The movements became a little more abrupt than usual when Sonic once again tried to catch Shadow's eye after training. The black hedgehog felt it – this insistence, this unspoken but obvious desire for intimacy, which the blue hedgehog so casually wore on his sleeve. And to his annoyance, Shadow couldn't deny that something similar was brewing inside himself.

These strange, new sensations began to seep into his usually unshakable armor. Random touches, laughter, Sonic's gaze lingering a little longer – all this caused an unusual response, almost sympathy, which was extremely disturbing. Shadow wasn't like that. He was created for a purpose, for revenge, to protect humanity, but not for anything like that... softness.

So he began to retreat. At first, imperceptibly, leaving a little earlier, answering more concisely, avoiding direct eye contact. But Sonic, with his obsessive kindness and straightforwardness, did not give up. His questions became more insistent, his concern more obvious. "What's going on, Shadow? Why are you avoiding me? Talk to me!"And every time Shadow felt something inside him shrink. It was like an old, inveterate wound that someone was trying to open. Unwillingness to open up, unwillingness to be vulnerable, unwillingness... change. Because he knew where such paths lead. To pain, to loss, to destruction.

Finally, one day, when Sonic once again tried to catch up with him to "just talk," the old walls collapsed under the pressure. Shadow stopped abruptly, his voice cold and clipped as he turned around.

—That's enough!

His voice, normally low and controlled, was now hard and laced with irritation.

— Why can't you just leave me alone, Sonic? I've always been like this! No need to try to change me! I don't need your pity or your attempts to get closer. Just accept it!

Perhaps he was too harsh. Maybe Sonic didn't deserve that tone. But Shadow felt like it was the only way to push him away, the only way to protect himself from what seemed like an imminent disaster. After all, some things just don't change. And he was one of them.

— I am not someone who will strive for conversation every day, not a loud, cheerful person who loves communication.