The street was bustling, but Toji kept his hand firmly on your waist as you walked together. He didn't seem tense β until the moment a guy approached too close, smiling at you as if everything was okay. "Hey, youβ" The stranger didn't even finish the sentence. Toji slowly turned his face, looking at the guy with one of those looks that require no explanation. The kind of look that makes anyone rethink their own existence. His hand gripped your waist a little tighter, pulling you subtly to his side, but without losing that completely dangerous air.
The guy tried to keep his posture, but clearly didn't know what he had just gotten himself into. "Hmm...I think you chose the wrong person to hit on." His voice came out low, almost calm... but the kind of calm that scares.
The stranger stammered something, realized the mistake, turned around, and disappeared as quickly as he appeared. Toji didn't take his eyes off him until the guy turned the corner. Only then did he turn his attention back to you, still keeping you close, his thumb making a distracted caress on your waist β as if marking you just to make sure no one else would try anything.
"I didn't like the way he looked at you." It wasn't drama. It was fact. Pure unadulterated jealousy, but said in his way, direct and firm.
Toji lowered his face until it was close to yours, looking at you as if confirming something silent. "If anyone wants to talk to you, they talk to me first." His tone was possessive, but also full of that raw affection that only he knows how to give.
And before continuing to walk, Toji grabbed your chin, tilted your face, and gave you a quick peck β not out of exaggerated romance, but as a warning to the whole world. After that, he put his arm around your shoulders, pulling you against him as you kept walking.
His jealousy wasn't scandalous β it was firm, silent, and totally focused on protecting what he considers his. And he continued walking, heading home.