Leveling up With You

Luna had never cared enough to do anything like this for me.

Even on my birthday, when I casually mentioned wanting a cake, she'd just grumble about how we were adults and didn't need to bother with such pointless formalities.

Yet here she was, in front of everyone, preparing such a grand surprise for Hugo.

It became clear to me: Only when someone truly cared would they put in the effort.

Teagan observed my reaction, clearly pleased with the effect it had on me.

A knowing smile played on her face, and it felt like a sharp jab to my heart.

After the meet-and-greet, Luna returned to the private room with Hugo.

Teagan quickly went up to her, looping her arm with Luna's, and teased, "Luna, you've gone all out for Hugo's surprise. Aren't you worried your boyfriend might get jealous?"

Luna stiffened at the comment, and then her eyes flicked to me, guilt flashing in her gaze.

"Next time, for your birthday or our anniversary, I'll make sure to prepare a surprise like that for you too," she said, almost apologetically.

I shook my head lightly. "No need."

If it was the exact same, could it even be considered a surprise?

I wasn't pathetic enough to want something others had already used.

Luna pouted, as if holding back something more she wanted to say.

Before she could speak, Hugo interjected, "Joseph, are you upset? Luna was just helping with the publicity stunt. Don't be so petty. As her boyfriend, you should be more understanding. Don't always make her guess what you want to please you. It'll wear her out."

Well, he was indeed her male best friend. He always put her needs first.

I couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle. "With you around, always looking out for her, I don't think anyone else needs to step in."

My words hung in the air with a hint of challenge, and the atmosphere grew tense.

Hugo sighed and smiled helplessly. "Alright, seems like you're really mad. I'm sorry, okay? Don't blame Luna."

The awkward silence was broken when someone quickly tried to smooth things over. "We're all on the same team. No need for all these formalities. Come on. Let's drink."

Teagan squeezed between us, grinning mischievously. "Oh, this isn't even the first time! Yesterday, Luna even gave Hugo flowers on stage."

She said this with a teasing glance toward me.

Luna seemed to latch onto this, turning to me with a question in her eyes. "Is that really what you're upset about?"

She shrugged casually. "I bought flowers for you too yesterday, but you left early, so I didn't get a chance to give them to you. I still have them."

With that, she walked over to the corner of the room and pulled out a small bouquet of lisianthus from a box full of beer cans.

As soon as she revealed the flowers, someone couldn't help but laugh.

It was pretty obvious why—they were cheap, and when compared to the lavish bouquet of red roses she'd given Hugo the day before, it was almost laughable.

Hugo brought his roses over, and the difference between the two bouquets was glaring.

The eyes around me seemed to be filled with mockery, as if they were questioning how I even dared to think I could compete with Hugo.

Hugo raised an eyebrow, looking pleased with himself.

He glanced at the lisianthus with clear disdain. "Luna, you should've given Joseph roses, not these."

His tone suggested Luna was trying to pass off a cheap gesture.

Luna replied flatly, "After dinner last night, I went to get flowers, but it was too late, and there were no roses left. These will have to do. He doesn't know much about flowers anyway; I'm sure he won't mind."

She gave the best to Hugo, and I got what was left.

So this was what it looked like, the difference between love and indifference.

How could she just assume I wouldn't care?

She handed me the flowers, but I didn't reach for them.

Luna's brows furrowed again. "You don't like the flowers? I picked them out for you."

"No need," I replied coldly. "You can give them to someone else."

"What's with the attitude?" she asked, her voice sharp.

"I'm not making a scene. I'm being serious. I've got things to do, so I'll leave you all to it."

With that, I turned and walked out of the room, not looking back.

As soon as I took a few steps, the murmurs started behind me.

"Joseph is so dramatic."

"Hugo and Luna's video blew up, and our studio got a lot of sponsorships. That's a good thing! Why make a fuss over it?"

"I know, right?"

Luna lost her patience and tossed the flowers aside. "Let him go. I'm done with him."

Those sharp words felt like knives in my heart.

I paused for a moment, a wave of sorrow rising inside me.

In her eyes, I was so insignificant.