Kenji had been avoiding the third-floor hallway for weeks.
It was the shortcut between the science labs and the staff room, it was quieter than the main corridor, fewer people, perfect for slipping away when he needed space. But lately it had become Rei's territory. Third years had their lockers there, and Rei was always around talking to teachers, carrying debate files, smiling that calm, effortless smile at anyone who passed.
Kenji usually took the long way. Today, though, he was late leaving the library after borrowing a book he didn't need, just to kill time. The bell for after school cleaning had already rung. The halls were emptying fast.
He turned the corner without thinking.
And there he was.
Rei Hashimoto stood alone by the window at the end of the hallway, leaning against the sill, looking out at the sports field below. Track team was wrapping up practice. Tiny figures in navy uniforms jogged slow cooldown laps. Rei's posture was relaxed, sleeves rolled to his elbows, tie loosened just enough to look intentional. He turned when he heard footsteps.
Kenji froze mid step.
For a second neither moved.
Then Rei straightened, offered a small nod. "Takesubo."
Kenji swallowed. "Hashimoto."
Another beat of silence.
Rei glanced back out the window. "You guys are fast out there. Saw the qualifier results board yesterday, you're seeded second. That's impressive."
Kenji shrugged, hands shoved deep in his pockets. "Just training. Nothing special."
Rei's gaze returned to him. Not pitying. Not smug. Just steady. "You've been putting in the work. It shows."
Kenji felt heat crawl up his neck. He didn't know whether to feel flattered or insulted that Rei had noticed. "Yeah. Well. Thanks."
Rei pushed off the sill, turning fully toward him. "Aiko talks about you a lot. Says you've always been the one who drags her out of her shell. That you're the reason she even joined the literature club back in first year."
Kenji's stomach twisted. "She exaggerates."
"She doesn't." Rei's voice stayed even. "She smiles different when she mentions you. Like she's remembering something good."
Kenji looked at the floor. Scuffed linoleum. A single pencil forgotten under a locker. "She's my best friend. Been that way forever."
"I know." Rei paused. "That's why I wanted to say this face to face."
Kenji's head snapped back up.
Rei met his eyes without flinching. "I asked her to the festival. She said yes. I like her a lot. And I think she likes me too."
The words landed clean. No cruelty in them. Just fact.
Kenji felt something inside him shift, like a gear slipping, grinding for a second before catching again. "Yeah. I… figured."
Rei exhaled slowly. "I'm not here to ask permission. That's not how this works. But I am here to tell you I respect what you two have. I'm not trying to take that away."
Kenji let out a short, humorless laugh. "You're really saying that? Out loud?"
Rei's mouth curved just a fraction. "I'm saying I know how much history matters. If I hurt her, you'll be the first person she runs to. And you'll have every right to hate me for it."
Kenji stared at him. Rei didn't look away.
For the first time, Kenji saw something behind the perfect exterior. Not arrogance, nor insecurity exactly. Just… honesty. The kind that made it harder to hate him.
"I don't hate you," Kenji said finally. The words tasted bitter. "I don't even know you."
Rei nodded once. "Fair."
Another silence stretched.
Then Rei spoke again, quieter. "She's happy right now. That's all I want for now. If that changes, I'll step back. No drama."
Kenji's jaw tightened. "You make it sound easy."
"It's not." Rei's voice dropped. "But pretending otherwise would be worse."
Kenji looked past him, out the window. The track team was gone now; the field empty except for the lengthening shadows.
"I've spent years being the guy who makes her happy," he said, almost to himself. "Guess I got good at it."
Rei didn't interrupt. Just listened.
Kenji dragged a hand through his hair. "I'm not gonna punch you or anything. I'm not that guy."
"I know."
"But if you hurt her…" Kenji met his eyes again. "I will find a way to make your life hell. Debate captain or not."
Rei's lips twitched almost a smile. "Noted."
They stood there another moment.
Then Rei pushed off the wall. "Festival's Saturday. You'll be there with the group?"
"Yeah," Kenji said. "Wouldn't miss it."
Rei nodded. "See you around, Takesubo."
He walked past, footsteps even, unhurried.
Kenji stayed where he was until the sound faded.
He leaned back against the lockers. Closed his eyes.
The hallway smelled faintly of cleaning solution and old paper.
His chest hurt, not sharp, not dramatic. Just a dull, persistent ache, like he'd run too many laps without warming up.
He pulled out his phone.
Group chat: 47 unread messages.
He didn't open them.
Instead he texted one person.
To Rika:
You free after cleaning duty?
He hit send before he could overthink it.
Her reply came thirty seconds later.
Only if you're buying vending machine coffee. The bitter kind.
Kenji huffed a small, surprised laugh.
Deal.
He pocketed the phone.
Then he walked to the stairwell, not towards the exit, not towards the track.
Towards the vending machines on the first floor.
One step at a time.