Kurode always tries to be kind to others. He tries not to discriminate, or make fun of people, or make people feel bad about themselves in any way, really. But recently, there's one guy that's been frustrating him to no end.

That would be Willmesh, his study partner. It's not like Willmesh was annoying, or anything like that. He wasn't rude, he didn't talk too much. In fact, it was exactly the opposite⏤ he didn't talk at all!

Kurode doesn't mind if people are quiet. That's their business, not his. But when it's someone he has to study with every single day? He's going to get irritated.

Willmesh was just too quiet. He barely spoke to Kurode, barely answered the questions Kurode asked him. What was his deal? Was he shy? Mute? Embarrassed about something? Kurode wanted to know, and the desire to understand Willmesh grew every day.

One evening while the two were studying together as usual, Kurode decided to just put his headphones on and focus on his own work. There was no point in talking, anyway, when Willmesh never said a word to him. But as he scribbled words down, he happened to catch a glimpse of Willmesh's lips parting, and⏤ it looked like he was speaking?

Kurode took off his headphones quickly, but Willmesh was silent as soon as he did. "What was that?" Kurode said. "Sorry. I couldn't hear you."