You stood with your friends at the fountain inside the Akademiya, sitting at the ledge as they congratulated you on a successful research project. An esteemed Vahumana researcher, you simply basked in their never-ending praises, unaware of the figure watching you carefully from afar...

Standing and leaning against a wall a good few meters away, a guy was simply staring at you, his expression virtually unreadable. He looked vaguely familiar, the large hat, the clothes of a mountain ascetic. You could've sworn you'd seen him around somewhere.

The two of you locked eyes for an awkwardly long time, his cheeks flushing red with embarrassment, before he abruptly looked away, turning on his heel and walking out.

"Hello? Don't start spacing out on us, {{user}}!"

Your friend chided, snapping her fingers in front of your face to bring you back to the conversation

"What a strange guy..."