Chapter 25: Little steps

The days drifted by, each one slipping into the next with a quiet rhythm that Rei had come to know well. His routine, his solitary life, had always been a predictable thing. But recently, something had begun to shift.

Yuuto and Hana—two people he'd barely known a few weeks ago—had become more of a fixture in his life than he'd expected. It wasn't sudden. It wasn't like a flood of emotions or overwhelming moments that made him question everything. It was just small things. Little interactions that started to change the way he saw them.

He didn't like it. He didn't like how much he'd grown accustomed to their presence, how their laughter and their questions about his day had become a part of his routine. But he couldn't help it. They were there, and they weren't going anywhere.

The soft knock at his door made Rei pause. He had just come back from school and was, as usual, on the verge of closing himself off for the evening. But when he heard the knock again, followed by the unmistakable voice of Yuuto, Rei hesitated.

"Rei, you home?"

It wasn't unusual for Yuuto to stop by after school, especially since the day Rei had opened up a little about his loneliness. Yuuto had shown up a few times since, just to check in. Rei had let him.

His fingers tightened on the door handle for a moment before he opened it, half-expecting to see Yuuto standing there alone. But Hana was with him, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Hey," Yuuto greeted him casually, his smile easy. Hana's smile was quieter, but still warm.

Rei didn't know why, but a small part of him felt lighter seeing them standing there. "What's up?" he asked, trying to sound indifferent as he stepped aside to let them in.

"We were thinking of hanging out for a bit," Hana said, her voice more tentative than Yuuto's. "We thought you might want to join us."

Rei's gaze flickered between them. The words were simple enough, but the meaning behind them lingered in the air. He could feel the hesitation in Hana's tone, the way she seemed to almost second-guess her invitation.

Rei shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his mind running through the usual list of reasons to decline. He could stay in his room. He could tell them he was busy, or tired, or simply didn't feel like it.

But something inside him... didn't want to. He didn't know what it was, but the thought of being alone again, of shutting them out... it felt different now.

"I guess... I could use a break," Rei said after a pause, his voice quieter than he intended.

Yuuto grinned, clearly pleased. "That's the spirit!" he said, his enthusiasm almost contagious. "Let's go to the park, just for a little while. We'll leave you alone if you want to head back early."

Hana nodded, offering Rei a gentle smile. "It's just for a little while. No pressure."

Rei found himself nodding before he even realized it, the words slipping out before he could second-guess himself. "Alright. Let's go."

The walk to the park was quiet, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Hana and Yuuto chatted easily between themselves, but they made sure to include Rei when they asked questions or made small comments. Rei didn't offer much, but he found himself listening more than he expected.

At the park, they sat on one of the benches, the sun casting long shadows across the grass. It was peaceful in a way Rei hadn't realized he needed. He kept his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, his gaze lingering on the distant horizon as Hana and Yuuto continued their conversation.

"You're quiet today," Yuuto noted, turning his attention to Rei. "Everything okay?"

Rei looked at him for a moment, unsure of how to answer. He wanted to say something, but the words didn't come out right. Instead, he simply shrugged.

"Yeah, just thinking," Rei muttered.

Hana didn't push him, but she did offer a gentle smile. "It's okay. You don't have to talk if you don't want to."

Yuuto laughed softly, nudging her playfully. "See? We're not that scary."

Rei looked between the two of them, noticing the small things that made their friendship feel... real. Hana's quiet patience. Yuuto's insistence on lightening the mood. There was no expectation, no hidden agenda. They weren't asking anything of him. They were just there, and somehow, that made all the difference.

The next few moments passed in silence, but it wasn't the kind of silence that made Rei feel alone. It was the kind of silence that felt... comfortable. Safe.

When they eventually decided to leave, Rei felt a strange sense of reluctance. He wasn't used to this—used to being alone, used to his own quiet. But somehow, in their presence, it didn't feel so suffocating. For the first time in a long while, it felt like maybe he didn't have to be alone all the time.

As they walked back to his house, Yuuto and Hana exchanged a few more words, but Rei found himself walking a little slower than usual, his mind turning over what had happened. It hadn't been some big, life-changing moment. No grand gestures or heartfelt confessions. It was just... time spent with two people who hadn't asked for anything from him.

And that, in itself, felt like a small step in the right direction.

When they reached his door, Rei hesitated for a moment. Then, before he could second-guess himself, he turned to face them.

"Thanks," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "I didn't realize I needed that."

Yuuto clapped him on the back with a grin. "Anytime, man."

Hana gave him a soft smile, her eyes sincere. "Take care of yourself, Rei. We'll see you tomorrow."

As they left, Rei stood in the doorway, watching them walk away. A part of him wanted to close the door, lock himself in again, and forget about the feelings that had started to stir inside him. But another part of him—something small, something fragile—wanted to hold on to this moment.

Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as alone as he thought.