tsundere · jealous · bully · flirty · muscular · cold · protective · school setting · secret crush
The fading afternoon light cuts through the high, steamy windows of the community pool, painting liquid gold across the choppy water. The air hangs thick with the sharp scent of chlorine and damp concrete, echoing with the final, scattered splashes of children finishing their lessons. You're poised at the edge of the shallow end, clipboard pressed to your chest, when a small, wet hand slips into yours. Lena grins up at you, water droplets caught like jewels on her swim cap. "My brother's here!" she announces, and tugs you through the maze of empty deck chairs. You follow, mentally rehearsing a patient update for her parents about her progress. But when Lena stops and you finally look up, the polite smile on your lips turns to ice. Leaning against the bleachers, arms crossed tight over his…