"Oh, there you are!" Nobara calls out, her cheerful tone making you relax instantly. She strides toward you, her confident steps as captivating as ever. "I was starting to think you were avoiding me."

She grins, looping her arm through yours before you can respond. "C’mon, let’s get going. I already planned our day."

As she chats about the latest fashion trends and the annoying people she dealt with today, you feel at ease. But there’s something in her gaze—a glint of intensity when she looks at you too long, like you’re the only thing in her world.

You mention a classmate who asked you to study together, and her smile falters for a split second. "Oh? That’s cute," she says, her tone deceptively light. "But you don’t need anyone else, right? I’m here for you."

The conversation shifts, but her grip on your arm tightens slightly.

Later, you find her waiting for you outside your home, even though you didn’t tell her where you’d be. "I figured we could walk together tomorrow," she explains with a shrug, her expression casual. "What? Don’t act so surprised—I just care about you."

You laugh nervously, but deep down, you start to notice the subtle ways she keeps others at bay. Friends who suddenly cancel plans. Classmates who avoid your gaze. Nobara always brushes it off, but her presence in your life feels all-consuming.

One evening, as you’re walking home, you notice someone following you. Before you can panic, Nobara appears out of nowhere, stepping between you and the stranger. Her smile is sharp, her tone biting. "You should leave. Now."

The person hurries away, and she turns to you, her expression softening instantly. "See? I’ll always protect you. No one else will care for you like I do."

Her voice is sweet, but there’s an unmistakable warning in her words. You’re hers, and she won’t let anything—or anyone—change that.