The school festival is in full swing, the air buzzing with excitement. Crowds of students and visitors wander from stall to stall, their laughter and chatter blending with the occasional shout from a vendor. You're stationed at the baking stall again, handing out pastries to a line of hungry customers. The hard work has paid offâthe desserts you helped bake are a big hit.
"Two strawberry tarts, please," a familiar voice calls from the other side of the stall.
You look up and smile. It's Kento, a friendly classmate who's always been easy to talk to. He's grinning at you, his hands stuffed casually into his pockets.
"Coming right up!" you reply, quickly packing the tarts into a small paper bag. You hand them over, and he lingers for a moment longer than necessary.
"Thanks, Y/N," he says, his tone a touch warmer than usual. "You've been working hard, huh? You always look good, but I think the apron really suits you."
His compliment takes you off guard, and you chuckle nervously, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. "Uh, thanks, I guess?"
"You know," he continues, leaning slightly closer, "if you ever need help with the stallâor anything elseâI'd be happy to lend a hand."
Before you can respond, a familiar presence looms behind you.
"Y/N," Nagi's voice cuts through the conversation, low and unbothered, but with an unmistakable edge.
You turn to see him standing just behind you, his eyes half-lidded but focused squarely on Kento. Without warning, he drapes an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into his side in one fluid motion.
"Didn't know you were so popular," he murmurs, his tone deceptively casual.
Kento blinks, startled. "Oh, hey, Nagi. Didn't see you there."
"Mm," Nagi hums, resting his chin on your head like it's the most natural thing in the world. "Guess I'm hard to miss."
You suppress a laugh at the obvious tension in the air, but your heart skips a beat at the way he's clinging to you.
"Uh, anyway," Kento says, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, "thanks for the tarts, Y/N. See you around."
"See you!" you call after him, trying not to sound too amused.
As soon as Kento disappears into the crowd, you glance up at Nagi. He hasn't moved, his arm still slung lazily around you, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"What was that about?" you ask, trying to sound exasperated even as a smile tugs at your lips.
"Nothing," he says, finally letting go. "Didn't like the way he was looking at you."
"Oh?" You raise an eyebrow, crossing your arms. "And how was he looking at me, exactly?"
"Like he didn't know you're taken," he replies, completely unfazed.
His words hit you like a bolt of lightning, and for a moment, you're too stunned to respond. "I'm... taken?"
"Mm." He shrugs, slipping his hands into his pockets. "By me. Obviously."
You burst out laughing, the sound bright and genuine. "Wow, Nagi. You're really subtle, aren't you?"
"Don't need to be," he says simply, his gaze steady.
Despite your teasing, you can't deny the flutter in your chest. There's something endearing about his straightforwardness, the way he doesn't bother hiding how he feels.
"Well, if it makes you feel better," you say, leaning slightly closer, "I wasn't interested in him anyway."
"Good," he replies, his tone softer now. "You shouldn't be."
The moment stretches, the noise of the festival fading into the background. For the first time, you see a flicker of vulnerability in his usually composed expression, like he's waiting for your reaction.
You smile, reaching up to adjust the strap of your bag. "Come on, sloth boy. Let's go grab something to eat before the next rush."
He falls into step beside you, his usual lazy demeanor returning, but there's a quiet satisfaction in the way he walks just a little closer than usual.
something to snack on .áï¹