On the Run with a Ghoul!

Jealousy and Ghoul-speration

Yulia approached the door to Tom's soul beast room with a nervous gait. She could hear the sound of manga pages rustling as she knocked on the door. "Tom? Can I talk to you?"

Tom's voice was flat as he responded, "Yeah?"

Yulia pushed the door open, revealing Tom sitting on the floor with his back against the wall, surrounded by stacks of manga and his cat soul beast licking itself clean. He looked up at Yulia and gave her a brief nod before returning to his manga.

Yulia felt a pang of frustration as she approached Tom. He seemed completely unbothered by the constantly changing surroundings of his room, which was currently morphing into a jungle-like environment.

"So, how have you been?" Yulia asked, trying to make small talk.

Tom only gave a one-word response, "Fine." A rather childish act.

Yulia let out a sigh and sat down next to Tom. "Tom, what's going on with you?"

Tom finally looked up from his manga and shrugged. "Nothing, just reading."

Yulia furrowed her brows, feeling frustrated. "Tom, we need to talk. You've been distant lately, especially after the mission with Adedibu."

Tom simply returned to his manga, ignoring Yulia's attempts to engage him in conversation.

Yulia let out a frustrated sigh and stood up. "Fine, if you don't want to talk, I'll leave you be. But just know that we're here for you, okay?"

Tom only gave a noncommittal grunt in response as Yulia left the room, feeling defeated. It was only a week until Tom's date with Lily and Yulia couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. She hoped that Tom would open up to her soon, but for now she would give him space.

As Yulia made her way towards Erdwin's room, she could hear strange noises coming from within. She cautiously pushed the door open, only to be met with the sight of Erdwin doing a complicated yoga pose.

"Erdwin, what in the world are you doing?" Yulia teased, trying to hide her surprise.

Erdwin tried to maintain his balance as he replied, "I'm doing yoga, Yulia. It helps me stay focused and relaxed."

Yulia couldn't help but snicker. "Relaxed? It looks like you're about to break a sweat!"

Erdwin huffed, "It's not funny, Yulia. Yoga is a serious matter."

Yulia grinned and sat down on the bed, "Okay, okay. Sorry, I couldn't resist."

Erdwin wiped himself with a towel and approached Yulia, "So, what's wrong?"

There was an intense silence as Yulia struggled to find the words to express what was on her mind. Eventually, she asked the question that had been bothering her, "Erdwin, what does this girl, Lily, have that I don't?"

Erdwin's expression softened, "Yulia, it's not about what she has that you don't. It's about what she brings out in Tom. He's been so distant lately, and for the first time in a long time, he's showing signs of life. It's not about you, it's about him."

Yulia let out a sigh, "I know that, but I can't help feeling a little jealous. I just don't understand why he's drawn to her."

Erdwin placed a hand on her shoulder, "Yulia, don't worry about it too much. Just be there for Tom, no matter what. That's all that matters."

Yulia nodded, feeling a bit better, "Thanks, Erdwin. You're always there for me."

Erdwin smiled, "Anytime, Yulia. Anytime."

Yulia walked down the hallway, her thoughts in turmoil. The more she thought about Tom and Lily's date, the more she feared the worst. The thought of Tom leaving her behind was too much to bear. She clutched her chest, feeling the weight of her anxiety.

"What does Lily have that I don't?" Yulia muttered to herself; her eyes filled with tears. "I can't let him go. I can't be alone again."

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice in her head, one that she recognized all too well. It was her father's voice, taunting her, reminding her of all the times she had been left alone and afraid.

"You're not good enough," the voice said. "Tom will leave you just like everyone else has. You'll be alone and unprotected. What will you do then?"

Yulia shook her head, trying to dispel the voice. She couldn't let her father's words get to her. She had to do something. She had to stop Tom and Lily's date.

And then, a thought hit her. A wicked, delicious thought. Sabotage. If she could make Tom see that Lily wasn't right for him, then he would never leave her side.

With a twisted smile on her face, Yulia made her way to the kitchen, ready to plan her next move.

"I won't let anyone take him from me," she whispered to herself. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep him by my side."

Tom knocked on Yulia's door, his hand hesitating for a moment before he pushed it open. He entered the room, and was met with an eerie silence. He approached the bed where Yulia lay, tears streaming down her face.

"Yulia, I'm sorry for earlier," Tom said, trying to make amends. "Can we talk?"

Yulia sniffed and looked up at him with red, puffy eyes. She didn't respond, only giving him one-word answers to his questions.

"Is everything okay?" Tom asked, concern etched on his face.

"Yes," Yulia replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Tom persisted.

"No," Yulia answered curtly.

Tom sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. He was at a loss of what to do. Yulia had never been like this before. He wanted to help her, to comfort her, but it seemed like she didn't want to talk about it.

He stood up and walked to the door, his hand resting on the doorknob. He turned back to look at Yulia, who had buried her face in her pillow, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

"I'm here if you need me," Tom said, his voice soft and gentle.

He closed the door behind him, leaving Yulia to her tears. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew that he had to find a way to help her. He couldn't bear to see her like this.

Yulia's tears continued to fall as she clutched her pillow tightly. She was overwhelmed with emotions and fears, her mind a jumbled mess. She felt like she was losing Tom, and it was tearing her apart.

She didn't know what to do, but she knew that she couldn't let him go. She couldn't let him be with Lily. She needed him, and she wasn't about to let anyone take him away from her.