Morning sunlight filtered through the university courtyard as students hurried toward their buildings. Aria and Ethan walked together until the path split into two — one leading toward the Business Department where Ethan studied, and the other toward the Design Department where Aria had her classes.
This had become their daily routine.
They would walk together from the dorm area, talk about random things, tease each other, and then part ways at the junction.
"Message me when you reach your class," Ethan said as always.
"I will. You too."
He nodded, brushed her hair behind her ear gently — a habit he had developed recently — and then walked toward his building.
Aria walked toward hers, smiling like an idiot the entire way.
But her calm morning changed the moment she entered her department hallway.
A group of boys standing near the notice board suddenly turned their heads toward her. She had seen them around before — all seniors. One of them waved at her confidently.
"Hey! You're Aria, right? The girl who danced yesterday?"
Aria blinked, surprised but polite. "Uh… yes."
"That performance was amazing," another boy added. "Your expressions were perfect."
"You should join next year's fest too," the third boy said with a grin. "Do you have an Instagram? We would love to follow your work."
Aria smiled awkwardly. "Thank you for the compliment, but I don't share my Instagram."
"Then maybe your number?" one said.
"No… sorry."
They looked a little disappointed but still smiling. "At least can you tell us which major you're in? We might see you around more."
Aria answered politely, then hurried toward her classroom. Inside, her heart was beating fast. She wasn't used to getting so much attention.
She shook her head.
It's okay. Ethan won't know. And even if he does, it's not like anything happened.
She took her seat and pulled out her notes, trying to calm her mind.
But in another building…
Ethan was sitting in his lecture hall, waiting for class to begin, his bag placed on the desk beside him. He was relaxed, checking his phone to see if Aria had messaged.
The boys who talked to Aria earlier suddenly entered Ethan's classroom. They were business seniors, and since universities often had mixed elective classes, they ended up in the same room as Ethan.
And that's when one of them noticed him.
"Hey! You're Ethan, right? The guy who danced with Aria yesterday?"
Ethan looked up slowly. "Yes."
"Oh man, your dance was crazy good," another boy said as he sat on the desk in front of him. "By the way… Aria is from your department area, right?"
Ethan eyed them carefully. "Why?"
"No reason," the boy said with a smirk. "Just wanted to know. She's really cute."
"Really cute," another repeated. "We even tried talking to her today. She's so sweet."
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"Oh, and we asked her for her Instagram, but she didn't give it. She's shy, isn't she?"
Ethan stopped breathing.
"And dude," the third boy laughed, "if she ever becomes single, I'll be the first in line to—"
That was it.
Ethan stood up so suddenly that the boys looked startled.
His voice was low, calm, but deadly serious.
"Don't talk about her like that."
The classroom went quiet.
The boys blinked, confused at first, then one of them chuckled nervously. "Relax, man. We were just saying—"
"You don't need to say anything."
His eyes were cold.
All three boys fell silent.
Ethan didn't stay for the lecture. He grabbed his bag, left the classroom, and walked out with long, determined steps.
He didn't know where exactly Aria's class was at the moment, but he found himself heading toward the Design Department anyway.
He needed to see her.
Now.
—
Aria was coming out of her class, ready to go to the library, when someone grabbed her wrist gently.
She turned, startled, and found Ethan standing there.
Her heartbeat jumped. "E–Ethan? Why are you here? Don't you have a lecture—"
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
"What?"
"That some guys talked to you this morning."
Aria froze. "H–How do you know?"
"They came to my class and started talking about you."
Aria blinked. "Oh… that."
"Oh, that?" he repeated, his expression darkening. "Why were they asking for your number? And your Instagram? And why were you smiling at them?"
"I wasn't smiling!" she protested. "I was being polite!"
"And why were they saying you're cute?"
"Ethan!" Aria whispered, embarrassed. "We're in the hallway!"
But Ethan didn't care. He pulled her gently to the side where there were fewer people, still holding her wrist.
His voice softened a little. "I don't like it."
She stared at him.
His ears were slightly red.
His eyes were sharp.
He looked jealous. Quietly. Intensely. Completely.
Aria held back a smile. "…Ethan. They were just seniors."
"I don't care."
"You're getting upset over nothing."
"It's not nothing," he said stubbornly.
She giggled softly.
He glared. "Why are you laughing?"
"Because you look cute when you're jealous."
He went silent.
And turned red.
She took his free hand with her other hand, calming him down. "Ethan, I didn't give them my number. I didn't give them my Instagram. I didn't even talk to them longer than necessary."
He looked at her silently.
"You know why?" she continued softly.
"Why?" he whispered.
"Because I already have someone I like."
His eyes softened instantly. "Aria…"
She squeezed his hand. "So don't get jealous like that. It's unnecessary."
Ethan exhaled slowly, the anger melting from his expression.
"…Okay."
She smiled and tugged his hand gently. "Come on. Walk me to the library before your next class."
He followed her.
As they walked, Ethan stayed close — a little closer than usual. Close enough that anyone watching would know she wasn't available to talk to.
And when they reached the library entrance, he whispered quietly,
"Aria."
"Hm?"
"You looked beautiful today."
She flushed. "W–What?"
"Just saying it before someone else does."
Her face burned.
He smirked at her reaction, jealousy finally gone.
And as she went inside, Aria realized something…
Ethan wasn't just cute when he was jealous.
He was hers.