Unraveled Ties-Chapter 35: The Weight of a Name

The week passed by quickly.

Reiji and Sena had returned to their usual interactions, but something between them had shifted. It wasn't anything dramatic—no lingering stares, no awkward conversations—but Reiji couldn't shake the memory of that moment.

The way her hands had felt on his skin.

The way his heart had reacted without his permission.

He shoved the thought aside as he made his way to school.

It was a quiet morning. The early spring air was crisp, and the cherry blossoms were beginning to bloom along the streets. His younger brother, Haru, had been running around the house that morning, excitedly talking about some cartoon he had just started watching. Misaki, their older sister, had simply laughed and ruffled Haru's hair before heading off for her university classes.

Reiji sighed, adjusting his bag over his shoulder. His home life was... normal. Nothing extraordinary. But somehow, compared to the mess of emotions he had been dealing with lately, that normalcy felt refreshing.

As he reached the school gates, a familiar voice called out.

"Yo, Reiji!"

Kaito walked up beside him, lazily stretching his arms over his head. "Man, you look like you didn't sleep at all."

Reiji gave him a flat look. "I slept fine."

"Sure you did. You just have that 'I-think-too-much-at-night' face."

Reiji clicked his tongue. "And you have the 'I-don't-think-at-all' face."

Kaito laughed. "Damn, that was a good one."

The two walked toward the main building, slipping into their usual rhythm of casual banter. Kaito was easy to be around—he didn't pry too much, and he never pressured Reiji to talk about things he didn't want to.

"By the way," Kaito said, slinging an arm around Reiji's shoulder, "the new fighting game just dropped. You up for a match after school?"

Reiji smirked. "You're just looking for another chance to lose."

"Oi, I won last time!"

"That was luck."

"It was *skill*!"

Reiji shook his head, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

As they entered the building, Reiji's eyes unconsciously drifted toward a familiar sight near the shoe lockers.

Aoi.

She was talking to someone, her usual gentle smile in place, her dark hair catching the light from the windows.

For a moment, Reiji felt his chest tighten.

He didn't *understand* it.

This feeling.

It was frustrating. Confusing.

And before he could think too much about it—

Sena walked into view.

She wasn't looking at him. In fact, she didn't seem to notice him at all. She was walking toward Aoi, her expression relaxed, almost happy—something she *never* was when dealing with him.

Reiji's eyes lingered for a second longer before he turned away, exhaling quietly.

"Hey," Kaito nudged him. "You good?"

"Yeah," Reiji muttered. "Let's just get to class."

—

### **After School – The Clubroom**

Sena leaned back in her chair, arms crossed.

"Alright," she said, tapping her fingers against the desk. "We need to get back on track. No more slacking off."

Reiji sat across from her, trying *not* to let his mind wander. "So, what's today's lesson?"

Sena's lips curled into a smirk. "Since you're still terrible at eye contact, we're going to *practice it properly* this time."

Reiji tensed slightly.

Sena leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm. "Don't worry, I won't grab your face again."

He exhaled, shaking his head. "Good."

"But you still have to hold my gaze for *at least* ten seconds."

"Ten?" Reiji frowned. "Isn't that too much?"

"Not for normal people."

Reiji rolled his eyes. "Fine. Let's get it over with."

Sena sat up straight. "On the count of three. One... two... three."

Reiji lifted his eyes to meet hers.

She was... focused. Her golden irises locked onto him without hesitation, unwavering.

Reiji clenched his jaw slightly, forcing himself not to look away.

One second.

Two.

Three.

It was too *quiet*.

Four.

Five.

Why was she looking at him like that?

Six.

Seven.

Her eyes were sharp but not cold. Observing, analyzing.

Follow current novℯls on ƒгeewёbnovel.com.

Eight.

Nine.

His heartbeat quickened, just slightly.

Ten.

He looked away.

Sena sighed, shaking her head. "Barely made it. But... improvement, I guess."

Reiji exhaled, rubbing his temple. "You sure this is necessary?"

Sena smirked. "You tell me. If you can't even do this, what makes you think you can handle an actual date?"

Reiji scoffed. "I'll manage."

"Hah? You sound confident all of a sudden."

Reiji leaned back, arms crossed. "I *am* learning, aren't I?"

Sena tilted her head slightly. "Guess we'll see about that."

—