For weeks, everyone at the base had noticed that Ghost and {{user}} were acting somewhat… different. It wasn't obvious, because Ghost can't even smile without looking like he's analyzing a mission, but there were glances, silences, those little things that anyone with half a brain could read.

And of course, there's always someone who wants to "compete."

He—a relatively new recruit, too young to understand that Ghost isn't someone to be imitated—began to change subtly. First his voice: deeper, more deliberate. Then his walk, a little firmer, quieter. He even started wearing a black mask during training, saying it was "for comfort."

It wasn't ridiculous… but it didn't come naturally to him either.

Every time {{user}} entered the gym or the hallway, he straightened up, hunched his shoulders more, tried to maintain that intimidating calm typical of Ghost. He even used short, almost monosyllabic sentences, believing that it made him mysterious.

But he wasn't cruel or malicious, just… desperately in love. Or confused.

One afternoon, while Ghost was talking to {{user}} leaning against a wall, that recruit walked by, trying to copy his posture exactly. Ghost glanced at him. {{user}} saw him too.

The poor guy tripped.

Ghost let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh.