Saturday afternoons were supposed to be chill.
Not confusing. Not awkward.
And definitely not emotionally stressful.
But of course, I had Rei over.
He sprawled across the floor of my living room like it was his personal stage, script in one hand, chips in the other.
"Yuki," he groaned, "why does your handwriting look like a cryptic prophecy?"
"It's printed."
"Still cursed."
I rolled my eyes. "Can we focus?"
"I'm focused on you," he replied with a smirk.
"Focus on your lines before I throw this cushion at your face."
He raised both hands. "Noted."
---
We were midway through rehearsing our final scene a dramatic monologue about betrayal when Rei suddenly paused.
He tilted his head toward the window.
"Hey… someone's outside."
I looked over. "Probably just my neighbor."
Rei walked closer, peeking through the curtain. His expression shifted not playful, not smug. Just… surprised.
"That's weird…"
I blinked. "What is?"
He didn't answer immediately. Just stared through the window, more intently this time.
Then, slowly:
"I think I know him."
I stood beside him, but by the time I looked, the figure had already stepped inside the house next door.
All I caught was the back of someone in a dark hoodie. Nothing familiar. Nothing strange.
"Who?" I asked.
Rei hesitated.
"No one. Maybe I'm just imagining things."
He sat back down, but something about his posture had changed. Like he was suddenly distracted or processing something he couldn't quite believe.
---
We finished the script.
Well I finished it.
Rei kept sneaking glances toward the window, like a thought was chewing on the back of his brain.
When he finally stood up to leave, I walked him to the door.
"Hey," I said, "you okay?"
He looked at me for a long moment. "Yeah. Just tired."
But his eyes darted toward the house next door again.
I followed his gaze.
Still nothing.
Just an ordinary house.
An ordinary porch.
Nothing strange at all.
---
As Rei stepped outside, he glanced toward the neighbor's door once more.
And whispered under his breath:
> "That really looked like Shinbou…"
Then, without another word, he left.
I watched him walk away, puzzled.
Why would Shinbou be here?
He doesn't live near me… right?