The Life We Pretended

epsiode 25

The next morning didn’t feel normal. Not because something big had happened—but because something small had stayed.

Aru noticed it the moment she stepped into class. The girls were already there. Sitting in their usual spots. Talking. Laughing. But when Aru walked in, three of them looked at each other first… then at her. “…No,” Aru muttered quietly, stopping near her desk. “…It’s happening again.” “…What is?” one of the girls asked instantly, smiling too innocently. “…That,” Aru pointed. “…That look.” “…What look?” “…The one where you’re planning something.” “…We’re always planning something.” “…Exactly.” “…Then why are you surprised?” “…I’m not surprised. I’m tired.” “…Sit.” “…No.” “…Sit.” “…No.” “…Sit.” “…Fine.” Aru dropped into her chair, sighing. Within seconds, two girls pulled their chairs closer. One leaned forward on the desk. Another turned around from the front seat. Circle forming again—but more casual this time. More… controlled. “…This is suspicious,” Aru said. “…Everything is suspicious to you,” one replied. “…Because everything you do is suspicious.” “…Fair.” “…Not helping.” “…Never do.” Rei arrived a few seconds later. Walked in like usual. Calm. Quiet. No reaction. But—she noticed. The group. The positioning. The way Aru was already surrounded. She walked over and sat beside her. Like always. “…You’re late,” Aru said. “…I’m on time.” “…You’re late.” “…You’re dramatic.” “…You’re slow.” “…You’re loud.” “…Stop.” “…Okay.” “…Not really.” The girls exchanged another look. And smiled. “…We’re bored,” one of them said. “…No,” Aru replied immediately. “…We haven’t even said anything.” “…I know where this goes.” “…You don’t.” “…I do.” “…You don’t.” “…I do.” “…Okay then, what are we going to say?” “…Something annoying.” “…Correct.” “…See?” “…Fine.” “…What?” Aru crossed her arms slightly. “…Why do people keep looking at you?” Silence. Just for a second. Then— “…What?” Aru blinked. “…Who?” “…Everyone,” another girl added. “…Yesterday too.” “…And today.” “…Even seniors.” “…It’s weird.” Aru frowned slightly. “…No one is looking at me.” “…They are.” “…They’re not.” “…They are.” “…You’re imagining things.” “…We’re not.” “…You are.” “…We’re not.” “…Stop.” “…Look right now.” Aru turned her head slightly. Across the classroom—two girls from another section glanced, then quickly looked away. Aru blinked. “…That’s normal.” “…That’s not normal.” “…It is.” “…It’s not.” “…They just looked.” “…They stared.” “…They didn’t.” “…They did.” “…You’re exaggerating.” “…You’re ignoring.” “…I’m not.” “…You are.” “…Stop.” Rei hadn’t spoken yet. Just watched. Quiet. Observing everything. “…What do you think?” one of the girls suddenly asked her. Rei looked at Aru for a second. Then back at them. “…It’s happening,” she said simply. Aru turned instantly. “…You too?” “…I’m honest.” “…You’re annoying.” “…Accurate.” “…Stop being accurate.” “…No.” The group laughed. “…See?” one girl said. “…Even she noticed.” “…That doesn’t mean anything.” “…It means something.” “…It doesn’t.” “…It does.” “…Stop.” “…Okay.” “…Not really.” Aru leaned back slightly, crossing her arms again. “…So what if people look?” she said. “…That’s normal.” “…Not like that,” one girl replied. “…Like what?” “…Like they’re curious.” “…About what?” “…About you.” Aru paused for a second. “…That’s weird.” “…Exactly.” “…I don’t like that.” “…We do.” “…Why?” “…Because it’s interesting.” “…I’m not interesting.” “…You are.” “…I’m not.” “…You are.” “…Stop.” “…Okay.” Rei finally spoke again. Quietly. “…It’s not just curiosity.” The group turned to her. “…Then what?” one asked. Rei didn’t answer immediately. Just looked at Aru again. Then— “…They’re noticing.” Aru frowned. “…Noticing what?” Rei didn’t