episode 4

Morning came quietly, just like always. “Aru, wake up,” his mother called from outside. Aru sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes before walking toward the mirror. He fixed his long hair carefully, adjusting every strand the way he had learned over the years. His uniform was neat, everything in place. From the outside, nothing looked unusual. He looked like any other girl getting ready for school. And to him, that’s exactly what he was. Still, for a brief second, he paused and stared at his reflection. Not because it looked wrong—but because something felt slightly off, like a thought that disappeared before he could understand it.

At breakfast, his mother smiled warmly. “You look perfect.” Aru smiled back without hesitation. “Thanks.” His father nodded quietly, and everything felt normal again. This was his life, and he had never known anything different.

At school, his friends immediately surrounded him. “Aru! Sit here!” they called, pulling him into their circle. Laughter filled the room as they talked about small things. Aru joined in naturally, smiling, joking, and responding like he always did. He belonged there. He fit perfectly. Yet, in between those moments, his attention drifted.

Near the school gate, he noticed Rei.

Rei stood calmly, not talking to anyone, just watching the surroundings like he didn’t fully belong there. Aru slowed down without realizing it. Something about Rei felt familiar—not in memory, but in feeling. Quiet. Different. He couldn’t explain it.

“I’ll be back,” Aru told his friends. They didn’t question him, only smiled. “Don’t take too long.”

He walked toward Rei, this time without hesitation. “You’re early,” Aru said. Rei glanced at him. “You’re earlier than yesterday.” Aru smiled slightly. There was no awkwardness now, just a calm understanding between them.

They walked inside together without planning it. Side by side, quiet but comfortable. It felt natural, like something that didn’t need explanation. During class, Aru felt more aware than usual. Whenever that strange, empty feeling appeared, he found himself looking toward Rei. And somehow, it softened.

At lunch, Aru made a choice without thinking. Instead of staying, he walked back to the quiet tree. Rei was already there. “You came again,” Rei said. “…Yeah,” Aru replied, sitting beside him. The breeze moved gently as silence settled between them—not empty, but peaceful.

“…It feels more real here,” Aru said after a while. Rei looked at him. “What does?” Aru hesitated. “…Me.” Rei didn’t question it. “…I get that,” he said simply.

For the first time, Aru didn’t feel like he was acting. Not trying. Not adjusting. Just being.

After school, they walked together again. The sky turned orange, the world calm around them. “You talk a lot with your friends,” Rei said. “Yeah.” “…But not like this.” Aru looked at him. “…What do you mean?” Rei answered quietly, “You don’t laugh the same way.”

That stayed with him.

That night, Aru stood in front of the mirror again. Same reflection. Same life. But now, his expression had changed just a little.

“…Why do I feel more like myself with him?” he whispered.

The mirror didn’t answer.

But the question didn’t fade this time.

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