Unraveled Ties

The soft rustling of leaves filled the quiet evening as Reiji walked home. The encounter with Sena earlier still lingered in his mind—not just the way she had stormed off after he admitted his feelings for Aoi, but also the way she had been cornered by those guys.

It wasn't like she needed his help. She made that clear.

Still, something about it unsettled him.

*She's strong, but even strong people have limits.*

He exhaled through his nose and adjusted the strap of his bag.

Before he could think about it any further, his house came into view.

—

The scent of home-cooked food drifted from the kitchen as Reiji stepped inside.

"I'm home."

"Welcome back!" his mother called from the kitchen.

A blur of energy darted toward him.

"Reiji! Reiji!"

Haru clung to his leg, beaming up at him.

Reiji ruffled his little brother's hair. "What's up, Haru?"

"I made a drawing today!" Haru said excitedly, tugging at his hand. "Come see!"

"Let him breathe first," came a teasing voice.

Misaki leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching them with a knowing smirk.

"Busy day?" she asked.

Reiji sighed. "Something like that."

Misaki raised an eyebrow but didn't push. "Dinner's almost ready. Mom made your favorite."

Haru tugged at him again. "Come see my drawing first!"

Reiji let himself be pulled along, a small smile tugging at his lips.

For all the chaos at school, home was still… home.

—

The next morning, the atmosphere in the classroom was the same as always.

Students chatting, some finishing up last-minute homework, and Kaito lounging in his seat with his usual smug look.

Reiji slid into his chair, dropping his bag beside him.

"Yo," Kaito greeted.

"Yo," Reiji replied.

Kaito stretched. "Man, today's already feeling long."

"You say that every morning."

"And I'm right every morning."

Reiji smirked slightly but didn't argue.

As they talked, he caught sight of Sena entering the room. She didn't even glance in his direction.

Not surprising.

Since their last conversation, she had been actively ignoring him.

Even in the club, she spoke to him only when necessary—and even then, her tone was clipped and annoyed.

He wasn't expecting anything different today.

But then—

Her gaze flickered toward him.

Just for a second.

And then, just as quickly, she looked away.

It was subtle. Barely even noticeable.

But it was there.

Reiji exhaled through his nose, leaning back in his chair.

*Kaito's right. Today already feels long.*

—

After school, Reiji made his way toward the clubroom.

Sena was already inside, flipping through a book.

The moment she noticed him, she snapped it shut and got up.

She brushed past him without a word.

"Still mad?" he muttered as she walked past.

She stopped.

Turned her head slightly.

And then she left.

Reiji exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

*This is going to take a while, huh?*

—

The sun was beginning to set by the time Reiji left the school.

The orange glow painted the streets as he walked, his thoughts still occupied with everything that had happened lately.

The tension with Sena. His feelings for Aoi.

And yet, for some reason, it was Sena who kept creeping into his thoughts.

He shook his head. *I don't have time to overthink this.*

Just as he was about to turn the corner, he heard a voice.

"Hey!"

He turned, only to see Sena jogging toward him.

His eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Changed your mind?" he said.

She stopped a few steps away, arms crossed. "I still don't like you."

Reiji sighed. "And yet, here you are."

She huffed. "Listen, I just…"

She hesitated.

Something about her expression was different.

Less sharp.

Less angry.

Reiji stayed quiet, waiting.

Finally, she exhaled, looking away. "Forget it. Just… go home."

Reiji tilted his head. "That's what I was doing."

And with that, she turned and walked away.

Reiji watched her for a moment before sighing.

*Sena, huh?*

He had a feeling this wasn't over yet.

Not even close.