(Reui's Perspective — School Hallway, 4 PM)
We were walking down the hallway together, the noise of other students fading into the background as we fell into our own little rhythm.
Then—BAM!
I stumbled slightly, nearly dropping my bag, as a big guy barreled past me. My heart skipped a beat. The familiar silhouette, the broad shoulders… no, it couldn't be.
Flash.
The rooftop.
The guy from the rooftop. The one who had pinned the Aizi down, the one with those malicious eyes.
My stomach twisted, adrenaline spiking. Why here? Why now?
I froze for a second, trying to process it, while Aranami's hand brushed against mine, pulling me back from the edge of panic.
But… suspiciously, he didn't even glance in my direction. He just strode past, purposeful, eyes fixed ahead, like we didn't even exist.
Why?
My chest tightened, a mix of relief and confusion twisting inside me. He should have recognized me—or at least reacted—but he didn't. Not a flicker of recognition, not a hint of anger.
Was it… deliberate? Or just a coincidence?
I stole a glance at Aranami. She seemed completely unaware, her pace steady, eyes forward. Meanwhile, the shadow of that rooftop memory still lingered in my mind, gnawing at the edges of my calm.
Something's not right..
We walked through the hallway, not really noticing anyone else around us, letting the hum of the school fade into the background. Our steps were slow, almost synchronized, until we finally reached the main gate of the school.
When my phone buzzed, I sighed, already bracing myself for a message from Aizi—again.
But it wasn't her. It was my mom—or rather, our aunt. She had been my mom's closest friend and had adopted both me and Aizi after our real mom died in that accident. I wasn't in the mood to dig into the details right now.
"Come home early honey and bring Aizi too! I'm off work until tomorrow," the message read. I let out a small sigh, staring at the words. She always wanted us around when she had free time, no matter how busy she is in her work.
I quickly typed back, "Got it. Please rest while I pick her up, we'll get home as soon as we can."
I glanced at Aranami as I sent the message, realizing too late that I probably wouldn't be able to walk her home after all.
Then I typed a quick message to Aizi:
"Where are you? I'm picking you up. Mom wants us home, so don't be a brat about it."
I turned my attention back to Aranami, taking a deep breath as I tried to find the right words. My mind scrambled for a way to say it without sounding abrupt or disappointing.
"Uh… Aranami," I started, clearing my throat. "I, uh… I can't really walk you home today. Got some… things I need to pick up first."
Her eyes widened slightly, and I could see the faint crease of worry forming on her forehead. She opened her mouth, probably to protest, but I raised a hand gently.
"Don't worry, it's nothing bad. Just… I have to pick someone up first. We can… hang out later, okay?"
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but after a pause, she gave a small nod, though the faint blush on her cheeks made me wonder if she was more disappointed than she let on.
"okay.."
My phone buzzed again, and sure enough—it was Aizi. I groaned quietly before reading the message.
"Fine, pick me up. I'm at the convenience store near Street 260."
…Wait, that's it? No bratty remark? No annoying comeback?
That doesn't sound like Aizi at all. But Aranami is looking at me while I'm texting someone, I should explain right?
"Uh… so, yeah. I gotta go pick someone up first. Sorry about that," I said, trying to keep my tone casual, though I could feel her watching me curiously.
"Is it… a girl?" she suddenly asked, her voice quiet but curious.
I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Uh… yeah," I replied slowly, trying to gauge why she asked. "Technically, yes, she's a girl. And my sister, too."
Her eyes widened slightly at that, as if the revelation added a new layer to whatever she was thinking, but she didn't say anything.
She nodded, adjusted her glasses, and gave me a small, shy wave.
"S-see you tomorrow then, Reui-san," she murmured, her voice soft but carrying a hint of warmth.
I waved back, a small smile tugging at my lips before turning away. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the pavement as I started walking toward Street 260 to pick up Aizi. The quiet between footsteps gave me too much time to think—about Aranami's shy smile, her question, and the strange feeling that lingered even after she was gone.
(Aizi's Perspective — Reui's School, front of gate, 4:10 PM)
Ugh, when is he gonna show up? I literally skipped my last class just to come here—and for what? To see what he's been up to lately.
Wait, hold on. Is that him?
I lean forward a little, squinting through the stream of students leaving the gate. That's definitely him. I'd recognize that messy hair and slouched walk anywhere.
But… who's that walking beside him?
My stomach twists. Some girl—short, neat, quiet-looking, walking a bit too close for comfort.
"Tch…" I click my tongue under my breath. "Who the hell is she?"
There's… a girl.
She's walking beside him.
Smiling. Too close.
It can't be—
My brother… can't have a girlfriend.
He can't.
He can't.
"I'm the only girl he needs…"
The words slip out before I realize I've said them. My fingers twitch, nails digging into my palms.
He's mine.
Mine.
He doesn't need her.
He doesn't need anyone else.
The air feels thick—no, distorted. My thoughts start to buzz in my skull, like a broken signal trying to speak.
He's mine.. he's mine.
She doesn't even look that special…
What does he even see in her?
My vision flickers. I can't tell if it's the sun in my eyes or just—
that twisting feeling crawling up from my chest.
No one understands him like I do.
No one loves him like I do.
I'm his sister.
And he can't—
he won't—
> h̹̪͉͈̯̀͗͒͝á̸͈͈͠͝v̷̱̤̽̾e̸͕̘͔͊ ̵̳̩̈́͘a̶̢̪͙̚n̷̪̳̓̄͘̚o̵̢̾̑͝t̵̡̜̔͝h̶̢͙̾͆̎̚e̶̗͈̾̄̄̇r̸̢̠̃̿̓̚ ̴̞̄̔g̵̨̛̫͕̓͂͘i̸̩͓͆͆r̶̪͕͉͍͐͝l̸̢͕͈͋̔̓̿ ̷̫̌̇͠ḃ̷͓̹͑̍͠ų̴̺̦̽̒̚͝t̷̢̄͆͘ ̴̙̠͍͊m̶̢̡̞̎̆͝e̴͍̻̳͎̋͊̈́̋.̷̳̹͍͒̿
Then my phone buzzes.
My eyes flick toward them—him and her—and my chest tightens.
I force a breath, my fingers trembling against the screen.
Calm down, Aizi. Don't lose it. Not here. Not again.
Maybe she's just… a classmate.
Yeah. Just a classmate.
I try to convince myself, but the corner of my eye twitches, betraying the lie.
I finally look down at my phone—
and my eyes widen.
It's from him.
From my dear brother.
"Where are you? I'm picking you up. Mom wants us home, so don't be a brat about it."
I read the message, and just like that—my nerves eased.
The tension in my chest melted away, replaced by something warm… fluttery.
I read it again. And again.
Each time, the words felt sweeter.
My lips curled into a smile I couldn't hide, and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.
I'm going home…
with my brother.
Then, still smiling, I typed my reply.