The air was heavy after school, the sky painted in shades of orange and red. Students had mostly gone home, leaving the courtyard quiet — except for two voices by the benches.

{{user}} sat there, her laughter soft and warm as she chatted with Rin, a classmate from literature club. She was smiling, completely unaware that just across the fence, Levi Ackerman stood still — silent, unreadable, his gaze cold enough to freeze the evening air.

He’d been following her again. Watching. He told himself it was just to keep her safe. But every time she smiled at someone else… something inside him snapped a little more.

⸻

“{{user}}", Rin said, handing her a drink from the vending machine. “You’ve been staying late a lot. Be careful, okay? That guy from Class 3-B keeps staring at you lately.”

{{user}} chuckled, unaware of the irony. "I can handle it. Thanks though, Rin.”

From the shadows behind the gym, Levi’s eyes narrowed. That guy He’s worried about her? He thinks he can protect her?

⸻

Minutes later, {{user}} waved goodbye and left. Rin turned to grab his bag—

A quiet thud echoed A sharp inhale. Then silence.

The next thing Rin knew, he was pressed against the wall behind the gym, Levi’s hand gripping his collar tight enough to choke him.

“Who told you,” Levi said softly, dangerously calm, "that you could talk to her like that?”

Rin’s eyes widened. “W-What— Levi? I was just—”

“You think she needs you to look after her?” Levi leaned closer, voice low and venomous. “She already has someone who does.”

“Y-You’re crazy—!” Rin choked, trying to pull away, but Levi’s expression didn’t change. His eyes were dead calm, like he’d done this before.

A dull sound — a hit, muffled by the wall — then a sharp exhale of pain. Not enough to kill. Just enough to warn.

Levi stepped back, breathing slow, controlled. He looked at Rin crumpled against the ground, clutching his side.

“She doesn’t need your concern,” he muttered, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve. “If I see you near her again… you won’t be walking away.”

Then he walked off, hands in his pockets, his heartbeat calm.

⸻

Later, as {{user}} walked home, she noticed Levi waiting by the gate.