This time—
They didn't hide it.
Jared noticed immediately.
"…focus shift," he said.
"…what now."
"…they're not watching me."
Silence.
Iris blinked.
"…then who—"
She stopped.
Slowly.
"…me?"
"…yes."
"…NOPE."
"…confirmed."
"…I DON'T LIKE THIS."
"…neither do I."
As they walked—
Jared adjusted position.
Slightly ahead.
Blocking.
"…you're doing it again," Iris said.
"…protective positioning."
"…you're making it obvious."
"…intentional."
"…WHY."
"…to observe reaction."
"…I'M THE REACTION?!"
"…yes."
"…I HATE THIS."
A group of students passed.
One glanced at Iris—
Too long.
Too focused.
Jared stepped between them.
"…distance," he said coldly.
The student looked away instantly.
Left.
Silence.
Iris swallowed.
"…that wasn't normal."
"…no."
"…they're really using me, aren't they?"
A pause.
Jared didn't answer immediately.
Because—
This wasn't just theory anymore.
"…yes," he said.
Silence.
Iris looked down.
"…so I'm a weakness."
"…no."
"…don't lie."
"…you're a variable."
"…THAT'S WORSE."
"…it means they're measuring your impact on me."
Silence.
"…and?" she asked quietly.
Jared's answer came without hesitation.
"…significant."
Iris froze.
"…what."
"…you affect my decisions."
Silence.
"…that's new," she whispered.
"…yes."
"…should I be worried?"
"…yes."
"…WOW THANKS."
Jared looked ahead.
Eyes sharper than before.
Because now—
The equation changed.
It wasn't just him anymore.
Which meant—
They escalated.
So would he.
"…new protocol," he said.
"…I don't like your protocols."
"…protect you."
Silence.
Iris blinked.
"…you're serious."
"…yes."
"…like… actually serious."
"…yes."
A pause.
Then—
A small, nervous smile.
"…okay… that's kind of reassuring."
"…temporary."
"…you ruined it."
"…noted."
But Jared didn't relax.
Because now—
He understood the real shift.
This wasn't just a test of intelligence.
It was a test of—
Attachment.