episode 22
1131 Words
The next day started like any normal day. Same classroom. Same seats. Same noise. Same people. But one thing was definitely not the same—everyone knew what happened yesterday. And more importantly… everyone was waiting to talk about it.
Aru walked into class, bag on shoulder, expression normal—but the moment he stepped in, something felt off. Not quiet. Not silent. Just… watching. “…Why are you all staring?” he asked, stopping near his desk. “We’re not staring,” one of his friends replied immediately. “…You are.” “No, we’re not.” “…You are.” “Okay, maybe a little.” “…Why?” “No reason.” “…That’s a lie.” “It’s not.” “…It is.” “Sit down,” another said. “…Suspicious,” Aru muttered as he sat.
Rei was already there, as usual. Calm. Unaffected. Like nothing had changed. “…They’re going to start,” Rei said quietly. “…I know,” Aru replied. “…Be ready.” “…I’m always ready.” “…You’re not.” “…I am.” “…You’re not.” “…Fine, maybe I’m not.”
Behind them, the whispering started.
“Should we say it?”
“Yes.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“…So,” one of them said loudly, “how was your alone time?”
Aru froze for half a second.
Then slowly turned.
“…Say that again.”
“…Your. Alone. Time.”
“…We were locked in a room.”
“…Exactly.”
“…That’s not what you think.”
“…We didn’t say anything.”
“…You implied everything.”
“…Maybe.”
“…Definitely.”
Rei didn’t react.
“…You’re all very annoying,” Aru added.
“…And you’re very defensive,” one of them replied.
“…I’m not defensive.”
“…You are.”
“…I’m not.”
“…You are.”
“…Stop.”
“…Okay.”
“…Not really.”
The teasing didn’t stop.
Not even when class started.
Not even when the teacher walked in.
Small notes passed around.
Glances.
Smirks.
And every time Aru turned—
Someone looked away quickly.
“…They’re worse today,” he muttered.
“…They’re entertained,” Rei replied.
“…I’m going to end their entertainment.”
“…You won’t.”
“…I might.”
“…You won’t.”
“…You’re very confident again.”
“…I’m right again.”
“…Annoying.”
“…Consistent.”
Halfway through the class, another note landed on Aru’s desk.
He opened it.
“Did you confess? 😏”
Aru immediately crumpled it.
“…I’m going to throw them out the window.”
“…That’s extreme,” Rei said.
“…They deserve it.”
“…Maybe.”
“…You agree?”
“…A little.”
“…Good.”
At lunch, things got worse.
They didn’t even try to hide it anymore.
“So what did you guys talk about?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes.”
“In a locked room?”
“Yes.”
“That’s suspicious.”
“…You’re suspicious.”
“Nice comeback.”
“…I’m serious.”
“So are we.”
Another friend leaned in. “Was it awkward?”
“…No.”
“Really?”
“…Yes.”
“Not even a little?”
“…No.”
They all turned to Rei.
“…Was it awkward?”
Rei looked at them.
“…No.”
Silence for a second.
“…That’s boring,” one of them said.
“…Good,” Rei replied.
“…We expected more.”
“…That’s your problem.”
“…Wow.”
“…He’s calm,” another whispered.
“…Too calm.”
“…Suspicious.”
“…You’re all suspicious,” Aru said.
After lunch, things finally settled down a little.
Not completely.
But enough.
Classes continued.
Notes slowed.
Teasing reduced to occasional comments.
But something had already changed.
Not in a big way.
Just… slightly.
During class, Aru leaned back in his chair, looking toward the board—but not really paying attention.
“…You’re not listening,” Rei said.
“…I am.”
“…You’re not.”
“…I am.”
“…You’re not.”
“…Okay, I’m not.”
“…Why?”
“…Because I’m thinking.”
“…About what?”
Aru paused.
“…Nothing.”
“…That’s not true.”
“…It is.”
“…It’s not.”
“…Drop it.”
“…Fine.”
A few minutes later—
“…Yesterday wasn’t bad,” Aru said quietly.
Rei didn’t look at him.
“…No.”
“…It could’ve been worse.”
“…Yes.”
“…They could’ve stayed outside longer.”
“…They didn’t.”
“…Good.”
A small pause.
“…It was quiet.”
“…It was.”
“…Too quiet.”
“…You said that already.”
“…I’m saying it again.”
“…Noted.”
After school, the teasing came back one last time.
As they packed their bags—
“So, same plan today?” one of the boys said.
“…What plan?” Aru asked.
“Lock you in again.”
“…Try it.”
“We will.”
“…You won’t.”
“We might.”
“…You won’t.”
“…We’ll see.”
“…You won’t.”
“…Okay, maybe not.”
“…Good.”
They left the classroom together again.
Not planned.
Not discussed.
Just… normal now.
Outside, the air felt warm.
Same road.
Same path.
Same steps.
“…They’re not going to stop,” Aru said.
“…No.”
“…This will continue.”
“…Yes.”
“…Great.”
“…You’ll survive.”
“…Barely.”
A small pause.
“…You didn’t answer properly yesterday,” Aru said suddenly.
Rei glanced at him.
“…About what?”
“…When I asked if you minded.”
“…I said no.”
“…That’s not a full answer.”
“…It is.”
“…It’s short.”
“…It’s enough.”
“…It’s not.”
“…Then what do you want?”
Aru hesitated for a second.
“…Nothing.”
“…Exactly.”
“…Still.”
Rei looked ahead.
“…I don’t mind being with you.”
Aru blinked once.
“…That’s… longer.”
“…You wanted longer.”
“…I didn’t say that.”
“…You implied it.”
“…Maybe.”
They kept walking.
Side by side.
Like always.
Behind them, from a distance—
“They’re walking again.”
“They always are.”
“This is getting serious.”
“Very.”
“…We should stop.”
“…We should not stop.”
“…Agreed.”
The sun lowered slightly.
Shadows stretched.
Steps matched.
And without saying it—
Something was slowly becoming—
Routine.
- Writer
