Sena Tachibana.  

Their brief eye contact shouldn't have mattered. He shouldn't have even thought about it. And yet, there was something about the way she looked at him—like he was nothing more than dust in her way—that got under his skin.  

She wasn't just cold. She was hostile.  

And Reiji didn't even know why.  

—  

During lunch, Reiji sat with Kaito on the rooftop. The wind was strong today, rustling their uniforms as they ate.  

Kaito took a sip from his juice box, side-eyeing Reiji. "Alright, out with it."  

Reiji raised an eyebrow. "Out with what?"  

"You've been staring at nothing for five minutes."

Reiji clicked his tongue. "It's nothing."  

Kaito grinned. "That's what guys say when it's definitely something."  

Reiji exhaled, leaning against the fence. He hesitated, but Kaito was persistent enough to keep poking if he didn't say anything.  

"…It's Sena."  

Kaito almost choked on his juice. "What? Since when do you care about her?"  

"I don't."  

Kaito stared. "Then why bring her up?"  

Reiji was silent for a moment. "She seems to hate me."  

Kaito blinked, then burst into laughter. "Dude, she hates everyone."  

"No, I mean—" Reiji frowned. "It feels different."  

Kaito leaned back, crossing his arms. "Alright, so what happened?"  

Reiji explained the brief interaction, from the way she snapped at the other student to the way she looked at him like he was worth less than the air she breathed.  

Kaito listened, then shrugged. "Sounds like Sena being Sena."  

Reiji nodded, but something about it still nagged at him.  

"Look," Kaito continued, "if it bothers you that much, just ignore her. She's got her own world, and we're not a part of it."  

Reiji wanted to agree.  

But for some reason, he had a feeling that wouldn't be possible.  

—  

After lunch, Reiji took a longer route back to class. He wasn't in a hurry, and the halls were mostly empty.  

That's when he heard voices near the stairwell.  

"Mind your own business, Tachibana."  

Reiji stopped.  

It was a guy's voice—one he vaguely recognized.  

Then, Sena's voice followed, sharp and unyielding. "Then stop talking behind her back."  

Reiji frowned.  

He turned the corner just in time to see Sena standing in front of two upperclassmen.  

One of them scoffed. "And what? You gonna fight me over it?"  

Sena didn't flinch. "No. I don't waste energy on garbage."  

The guy's expression darkened. "You really think you're untouchable, huh?"  

Reiji felt a shift in the air. He knew Sena was more than capable of handling herself, but the situation was turning ugly.  

His feet moved before his mind did.  

"What's going on here?"  

The two guys turned, eyes narrowing at Reiji.  

Sena, however, looked irritated. "Stay out of it."  

Reiji ignored her, keeping his gaze on the upperclassmen. "I heard talking. Thought it might be important."  

One of them scoffed. "Who the hell are you?"  

Reiji shrugged. "I asked a question first."  

The guy clicked his tongue but seemed to decide it wasn't worth the trouble. He shot Sena one last glare before walking off.  

As soon as they were gone, Sena turned to Reiji, eyes sharp.  

"I didn't ask for your help."  

Reiji met her gaze, unfazed. "I didn't help you."  

She frowned.  

Reiji shoved his hands into his pockets. "I just can't stand idiots who talk too much."  

Sena studied him for a moment before scoffing. "Whatever." She brushed past him, heading back toward class without another word.  

Reiji exhaled.  

It was the first time they had spoken properly.  

And it was already a mess.  

But for some reason, he had a feeling this wasn't the last time their paths would cross.  

—