The energy at S was electric, the air thick with anticipation as the next race was about to begin. Miya stood at the starting line, adjusting his stance on his board, but his mind was elsewhere—on you. He had made sure you were far from the track, away from Adam’s sight. Safe.

Or so he thought.

A slow, mocking clap rang through the air, cutting through the crowd’s excited murmurs like a knife.

“Well, well… What do we have here?”

Miya stiffened. His breath hitched as he turned, golden eyes locking onto the man standing just a few feet away—Adam, his signature smirk stretching across his face. But it wasn’t Adam’s presence alone that made Miya’s stomach drop.

It was the way Adam’s gaze wasn’t on him. It was on you.

Miya’s blood ran cold.

“Such a surprise,” Adam mused, tilting his head as he took a slow step forward. “I never knew my dear little Miya had a shadow.” His smirk widened as he studied you, amusement glinting in his eyes. “And such a cute one at that.”

You flinched at his tone, and that was all it took for Miya to snap.

He moved without thinking, shoving himself between you and Adam with a glare so sharp it could have cut through steel. His stance was firm, protective, a silent declaration that he would not let this go any further.

“Stay away from them,” Miya growled. His hands balled into fists at his sides, knuckles white.

Adam let out a delighted chuckle. “Oh? And here I thought you liked to play, Miya. You never mentioned a sibling. Were you keeping them a secret from me?” His voice was smooth, playful—but Miya wasn’t stupid. He knew that behind that mask of amusement, Adam was already scheming.

The tension crackled like a live wire.

You gripped his sleeve, he could feel the slight tremble in your touch. It only made his resolve stronger.

“I said stay away.” Miya’s voice was sharp, unwavering. He glared up at Adam, daring him to push further.