The sun had begun to disappear behind the distant buildings, leaving the Literature Club washed in a soft golden light.
The last rays of evening slipped through the large window beside Tyler, spreading across the floor and illuminating the edges of the tables. Outside, the sky had turned a mixture of orange and pale yellow, while the breeze continued to pass through the open window.
Tyler hadn't noticed any of it.
He was still reading.
His attention remained fixed on the book in his hands, his eyes moving steadily across each line. The warm light reflected in his blue eyes, making the tiny silver sparks around his pupils appear brighter than usual. His dark, jade-black hair moved slightly with every passing breeze, occasionally falling across his forehead before being pushed aside unconsciously by his fingers.
There was something strangely calm about him when he was reading.
He didn't look like the same boy who could spend an entire lunch break arguing with Chris and Noah.
He looked quieter.
Older.
The evening light softened his features, emphasizing the sharpness that had gradually developed in his face over the past few years. His posture was relaxed, one arm resting against the table while the other held the book open. Even his school uniform, which normally looked ordinary on every other student, somehow suited him unusually well.
Mika noticed.
She had been putting away the club records, but her hands gradually stopped moving.
She glanced at Tyler.
Then at Eris.
Then back at Tyler.
Eris noticed.
"What?"
Mika looked away too quickly.
"Nothing."
Eris narrowed her eyes.
"That wasn't a nothing look."
Mika hesitated before lowering her voice.
"Why aren't you two dating?"
Eris froze.
"What?"
Mika glanced toward Tyler again.
"I mean, seriously. You two are always together."
"Because we're friends."
"Best friends?"
"Yes."
"Childhood friends?"
"Yes."
"Always around each other?"
Eris folded her arms.
"Mostly."
Mika smiled.
"Then what's the problem?"
"The problem," Eris said slowly, "is that there is no problem."
Lara, who had been packing her books nearby, overheard the conversation and looked toward Tyler.
"Actually, Mika might have a point."
Eris turned toward her.
"Don't encourage her."
Lara ignored that.
"Look at him."
Eris glanced toward the window.
Tyler had turned another page and still hadn't noticed them.
Lara lowered her voice.
"He's smart, athletic, popular, and let's be honest, he's pretty handsome."
Eris stared at her.
"He's reading."
"Exactly."
"How does reading make him handsome?"
Lara shrugged.
"It just does."
Simon, who had been slinging his bag over his shoulder, joined in.
"She's right. Senior Tyler is probably one of the most popular guys in school."
Eris looked at him.
"Why are you all discussing him like he's a product?"
Simon grinned.
"I'm just saying, if you actually like him, you probably shouldn't take forever."
Eris's expression hardened.
"I don't like him."
Mika smiled innocently.
"Sure."
"I don't."
"Okay."
"Stop smiling like that."
"I believe you."
"You clearly don't."
Lara laughed.
"Then why do you get so defensive whenever someone mentions him?"
Eris opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
She looked toward Tyler.
He was still reading.
Completely unaware that his name had somehow become the main topic of conversation.
"Because you're all being annoying," she finally said.
Simon shrugged.
"That's not an answer."
"It doesn't have to be."
Mika leaned closer.
"So there's really nothing between you two?"
"Nothing."
"Not even a little?"
"No."
"Not even after all these years?"
Eris sighed.
"You people really need hobbies."
"We have hobbies," Lara said. "This is just more interesting."
Eris gave her a flat look.
"Pack your bag."
The girls laughed and returned to their things, though their expressions made it obvious they weren't finished.
Simon picked up his bag.
"Still, Senior Tyler isn't exactly the type to wait around forever."
Eris looked up sharply.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
He grinned.
"Nothing."
"Simon."
"Goodbye, Club Head."
He escaped through the door before she could answer.
Mika and Lara followed, both trying not to laugh.
"See you tomorrow."
"Goodbye."
Eris forced a smile.
"Yeah. Bye."
The door closed.
The room became quiet again.
Eris stood there for a second, staring at it.
"Nosy parkers."
She muttered it under her breath, then turned toward Tyler.
He hadn't moved.
Still reading.
Completely oblivious.
Eris folded her arms.
"Unbelievable."
She walked over.
"Ty."
Nothing.
"Tyler."
Still nothing.
Eris leaned slightly closer.
"Ty."
Tyler finally looked up.
"Hm?"
"It's time to go."
He glanced around the clubroom and noticed how empty it had become.
"Oh."
His eyes shifted toward the clock.
