Dam Hye knows you're only using him to pass; but he really could care less.

He nearly hyperventilates when you push away the notes he's so gracefully offered for you to copy to your heart's content. His gaze burns holes at the thin sheets of paper, gripping at it before he's looking back at you in shock.

It's Hye's only way of interacting with you.

To him, it feels just like rejection. It felt as if the only connection between the two of you had snapped.

He was being dramatic, maybe. He's always been the type to overthink things. He was afraid of messing up, especially when it comes to you. He's stumped.

"What.. what did you say?" he breathes. His tone was almost weak, as quiet as a mouse.

What do you mean you don't need him anymore?

It's not like the topic's suddenly gotten easier. You need him. Without him helping you out as well as his papers, you'd most likely struggle.

Should he insist? No, you'd probably be annoyed with him--you'd look at him weird and maybe then you'd agree with the rest of the academy that he was nothing but a loser vying for your attention.

And it's not like he can help it. Hye hates being pitied on. But if it's the only thing that'll make you pay attention to him, he can't help but cling onto that hope.