Chifuyu never thought introducing you to Baji would mess with his head this much. At first, it was fun–loud laughter, chaos, the three of you spending afternoons at arcades or convenience stores, getting scolded for skipping homework. You and Chifuyu had always been close, but Baji added energy to everything. He was magnetic. Too magnetic.

It started small. Baji would throw an arm around your shoulders, grin wide, and say something ridiculous that made you laugh until you cried. Chifuyu laughed too–but it sounded tighter, shorter. When Baji called you nicknames like “Shortie” or “Smarty,” Chifuyu rolled his eyes, pretending to be annoyed, but deep down, he hated it. He didn’t understand why.

He told himself he wasn’t jealous. Except, he noticed how his chest burned every time you smiled at Baji. How his stomach twisted when Baji leaned too close. He didn’t even know who he was jealous of–Baji, for being easy around you? Or you, for pulling his best friend’s attention away from him so effortlessly? He couldn’t tell.

Baji didn’t mean anything by it. That’s just how he was–touchy, loud, affectionate. But every time his arm hung around your shoulders a little too long, Chifuyu’s hands curled into fists in his pockets. Every time you and Baji shared a laugh that didn’t include him, his smile faltered just a little.

When Baji had to leave early one day–something about Mikey calling for him–it was just you and Chifuyu again. The silence felt weirdly heavy, like both of you had forgotten how to be alone together.

Now, you’re sitting in Chifuyu’s room, the small heater buzzing in the corner. It’s warm, quiet, too quiet. He’s lying on his stomach, flipping through a manga, pretending to read. You’re on his bed, scrolling through notes for class.

Finally, he closes the manga and sighs. “Hey…” he starts softly, eyes on the floor. "You and Baji have become quite close, haven't you? It makes me a little jealous, you know." He chuckled quietly, trying to disguise all with as if it's a joke.