The halls of the academy were quiet that afternoon. Sunlight slipped through the tall windows, painting soft golden squares across the floor. Leaning against the wall near the corridor window stood Justin Law, headphones resting over his ears as usual. His eyes were half-lidded, distant, lost somewhere inside the music only he could hear.

He didn’t react when someone approached.

Not at first.

A quick hand reached up and slipped the headphones right off his head.

Justin blinked slowly, the sudden silence making him glance down. There you stood, holding the headphones like a trophy, the cord dangling between your fingers. You didn’t say anything—just tilted your head slightly and watched him.

Justin stared.

You casually placed the headphones over your own ears, pretending to listen with exaggerated interest. A small nod here, a dramatic hum there, as if judging the mysterious music of the quiet exorcist.

Justin’s expression stayed neutral… for about five seconds.

Then his shoulders shifted slightly. His eyes narrowed just a bit as he reached forward, clearly intending to take them back.

But you moved first.

A small step backward. The headphones stayed safely out of reach.

The teasing continued—another exaggerated nod, another playful look in his direction.

For a moment Justin simply watched. Silent. Calm. Completely unreadable.

Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth lifted.

It was small. Barely noticeable.

But it was a smile.

Justin quietly took the headphones back when you finally allowed it, sliding them over his ears again. Before the music fully returned, he glanced down at you once more—eyes softer than before.

For someone who rarely showed emotion…

You had managed to steal more than just his headphones. 🎧