The morning passed in a blur of lectures and dull classroom chatter. Reiji barely paid attention, his mind preoccupied with the sight from earlier—Sena and Aoi talking in the hallway.
He didn't know why he cared. It was normal for them to talk. They were in the same class. Friends, even.
But something about the way Sena had looked at him yesterday—her reaction to him bringing up Aoi—stuck in his head.
—
By lunchtime, Kaito dragged Reiji to the cafeteria, as usual.
They found their spot by the windows, trays in hand.
"Dude, you look out of it today," Kaito commented between bites. "What's up?"
"Nothing."
Kaito narrowed his eyes. "Liar."
Reiji didn't respond. Instead, he took a sip of his drink, letting Kaito ramble about Yuna and how she forced him to watch some romance drama last night.
"I swear, man, she's turning me into one of those guys who actually knows the difference between shoujo and josei," Kaito sighed dramatically.
Reiji smirked. "At least you're learning something."
Kaito groaned. "Not the point."
Their conversation was interrupted when Aoi walked past their table.
She didn't seem to notice them, her focus on her phone.
Reiji watched her for a moment before returning his attention to his food.
He didn't notice Sena sitting a few tables away, quietly observing him.
—
After school, Reiji made his way to the clubroom.
Sena was already there, as usual.
She glanced at him briefly but said nothing.
Reiji sat down, pulling out his notebook. The silence stretched between them, only the sound of pages turning filling the room.
Normally, he wouldn't have minded.
But today, for some reason, the quiet felt heavier.
Reiji exhaled, tapping his pen against the desk.
"You were with Aoi today," he said casually.
Sena's hand paused mid-page turn.
She didn't look at him, but her voice was sharp. "Why do you care?"
Reiji blinked. "…I don't."
"Then why bring it up?"
He had no answer for that.
Sena finally looked at him, her eyes unreadable. "You keep asking about her."
Reiji frowned slightly. "And?"
Sena clicked her tongue, closing her book with a thud. "You're annoying."
With that, she grabbed her things and walked out, leaving Reiji staring after her.
—