Unraveled Ties-Chapter 48: Late Night Conversations

The exam week had ended, and for the first time in days, the students could finally relax.

Reiji had expected to feel relieved after getting through all the tests, but his mind wasn’t as free as he’d hoped.

Especially after what Sena told him earlier that day.

"We’re starting the next lesson today," she had said after their last exam.

Reiji had looked at her, confused. "Already?"

Sena crossed her arms. "Of course. Relationships don’t take breaks, you know."

He sighed. "And what exactly is today’s lesson?"

She pulled out her phone and waved it in front of him. "Texting."

Reiji blinked. "Texting?"

Sena nodded. "People in relationships talk to each other a *lot*. They message each other throughout the day, even if it’s just small things."

He frowned. "Is that really necessary?"

Sena rolled her eyes. "Duh. Communication is key in a relationship. Besides, don’t you think it’s weird if you like someone but barely talk to them outside of school?"

He couldn’t argue with that.

And that’s how, for the first time, Reiji found himself exchanging numbers with Sena.

—

That night, Reiji sat on his bed, staring at his phone.

**What am I even supposed to say?**

It wasn’t like he never texted people before, but usually, it was just short messages to his family or Kaito. A quick "Where are you?" or "Did you finish the homework?" and that was it.

Now, he was supposed to hold a conversation.

He tapped on the contact labeled **Sena**, hesitating before typing out a message.

> **Reiji:** Uh, hey.

A few seconds later, a reply came.

> **Sena:** That’s a terrible opening.

Reiji sighed. **Of course she’d say that.**

> **Reiji:** What else was I supposed to say?

> **Sena:** Literally anything else. Try again.

Reiji exhaled and thought for a moment.

> **Reiji:** Okay... what are you doing?

> **Sena:** Lying in bed, listening to music. You?

> **Reiji:** Just staring at my phone, wondering what to text you.

A short pause.

> **Sena:** ... At least you’re honest.

> **Sena:** But that’s good. You should get used to telling the person you’re talking to what’s on your mind.

Reiji smirked a little.

> **Reiji:** So if I say I’m thinking about how weird this whole thing is, that’s fine?

> **Sena:** Yup. As long as you’re being real about it.

> **Reiji:** ...Alright.

For a moment, neither of them sent another message.

Reiji lay back against his pillow, staring at the screen.

Then, without thinking too much, he typed again.

> **Reiji:** Do you do this often?

> **Sena:** Texting? Yeah.

> **Reiji:** No, I mean... staying up late talking to someone.

A longer pause this time.

> **Sena:** Not really. You’re the first.

Reiji felt his heart skip for some reason.

Before he could figure out why, another message came in.

> **Sena:** And you?

He hesitated before replying.

> **Reiji:** Same.

> **Sena:** See? You’re already learning.

Reiji exhaled through his nose, a small smile on his lips.

*Maybe this lesson wasn’t so bad after all.*