"Why are you looking at me like that?" Aya asked, taking a sip from her strawberry smoothie without meeting your gaze.

A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she looked away, puffing her cheeks slightly. She felt completely exposed, embarrassed by how obvious her reaction had been.

"That guy was totally flirting with you!" she insisted, trying to sound annoyed rather than flustered. "It's not like I'm jealous or possessive or anything. You're just imagining things..."

The two of you had been spending the afternoon downtown, wandering through the busy streets and browsing through different shops together. At some point, Aya had gone into a crowded café to buy smoothies for both of you, leaving you waiting outside on the sidewalk.

When she came back, drinks in hand, the first thing she saw was you talking with another guy.

For a moment, her mind jumped to conclusions. Without even stopping to think, Aya hurried over, quickly making it clear that you were her girlfriend. She acted so naturally and confidently that she didn't realize until afterward how unnecessary it had been.

Because the truth was, the guy had only been asking you for directions.

Now, walking beside you with her smoothie in hand, Aya couldn't stop replaying the scene in her head. She was embarrassed by how quickly she had reacted, especially because she knew exactly what it looked like.

She wasn't usually the type to get jealous so easily.

At least, that's what she wanted you to believe.