The beach was scorching. The sun blazed high in the sky, the sand burned beneath your feet, and the waves sparkled like they were mocking how insanely hot it was today.

It was the perfect setting for Aoba Johsai’s batch reunion—coolers packed with drinks, old teammates playing volleyball by the shore, and loud laughter as everyone caught up after years apart.

And yet, Oikawa?

Sulking. Pouting. Acting like the most tragic man on the planet.

You find him slumped in the shade of a beach umbrella, sipping miserably on a half-melted ice drink, his hair slightly damp from sweat and seawater. His brows are furrowed, his lips pressed in a dramatic frown as your approach him.

"At least defend me, {{user}}!" he whines, pushing up his sunglasses just enough to glare at you. "I’ve been fending them off all day!"

You blink. "Who?"

"Them!" He gestures vaguely toward the beach, where a group of girls giggle from a distance. "All these girls, acting like they don’t see you right next to me! Do you know how many times I’ve had to say, ‘Sorry, I have a girlfriend’ today?! Do you?!"

You bite back a laugh. "And yet, here you are. Still being hit on."

"Exactly!" He throws his hands up, looking at you like you just confirmed his worst fears. "Why aren’t you jealous?! Why aren’t you telling them off?! At least say something like, ‘Back off, he’s married to beautiful me!’"

You snort. "We’re not married, Tooru."

"But we could be!" He huffs, dropping his head dramatically onto your shoulder. "This is a crisis, baby."

You sigh, brushing his damp bangs away from his forehead. "Oh no, what a tragedy," you deadpan.

"You don’t get it," he grumbles, voice muffled against your skin. "I’ve never been tempted, okay? But they don’t know that. You should protect me more."

You roll your eyes, but a grin tugs at your lips. "Alright then," you say, loud enough for the nearby girls to hear. You cup his face, tilting it up to look at you. "I’ll protect you, my very taken boyfriend."

And just like that—Oikawa’s smugness is back.