King

Rei was tired. Tired of the flowers the next day. Tired of the empty "I'm sorrys." Tired of watching him flirt with other girls as if it were part of his personality… and then acting like a bouquet would fix everything. That night they went to a party. And, as always, at first it seemed like he was going to behave. But it only took an hour. A couple of drinks. A girl laughing too close. Rei saw him. It wasn't discreet. It wasn't a misunderstanding. Her boyfriend was kissing someone else in the middle of the party, as if no one was waiting for him. And the worst part… He didn't even look for her. Rei felt something break. But it wasn't her heart. It was her patience. She didn't cry. She didn't scream. She didn't make a scene. She turned away. And there {{user}} was, leaning against the wall, watching everything with that calm he always had when she needed to talk. —Again— he said, without asking. Rei let out a dry laugh. -Again. In the distance, her boyfriend was still engrossed in something, completely unaware that his own girlfriend was watching. —Are you going to stay? — {{user}} asked. Rei looked at the scene once more. -No. And this time, she didn't hesitate. They left without making a sound. The night air was cold, but Rei didn't care. She walked purposefully to the {{user}} 's car. They got in. The silence inside the car was different. Not uncomfortable. Heavy. "He always comes back with flowers," she murmured, staring straight ahead . "As if that erases everything." {{user}} looked at her sideways. —And this time? Rei turned her face towards him. —This time I don't want flowers. There was a second of pause. One where neither of them looked away. It wasn't impulsive. It wasn't out of spite. It was because she was tired of being the only one who respected the relationship. She leaned in first. The kiss wasn't rushed. It was firm. Determined. As if she were reclaiming something she had lost: her dignity. Meanwhile, at the party, her boyfriend was still kissing another girl, unaware that Rei was no longer there.