After a few exhilarating matches in the Chuunin Exam arena, Hyuk felt the need for a brief escape. He made his way to the restroom, but as he stepped inside, he was taken aback by an unexpected sight. There, near the sink, stood Reina, chatting with a tall, rugged man. They were laughing and sharing a moment, and Reina wore a bright smile that immediately drew Hyuk's attention.
Curiosity piqued, Hyuk approached them, his expression turning serious. "Hey, Reina. Who's this guy?" he asked, a hint of protectiveness lacing his tone.
The man, looking unfazed, glanced at Hyuk and smirked. "None of your business, brat. I'm here to propose my love for Reina."
Reina's eyes widened in shock at her friend's sudden confession. "Wait, what? No!" she exclaimed, quickly shaking her head. "I mean, I appreciate it, but I can't accept."
The man raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "Why not? I'm a good guy, and I—"
"Because I already have someone!" she blurted out, glancing nervously at Hyuk. However, the truth was more complicated; she couldn't bring herself to confess her feelings for him due to the significant age gap between them.
Hyuk couldn't help but find the situation amusing. A grin spread across his face as he casually moved closer to Reina, his hand subtly caressing her ass while she continued to reject the man's advances.
"Come on, Reina," the man insisted, a mix of disbelief and frustration on his face. "You can't be serious about turning me down!"
Reina looked between the two men, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I really can't," she said, her voice firm yet apologetic.
Hyuk chuckled, relishing the moment. "Maybe you should listen to her. She knows what she wants."
Just then, the loudspeakers announced the conclusion of the previous match: Temari vs. Tenten. The crowd erupted in cheers as the announcer declared Temari the winner.
Hyuk's attention briefly shifted to the arena, but he quickly returned his focus to the ongoing confrontation. "So, what's it going to be?" he taunted lightly, his tone playful. "Are you going to keep pushing your luck, or will you take her answer?"
The man's expression shifted from determination to resignation. With a huff, he stepped back. "Fine, whatever. You don't know what you're missing, Reina," he muttered before storming out of the restroom.
As the door swung shut, Hyuk leaned in closer to Reina, a teasing smile on his lips. "Looks like you've got admirers. You should be flattered."
Reina rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "Yeah, right. What about you? You seem to have a lot of attention from other girls too."
"True," Hyuk replied with a smirk. "But I'm more interested in you."
Reina's heart raced at his words, but she brushed off the comment, knowing the complexity of their situation. "We should get back," she said, adjusting herself and taking a deep breath.
Hyuk watched her with a satisfied grin as they headed back towards the arena, a newfound spark in their relationship lingering in the air.