The next few weeks at the university passed in a quiet, steady rhythm—
or at least, it should have been quiet.
But nothing was ever quiet when Eren Kael was around.
He sat beside Aurelia in every class.
He walked with her to every lecture hall.
He waited outside the women's restroom, arms crossed, expression cold enough to freeze the sun.
And the campus had noticed.
People whispered.
People stared.
People assumed they were dating.
Aurelia pretended she didn't hear any of it, but the heat in her cheeks always gave her away.
Eren, on the other hand, seemed completely unbothered—almost entertained.
Today was no different.
They were walking down the tree-lined path toward the next building. Students passed them, some greeting Aurelia, some glancing shyly at Eren, though none dared to come near.
"Do they always look at us like that?" Aurelia muttered.
Eren glanced around lazily. "Yes."
"That doesn't bother you?"
"No."
She sighed dramatically. "It bothers me."
"Why?" he asked.
"Because people think we're… something."
Eren stopped walking.
Aurelia took another step before realizing he was no longer beside her.
She turned, confused.
He stood there, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on her with a seriousness that caught her off guard.
"And if we were 'something'?" he asked quietly.
Her pulse jumped.
Eren usually teased in small ways, subtle ways.
But this—
this was direct.
"Eren…" She hugged her notebook to her chest, trying to steady her breathing. "D-don't joke like that."
"I'm not joking."
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Students walked past them, laughing, chatting, but their world shrank to two breaths, two shadows, and one question hanging dangerously between them.
Eren stepped closer, closing the distance inch by inch until she had to tilt her head to keep looking at him.
"You've grown," he said quietly.
"Do you know that?"
Her cheeks heated instantly. "W-what kind of question is that?"
"An honest one."
His eyes softened.
"You're not the little girl who used to hide behind me anymore. You're—"
He stopped himself.
"You're what?" Aurelia whispered.
He exhaled slowly, then stepped back just enough to give her space—like he was afraid of crossing an invisible line.
"Beautiful," he said.
The word landed like thunder in her chest.
Aurelia's ears burned. She looked away immediately.
"I—I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes, you do."
His voice was low, gentle, knowing.
They started walking again, but the air between them felt different—warmer, heavier, charged.
As they reached the next building, Aurelia suddenly stumbled when a runner bumped into her.
Before she could fall, Eren grabbed her wrist and pulled her into him.
Not just a steadying touch—
he held her close.
Too close.
Her palms pressed against his chest, feeling the steady, strong heartbeat beneath.
His arm circled her waist, firmly, instinctively.
Their faces were only inches apart.
Time stopped.
"Aurelia," he murmured, his breath brushing her cheek, "are you hurt?"
She shook her head, stunned. "N-no… I just—someone pushed—"
His grip tightened slightly. "They should watch where they're going."
She stared up at him, her heartbeat wild and uneven.
He wasn't letting go.
"E-Eren… people are watching," she whispered.
He didn't even turn to look.
"I don't care."
Her throat tightened.
Slowly—very slowly—he loosened his hold, letting his hand slide from her waist, his fingers lingering longer than they should.
Then he turned away, clearing his throat as if trying to gather his composure.
"We're late," he said.
But Aurelia heard something new in his voice.
Something unsteady.
Something that matched the flutter in her chest.
They continued walking, pretending nothing happened—
—but everything had changed.
Eren Kael had always been her protector.
Her shield.
Her older-brother figure.
But today…
He didn't see her as a little girl anymore.
And for the first time, Aurelia felt the truth settle deep in her heart:
She didn't see him as a brother anymore, either.