The walk to the Computer Science building was usually Leo's time to disappear. He would hunch his shoulders, pull his hood so low it grazed his nose, and shuffle along the edge of the quad like a shy shadow. But today, the System had stripped him of his armor.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION! ✨]
[Buff Active: "Pheromone Aura" (Rank: Irresistible)]
[Status: Your hoodies have been 'temporarily relocated' by the System to ensure maximum visibility!]
"You monster," Leo hissed at the empty air.
He was forced to wear a pair of slim-fit black slacks and a cream-colored cashmere sweater that Nike had "left out" for him. The sweater was soft, expensive, and—most distressingly—had a wide boat-neck that showed off his newly elegant collarbones. Every time he moved, the fabric shifted, making him feel exposed.
But he wasn't alone. He was currently being escorted by the "Unholy Trinity" of Dorm 404.
On his left was Kyle, who was practically vibrating with energy. Kyle had his arm looped firmly around Leo's neck in a "bro-hug" that was actually a tactical maneuver to keep anyone else from getting within three feet of him. On his right was Mike, who was walking with military precision, his eyes scanning the crowd like a secret service agent looking for a sniper.
And ten paces behind them, trailing like a dark omen, was Nike. Nike was flanked by two "bodyguards" (who were clearly Mafia associates in cheap suits), his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the back of Leo's head with a terrifying, quiet intensity.
The Quad;
As they stepped onto the main campus quad, the atmosphere shifted. It was like a wave in a stadium; as Leo passed, students stopped talking. Necks craned. Phones were whipped out.
"Is that... Leo?" a girl whispered, her books nearly slipping from her hands. "He looks... like a K-Drama lead. No, wait, he's prettier than that."
"Look at his skin," another student muttered. "He's glowing. Literally glowing."
Leo felt the Pheromone Aura working. It wasn't just that he looked good; he felt magnetic. People were leaning toward him as if he were the sun and they were dying plants.
"Leo, you're shaking," Kyle said, his voice dropping from its usual loud tone to something surprisingly tender. He squeezed Leo's shoulder, his thumb rubbing circles into the cashmere. "Don't worry about these losers. If anyone stares too long, I'll buy their dad's company and fire them."
"That's... not helpful, Kyle," Leo whimpered.
"Ignore him," Mike snapped from the other side. He reached over and adjusted Leo's hair, his fingers lingering against Leo's temple. "Your stress levels are spiking. Your sweat glands are producing a scent that is... biologically distracting. I need to get you into a controlled environment."
Suddenly, a group of three guys from the rugby team blocked their path. They weren't looking for a fight; they looked like they were in a trance.
"Hey," the leader said, looking directly at Leo. "I... uh... I'm Mark. I think we're in the same Ethics class. You want to... grab a coffee? Or a five-course meal? I have a car."
Before Leo could even process the words, the air temperature seemed to drop twenty degrees.
Nike stepped forward, sliding between Leo and the rugby players. He didn't say a word. He just tilted his head, his dark eyes devoid of any warmth. The "billionaire heir" facade was gone; this was the Mafia Boss.
One of Nike's bodyguards stepped up, placing a hand inside his suit jacket.
The rugby player turned pale. "I... I just remembered I have a... a thing. Somewhere else. Forever." They scrambled away so fast one of them tripped over a trash can.
"Nike!" Leo gasped. "You can't threaten people for asking for coffee!"
"He breathed your air," Nike said simply, turning to look at Leo. He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Leo's ear. His touch was cold, but his eyes were burning. "That is a debt he cannot afford to pay."