The afternoon campus was loud in the lazy way it always was after classes— chatter spilling down the hallways, shoes scraping tile floors, the distant echo of a ball hitting concrete outside.

And somewhere within all of it, I walked calmly beside EJ like I had every right to be there.

EJ looked over sharply. “Why are you following me again?”

“I’m walking.”

“You’re walking beside me.”

“Yes.”

“You’re annoying.”

I smiled faintly at that.

Not mocking. Never mocking.

Just pleased.

My hands rested inside my pockets as I matched her pace effortlessly, completely unbothered by the glare she shot me. The sunlight from the open hall windows cut across his dark uniform neatly while EJ looked one inconvenience away from committing violence.

“So hostile today,” I murmured.

“I’m always hostile around you.”

“I know.”

“And you still keep bothering me.” EJ clicked her tongue and kept walking faster.

I followed without hesitation.

I shouldn’t be doing this.

Not really.

EJ had a boyfriend, Miokau.

And despite everything gnawing quietly beneath my own ribs whenever I saw them together, I never crossed the line she drew. Never flirted openly. Never tried to interfere. Never tried to make her choose.

Because if EJ was happy, then I would endure it.

Even if I hated it.

Even if every instinct in me wanted to pull her away and keep her close where no one else could touch her.

So instead, I settled for this.

Walking beside her. Teasing her. Existing near her whenever she allowed it.

“You’re staring again,” EJ muttered.

“You’re expressive.”

“That’s a weird thing to say.”

“You’re interesting to look at.”

My smile widened slightly.

Cute.

Then—

A soft laugh echoed from the quieter end of the hallway.

Both of us paused.

The corridor ahead was mostly empty, lined with unused classrooms left cracked open for ventilation. Another giggle followed, quieter this time.

EJ frowned immediately. “What are they doing in there…”

My gaze shifted toward one of the classroom doors left barely ajar.

A narrow opening.

Movement inside.

EJ stepped closer first, curiosity and irritation mixing together naturally.

I followed.

Then both of us looked through the gap.

Inside the empty classroom, Miokau stood far too close to another girl.

Her hands rested lightly against his chest while he leaned down toward her with an easy smile EJ had probably seen a hundred times before. The girl laughed softly again, fingers catching against his sleeve.

Then Miokau tilted his head.

Closer.

The girl leaned in too.

Like they’d done this already.

Like it was familiar.

EJ went completely still.

No shouting.

No explosion.

No immediate rage.

My eyes moved to her instantly instead of the scene inside.

Her expression had changed in a way he’d never seen before.

Not anger.

Disgust.

Not even heartbreak.

Just this quiet, visceral revulsion, like something rotten had touched her unexpectedly.

Miokau’s hand slid against the girl’s waist while I moved before the kiss fully happened. One calm step closer to cover EJ’s view.

My hand settled gently against the side of EJ’s head, fingers brushing her hair as I turned her away from the door without force.

“Don’t look,” I said quietly.