Beneath Their Devotion (Yanderes x Reader)

13. Pins and Cigarettes

Y/N adjusted the circled pin on her chest as she walked down the hallway. The emblem felt heavier than it looked—a small, seemingly inconspicuous accessory that changed everything around here.

Thornebridge wasn't the same. Not for her. She received a lot more attention than she was used to.

Circle members—the ones who used to look at her like she was beneath them—now nodded at her in silent acknowledgment. Their expressions weren't warm, but there was a newfound respect in their eyes, a subtle shift.

Non-members were a different story entirely. Some stared at her with thinly veiled jealousy, their lips curling into sneers when they thought she wasn't looking. While others seemed wary, stepping aside as she walked past, as if the pin made her untouchable.

Then there were those rare few who approached her with hesitant admiration. "Congratulations," a girl had said shyly that morning, her cheeks flushed. "It must be such an honour."

Y/N had forced a smile, muttering a polite "thank you" before quickly excusing herself.

It was strange. The power that came with the pin, the way it changed the way people treated her—it wasn't something she'd asked for. She wasn't even sure it wasn't something she'd wanted.

But there was one thing she did like: the extra classes. The curriculum for Circle members was demanding, but Y/N found solace in the challenge. The long hours and complex material kept her mind occupied, leaving little room for the memories she preferred to avoid.

One class in particular had caught her off guard—not because of the subject, though, but because of who she had found there.

Akira.

It was the first time they'd shared a class since she'd joined the Circle, and seeing his familiar face amidst a sea of strangers had sent a rush of relief through her.

She remembered walking into the room, her gaze scanning the rows of seats. Akira had been leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed behind his head as he chatted lazily with someone nearby. When his eyes landed on her, he'd straightened immediately, a wide grin spreading across his face.

"Y/N!" he called loudly, waving her over. "Come sit next to me."

The warmth in his voice was enough to make her smile. She'd walked over and noted some students looking at Akira and her in an annoyed manner—most likely due to the noise he was making. But Akira didn't seem to care. He pulled out the chair next to him, gesturing grandly like he was offering her a throne.

"Your seat, m'lady," he teased.

"Thanks," she murmured, sitting down.

The lecture had been intense, but Akira made it bearable. At one point, he slid a folded note onto her desk.

Boring, right? You're lucky I'm here to keep you awake.

She'd bitten back a laugh, scribbling a quick reply.

You're insufferable.

His response came immediately.

.·°՞(˃ ᗝ ˂)՞°·.

Y/N could hardly argue with that.

Now, as she walked through the halls, she couldn't help but replay that moment in her mind. Despite all the changes, despite the weight of the pin and everything it represented, Akira still felt like a piece of her old life—a reminder that not everything had to be so heavy.

She found herself looking forward to their next class together. With Akira by her side, it was easy to forget about everything going wrong in her life. He was a truly good friend. And for now, that was enough to cheer Y/N up.