.
But—
Every now and then—
Aru would glance sideways.
Not fully.
Just a little.
And every time—
Rei would already be focused on something else.
Or maybe—
Just pretending to be.
At the end of the day, as everyone packed up, one of the girls leaned toward Aru again. “…You’re quieter today.” “…I’m always quiet.” “…No, you’re not.” “…Yes, I am.” “…Not like this.” “…It’s the seat.” “…Blame the chair?” “…Yes.” “…That’s new.” “…It works.” “…Sure.”
Rei closed his bag and stood up.
“…Going?” Aru asked.
“…Yeah.”
“…Wait.”
Rei paused.
“…Walk together?” Aru said, almost casually.
A small pause.
“…Okay,” Rei replied.
They walked out with the others, but somehow ended up slightly behind.
Not planned.
Just… happened.
“…Seat change isn’t that bad,” Aru said after a moment.
“…No.”
“…It’s better.”
“…Maybe.”
“…You’re still annoying.”
“…You’re still not reading properly.”
“…I will.”
“…You won’t.”
“…I will.”
“…We’ll see.”
“…We will.”
The road outside school felt the same.
But walking like this—
Side by side—
Without trying—
Felt slightly different.
Not big.
Not dramatic.
Just—
Noticeable.
- Writer
