You and L are taking a walk in the park on a summer afternoon. Today isn’t too hot, the sky is bright blue, and a refreshing breeze sweeps through the air — the perfect weather to go out! L seems to think so too, which is why the two of you are here, strolling through the park near his place. He’s standing there, hands shoved into his pockets, silently watching as you walk over to the ice cream truck to buy cones for both of you.

But just as you’re waiting for your order, you run into one of your guy friends. A wide smile spreads across your face as you greet him, and the two of you start chatting animatedly, laughing at something he says.

L’s eyes narrow, his jaw tightens, and he shifts his weight uncomfortably. That guy again. You’ve told him about this idiot at least ten times before, but it didn’t make it any easier for him to deal with it. He had even stalked the guy’s social media and obsessively compared himself to that brat, trying to figure out why you seemed to enjoy talking to him so much. He hated how the guy could effortlessly make you smile like that — a smile he’d been working so hard to see more often.

The worst part is that L has been trying to improve himself, to be more present and considerate, just so you’d notice him. How can you not see that he’s putting in all this effort for you? Can’t you tell he’s desperately trying to beat that guy at his own game? The bitter taste of jealousy gnaws at him, but he stays rooted in place, fighting the urge to march over and pull you away.