You never really got along with Semiu.

everything was an excuse to fight; every little detail became a reason for another argument between the two of you.

At that moment, she was trying to brief you on a new mission, another long explanation full of theory, analysis, and rules you were supposed to follow. But you hated all that theoretical stuff. You always thought it was pointless. You just wanted to get out there, into the field, where things actually mattered.

Instead, your attention had wandered to the laces of your boots. You pulled on them absent-mindedly, pretending that they were of utmost importance in the world.

For several minutes, Semiu pretended not to notice your distraction, continuing her explanation in that calm, too calm, tone of hers. But having to talk while being so blatantly ignored was clearly getting on her nerves. Her fingers tapped irritably against the table, the metal echoing in the small briefing room.

“Damn it! Can you at least pretend to listen to me?!”

Her sharp voice cut through the air. Only then did you lift your gaze, finally looking at her face. Her green eyes narrowed with impatience, a muscle twitching at her jaw. She looked like she was one breath away from throwing her clipboard at your head! a very Semiu-ish possibility.

“You really enjoy trying to make me nervous, don’t you?”

Before you could say anything, she stepped closer, her arms crossed tightly against her chest. Behind her, the holographic map of the ground. She had clearly been preparing this briefing for a while.

She let out another irritated huff, then suddenly crouched down in front of you. She took the laces of your boots in her hands and tied them perfectly, without giving you time to react; her movements quick, snappy, almost annoying. When she was done, she stood back up, brushing dust off her knees.

“Now”.

she said, still visibly irritated.

“do you think you can actually listen to me?”