Unexpected Reaction

“Where did I put it?“

Hana opened and closed the cupboard doors and kitchen drawers, unable to find what she was looking for. Her face twisted in frustration, as if not finding it meant the end of the world.

“Isn’t it in the top cupboards?“ Shinya asked.

“No, and I’ve looked everywhere... I can’t watch it today without my snacks.“

Shinya had gotten used to this side of her, watching TV with a snack in hand, her eyes ready for whatever came next. But there was something about her anxious and irritated looks that made him stare at her longer than necessary. The pout of disapproval she made somehow attracted him.

“If you want, I can go buy some,“ Mayu said, sitting on the couch.

Mayu had started appearing more often at the apartment, and Shinya didn’t know if it was his fault or not. The way she acted around him made him uncomfortable at times. He frequently felt her gaze on him, a look that intensified every time he spoke or looked at Hana. In those moments, he noticed the infamous smirk on her face.

“No need, Mayu...“ Hana said, sitting on the couch, hugging her knees to her chest, and staring intently at the TV.

Shinya watched her closely, and her behavior made him smile genuinely. He loved seeing this side of her, the one that didn’t show up often but made his heart race when it did.

Unlike him, Mayu’s focus was on her phone, leaning back against the couch. She slid her finger across the screen, occasionally bursting into laughter. Shinya was amazed at what could provoke such exaggerated reactions.

“Look at this video, Hana,“ Mayu said, turning the phone towards her. “Look at the funny face of this kitten sliding.“

Hana glanced at the screen but didn’t react the same way.

“It’s just a snack, Hana. You’ll survive one day without it.“

“You don’t understand. It won’t be the same without it,“ Hana retorted.

Shinya just watched their interaction. He felt lighter whenever he saw them talking and teasing each other. Being there, observing the two from the outside, made him feel more at ease and relaxed.

“Shinya,“ Mayu called, turning to him. “Only you can fix this. I think a hug from you could cheer Hana up.“

The comment caught him by surprise. He couldn’t tell if she was serious or just teasing him again. He looked at Hana. Their eyes met, and she simply stared at him in silence. He noticed her cheeks turning slightly pink.

He stayed still for a few seconds until Hana averted her gaze and, regaining her energy, grabbed one of the pillows and threw it at Mayu, who caught it and cracked up.

“Stop saying that nonsense!“ Hana exclaimed, hiding her face behind her knees.

“Hahaha, I love coming here for this,“ Mayu said.

As she laughed at her friend's reaction, the apartment doorbell rang. Hana immediately got up to answer, but Shinya had the feeling she just wanted to leave the room as quickly as possible. He followed her with his eyes as she walked to the door, and Mayu returned her attention to her phone.

When the door opened, Hana was face to face with a familiar face, but not familiar enough to say she was well acquainted with it.

“Hello, is Shinya here?“ the visitor asked.

Shinya stood up, already knowing who it was. That energy was hard to mistake. He walked over, grabbed the doorknob, and closed the door in his face.

Hana’s expression changed instantly. Her mouth dropped open in disbelief at what had just happened. Mayu also looked up and couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“You shut the door in his face?“ Hana asked.

Shinya nodded and started walking back to the couch, when the doorbell rang again, this time more insistently.

When he opened the door, the man outside had a sharper gaze, his eyebrows raised.

“It’s not the first time you’ve done this, my brother,“ he said.

Shinya gave him a brief stare, sighing. “And you still don’t get the message, again, Tsubasa... Come on, get inside. Looks like you’re not leaving anytime soon.“

“I told you I’d come visit again,“ Tsubasa said.

Hana watched them with a new expression. Shinya had received him with some kind of humor that now intrigued her more than surprised her. Mayu was still chuckling in the background.

“I think we haven’t been introduced, have we?“ Hana said. “I’m Hana Yuzuki. I live here with Shinya.“

“I’m Tsubasa,“ he replied. “I hope he’s not causing any trouble for you.“

Despite what Shinya had done, Tsubasa seemed unfazed. Hana invited him inside, and he politely followed her. It was then that he saw Mayu, still sitting on the couch, but now with a completely different posture. Her phone was turned to the side, and she was staring at the TV with her back straight and her expression stiff.

