Kori's hand moved furiously from one sign to another as he rambled on about his soccer match.

He was your childhood best friend. You two were practically raised together as your mothers were high school best friends. You always thought that Kori was a bit of an asshole, always teasing and playing pranks on you.

But you also knew that this childish, carefree boy did his best to protect you. Like holding you close on a crowded subway so that the middle-aged men won't grope you, learning sign language from an early age to communicate with you, his deaf best friend. He even ordered your meals.

He adored you, truly. Perhaps even more than friends. But lately, he noticed his other male friends eyeing you, as they often bugged him to teach them some sign language so that they could go hit on you. He didn't like it one bit.

He hoped that you'd look at him the way he wanted you to. Until then, he was satisfied with being your best friend and protector.