After Sena left, the clubroom fell into silence.
Reiji stretched his arms slightly before gathering the last of his things. The article was complete, and he would submit it tomorrow.
A simple task.
Yet, for some reason, he found himself thinking about the way Sena had been focused while working. The way she had leaned forward, strands of her dark hair falling over her shoulder as she scanned through the documents.
She was… pretty.
Reiji exhaled, shaking his head. *Not important.*
He closed his bag and slung it over his shoulder before exiting the clubroom.
—
As he walked down the quiet hallway, he spotted Kaito waiting near the entrance, hands in his pockets.
"Took you long enough," Kaito said as Reiji approached.
"You didn't have to wait," Reiji replied.
Kaito smirked. "I figured you could use some company on the way out."
Reiji didn't argue and simply kept walking, with Kaito falling into step beside him.
After a few moments, Kaito glanced at him. "So, how's club going?"
"Fine," Reiji replied.
Kaito nodded. "You don't sound thrilled."
"I didn't join for fun."
Kaito chuckled. "Yeah, I figured. Still, I guess it's better than heading straight home every day."
Reiji didn't respond to that.
Instead, Kaito changed the topic. "Oh, by the way—Yuna wants to go to the arcade this weekend. You in?"
Reiji considered it. "Maybe."
Kaito smirked. "Come on, you should at least pretend to be excited."
Reiji sighed. "I'll think about it."
Kaito laughed. "Fine, fine. But don't ditch last minute."
They continued walking until they reached the school gates, where they eventually parted ways.
—
When Reiji arrived home, the first thing he heard was the sound of Haruto's excited footsteps rushing toward the door.
"Reiji-nii!"
His five-year-old brother practically tackled him, looking up at him expectantly.
Reiji raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Haruto pouted. "Did you bring me something?"
Reiji ruffled his hair. "Since when do I bring you something every day?"
Haruto huffed. "You should."
Misaki, who was lounging on the couch, smirked as she flipped through a magazine. "He's been waiting for you since he got home."
Reiji shook his head. "I wasn't gone *that* long."
Misaki stretched her arms. "Still, it's rare for you to be late."
Reiji didn't reply and simply headed to his room, Haruto trailing behind him.
—
Later that evening, after finishing his homework, Reiji lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His mind wandered back to the club and the work he had done with Sena.
She had been sharp, focused, and meticulous.
It was a side of her he hadn't paid attention to before.
He turned onto his side, closing his eyes.
It didn't matter.
She was still annoying.
And yet, for reasons he didn't want to admit, she lingered in his thoughts longer than she should.
—