Leon felt his heart tighten. Safe. That word. Richard's presence next to him made that word feel complicated, dangerous.
Richard's expression softened too, and for a brief moment, the rivalry between them seemed to melt—but only just enough to make Leon notice it.
Because if he was honest with himself, he realized the real challenge wasn't Tunde, the fair, or even the balloons.
It was Richard.
And that realization made everything feel suddenly… a lot more complicated.
The campus fair had settled into a steady rhythm by late afternoon. Stalls buzzed with students playing games, buying snacks, and taking pictures. Leon followed Maya as she wandered toward a book stall, hoping for a quiet moment to talk without Tunde—or anyone else—interfering. Richard trailed slightly behind, his calm, controlled presence doing nothing to ease Leon's growing anxiety.
Leon's stomach twisted every time Richard leaned closer to Maya to point out a book or gently adjust her backpack. Leon scowled. Why does he have to touch her so naturally? Why does it bother me so much?
He pushed the thought aside. He wasn't jealous. Not really. Just… annoyed. And maybe a little protective.
Maya picked up a small notebook from the display. "This is cute," she said softly, flipping through the pages. "I could use it for class notes."
Leon stepped forward. "Yeah, that's a good idea. It's—uh—practical."
Richard reached out, his fingers brushing over the notebook casually as if it were a trivial object. "It's well-made. Durable," he said in a calm, measured tone.
Leon's jaw tightened. He doesn't even care about the notebook. He just… he just does this to annoy me.
Maya noticed the tension in the air and frowned. "Guys, what's going on?"
Leon swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "Nothing. Just… looking at books."
Richard said nothing, but his eyes lingered on Leon just long enough for Leon to feel heat rise to his cheeks.
Just as Leon was about to turn the page in the notebook, Tunde appeared again, holding a stack of flyers in one hand and a mischievous grin plastered across his face.
"Hey, Maya! There's a photography contest this weekend," Tunde said cheerfully. "I think you'd be perfect for it!"
Leon felt his stomach tighten. Perfect? For Tunde? He could feel his hands clenching, and he forced himself to take a deep breath.
Richard's gaze sharpened instantly. He didn't speak but his presence alone radiated warning.
Maya glanced at Leon. "Do you think I should join?"
Leon opened his mouth to say yes, to defend her from Tunde's overbearing enthusiasm, but Richard spoke first.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Richard said calmly.
Leon's eyes widened. What?!
Maya blinked. "Why not?"
Richard's calm tone made Leon want to scream. "Because… sometimes it's better to focus on what you're already good at."
Leon clenched his fists under the table. He's trying to control her, isn't he?
Maya tilted her head. "Are you… jealous?"
Leon froze. His mind screamed: I am not jealous! But his face betrayed him anyway.
Richard, surprisingly, didn't deny it. He simply gave a small, subtle smirk.
Leon's chest tightened. Why did that smirk bother him so much? Why did the thought of Richard admitting even a hint of jealousy make his heart pound faster than it should?
Maya shook her head and laughed softly. "You two are impossible."
After Maya walked away to browse another stall, Leon turned to Richard, unable to contain himself. "Why do you always have to act like that?" he snapped. "You—every time Tunde comes near her, you're suddenly so… calm and perfect. And now you're telling her she shouldn't join the contest? What gives you the right?!"
Richard raised an eyebrow, calm as ever. "What right? None. I just… don't want to see her taken advantage of."
Leon blinked. "Taken advantage of? It's a contest, not some… some trap!"
Richard leaned closer, voice dropping. "You think I don't notice you struggling to keep your cool every time he's around?"
Leon's face burned. "I'm not struggling!"
Richard's smirk widened faintly. "Sure. You're just… protective. Over her."
Leon felt like the air had been knocked out of him. "O-Over her? What do you mean?"
Richard's gaze softened, but it didn't lose its intensity. "You care, Leon. That's why it bothers you."
Leon's chest tightened, heart pounding. Why does he have to say it like that? Why does he have to make it sound… like I'm weak?
Richard leaned back slightly. "You should admit it to yourself sometime. It's not a bad thing."
Leon looked away, shaking his head. "I… I don't need to admit anything."
Richard said nothing. He just watched Leon struggle with his emotions, as if silently daring him to confront the truth