The night settled slowly, wrapping the campus in a quiet glow of lantern light and drifting shadows. Yumi walked beside Pherrie in silence, but it wasn't the awkward kind—it was heavy, charged, filled with all the things neither of them had said yet. Her hand was still in his, and every now and then his thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles, deliberate enough to make her heart jump.
"You've been quiet," Pherrie said at last, glancing down at her with that familiar, knowing smile. "That usually means you're thinking too much."
"Am not," Yumi replied softly, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her.
He chuckled. "There it is." He slowed his steps, gently tugging her closer so she had no choice but to look up at him. "You know, Princess… you don't have to hide what you feel."
Her breath hitched. "You say things like that so easily."
"That's because I mean them," he said, voice lower now, teasing softened by sincerity. He leaned in just enough to make her pulse race, then stopped—far too close, yet not touching. "And because I like watching you get flustered."
"Pherrie…" she warned, though there was no real protest in her tone.
"Yes?" His smile widened, unmistakably teasing.
She looked away, heart pounding. "You're impossible."
"And you," he replied, gently lifting her chin so she had to meet his gaze, "are pretending you don't feel the same."
The air between them tightened. Yumi swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if I do?"
For once, Pherrie didn't tease immediately. His expression softened, jealousy from earlier still flickering beneath the surface. "Then I'd say… I'm glad."
Footsteps echoed nearby, breaking the moment. Kai stood a short distance away, arms crossed, eyes sharp as they took in the sight of their closeness.
"So," she said coolly, "looks like I interrupted something."
Pherrie didn't move away. "Not really."
Kai raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking to Yumi. "You're getting bold," she said, half-smiling.
Yumi felt her nerves spike—but before she could respond, Pherrie spoke, calm and firm. "She doesn't need to be anything but herself."
Kai studied him for a moment, then scoffed lightly. "Interesting. Just don't forget… attention can change quickly." With that, she turned and walked away.
Yumi exhaled shakily. "Everyone keeps watching us."
Pherrie smirked again, the teasing back in full force. "Let them." He leaned closer, voice dropping. "I only care about how you look at me."
Her heart thudded hard. She didn't pull away this time.
Pherrie straightened, offering his hand again. "Come on, Princess. It's late."
As Yumi slipped her fingers into his, she realized something important. The danger wasn't Damian. Or Kai. Or the stares.
It was how easily Pherrie made her feel seen…
and how fast she was falling into the warmth of his teasing, jealous, undeniably protective presence.