After finishing his dinner, Reiji found himself sitting in the living room, flipping through TV channels without much interest.
Misaki sat nearby, casually scrolling through her phone while Haruto sprawled across the couch, watching an animated show with childlike enthusiasm.
The household was quiet, apart from the background noise of the television.
Reiji stretched slightly. His body still felt a bit tense after today.
*It wasn't anything special.*
Just another day at school. Another day at the club.
And yet…
His thoughts drifted, against his will, back to the moments in the clubroom.
Sena had left early today. The room had felt oddly empty after that.
Not that it mattered.
Reiji sighed and leaned back against the couch. He wasn't the type to overthink things.
But something about how easily she walked away today—how little she acknowledged him outside of work—annoyed him.
*Why, though?*
"Reiji-nii, are you listening?"
Haruto's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Reiji blinked, turning his gaze toward his younger brother, who looked up at him expectantly.
"…What?"
Haruto huffed. "I was asking if you could help me with this game!" He held up his handheld console.
Reiji glanced at the screen, quickly analyzing the level Haruto was stuck on.
"You just have to time the jumps better," he said.
Haruto pouted. "I *am* timing them!"
Misaki snickered. "He's been stuck for an hour."
Reiji sighed. "Alright, let me see."
He took the console from Haruto and played through the level with practiced ease, completing it in one try.
Haruto's jaw dropped. "That was too fast!"
Misaki laughed. "Guess you just suck, Haruto."
Haruto crossed his arms. "Reiji-nii should be a pro gamer."
Reiji smirked. "Maybe in another life."
Haruto quickly grabbed his console back and continued playing, his mood instantly brightened.
Reiji watched him for a moment before standing up. "I'm heading to my room."
Misaki waved lazily. "Don't stay up too late."
—
Back in his room, Reiji sat at his desk, staring at the unfinished notes for his next assignment.
His mind wasn't on schoolwork, though.
Instead, he found himself thinking about how he had spent more time interacting with Sena than Aoi recently.
It wasn't something he planned.
It just *happened.*
Even though Aoi was the one he liked.
*Right?*
Reiji rubbed his temple and sighed. He wasn't going to sit here and question himself all night.
He pushed his thoughts aside and focused on finishing his work.
For now, that was enough.
—
The next day at school was the same as usual—classes, occasional boredom, and Kaito's endless commentary.
At lunch, Kaito, as expected, spent half the time talking about Yuna.
"She made me lunch today," he said, grinning as he opened his bento. "Look at this. *Perfection.*"
Reiji gave the neatly packed meal a glance. "Not bad."
"Not bad? That's all you have to say?" Kaito dramatically placed a hand over his heart. "Reiji, you wouldn't understand the joy of receiving a handmade lunch."
Reiji smirked slightly. "And I never will, since you won't stop bragging about it."
Kaito chuckled. "Jealous?"
Reiji scoffed. "No."
Kaito laughed, clearly enjoying himself.
Their conversation moved to lighter topics—games, weekend plans, random school gossip.
As they finished eating, Reiji's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the far end of the cafeteria.
Aoi was sitting with her friends, laughing softly at something.
She looked happy. At ease.
Reiji found himself staring longer than intended.
Kaito noticed.
But, he didn't comment on it.
Instead, he simply smirked. "Well, guess we should get going."
Reiji nodded, finishing the last bite of his food before standing up.
There was no rush.
He had time.
Or at least, that's what he told himself.
—