Seatmates Don’t Mean Anything

Rain didn’t stop.

Of course it didn’t.

It just kept going—soft, annoying, persistent. Like something refusing to end.

[Scene: Classroom — Next Morning]

Rei was already seated.

Same position. Same blank face.

Like she hadn’t moved since yesterday.

Kaito walked in, half-asleep.

Yawning.

Not paying attention—

Until his eyes landed on her.

That feeling again.

Sharp. Familiar.

Uncomfortable.

(…why is she already here?)

He dropped into his seat beside her.

“…You sleep here or something?”

“…No.”

“Wow. Energetic answer.”

Silence.

Kaito leaned back.

Tapped his pen against the desk.

Once.

Twice.

Rei’s fingers twitched.

He noticed.

Of course he did.

“Stop doing that.”

“…doing what.”

“The pen thing.”

Tap. Tap.

She grabbed his pen.

Stopped it.

Hard.

“…You’re annoying.”

Kaito blinked.

Then laughed under his breath.

“Yeah, yeah. You said that already.”

But his eyes stayed on her hand.

Still slightly trembling..

(Why does that bother me…?)

[Scene: Class Chaos]

Teacher writing something boring.

Nobody cares.

Suddenly—

Ink bottle tips.

Black ink spreads across the desk.

Fast.

Messy.

Rei froze.

Just stared at it.

Like she wasn’t seeing ink—

but something worse.

Her breathing hitched.

Slightly

Kaito noticed immediately.

(…that’s not a normal reaction.)

Without thinking—

He grabbed tissues.

Pulled her hand back before the ink touched her fingers.

“…careful.”

Rei flinched.

Hard.

Her eyes snapped to him.

Wide.

Too wide.

“…don’t touch me.”

The words came out sharp.

Almost panicked.

Kaito paused.

Still holding her wrist.

Something flickered again—

Fast.

Broken.

Blood.

Her hand.

His voice—

“Rei, look at me—stay with me—”

He let go instantly.

“…sorry.”

Rei pulled her hand back like she got burned.

Held it close.

Silence.

Heavy.

“…you’re weird,” Kaito muttered again.

But softer this time.

“…you’re worse.”

Same response.

But this time—

Her voice shook.

Just a little.

After Class — Rumors Start ]

Of course people noticed.

They always do.

Quilla leaned over to Whispa.

Quilla

Whispa

“They’re already acting close.”

“Right? On the first day?”

“She ignored everyone else…”

Rei heard it.

Obviously.

She stood up.

Ignored them.

Again.

l

But this time—

Her steps were faster.

staircase

Empty.

Quiet.

Echoing footsteps.

Rei stopped halfway.

Gripped the railing.

Her breathing got uneven.

“…why does it feel like…”

Pause.

“…he’s going to die?”

Her grip tightened.

Flash—

A body falling.

Rain.

Her screaming.

“—No—”

She shut her eyes.

Hard.

“…stop.”

Kaito pushed the door open.

(Needed air. That class was suffocating.

He stepped out.

Wind hit his face.

Rain slightly heavier now.

Then—

He saw her.

Rei.

Standing near the edge.

Of course she was.

Of course this scene had to exist.

Kaito walked closer.

Slow.

Careful.

“…You planning to jump or just being dramatic?”

“…Shut up.”

Good. She snapped back.

She’s alive.

He stood beside her.

Not too close.

Not too far.

Silence.

Then—

“…do you ever feel like something already happened?”

Kaito stiffened.

“…yeah.”

He didn’t even think.

Just answered.

Rei looked at him.

Surprised.

“…really?”

“…yeah. It’s annoying.”

Pause.

“…like you forgot something important.”

Rei’s eyes softened.

Just a little.

“…exactly.”

Wind got stronger.

Then—

Her foot slipped.

Just slightly.

But enough.

Kaito reacted instantly.

Grabbed her arm.

Pulled her back.

Too fast.

Too instinctive.

Like he’d done it before

Rei crashed into him.

Both froze.

His grip tight.

Her hand gripping his shirt.

Close.

Too close.

“…careful,” he said quietly.

Rei didn’t move.

Didn’t pull away.

“…you did that before.”

Kaito frowned.

“…what?”

“…you saved me.”

Silence.

“…I just did.”

“…no.”

Her voice dropped.

Shaky.

“…before this.”

That feeling again.

Stronger.

Flash—

Rooftop.

Rain.

Her hand slipping—

Kaito let go suddenly.

Stepped back.

“…stop saying weird stuff.”

Rei looked at him.

Hurt?

No.

More like—

afraid.

“…you don’t remember

“…remember what?”

She hesitated.

“…nothing.”

Liar.

Obvious liar.

They stood there.

Rain falling between them.

Not talking.

But not leaving.

Kaito looked at her again.

Longer this time.

(…what are you?)

Rei looked away.

(…why is it always him?)

Wind howled.

Somewhere—

Something shifted.

Dark space.

No rain.

No sound.

Shadow standing still.

Watching.

“…again.

A faint smile.

“…let’s see how long you last this time.”

Back to rooftop.

Rei whispered—

“…don’t die.”

Kaito frowned.

“…what?”

“…nothing.”

But yeah.

That?

That was the second mistake.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***