"It's that late already?"
"Yes."
Tyler closed the book and set it carefully on the table.
"You finished everything?"
"Most of it."
"Most?"
"I still have some books to organize."
"Tomorrow."
Tyler looked at the shelves.
"You sure?"
"Yes. Final exams are coming. We don't need to stay here until sunset every day."
He smiled.
"You're the one who said you had too much work."
"I did."
"And now you're leaving it for tomorrow?"
Eris picked up her bag.
"Because tomorrow exists."
Tyler laughed softly.
"Fair enough."
He stood and slung his bag over his shoulder.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Eris remembered the earlier conversation.
Why aren't you two dating?
She immediately looked away.
Tyler noticed.
"You okay?"
"Perfectly fine."
"You look annoyed."
"I'm not."
"You definitely are."
Eris started toward the door.
"Just come on."
Tyler followed.
"You're acting suspicious."
"You're imagining things."
"That's exactly what suspicious people say."
Eris glanced over her shoulder.
"Tyler."
"Yes?"
"Keep talking and I'll leave you here."
Tyler smiled.
"Fine."
They walked down the corridor together, their footsteps quiet against the empty hallway.
After a few seconds, Eris glanced sideways at him.
"You really didn't notice anything?"
"Notice what?"
She almost laughed.
"Nothing."
Tyler studied her face.
"That sounded suspicious."
"You're impossible."
"And you're terrible at lying."
"Good thing I'm not lying."
They continued toward the stairs.
By the time they reached the first landing, the sunlight had faded almost completely from the windows.
Eris looked ahead, but a small smile remained on her face.
Tyler noticed it.
He didn't ask this time.
He simply walked beside her.
For years, being together had been effortless. They had grown up side by side, shared the same club, the same routines, the same arguments, and countless ordinary moments.
It had always felt natural.
Maybe that was why everyone else saw something in it before they did.
Or maybe everyone else was simply nosy.
Eris glanced at him again.
Tyler caught her looking.
"What?"
"Nothing."
He smiled.
"You're copying me now."
"Maybe."
He only smiled and kept walking beside her as they disappeared down the quiet corridor.
....
"So what I'm saying is, Master Kenta is really an asshole."
Tyler laughed as he walked beside Elijah.
"You've been complaining about him for the last ten minutes. Why exactly do you think he's an asshole?"
"Because he's trying to break my bones."
Elijah stretched his arms as he walked, still looking mildly offended by the evening's training.
"He keeps making us repeat the same techniques over and over. At this rate, I'm going to walk into school tomorrow and discover that half my skeleton has resigned."
Tyler laughed again.
"Maybe if you actually did the techniques properly, he wouldn't make you repeat them."
Elijah immediately looked at him.
"Don't start."
"I'm serious."
"Of course you are."
Elijah sighed dramatically.
"Master Kenta never treats you like that."
"That's because I don't mess around during training."
"Yeah, yeah."
Elijah waved his hand dismissively.
"Why would he do that to you anyway? You're his most talented student."
Tyler shook his head.
"It's not like that."
"It is."
"It's really not."
Elijah gave him a suspicious look.
"You're telling me the instructor doesn't go easy on you?"
"He doesn't."
"Then why does he always use you as an example?"
"Because I actually pay attention."
Elijah scoffed.
"Show-off."
Tyler smiled.
"Whatever."
The two continued along the familiar road leading away from the martial arts center.
The evening had grown considerably darker now. The sun had already disappeared beyond the buildings, leaving the sky a deep blue scattered with the first visible stars. Streetlights had begun illuminating the sidewalks, and the sounds of traffic had become more noticeable as people returned home from work.
Tyler suddenly looked toward Elijah.
"Anyway, how's your first year of high school been?"
Elijah glanced at him.
"I had an amazing first year."
"Of course you did."
"I did."
He sounded proud of himself.
"You already know I got selected for the soccer team, right?"
Tyler gave him a look.
"Yeah. You've told me several times already."
Elijah's grin widened.
"Whatever. The important thing is that the coach said I'll officially become a permanent member next year."
Tyler smiled genuinely.
"That's great news."
"I know."
Elijah walked a few steps with his chest slightly puffed out.
"Next year I'm going to work hard and become one of the recognized players."
Tyler nodded.
"Good luck."
Elijah suddenly pouted.
"Yeah, well, some of us actually have to work for recognition."
Tyler raised an eyebrow.
"What does that mean?"
"Unlike someone who got into the team on the first day of middle school."
Tyler smiled.
