The first day back after the weekend felt heavier than usual. Dani had spent the morning giving Yumi subtle, charming glances, and each one made her cheeks warm. Despite herself, she found her eyes wandering to him a little too often.
Pherrie, ever vigilant, noticed immediately. His teasing smirk appeared, and he leaned subtly closer to brush shoulders with her, protective and flirty in equal measure.
"Princess," he whispered, voice low and playful, "looks like our new friend thinks he can charm you again."
"I—I can handle it," Yumi murmured, flustered.
Pherrie chuckled. "Oh, I know you can. But can he handle me?"
Dani approached with his usual soft smile. "Yumi, maybe we could partner for the next project? I think we'd work really well together."
Pherrie's eyes narrowed, and he subtly moved closer, brushing his hand against hers. "Nice try," he said, voice teasing but firm. "The Princess already has a partner—and that partner is me."
Dani's confident grin faltered for a moment. "Protective, aren't you?"
Pherrie leaned closer, voice dropping so only Yumi could hear. "Protective? Maybe. Flirty? Absolutely. And you—my Princess—stay right here with me, got it?"
Yumi's heart fluttered, cheeks burning. "I… got it," she whispered.
Throughout the lesson, Dani tried to engage her—soft smiles, gentle questions—but Pherrie was always one step ahead. He whispered playful remarks, brushed lightly against her hand, and leaned in whenever Dani tried to linger near her desk.
By the end of class, it was clear: Dani didn't stand a chance. Pherrie's teasing, flirty, and protective presence claimed Yumi's attention completely.
As they walked out together, Pherrie looped an arm lightly around her shoulder, smirk playful and possessive. "See, Princess? No one's taking you away. Not him, not anyone."
Yumi blushed, a soft, happy smile on her lips. "You really are impossible," she murmured.
"And yet," Pherrie whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face, "you wouldn't have it any other way."
Yumi laughed quietly, feeling warm, safe, and exhilarated. With Pherrie by her side, teasing, protective, and utterly determined, Dani's attempts at charm didn't stand a chance.