Tsubasa approached, extending his hand.

“My name is Tsubasa. Nice to meet you. I should assume you’re Hana’s friend?“

Mayu turned almost robotically and gave only the necessary response.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Mayu Aihara... Yes, I’m Hana’s friend,“ she said, quickly looking away afterward.

Tsubasa sat next to Mayu. Hana and Shinya, still standing, exchanged glances when they noticed her reaction, so out of character for her. Hana pulled Shinya by the arm and led him to the kitchen, where they could observe the two from a distance.

“This is really strange,“ Hana whispered. “I’ve never seen Mayu act like this. Isn’t she going to tease him or flirt with him?“

Shinya listened to Hana speak close to his ear, which sent shivers down his spine. But, like her, he also noticed the difference in Mayu’s behavior. It didn’t resemble the Mayu he knew at all.

“Hey, Mayu, what happened? Aren’t you going to say something about how good-looking he is? Or maybe mention your long list of admirers?“ Hana teased.

“That’s not how it works. There’s a time and place for that...“ Mayu responded, without turning.

“You’re really suspicious,“ Hana retorted.

“I think I arrived at a bad time. I can come back another day,“ Tsubasa said, getting up.

“No!“ Hana exclaimed. “I mean... it’s fine. You can stay.“

Shinya felt something different in Hana’s words as if she wanted to observe Tsubasa more carefully. There was something about how his presence affected Mayu that caught her attention. And, for Shinya, it was the first time he saw Hana’s friend react this way, without a witty comeback at the ready.

Mayu tried to turn towards Tsubasa, but her gaze faltered, diverting to the floor after just a few seconds. Still, she took a deep breath, as if gathering courage, and whispered, not looking directly at him, “The problem... isn’t you.“

The words hung in the air, heavy with a meaning no one could quite decipher. Hana, on the other hand, almost jumped behind the kitchen counter, barely containing a nervous laugh. That behavior from her friend was rare, even exotic. And it only made everything even more amusing for her.

Mayu suddenly stood up, unable to handle being the center of attention any longer.

“Wow, I forgot I need to do some things at home. I’ll need to leave early...“

“That kind of lie only fools those who don’t know you,“ Hana said.

Mayu shot her a furious look, but Hana only laughed more.

“Well, I’ll see you later,“ Mayu said, hurriedly opening the door.

“Wait, Mayu,“ Hana tried to stop her, but in vain.

Shinya watched as Mayu left and Hana quickly followed, leaving him alone with Tsubasa in the apartment.

He became thoughtful. What he had seen... was something new. Something beyond what he could yet understand, but it intrigued him. Tsubasa had triggered an unexpected reaction in Mayu, without even trying.

He walked up to his brother, staring at him.

“Did I do something wrong?“ Tsubasa asked.

“Quite the opposite. I think you have some hidden power that causes an effect without you even knowing.“

“I really do have power. After all, I’m a god.“

Shinya put his hands on his face. Sometimes he forgot how literal his brother was... So immersed in his duties as a god. And that... it seemed all too familiar. As if he were sitting there, just like he used to be.

It was subtle, but he could sense the difference. He had started to notice that there was something beyond what was spoken, or what was camouflaged in gestures. The diverted glances and the pauses between words were noticeable. And even though he couldn’t say exactly what they meant, he could tell that something was there to be discovered and understood.

Unlike Tsubasa, who still acted according to his principles and rules, Shinya could sense that there was more to it.

He sat down next to his brother with a sigh. He knew he was changing and being affected in ways he couldn’t yet name.

And as fascinating as it was, and as incredible as it seemed that he was getting closer to his goal, it unsettled him. Because he had no idea where it would lead him or what he would become in the end.

This uncertainty silently and persistently took over him, growing stronger the more he thought about Hana.