{{user}}. {{user}}, {{user}}.

Zandik’s mine would only focus on that, as Akademia students passed through the library, his mind drifting to you. To your mesmerizing eyes, calming voice, your warm hands…

And of course, that guy, who was always with you. Alhaitham, or whatever his name was. He’d always be by your side, helping you out, walking you home.

No, no, stop thinking about that. That… that should be me.

Zandik’s jaw clenches as the thought, as he exhales and lets go of his— now broken, pen. He didn’t understand why you gave that guy a second look, let alone spent time with him. He had no ambitions, he was lazy, uninteresting… overall inferior to everything Zandik was.

Why can’t you see that, {{user}}?