Unraveled Ties

The evening air carried a slight chill as Reiji walked home, hands in his pockets. He replayed his brief conversation with Sena at the vending machine, the way her expression had softened ever so slightly after tasting the drink.

It wasn't much.

But for the first time, their interaction wasn't filled with hostility.

It was a strange realization.

—

The next morning, Reiji woke up to the familiar sound of his younger brother, Haru, running around the house.

"Mom! Sis! Where's my toy?" Haru's voice echoed through the hallway.

Reiji rubbed his temples, still half-asleep.

"Reiji, can you check under the couch for him?" came his sister's voice from the kitchen.

"You do it," Reiji grumbled as he got out of bed.

"You're closer," she shot back.

Sighing, Reiji dragged himself out of his room and found Haru standing in the living room, looking distressed.

"It's gone!" Haru wailed.

Reiji knelt down, checking under the couch. After a few moments, he pulled out a small robot figure and handed it to his brother.

"Here."

Haru's face lit up. "Thanks, Reiji!"

"Yeah, yeah."

Before he could return to his room, his sister, misaki, walked past him and ruffled his hair.

"You're such a good big brother," she teased.

Reiji clicked his tongue, fixing his hair. "Don't treat me like a kid."

Misaki grinned. "You're still my little brother, though."

Reiji sighed, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.

This was his usual morning.

—

At school, Reiji made his way to his classroom and found Kaito already at his desk, leaning back with a smug grin.

"You look like you actually got some sleep for once."

Reiji sat down. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kaito smirked. "I dunno, you've just had this… distracted look lately."

Reiji didn't respond.

Kaito leaned in. "So? Anything interesting happen yesterday?"

"Not really."

"Not really, huh?" Kaito tilted his head. "You sure about that?"

Reiji gave him a flat look. "Yes."

Kaito chuckled. "Fine, fine. Keep your secrets."

Before Reiji could respond, the bell rang, signaling the start of class.

—

Later in the day, Reiji made his way to the clubroom.

Aoi was also there too as well, flipping through some papers.

Sena was sitting by the window, looking out at the courtyard.

The moment she saw him, her expression shifted slightly—something between recognition and irritation.

She turned away before he could say anything.

Reiji sighed inwardly. *Still in that phase, huh?*

Aoi smiled at him. "Reiji-kun, can you check these notes? I think I might have missed something."

"Sure." He walked over, scanning the papers.

Sena didn't say a word the entire time.

—

After the club ended, Reiji took his time packing up.

Aoi left first, humming softly as she waved goodbye.

Sena, however, lingered.

Reiji glanced at her. "You're not leaving?"

She gave him a brief look. "None of your business."

*Ah, there it is. The usual Sena.*

He didn't respond, just grabbed his bag and headed for the door.

But before he could leave—

"You…"

Reiji stopped, glancing back. "What?"

Sena looked annoyed, but also hesitant. "Why do you still keep looking at Aoi?"

His grip on his bag tightened slightly.

There it was.

He had known this moment would come eventually.

Reiji met her gaze, exhaling slowly. "I told you, I like her."

Sena's expression darkened. "Are you serious?"

"You—" She clenched her fists, clearly frustrated. "Do you even realize what you're saying?"

Reiji stayed quiet.

Sena scoffed, turning away. "Unbelievable."

Then, without another word, she stormed past him and out of the clubroom.

Reiji exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

He wasn't surprised.

But that didn't make it any easier.

—

For the next few days, Sena ignored him completely.

She didn't speak to him, didn't even acknowledge his existence.

And somehow, despite expecting it, Reiji found himself glancing at her more than before.

Noticing things he hadn't before.

The way she tapped her fingers against the table when she was thinking.

The way she tilted her head slightly when she was focused on something.

The way she carried herself—not just confidently, but with a kind of sharp elegance that was impossible to ignore.

*She really is pretty.*

Reiji blinked, shaking the thought away.

He needed to focus.

This wasn't about Sena.

This was about Aoi.

And yet, for some reason, his eyes kept drifting toward her.

Even when she wasn't looking back.

—

One evening, as he was heading home, he saw Sena again.

This time, she wasn't alone.

A group of guys stood in front of her, blocking her path.

She looked irritated, but there was a tense edge to her posture.

Reiji's footsteps slowed.

*This again?*

Without thinking, he stepped forward.

"Sena."

Her head snapped up, eyes widening slightly as she saw him.

The guys turned to look at him as well.

One of them scoffed. "Who's this?"

Reiji shoved his hands in his pockets, his expression calm. "Move."

The guy smirked. "And what if we don't?"

Reiji sighed, stepping closer. "I don't like repeating myself."

The guy hesitated, clearly debating whether or not to push further.

Sena, meanwhile, just crossed her arms, looking more annoyed than anything.

After a tense moment, the guys exchanged glances before finally backing off.

"Tch. Whatever, man."

As they walked away, Reiji turned to Sena.

"You okay?"

She rolled her eyes. "I don't need your help."

Reiji raised an eyebrow. "You're welcome."

Sena clicked her tongue, then turned away. "Later, hero."

With that, she walked off.

Reiji sighed, shaking his head.

*Sena, huh…?*