episode 23
1350 Words
By now, sitting next to Rei had stopped feeling new. It wasn’t something Aru thought about every second anymore. The desk, the space, the shared books, the small arguments—it had all become part of his daily routine. Wake up, go to school, sit down… and Rei would already be there. Calm. On time. Like always.
But something else had changed.
Not big.
Not obvious.
Just… something.
The day started normally.
Aru walked in, dropped his bag, and sat down. “…You’re early,” he said. “…You’re late,” Rei replied. “…I’m on time.” “…You’re not.” “…I am.” “…You’re not.” “…Stop.” “…Okay.” “…Good.”
Behind them, the usual whispering had already begun—but quieter today. Less obvious. That didn’t mean anything good. It just meant they were planning something again.
“…They’re too quiet,” Aru muttered.
“…That’s normal now,” Rei said.
“…I don’t like it.”
“…You never do.”
“…Because it always ends badly.”
“…For you.”
“…Exactly.”
First period passed without much happening. Just normal class, normal notes, normal distractions. Aru tried to focus—but his attention kept drifting. Not to something random.
To something specific.
Or… someone.
“…You’re staring again,” Rei said quietly without looking at him.
Aru blinked. “…I’m not staring.”
“…You are.”
“…I’m not.”
“…You are.”
“…I’m thinking.”
“…You’re staring while thinking.”
“…That’s different.”
“…Not really.”
Aru looked away.
“…Mind your own work.”
“…I am.”
“…Then do it silently.”
“…I am.”
“…You’re not.”
“…You’re talking too.”
“…Because you started.”
“…You’re impossible.”
“…You’re distracted.”
“…I’m not.”
“…You are.”
“…Fine, maybe a little.”
During break, things shifted slightly.
A new situation.
A new person.
And of course—perfect timing for trouble.
One of the boys from another class walked in, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Hey,” he called out. “…Who are you talking to?” someone asked. “Aru,” he replied.
Instant silence.
Then—
“Oooooo.”
“…Stop,” Aru said immediately.
The boy walked closer. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“…Why?” Aru asked.
“Just come.”
“…You can say it here.”
“…I’d rather not.”
“…Then don’t.”
“…Come on.”
Aru sighed.
“…Fine. One minute.”
He stood up and walked toward the door.
Behind him—
“Oh this is interesting.”
“Very interesting.”
“Watch Rei.”
“…Don’t,” another whispered.
“…I am.”
Outside the classroom, the boy spoke quietly.
“Hey, so… I’ve seen you around.”
“…Okay.”
“…And I just wanted to ask—are you free after school?”
Aru blinked.
“…For what?”
“…Just… hanging out.”
“…Why?”
“…Because I asked?”
“…That’s not a reason.”
“…Because I want to talk to you.”
“…You’re talking now.”
“…Not like this.”
“…Then like what?”
“…Just… come after school.”
Aru paused.
“…No.”
“…No?”
“…No.”
“…Why?”
“…Because I don’t want to.”
“…Oh.”
“…Anything else?”
“…No.”
“…Okay.”
And just like that—
He turned and walked back inside.
The moment he stepped in—
Silence.
Then—
“What happened?”
“…Nothing.”
“That’s a lie.”
“…He asked something.”
“And?”
“…I said no.”
“…JUST NO?”
“…Yes.”
“…WHY?”
“…Because I wanted to.”
“…That’s cold.”
“…That’s normal.”
“…That’s brutal.”
“…That’s me.”
“…Wow.”
Aru walked back to his seat.
Sat down.
Picked up his pen like nothing happened.
Rei didn’t speak immediately.
Then—
“…You didn’t hesitate.”
“…Why would I?”
“…Most people do.”
“…I’m not most people.”
“…Clearly.”
A small pause.
“…What?” Aru asked.
“…Nothing.”
“…You’re saying nothing again.”
“…Because there’s nothing.”
“…There’s something.”
“…There isn’t.”
“…There is.”
“…Drop it.”
“…Fine.”
But something had shifted.
Slightly.
Again.
The rest of the class continued normally—but not really.
Every now and then—
Aru caught himself looking sideways.
Not directly.
Just a glance.
Then looking away.
Rei, as usual—
Acted like nothing changed.
Or maybe—
Just didn’t show it.
After school—
The group gathered again.
“So you rejected him just like that?”
“Yes.”
“No thinking?”
“No.”
“No hesitation?”
“No.”
“…Scary.”
“…Normal.”
“…Not normal.”
“…Very normal.”
“…Okay, maybe a little cool.”
“…I know.”
“…Confidence level 100.”
“…Always.”
They started walking.
Together.
Same group.
Same path.
Same noise.
But then—
Slowly—
The group split.
One went left.
Another stopped.
Another slowed down.
Until—
Only two were left.
Aru and Rei.
Again.
“…They did that on purpose,” Aru said.
“…Obviously.”
“…Stop saying obviously.”
“…Then stop saying obvious things.”
“…They’re annoying.”
“…They are.”
“…We should stop them.”
“…You won’t.”
“…I might.”
“…You won’t.”
“…You’re very confident again.”
“…I’m right again.”
They kept walking.
Quiet.
But not uncomfortable.
“…Why did you say no?” Rei asked suddenly.
Aru glanced at him.
“…Because I didn’t want to go.”
“…That’s it?”
“…Yes.”
“…Nothing else?”
“…No.”
A pause.
“…Would you have said yes?” Aru asked.
“…No.”
“…Why?”
“…Because I don’t want to.”
Aru smirked slightly.
“…That’s my line.”
“…I know.”
“…You copied me.”
“…I improved it.”
“…Rude.”
“…Accurate.”
They walked a little further.
The road quieter now.
Less people.
More space.
“…You didn’t look at him much,” Rei said.
“…Why would I?”
“…Most people do.”
“…I’m not most people.”
“…You said that already.”
“…I’m saying it again.”
“…Noted.”
A small breeze passed.
Aru adjusted his bag slightly.
Then—
“…You notice a lot,” he said.
“…What do you mean?”
“…Small things.”
“…I observe.”
“…That’s the same thing.”
“…Not exactly.”
“…Close enough.”
“…Maybe.”
They reached the usual turning point.
Where they normally separated.
But neither of them stopped immediately.
“…You’re quiet,” Aru said.
“…So are you.”
“…Not really.”
“…A little.”
“…Okay, maybe a little.”
A pause.
“…Nothing changed,” Aru said suddenly.
Rei looked at him.
“…What?”
“…Today.”
“…No.”
“…No what?”
“…Something changed.”
“…Like what?”
Rei didn’t answer immediately.
Then—
“…You noticed.”
Aru blinked once.
“…Noticed what?”
“…Exactly.”
Silence.
“…You’re annoying,” Aru said.
“…You said that already.”
“…I’m saying it again.”
“…Noted.”
They finally stopped.
At the usual place.
“…See you tomorrow,” Aru said.
“…Tomorrow,” Rei replied.
They turned.
Walked in different directions.
But for the first time—
Aru didn’t just walk away.
He turned back.
Just for a second.
Rei was already walking.
Not looking back.
“…Huh,” Aru muttered quietly.
Then continued walking.
- Writer
