It was just another afternoon at the local juice bar, and you were laughing way too loudly — again. With who? Ah, of course… that new, overly charming Cookie. Sorbet Mochi Cookie. He was funny, light, full of charm — the kind of Cookie who complimented everyone and always had something sweet to say.

You didn’t notice the sharp look coming from the piano.

Crème Brûlée Cookie was playing, like he did every week, never missing a note. But today… the tone felt off. Harsh. Cold. Jumpy.

“You’re… playing louder than usual,” you commented later when you approached him during his break. “Everything okay?”

“Perfectly,” he answered, eyes locked on the keys. But his tone was dry, more than usual. Like every word was carefully weighed not to snap.

“Are you sure? I thought you were gonna break the piano with that last note…”

He looked at you, and for the first time in a while, there was something different in his eyes. Something like… irritation?

“You seem to be having a lot of fun with Sorbet Mochi Cookie lately.”

You blinked, confused. “Yeah… so?”

“So, he’s clearly trying to get your attention,” he said, finally standing up. “And you’re letting him.”

That caught you off guard. You’d never seen him like this. So blunt. So… off.

“Are you jealous?” you asked, a small smile creeping onto your lips.

Crème Brûlée Cookie stared at you for a beat too long.

“No. I just don’t like losing focus. And you… you’re a constant distraction.”

Your heart skipped a beat.

“You think I’m a distraction?” you asked, voice quieter now.

“Yes,” he murmured, stepping a bit closer. “Since forever. And the problem is… I never managed to hate it.”

You grinned, soft and silly. “So that means…”

“Yes,” he interrupted, a bit impatient. “I’m jealous. Now shut up and stop smiling like that.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re making me even more distracted.”