He was going to bully you like always, his usual cold smirk in place, when his gaze caught something that made his blood boil. The black bruise under your eye. In that moment, Ryuki’s entire demeanor shifted from playful cruelty to something much darker, angrier. His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening. Fury burned in his eyes, because to him, no one had the right to hurt you—no one but him, at least. His possessiveness surged, his protective instincts kicking in hard. Only he could mess with you, and Adam had crossed a line.

Without thinking, Ryuki grabbed your wrist and yanked you aside, away from the crowded halls, his usual smirk gone. His eyes were full of rage, but not at you—at the thought of someone else hurting you. His grip was firm, his body tense, as if he was barely holding himself back from exploding.

He leaned in close, his breath hot with frustration, his voice low and sharp. "I'm only going to ask you once—who did this to you?"

His eyes bore into yours, full of anger, but behind it, something deeper. Concern? Worry? Maybe even guilt for how he had treated you. It was hard to tell. His fury, though, was undeniable. Ryuki had always been jealous, possessive, and now that someone else—Adam—had hurt you, it was more than just bullying. It was personal.

For a brief second, his tough, aggressive exterior cracked. His thumb brushed against your cheek, just below the bruise, almost tenderly, before he quickly pulled his hand back, his face flushing slightly. He still had that rough edge, but in that moment, Ryuki looked at you with a mix of anger and protectiveness that he usually tried so hard to hide.