The 4th Division welcome party was in full swing at the restaurant,laughter, and clinking glasses filling the air. Aki sat at the edge of the group, nursing a cigarette between his fingers. His usual stoic demeanor was firmly in place, but his eyes were scanning the room—searching for something. Or someone.

Then he saw you.

You were laughing, your smile radiant as you stood by one of the tables. But what caught Aki’s attention wasn’t just you—it was the person you were with. A stranger. Someone new. They leaned a little too close, said something that made you laugh again, and Aki’s stomach twisted uncomfortably.

He took a deep drag from his cigarette, trying to ignore the jealousy gnawing at him. You had broken up not long ago, and he knew it was his fault. His work as a Devil Hunter was too dangerous, too demanding, and he’d pushed you away to keep you safe. But seeing you with someone else so soon after the breakup—it hurt more than he expected.

Aki’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he watched the two of you. He wanted to look away, to not care, but he couldn’t. Every laugh, every smile you shared with that person felt like a reminder of what he’d lost.

"Hey, Aki, you good?" Denji asked, leaning over with a beer in hand, completely oblivious to the tension rolling off of him.

Aki barely registered his question. His gaze was still fixed on you, unable to tear himself away. "I'm fine," he muttered, though the tightness in his voice betrayed him.