"Isn't that because big brother Elijah mentioned me to the coach and captain?"
Elijah's expression immediately changed.
Tyler continued.
"Without you, how would I have gotten in so easily?"
Elijah rubbed the side of his nose with a proud expression.
"Hmm."
Tyler looked at him.
"So..."
Elijah's eyes narrowed.
"You little rascal."
Before Tyler could react, Elijah grabbed him around the neck and pulled him into a loose headlock.
"You're making fun of me, huh?"
Tyler laughed and tried to pull himself free.
"Okay, okay. Sorry."
"You better be."
"I won't do it again."
Elijah released him.
Tyler straightened his uniform and shook his head.
"You're impossible."
"You started it."
"I was complimenting you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"It was."
Elijah smiled.
"Whatever you say."
They continued walking.
The road became quieter as they moved farther from the school.
For a while, neither said anything.
The stars had become clearer now that the city lights were beginning to thin out.
Tyler looked up briefly.
The sky was unusually clear.
Then his attention shifted toward the playground ahead.
He slowed down.
Elijah noticed.
"What?"
Tyler didn't answer immediately.
There were several people near the playground.
Too many for a casual evening gathering.
He recognized Chris first.
Then Noah.
Then Kai.
Oliver was there too.
And Danny.
Miles.
Several other students stood nearby.
Tyler's eyes narrowed slightly.
Elijah followed his gaze.
"Isn't that Chris?"
"Yeah."
"What is he doing here?"
"I don't know."
Elijah looked more carefully.
"Wait."
He pointed toward one of the students.
"Isn't that Oliver?"
Tyler nodded.
"The same guy you mentioned before?"
"Yeah."
"The one who got beaten up yesterday?"
Tyler nodded again.
"What are they doing here?"
He looked toward the group.
"Danny and the others are there too."
Elijah's expression changed slightly.
"Danny?"
"Yeah."
"Isn't he from your class?"
"Unfortunately."
Elijah looked at Danny for a few seconds.
"He's that big bully guy, right? Always acting tough and messing around with people?"
Tyler smiled faintly.
"Yep. That's him."
"Is he still the same?"
Tyler gave a small smirk.
"Same?"
He looked toward Danny.
"He's changed."
Elijah looked confused.
"Changed how?"
"When you seniors were still in middle school, he mostly messed around with students around him. He'd poke at people, start arguments, annoy someone until they reacted."
Tyler's expression became more thoughtful.
"But now we're in third year. There's no one above him in the school anymore."
Elijah understood.
"So he started picking on juniors."
"Exactly."
Elijah nodded slowly.
"Ah. I see."
He looked toward Danny again.
"He's like Sunny from our class."
Tyler immediately shook his head.
"No."
Elijah looked at him.
"No?"
"Sunny played carefully."
Tyler's eyes remained fixed on the playground.
"Danny doesn't."
He pointed subtly toward another student.
"See that boy near Danny?"
Elijah followed his gaze.
"Yeah."
"That's Miles."
"Miles?"
"He's more like Sunny."
Elijah looked between the two boys.
"So Danny is the loud one and Miles is the careful one."
"Pretty much."
Elijah laughed and shook his head.
"At least your middle school is getting interesting."
Tyler smiled.
"Yeah."
He looked toward the group again.
"Definitely a great third year."
Elijah shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Do you want to intervene?"
Tyler didn't answer immediately.
His attention had shifted.
There were thoughts lingering around the playground.
Fragments.
Anger.
Nervousness.
Confusion.
A few flashes of fear.
Tyler listened for another moment.
Then he shook his head.
"Nah."
Elijah looked at him.
"Why?"
"I think Chris can handle this."
Elijah shrugged.
"Alright. Let's go then."
Tyler took another step.
Then stopped.
"Wait."
Elijah turned around.
"What now?"
"Let's see what they're up to."
Elijah stared at him.
"You just said Chris can handle it."
"He can."
"Then why are we staying?"
Tyler looked toward the playground.
"Curiosity."
Elijah sighed.
"You're weird."
Tyler smiled.
"Probably."
Elijah looked toward the group again.
"They're pretty far away."
"Yeah."
"You can even hear what they're saying?"
Tyler shook his head.
"No."
Elijah frowned.
"Then what are you understanding?"
Tyler lowered his head slightly, trying not to laugh.
"I'm reading their faces."
Elijah stared at him.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then his expression became completely abnormal.
"You are weird."
Tyler finally laughed.
"You bet."