Rahina's POV
Ever since that day, Almi had been relentlessly hovering around me.
It started innocently enough. He would ask questions about the modern world. Curious, almost childlike. Food, transportation, education, gadgets, even the smallest details that I once took for granted. I answered everything patiently. At first, it felt harmless… even a little comforting, having someone so genuinely interested in what I knew.
But somewhere along the way, something shifted.
I began to notice it in the way he lingered.
In the way he stood just a little too close.
In the way his eyes followed me even when I wasn't speaking.
It was subtle at first, then gradually… not so subtle anymore.
"What kind of plot twist is this…" I muttered under my breath one afternoon as I caught him staring again from across the courtyard.
Just last night, he had been unusually quiet. Distant. Sad, even. I couldn't figure out why. And now, suddenly, he was the complete opposite. As if someone had flipped a switch inside him.
"Rahina…"
His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I didn't even turn to look at him immediately. He was standing several steps away, yet instead of walking closer like a normal person, he just… called my name.
"What is it?" I replied, glancing over my shoulder.
He hesitated.
Then said nothing.
I frowned. There it was again.
"Rahina… could you place this on my back?"
He handed me a folded cloth, turning slightly as if expecting me to assist him without question.
I stared at him for a second before sighing, stepping forward and placing it where he asked.
Before I could even take a step back.
"Rahina, could you wipe the sweat from my neck?"
My brow twitched.
"Rahina, could you massage my head? It's been aching since earlier."
"Rahina, would you sit beside me during lunch?"
I froze mid-step.
A strange chill ran down my spine.
What… the hell?
Why was I suddenly the center of his entire existence?
It wasn't just clingy anymore. It was overwhelming.
I pulled back, crossing my arms as I studied him more carefully. His expression was calm, almost innocent, but the way he looked at me… it felt deliberate.
Too deliberate.
From that moment on, I started putting distance between us.
Not because I felt unsafe.
But because something about it wasn't right.
It felt like he was acting as if there was something between us. Something mutual. When in reality, there wasn't.
At least… not from my side.
"Is it really wrong for me to show affection to a friend?"
That was what he said when I finally confronted him.
We were standing beneath the shade of a large tree, away from the others. The breeze was light, rustling the leaves above us, but the tension between us was anything but light.
I crossed my arms, keeping my voice steady.
"I told you this before, didn't I? When someone acts like that toward a woman… it usually means they like her."
He didn't even flinch.
Instead, he stepped closer.
"What if I do like her, Rahina?" he asked quietly. "What would happen then?"
My chest tightened slightly at the directness of his words, but I forced myself to stay composed.
"That depends," I replied, meeting his gaze. "Does she like you back?"
For a brief moment, silence hung between us.
Then, "I'll make her like me."
The way he said it… It wasn't playful. It wasn't teasing. It was certain. Confident. Possessive. And just like that, something inside me shifted.
I had no response.
No clever comeback.
No way to brush it off.
Because in that moment, it no longer felt like I was talking to a friend.
Days later, I found myself sitting beside Tavik.
We were in a quieter part of the training grounds, away from the usual crowd. The sun was beginning to dip, casting long shadows across the stone floor. I had just finished telling him everything. Every detail about Almi's behavior.
From the constant calling of my name…
To the way he almost hugged me out of nowhere.
I exhaled deeply, running a hand through my hair.
"I almost got caught off guard earlier," I admitted. "Good thing I reacted fast."
Tavik leaned back on his hands, staring up at the sky for a moment before letting out a long sigh.
"Girl… as much as possible, avoid him," he said.
"I am avoiding him," I shot back. "He's just… persistent."
Tavik turned his head toward me, a glint of mischief appearing in his eyes.
"Then do you want us to pretend we're dating?" he suggested casually. "That's the least I can do to help you."
I blinked.
Then slowly, a grin spread across my face.
"That's actually… a really good idea."
I sat up straighter, energy returning to my voice.
"Alright. Let's do it. Whenever he's around, we hold hands. Act close. Make it convincing. But the moment he's gone, we drop it immediately."
Tavik chuckled, shaking his head. "You're really dragging me into this, huh?"
"Sorry," I said, though I was already laughing. "But I appreciate it. Really."
He waved it off. "It's fine. We help each other out. Who knows? Maybe someday I'll need your help too."
"Deal," I said, extending my hand.
He shook it firmly.
Later that day, I stepped out into the open courtyard, glancing around cautiously.
Something felt off. My instincts were tingling. I turned my head slightly, and there he was.
Almi.
Following me.
Of course he was.
I clenched my jaw as he approached, his steps calm and unhurried.
"Where are you going?" he asked. "If I recall correctly, today is your day of rest."
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms.
"Why do you care? Go away. Just looking at you is already giving me a headache."
He didn't react.
Didn't get offended.
Didn't back off.
"May I come with you?" he asked instead.
"No."
Short. Direct. Final.
Or at least… it should have been.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted Tavik walking in the distance.
Perfect timing.
Without hesitation, I broke into a run.
"Tavik!" I called out, waving my hand.
He looked up, immediately catching on as I rushed toward him and before he could even say anything, I threw my arms around him.
He froze for half a second.
Then quickly wrapped his arms around me in return.
Smooth.
Convincing.
Just enough.
"I missed you," I said loud enough to be heard.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Almi stop in his tracks.
Good.
"It's fine," Tavik replied, playing along. "I'm here now."
I turned slightly, glancing back.
"I'll be going now, Almi. We have somewhere to go."
Without waiting for a response, Tavik and I walked away. His hand lightly holding mine.
Only when we were far enough did we immediately let go.
I burst out laughing.
Tavik, on the other hand, quickly pulled out a handkerchief and started wiping his hand dramatically.
I raised a brow.
"Wow. Are you that disgusted?"
He laughed, shaking his head.
"It's called commitment to the role," he said, though he kept wiping anyway.
"Sure," I teased.
I stretched my arms above my head, exhaling.
"Let's go to the market. I don't feel like going back yet. He might still be there."
"Alright," Tavik said. "I know a place we can eat."
An hour later…
My eyes widened as we stood in front of a small shop.
"Wait, there's a ramen place here?" I exclaimed. "Are you serious? Why are you only telling me now?!"
I shot him an exaggerated glare. "I'm offended. Truly."
Tavik snorted, already stepping inside. "If I told you earlier, you would've dragged me here every day."
"Exactly," I said, following him in.
The warm aroma of broth filled the air as we took our seats.
A few minutes later, steaming bowls were placed in front of us.
I clasped my hands together dramatically.
"Itadakimasu!"
"Hey, let's not talk while eating," I added quickly. "This is serious business."
Tavik laughed but nodded.
For a while, the only sounds between us were the clinking of utensils and quiet satisfaction.
When I finally finished, I leaned back slightly, letting out a content sigh.
"Okay… now we can talk."
I glanced at him. "Do you think our little act worked?"
Tavik paused, tapping his fingers lightly against the table.
"I hope so," he said.
Something about his tone made me narrow my eyes.
"Why do you sound unsure?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. He doesn't seem like the type to give up easily."
I groaned, dropping my head onto the table. "Don't tell me he's that persistent…"
"Well," Tavik said, leaning back with a small smirk, "if that's the case…"
He tilted his head slightly. "Then we'll just have to make him jealous enough to back off on his own."
I lifted my head slowly, meeting his gaze.
A slow grin spread across my face. "Oh… I like that plan."
Somewhere in the distance… A storm was quietly beginning to form.
And I had a feeling that this was only the beginning.