“Phiiiiii!”

I bounced toward him as the match ended, clutching a chilled bottle of water like it was some sort of peace offering.

He looked… thunderous.

Hair sticking to his forehead, sweat running down his jaw, that broody little furrow between his brows like he was ready to punch someone. Maybe the ball. Maybe Earth.

I shoved the water toward him with both hands.

“Here.”

He took it, but not before giving me a look.

A very specific look.

Eyes narrowed. Lips pursed. Jaw tight.

Was he… sulking?

Oh.

My heart did a dumb little spin.

Was this about Earth?

I tried not to grin too hard as I sat beside him on the bench. He unscrewed the bottle and took a long sip, still not saying anything.

I bumped his shoulder gently. “Phi was so good at playing,” I said sweetly, voice all sugar. “I fear you’ll steal other people’s hearts.”

I leaned a little closer.

“I don’t wanna share you.”

He didn’t look at me right away.

Just stared ahead, still drinking, like he was calculating whether to throw the bottle or crush it.

Then, finally, he glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.

Still unreadable.

Still very much iceberg.

But there was a flicker there.

Something taut. Freezing. Dangerous.

And a little…

Possesive?

“I’m serious,” I said, nudging him again, softer this time. “Don’t like it when others touch you.”

His shoulders stiffened.

Oh.

So that landed.

Interesting.

I tilted my head, watching him. “Why aren’t you saying anything, phi?”

He wiped his face with the edge of his shirt and finally said, voice low:

“Don’t flirt with people, you never know if they are of the same species like Pran.”

Oh.

Oh.

My breath caught for a second. I blinked.

“That wasn’t flirting,” I said innocently.

He gave me a pointed look.

I smiled. “I was laughing.”

“With Earth.”

“And?”

“You were enjoying it.”

“I enjoy a lot of things, phi.”

He stared at me like he wanted to throw me in a lake.

Or against a wall.

Unclear.

I leaned in a little, voice soft. “Are you… jealous?”

Silence.

His jaw clenched.

He capped the bottle again and placed it beside him without a word.

Then he looked at me.

Direct. Steady.

Dangerous.

“You’re not funny.”

“But I’m cute.”

He exhaled harshly through his nose and turned away again.

I watched him, giddy.

His silence said everything his mouth never would.

And I was going to drag it out of him — slowly.

One jealous look at a time.

✿✿✿

The sun was warm. My heart was warmer.

I sprawled across the grass beside the fine arts building, iced coffee in one hand, happiness blooming stupidly in my chest. Easter, Dao, and Phoon sat around me like judges at a panel — except instead of critique, I was getting mocked for smiling too much.

“You’re smiling too bright, North,” Easter said, shielding his eyes dramatically. “I feel like I need sunglasses.”

“Ugh,” Dao groaned, flicking her straw at me. “You’re glowing. It’s offensive.”

“I’m not glowing,” I said, barely able to keep the grin off my face. “I’m just… basking.”

Phoon raised a brow. “Basking?”

“In the afterglow of a victory,” I said, stretching out on the grass like I was some lovesick prince. “You guys. You won’t believe it.”

Easter rolled his eyes. “You always say that and then proceed to tell us something we very much believe.”

“Not this time,” I said, pointing at him. “This time it’s real. Johan was jealous.”

Dao sat up straighter. “Johan? Jealous?”

“Yup.”

“The same Johan who barely speaks in full sentences and has the emotional range of a teaspoon?” Easter asked.

“That’s the one.” I sipped my coffee. “The iceberg melted.”

Phoon laughed. “What did you do?”

“Nothing! I was just being adorable and talking to P’Earth. And Johan—” I paused for effect, “—looked like he wanted to commit murder. I swear. He kicked the ball so hard it flew past our heads.”

“Wow.” Dao blinked. “So you’ve upgraded from minor annoyance to emotional hazard.”

“He didn’t say anything, obviously,” I said. “But the look. The look, you guys.”

“You’re so proud of this,” Easter deadpanned.

“I am!” I said brightly. “He has feelings. Buried under sixteen layers of emotional repression, but they’re there.”

Phoon gave me a knowing look. “So… no dare, right?”

I blinked. “Huh?”

“I mean,” Phoon said slowly, “you actually like him now. So are you approaching with the intention of true love… or the dare plan that you were so persistent about? You know — that you’d break his heart.”

Dao and Easter both went still waiting for my answer.

I opened my mouth. Then closed it.

My eyes softened.

“If it wasn’t for the dare…” I said, voice a little quieter, “I would’ve never approached him—”

“So this was a dare all along?”