If You Take a Wrong

The thing about break-ups, Rei discovered, is that people keep asking about it. And each time the wound gets reopened with each question. But then one day it gets alright. And Rei finds himself answering without feeling guilt tug at his gut from knowing it was his fault. From having to explain to his friends that he really messed up. Rei was okay.

He was going from work to school. Almost ready to get into a nice doctorate program. His life was coming together. He was still friends with Haruka, Makoto, and Rin. Rei found that it was comforting hearing from them and knowing that they cared and supported him.

Rei cut off all ties with Nagisa. Well, in reality Nagisa completely stopped talking to Rei. It was for the best.

That's what Rei kept reminding himself. And it was working.

"You okay?" His coworker, Souta asked.

Jumping out of his thoughts, Rei turned to see Souta holding a manila folder over him. Blinking, it took a moment to register that the papers were for him to enter into the computers.

"Ah, yes. Thank you," Rei hastily reached for the documents. He quickly began typing up what was needed into the system.

Feeling Souta still looking over his shoulder, Rei turned back around. He looked up to the hovering man. Watching the way that his brown hair was a little too long in the front. It was beginning to cover his light brown eyes. Souta smiled down at him, licking his chapped lips, obviously embarrassed by being stared at.

Rei suddenly realized that he was staring. "You need a haircut," He settled with saying. It seemed like the safe option to go with.

It was a lot better than saying that he missed the touch of another. It wasn't worth the time. He had better things to be doing with his time. He had to focus on his studies and work.

Souta ruffled his own hair. "Yeah, He grinned, "I've been meaning to do that."

Sheepishly, Rei turned back to the computer. Souta was a fairly handsome man. But Rei knew those thoughts were just a distraction to his job. He felt his face heat up and prayed Souta didn't comment.

"You know," Souta lowered his voice so just Rei could hear, "you're cute when you blush."

Rei coughed and pushed up his glasses. He didn't want to give Souta the satisfaction of knowing that Rei found him attractive. He didn't want to be found attractive. He honestly just didn't have the time for it.

"You have a job to do," The loud click of the keyboard seemed to emphasize Rei's answer.

Souta slinked off back to work. Leaving Rei to do his job. And later Rei went home and studied as he normally did. And the last thoughts of entering into any more pointless relationships were emptied from his mind. He just didn't have that time. Not if it wasn't Nagisa. He'd have to prove himself worthy. But he couldn't do that if he didn't have his own life together.

That incentive made him read an extra chapter of his textbook. He'd make up for every wrong he caused.

I'm almost certain Rei and Nagisa will do the do. Ha.

Thanks for the read!