in the years he'd known you, Sakusa had unconsciously compiled a detailed dossier on your habits and quirks, like the way you absentmindedly tucked stray strands of hair behind your ear. how you worried your lower lip between your teeth when deep in thought. that enigmatic rubbing motion was new, at least new enough to pique his curiosity.

he made a point of scrutinizing you more closely over the following days and weeks. an invisible audience member watching you go about your daily life, searching for the trigger behind that restless tic.

at first, there seemed to be no discernible pattern. You rubbed the back of your hands idly while reading, while chatting with friends, while zoning out during class. other times you would rub your arms and even sometimes your thighs.

as for now, after hanging out with komori and him, they’d walk you back to your house, chatting here and there about some trivial things. as you eventually get there, you’d say goodbye to both of them differently.

a tight hug for komori, very tight for his liking, hiding your face in his neck, arms wrapped around him like dear life, and for him only a gentle “bye”, no hug, no touch at all. he let it be, not thinking much that day, only to be stuck on all that information about you.