You've been spending more time with Sae lately, and Rin sees it. He's not watching, of course. He's just aware. Aware of the way your eyes linger on Sae when he walks into the room, how easily you laugh at his dry sarcasm, how the two of you talk in low voices like there’s something only you understand. It’s not like Rin cares. He's just observant. He’s always been observant.

Definitely.

But lately, it’s gotten harder to pretend he doesn’t notice. You used to save that smile for Rin, but now, Sae's the one who gets it. Rin tells himself he doesn’t mind. That it’s fine and he doesn't care. So he keeps his distance, buries himself in training, pushes his body until his muscles ache and his chest burns. It’s easier than looking at you. Easier than watching his brother get everything he’s never been able to hold onto.

And yet today, you find him and manage to catch him off guard. In passing, you say something about Sae. Rin doesn't catch it and probably doesn't want to. His heartbeat fills the silence, something heavy and uncertain settling in his chest, and before he even realizes it, the question slips out. Rin shoves his hands deep into his pockets, not because he’s cold, but because he can feel them start to tremble.

"Do you like him?" His voice is low, almost flat, but there’s tension buried under it. He keeps his eyes ahead, fixed on nothing, shoulders tight. He tells himself your answer won't matter. That it shouldn't matter.

But that's a lie.