Sera and Rei walked downstairs, their footsteps echoing softly.
Waiting near the entrance were Haruta, Sia, and Souta. Rei's gaze locked onto Haruta, and for a moment, the teacher's voice rang in his mind:
"He's got a pretty messed-up past."
That line haunted him like a cold breeze down his spine.
They stepped outside. Snow fell in thick, dreamy layers, muffling the world. It felt like time had slowed down—like the city itself was holding its breath.
Rei glanced at Haruta. "Hey... Haruta?"
"Yeah?"
"One of the teachers said your past was... kinda messed up?" Rei asked, his voice low but curious, testing the waters.
Haruta paused. Slowly, he removed his glasses and looked up at the falling snow, like it was trying to hide something. His voice came out quiet, almost like he was speaking to himself.
"I don't really think I wanna dig up a past that's already buried beneath the snow."
There was silence after that. Not awkward—but heavy. Like both of them felt it.
Rei gave a small nod. "Fair enough."
A few moments passed, their breath visible in the cold. Then Haruta, like flipping a switch, threw a curveball.
"Hey, Sera? Those notes you wanted? I totally forgot to bring them today."
"Haruta! Really?!" Sera groaned, dramatic as always.
"Sorry," he said with a smile. "I'll deliver them to your house personally."
"You do know she's dating me, right?" Rei said, side-eyeing him like a cartoon villain.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm not tryna steal your girl," Haruta laughed, hands up in surrender. "She's too loud for me anyway."
"Someone's getting jealous," Souta chimed in, grinning wide.
"Shut it, idiot," Sia shot back, smacking him lightly.
They all burst into laughter—the kind that makes your chest warm, even in freezing weather. The kind of moment that makes you forget life's heavy parts.
Eventually, everyone went their separate ways. Rei walked alone through the snowy street, the night quiet, almost magical.
"I messed up bad today..." he muttered, face turning a little red. Then, under his breath, he added with a tiny smile,
"But today wasn't so bad after all."
He reached home, his hands wrapped in bandages, his shirt torn and hidden under a jacket. The moment he stepped in—
"REIIII!!! WHAT HAPPENED?!" his sister shrieked, full-on panic mode.
"I got into a fight," Rei said, avoiding her eyes.
"A what?! Why?!"
"I'll tell you later… I'm just... tired, sis."
She looked like she wanted to argue but just sighed instead. "Fine... but you better not lie to me."
---
To be continued...
~Rei