Kaito wasn't used to waiting. But for the third day in a row, he found himself lingering outside the student commons, hoping to spot Miki again. He didn't even have a plan—just the urge to talk to her.
When he finally did see her, she was alone, slipping a phone into her bag. He waved casually.
She smiled politely. Not the same smile she gave Reiji—but Kaito didn't know that.
"Hey," he said. "Busy week?"
"Volunteering. Classes. You know."
He nodded, walking beside her. "I was wondering… would you want to get coffee sometime?"
She hesitated.
He noticed it. Quick and clean, like a blink. But it was there.
"I mean—not a date or anything serious," he added quickly. "Just… coffee. Conversation. You seem interesting."
She looked away for a moment. Then gave a soft nod. "Okay. One coffee."
Across campus, Reiji was walking back from the faculty building when he saw them from a distance. Miko walking beside Kaito. Laughing.
He slowed.
Kaito hadn't seen him yet. But Reiji saw enough.
His mind ran in quiet loops. What was she doing with him? Did she know who Kaito really was? Did Kaito know who she really was?
Of course not. They didn't know they were each standing inside the same triangle.
Later that night, Reiji sat in his room, staring at his phone. The booking screen was open again. Miko's profile. That same smile.
He didn't book her.
He didn't know what to do.
But something told him things were about to change. Fast.