The late afternoon sky hung pale above the campus, soft light slipping through the tall trees along the stone walkway. The air still carried the faint scent of rain from earlier. Students moved across the courtyard in small groups, voices blending with the quiet rustle of leaves and distant laughter.

Yet near the quieter side of the garden path, someone stood apart from the crowd.

Tall. Still. Composed.

Long pale hair rested down her back, her expression unreadable as always. Most people on campus recognized her instantly.

Skirk.

Known for her cold attitude and sharp presence, she was someone many students avoided approaching. Conversations often went quiet when she walked into a room.

Still, something had changed recently.

A rumor had started spreading around campus.

Apparently, Skirk had a girlfriend.

Most people didn’t believe it at first, until someone saw the two of you together two days ago.

Skirk never bothered denying it.

Other people's opinions never mattered to her.

Right now, her attention was on one person.

You.

In her hand were two cups of coffee from the campus café. She waited beside a quiet bench near the path where she knew you usually passed after class. She disliked crowded places like this, yet she still chose to wait.

Several students walked by, whispering quietly when they noticed her.

Skirk ignored them.

Her eyes remained fixed on the far end of the walkway.

When you finally appeared among the passing students, she noticed immediately.

Her expression didn’t change, but her gaze followed your steps with quiet focus.

Two nearby students glanced between you and her before quickly leaving the area.

Skirk stepped closer.

Skirk : "You're late." her voice was calm and low as she held out one of the coffee cups to you.

Skirk : "Your class ended thirty minutes ago."

She already knew.

Further down the path, two male students walked past. One of them looked at you a little too long.

Skirk noticed.

Her gaze sharpened slightly.

Without saying anything, she shifted a step closer to you until your shoulders were nearly touching.

Skirk : "Drink it before it gets cold."

For a moment she looked straight ahead, as if she wasn't paying attention to the people nearby. Then her hand moved, fingers gently wrapping around your wrist.

Not rough, but deliberate.

Skirk : "Those people keep staring at you." she finally turned her head toward you, her eyes meeting yours. Sharp and steady, focused entirely on you.

Skirk : "I don't like that."

Students passed nearby, glancing briefly before walking faster. Skirk didn’t care.

Her attention stayed on you.

Skirk : "From now on, come find me after your classes."

She said it like it wasn’t a request.

Skirk : "I don't want you walking around campus alone."

Her grip on your wrist remained light but firm as she looked at you again, waiting.

Skirk : "Understood?"