Elias spent the next hour analyzing the concept of jealousy. If Lila was experiencing it, then by definition, she perceived that something of value was at risk. But what was that something? Their friendship? The dynamic they shared?

  He couldn’t be sure. But one thing was clear—she had felt something strong enough to visibly change her behavior.

  That, in itself, was interesting.

  Later, when the café neared closing, Elias approached Lila again. She was wiping down a table, her movements a little more aggressive than necessary.

  “Lila.”

  She stiffened but didn’t look at him. “What?”

  “You are still behaving differently.”

  “I said it’s nothing,” she muttered.

  “I spoke with Mina.”

  That made her stop. She froze, rag in hand, and turned to him slowly. “You what?”

  “Mina informed me that you are experiencing jealousy.”

  Lila’s face went bright red.

  “Wh— What?!” She practically threw the rag onto the table. “I—I am not jealous!”

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  “Then Mina is incorrect?”

  “Yes! No! I mean— Ugh!” Lila covered her face with her hands, groaning.

  Elias continued watching her. “Your reaction suggests that Mina was, in fact, correct.”

  She peeked at him from between her fingers. “You really don’t understand what you’re saying, do you?”

  “I understand the definition of jealousy,” Elias said. “I do not, however, understand why you are experiencing it.”

  Lila groaned again. Then, taking a deep breath, she looked at him with an exasperated expression. “It’s—It’s not a big deal, okay? It’s just—Seeing you get so much attention today was annoying.”

  “Why?”

  “Because!” she blurted out. “You were acting all cool and charming without even trying, and all those girls were so into it, and I just—” She stopped herself, pressing her lips together.

  Elias waited.

  Lila fidgeted, tapping her fingers against the table. “…It’s not fair.”

  “Fair?”

  She let out a frustrated sigh. “You don’t even realize what you do to people, Elias. You just—exist, and somehow, everyone finds you cool or attractive or interesting, and meanwhile, I—” She clamped her mouth shut again, cheeks still burning.

  Elias studied her carefully. “You are comparing yourself to them?”

  Lila’s eyes flickered with something—something she quickly tried to mask. “No! I mean—Ugh, just forget it!” She spun around, heading toward the back room.

  Elias, however, was not ready to let this conversation end.

  Before she could escape, he reached out—lightly grabbing her wrist.

  Lila stopped.

  A tense silence followed.

  When she turned back to him, her expression was unreadable. “Elias…?”

  He met her gaze, still holding her wrist. “I do not know why those girls were interested in me.”

  Lila’s lips parted slightly.

  “I do not understand why their attention made you upset,” he continued. “But if this situation has caused you distress, then I wish to correct it.”

  Lila blinked. Her eyes softened, and a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.

  “…You really are something else, huh?”

  Elias tilted his head. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

  She laughed lightly. “I haven’t decided yet.”

  He let go of her wrist.

  For a moment, she just stood there, looking at him in a way that made his mind pause—like there was an answer in her eyes he wasn’t ready to see yet.

  Then, with a shake of her head, she turned toward the back room again. “Come on. We still have cleaning to do.”

  Elias watched her go, still deep in thought.

  Lila’s reactions were… unique.

  And for the first time, he wondered if there was something he was failing to see.