reply. “…Hey,” Aru nudged her slightly. “…What does that mean?” “…Nothing.” “…That’s not nothing.” “…It’s something.” “…Then say it.” “…No.” “…Why?” “…Because you’ll argue.” “…I won’t.” “…You will.” “…I won’t.” “…You will.” “…Fine, maybe a little.” “…Exactly.” The girls laughed again. “…You two are so weird,” one said. “…You’re weird,” Aru replied. “…You’re weirder.” “…You’re the weirdest.” “…Stop.” “…Okay.” Lunch break came quickly after that—but this time, instead of chaos, it was quieter. The girls still talked. Still laughed. But now—there was something else. They were watching. Not in a bad way. Just… noticing more. Aru’s expressions. The way she talked. The way she reacted. Even how she sat. “…Stop looking at me,” Aru said suddenly. “…We’re not.” “…You are.” “…We’re not.” “…You are.” “…We’re appreciating.” “…Don’t appreciate.” “…We will.” “…Don’t.” “…We will.” “…Stop.” Rei sat beside her as usual. Calm. Unbothered. But—her eyes moved more than usual. Not obvious. But enough. At one point, another girl from a different class walked over. “…Hi,” she said, smiling at Aru. “…Uh… hi,” Aru replied, confused. “…You’re Aru, right?” “…Yeah.” “…I’ve seen you around.” “…Okay…?” “…You’re nice.” “…Thanks…?” “…Can we sit?” Aru blinked. “…Here?” “…Yeah.” “…Why?” “…Just wanted to talk.” “…About what?” “…Anything.” Aru looked at her friends. Then at Rei. Rei didn’t react. Just… watched. “…Sure,” Aru said slowly. The girl sat. Started talking. Normal things. School. Teachers. Random stuff. But—she kept focusing on Aru. Asking questions. Smiling at her. Laughing at small things. The group noticed. Of course they did. And silently— They looked at Rei. Rei didn’t interrupt. Didn’t speak. But her gaze stayed there. Fixed. Quiet. Sharp. After a few minutes— “…We have class,” one of Aru’s friends suddenly said. “…Oh,” the girl stood up. “…Okay, bye.” “…Bye,” Aru replied. She left. Silence for a second. Then— “…Interesting,” one girl said. “…What?” Aru asked. “…Nothing.” “…Say it.” “…No.” “…Say it.” “…No.” “…Say it.” “…She was trying.” “…Trying what?” “…You know.” “…I don’t.” “…You do.” “…I don’t.” “…You do.” “…Stop.” “…Okay.” Aru turned to Rei. “…You’re quiet.” “…I’m normal.” “…You’re quiet.” “…You’re loud.” “…Answer.” Rei looked at her. “…What?” “…What did you think?” “…About what?” “…That.” “…Nothing.” “…That’s not true.” “…It is.” “…You noticed.” “…I did.” “…And?” A small pause. Then— “…She was obvious.” Aru blinked. “…Obvious how?” “…Too friendly.” “…That’s normal.” “…Not like that.” “…You’re overthinking.” “…You’re underthinking.” “…That’s not a thing.” “…It is.” “…You’re making things up.” “…I’m not.” “…You are.” “…I’m not.” “…Stop.” “…Okay.” But she didn’t look away. And Aru noticed that. For a second longer than usual. After school—again, they walked. This time, the group stayed a bit longer before splitting. And when it was just them— A small silence followed. “…You were weird,” Aru said. “…You’re always weird.” “…Today more.” “…Today accurate.” “…About what?” Rei didn’t answer immediately. Then— “…People are starting to notice you more.” “…You said that already.” “…I’m saying it again.” “…Why?” “…Because it matters.” “…It doesn’t.” “…It does.” “…Why?” Rei stopped walking for a second. Aru turned. “…What?” Rei looked at her. Calm as always. But something slightly different in her eyes. “…Because I noticed first.” Aru froze for a second. “…What?” “…Nothing.” “…That’s not nothing.” “…It is.” “…You just said something.” “…Forget it.” “…No.” “…Yes.” “…No.” “…Yes.” “…Stop.” “…Okay.” They started walking again. But this time— The silence stayed longer. And for the first time— It didn’t feel empty. It felt… like something was building. Slowly. Quietly.

Without either of them understanding it yet.