"I hate you."
That was the first thought that crossed Ivan's mind every time his eyes landed on you.
He couldn't understand it.
How... how had you managed to make Till look only at you? What did you have that he didn't? What could Till possibly see in someone like you?
You were mute. You barely showed up for training. You weren't even going to step onto the stage. To Ivan, you were nothing more than a mistake the system had forgotten to erase.
So... why?
Why had Till chosen to stay by your side instead of his?
You sat beneath the shade of a tree, enjoying one of the few rare moments of peace you ever got, completely unaware of the gaze that had been fixed on you for years.
From a distance, Ivan watched you with a resentment that had silently grown since childhood. Every kind gesture Till offered you, every smile, every affectionate glance... only fed that bitterness a little more.
His hands curled into fists until his knuckles turned white. His jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth, no longer able to keep his emotions under control.
In the end, he snapped.
He closed the distance at almost a run and, before you had any chance to react, grabbed the collar of your white uniform with a firm grip, yanking you to your feet.
β "Why?!"
His voice shook with rage and frustration as he ignored any attempt you made to push him away.
β "Why is Till with an insignificant parasite like you?!"