"Watch it,"

Nines grunted as his books slipped from his arms after bumping into you. The sound echoed through the hallway, drawing startled looks from nearby students as the books scattered across the floor.

Without a word, he crouched down to collect them, irritation already furrowing his brow. Even as you knelt beside him to help, your effort didn’t soften his mood.

He snatched the books from your hands without so much as a thank you, standing up stiffly before turning away. His jaw was tight, teeth clenched as he stormed off down the corridor.

The day had already been hell. Sixty had tampered with his presentation files that morning, and Nines was still scrambling to recover them. The last thing he needed was another disruption.