𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐒

Chapter 12 : The Flirting Incident

It was a typical day at the coaching center, with students bustling about, preparing for exams. Amayra sat in the study area, focused on her notes, when a guy from another batch approached her.

Guy : *smirking* Hey there, Amayra. Studying hard as always?

Amayra glanced up, offering a polite smile before returning her attention to her books. The guy took this as encouragement and continued chatting, his tone becoming increasingly flirtatious.

Guy : *leaning closer* You know, Amayra, we should hang out sometime. I could help you relax after all this studying.

Amayra felt uncomfortable with the guy's forwardness but tried to remain polite.

Amayra : *gently* Um, thank you, but I’m actually not interested.

The guy persisted, oblivious to Amayra's discomfort. Just then, Gojo walked over, sensing the tension in the air.

Gojo, watching from a distance, smirked and thought,  “ One more word from him, and I'll make sure he knows exactly who she belongs to.”

Gojo : *casually* Hey, Amayra. Sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got that group study session soon.

Amayra glanced gratefully at Gojo, silently hoping the guy would take the hint and leave. But he didn’t.

Guy : *smirking at Gojo* Oh, so you’re the lucky guy. I see why Amayra’s always busy.

Gojo’s easy smile faltered slightly, his protective instincts kicking in.

Gojo : *calmly* Yeah, I’m lucky. We should get going, Amayra.

Amayra nodded, relieved that Gojo was there. As they walked away, Gojo couldn’t help but feel irritated by the guy's persistence.

A few days passed, and the same guy continued to make subtle advances towards Amayra whenever he got the chance. Gojo noticed Amayra becoming more visibly uncomfortable each time.

Gojo : *finally confronting the guy* Hey, man. Can I have a word?

The guy looked surprised but nodded, following Gojo to a quieter corner of the study area.

Gojo : *firmly* Look, I’ve noticed you’ve been making Amayra uncomfortable with your advances. She’s in a relationship with me, and I expect you to respect that.

The guy shrugged dismissively, trying to play it off.

Guy : *smirking* It’s not like you own her, man. She can make her own choices.

Gojo’s temper flared, his protective instincts overriding his usual calm demeanor.

Gojo : *intensely* You’re right. She can. And she’s chosen to be with me. So, I suggest you back off and find someone else to flirt with.

The guy, taken aback by Gojo’s sudden intensity, muttered a half-hearted apology before walking away. Gojo took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before returning to Amayra's side.

Finding Amayra still studying, Gojo sat down beside her, his earlier anger dissipating as he focused on comforting her.

Gojo : *softly* Hey, are you okay?

Amayra nodded, offering a small smile of gratitude.

Amayra : *quietly* Yeah, thanks for stepping in, Gojo.

Gojo : *gently* You don’t have to deal with that on your own, Amayra. I’m here for you.

Amayra leaned into Gojo’s side, feeling safe and reassured by his presence.

Amayra : *sincerely* I know. And I appreciate it more than you know.

As Amayra settled back into her studies, Gojo couldn’t help but glance at her, his mind replaying the recent encounter. He was usually the easygoing type, confident in his charm and abilities, but when it came to Amayra, his feelings were different. He found himself getting protective, even possessive, something he hadn’t expected. But it wasn’t because he doubted her — it was because he couldn’t bear the thought of anyone making her uncomfortable.

The coaching center buzzed around them, students chattering and flipping through their notes, but all Gojo could focus on was the serene look on Amayra’s face as she resumed her studies. There was a certain peace that came over him when she was close, and he knew that his earlier confrontation with the guy was necessary, not just to protect her, but also to reaffirm the boundaries of their relationship.

As they continued studying, Gojo couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered in his mind. He wanted to make sure Amayra knew just how much he cared — how much she meant to him.

"I’ve always been the guy who could brush things off, but when it comes to her… I can’t just stand by. I need her to know that she’s safe with me, that I’ll always be here to protect her, even from the little things."

__________

As Gojo and Amayra resumed their study session, the atmosphere in the coaching center felt noticeably different. The earlier tension had dissipated, replaced by a comfortable quiet that settled between them. Amayra, feeling a renewed sense of security, focused on her notes with greater ease. Gojo sat beside her, his presence a calming influence as he occasionally glanced up from his own study materials to check on her.

The clock ticked on, and the once-bustling study area began to empty as students finished for the day. The soft murmur of conversations dwindled, leaving behind a peaceful quiet. Gojo, noticing the dwindling crowd, decided it was the perfect moment for a bit of distraction.

Gojo : *playfully* “You know, with everyone heading out, it looks like we’re going to have the place all to ourselves soon.”

Amayra : *smiling* “Yeah, it’s kind of nice. It feels less stressful when it’s quieter.”

Gojo : *teasingly* “If you need a break, I’m more than happy to provide some ‘study-related’ entertainment.”

Amayra laughed softly, her earlier discomfort now a distant memory thanks to Gojo’s lightheartedness. She looked around the nearly empty room, appreciating the serene environment.

Amayra : *jokingly* “And what kind of ‘entertainment’ do you have in mind?”

Gojo : *grinning* “How about a quick game of ‘guess the topic’ based on my ridiculous clues? It’s a study break tradition.”

Amayra : *raising an eyebrow* “I’m intrigued. Let’s hear your best shot.”

Gojo leaned back in his chair, adopting a dramatic tone as he began his game. His exaggerated gestures and humorous hints had Amayra laughing, momentarily forgetting the stress of the past few days. The light-hearted distraction was exactly what she needed, and Gojo’s ability to make her smile was his form of comforting her.