Unraveled Ties-Chapter 39: A Test of Comfort

The next day, school life resumed as usual. Students buzzed about upcoming exams, club activities, and the usual gossip. Reiji was still caught between studying, training with Sena, and trying to navigate his feelings toward Aoi.

But today was different.

"Alright," Sena said, standing in front of him near the school gates after classes had ended. "We’re taking this outside."

Reiji raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like a fight."

Sena rolled her eyes. "We’re practicing hand-holding while walking. Real couples do this all the time, and you need to look natural."

Reiji sighed, glancing around. "Do we really have to do this here?"

"Obviously," Sena said, grabbing his wrist. "Let’s go."

And just like that, she intertwined their fingers again.

Reiji felt that familiar warmth, but this time, it was different. They were moving, walking side by side. It wasn’t just a stationary lesson anymore—it was something that looked *real.*

At first, it felt awkward. Their steps weren’t in sync, and Reiji was too aware of the way their hands moved together. He kept glancing at her, unsure if he was doing it right.

"Stop looking at me like that," Sena muttered.

"Like what?"

"Like I just kicked your puppy."

Reiji scoffed. "I don’t even have a puppy."

Sena sighed. "Just relax. The more stiff you are, the more unnatural it looks."

Reiji tried to loosen up, letting their hands swing slightly as they walked. *It’s just a practice. That’s all it is.*

"You’re still thinking too much," Sena said. "Look forward, walk normally."

He exhaled. "Easy for you to say."

Sena glanced at him. "Why do you make such a big deal out of this? It’s just hand-holding."

*Just hand-holding, huh?*

Reiji didn’t respond. He wasn’t sure why this felt different. Maybe because he had never done it before, or maybe because it was *Sena* he was doing it with.

After a few more minutes of walking in silence, Sena let go.

"Not bad," she admitted. "You’re still awkward, but not as bad as before."

Reiji shook his hand as if shaking off the lingering feeling. "Great. So, what? Are we done?"

"Not yet." Sena smirked. "Now we do it again."

Reiji groaned.

—

The next few days followed the same pattern. School, studies, and practice with Sena. The lessons had moved beyond just standing still—they were now part of daily activities.

One afternoon, they studied in the library, their hands casually linked under the table.

"How am I supposed to concentrate like this?" Reiji muttered.

Sena didn’t even look up from her book. "Figure it out. Real couples don’t stop everything just because they’re holding hands."

Another time, they walked through the school courtyard, their hands linked naturally. A few students glanced at them, but no one questioned it.

"This... actually looks normal," Reiji admitted.

Sena smirked. "Told you."

Despite the practice, he still felt that strange warmth whenever their fingers intertwined. *Shouldn’t this be getting easier by now?*

—

One evening, Reiji sat at home, flipping through his notes for the upcoming test. His younger brother, Haru, sat on the floor drawing, while Misaki, his older sister, lounged on the couch.

"You’ve been studying more than usual," Misaki remarked. "Did you finally get a girlfriend?"

Reiji nearly choked. "What? No."

Misaki laughed. "Relax, I was just joking. But seriously, you seem different lately."

Reiji frowned. "Different how?"

Misaki tilted her head. "I dunno. Just different."

Haru suddenly looked up. "Onii-chan, are you in love?"

Reiji blinked. "Where did you learn that word?"

"TV," Haru said proudly.

Misaki smirked. "Well? Are you?"

Reiji sighed. "No, I’m not."

*Well....I do like Aoi.*

Misaki just hummed in amusement and went back to watching TV.

Reiji leaned back, staring at the ceiling. His mind wandered to Aoi—her smile, her kindness, the way she made his mood slightly better whenever she was around.

Then his thoughts shifted to Sena—their lessons, the way she challenged him, the way his heart raced when she got too close.

He groaned, rubbing his face. *This is getting complicated.*

And it was only going to get worse.

—