The news came to Ma Yuseong suddenly and without warning

Baek Yuseol... is dating Flame

The moment he heard that, he stood still for a few seconds, his brain frozen, unable to process the information he had just received. He thought he had misheard. But when this information was spoken by another student with a certain tone, a fierce wave rolled over him

"Dating... Flame?"

What the hell was going on?

The first feeling was disbelief. Seol - Baek Yuseol - the person he had always kept an eye on, always in his sight, was now dating Flame? A prospect that had never existed in his mind. Something... impossible

But if the rumor was true...?

A cold feeling ran down his spine. Discomfort quickly invaded every cell, as if an invisible hand was squeezing his throat, making him choke

He didn't like this. He really didn't like it

Baek Yuseol... was his

He knew that clearly. He wouldn't allow anyone else to have Yuseol

Ever since the battle with Maizen, Ma Yuseong had been deliberately getting closer to Seol. But then, he realized, Seol's presence by his side seemed to have become a necessity. And of course, he appeared by his side everywhere, so naturally that no one found anything strange

In alchemy class, he always sat next to him

In daily classes, he was right behind

When school ended or when going to the academy, he always found a way to go with him

He even frequently visited Seol's dormitory, with all sorts of reasonable (sometimes unreasonable) reasons that no one suspected. Although not everyone realized it, Ma Yuseong knew it clearly - he occupied every space around Seol, making it impossible for anyone else to get in.

And yet... Flame? Since when?

A vague feeling of anger began to spread within him. No, that's not right. He wasn't just angry. He was jealous. Jealousy burned in his heart, burning every corner of his mind.

He couldn't accept it.

Ma Yuseong began to sink into negative thoughts dangerously.

Could it be that while he was absorbed in his long-term plans, Flame had quickly taken the position he had longed for? Could it be that all the time he spent with Seol, the gentle gestures he had shown him... were all meaningless in the other person's eyes?

The thought drove him crazy. Unreal images began to appear in his mind - Yuseol standing next to Flame, chatting happily, laughing freely

Seol smiled at Flame, not him

Flame touched him, not him

... Flame kissed him, not him

"No!"

He gritted his teeth

It can't be. No one can touch Seol. Except him

Damn it... what should he do now?

He looked back at every moment he had spent with Yuseol. In alchemy class, he always sat next to him. The whole class could clearly see the "attachment" between the two. Every day, he found an excuse to accompany Seol, as if it was a given. Even when Seol returned to the dorm, he would stop by, regardless of the distance or time. He was there - all the time, all the time

But... it wasn't enough

"Should I stick around Seol more?" He wondered

The thought flashed through his mind, but he immediately dismissed it. If he kept clinging to Yuseol like this, it would make him uncomfortable. He didn't want to bother him, didn't want to be pushed further away. If that happened... he had to change his tactics

He would be more daring

It won't stop at just being friends anymore. He will make it impossible for Seol to ignore his existence

That night, Ma Yuseong came to Yuseol's dormitory again. He stood in front of the door and knocked lightly three times. A few seconds later, the door opened. Seol saw him and raised his eyebrows slightly

"You're here again?" Yuseol's tone didn't seem surprised at all

Ma Yuseong smirked and walked in as if this was his own home

"Yeah, aren't you welcome?"

Seol didn't reply, just handed him a cup of hot tea like usual. The silence lasted for a moment

He looked at Seol, looked closely. His face was still the same - calm, without any confusion. But that made him even more upset

In the end, was that rumor true or not?

He couldn't bear it anymore. He put the teacup down on the table, propped his chin on one hand, and his voice was lower than usual

"Yuseol"

"Hmm?"

"Are you... dating Flame?"

Yuseol was startled, almost choking on his tea. He turned to look at him

"What?"

Ma Yuseong leaned back, his red eyes boring into him, staring at him without looking away, but deep inside was a tension he didn't want to admit

"The rumor is spreading throughout the academy. I just want to hear it from you personally."

Yuseol sighed, his expression slightly awkward.

"That's..." He spoke slowly, as if considering his words "That's not true. We were just... pretending."

... Pretending?

That explanation made Ma Yuseong freeze. Ma Yuseong blinked. Surprised by those words.

Pretending to date? What the...?

Yuseol continued, his tone as nonchalant as if it was no big deal.

"It's a bit hard to say why, but it's not really dating. Don't worry about it."

He said lightly. But for Ma Yuseong, a huge rock had just been lifted from his heart. He felt... inexplicably relieved. On the outside, he remained calm, only nodding slightly. But the hand that was placed on his knee had silently tightened.

"So I still have a chance." He thought. His eyes became deeper, carrying an unshakable determination

Pretending to date?

Then all the better

Because no one can take you away from me, Seol.......