Episode 2

“See you.”

Aru had said it so casually.

But as he walked away… it didn’t feel casual at all.

His friends caught up to him quickly.

“Where were you?” one asked.

“Just talking,” Aru replied.

“With who?” another teased.

Aru hesitated for a second.

“…A new student.”

“Ooooh~” they laughed.

“It’s not like that,” he rolled his eyes, smiling.

But for some reason—

His heart was still beating a little faster.

The rest of the day went on like normal.

Classes.

Notes.

Teachers talking.

But Aru wasn’t fully paying attention.

Not today.

His mind kept replaying something.

Not words.

Not actions.

Just a feeling.

That calm silence when he sat with Rei.

That strange comfort.

That quiet understanding.

Why did that feel… nice?

The final bell rang.

Students rushed out, filling the halls with noise.

Aru packed his bag slowly.

For once—

He wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

As he stepped into the hallway, he stopped.

There he was again.

Rei.

Standing near the window, just like before.

Golden sunlight falling across his face.

Still quiet.

Still alone.

For a moment, Aru just watched.

Then—

Without thinking—

He walked toward him.

“You’re always here,” Aru said.

Rei looked at him, slightly surprised.

“…You noticed.”

Aru shrugged lightly.

“You’re hard not to notice.”

The moment those words left his mouth—

He froze.

“…I didn’t mean—like—”

Rei smiled faintly.

“I know.”

Silence settled again.

But it wasn’t uncomfortable.

“Why don’t you go with the others?” Aru asked.

Rei looked out the window.

“I could ask you the same.”

Aru blinked.

“…I do go with them.”

“Yeah,” Rei said.

“But not completely.”

That hit deeper than it should have.

Aru didn’t respond immediately.

Because… he couldn’t.

“…How do you know that?” he asked softly.

Rei shrugged.

“Just a feeling.”

Aru let out a small breath.

“That’s annoying.”

Rei raised an eyebrow. “What is?”

“You keep saying things I don’t understand… but they still feel true.”

Rei didn’t reply.

He just looked at him.

And somehow—

That made everything quieter.

Students passed by them.

Voices echoed.

But around them—

It felt still.

“…Do you ever feel like something’s missing?” Aru asked suddenly.

Rei didn’t look surprised.

“…Yeah.”

“Even when everything is normal?”

“Yeah.”

Aru looked down.

“I thought it was just me.”

Rei shook his head.

“Not anymore.”

For the first time that day—

Aru smiled differently.

Not the usual smile.

Not the one he showed everyone.

This one felt…

Real.

Outside, the sky was turning orange.

Evening had arrived quietly.

“I should go,” Aru said.

“Yeah,” Rei nodded.

Aru turned to leave.

But after a few steps—

He stopped.

“…Rei.”

Rei looked up.

“Hmm?”

Aru hesitated.

Then—

“Let’s talk again tomorrow.”

A small pause.

Then Rei nodded.

“…Okay.”

Aru walked away.

This time—

His steps felt lighter.

Behind him, Rei watched quietly.

Then looked at his own reflection in the window.

For a second—

His expression changed.

Just slightly.

“…Why does this feel different?” he murmured.

And far ahead—

Aru touched his chest lightly.

His heartbeat was still there.

Fast.

Unfamiliar.

But not bad.

Two strangers.

One strange feeling.

And a connection—

Neither of them could explain.

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