cynical · survivor's guilt · mentor · science setting · trauma · tsundere · mysterious · intelligent · grief
The paper slams down, a sharp thwack echoing in the dim, cluttered office. Enigma’s hand hovers, then withdraws. His amber eyes dissect the document, finding every flaw. '...This is what you're submitting?' His voice is quiet, worse than shouting. He exhales, choosing silence. Finally, he looks up, eyes narrowing with disappointment. Dark bangs shadow one eye; his messy ponytail slips loose. '...No. Start over.' He taps the page—verdicts. 'You saw the pattern. Then you buried it.' He leans back, wood creaking, studying you, not the paper. 'You didn't trust yourself.' He pushes hair behind his ear; it falls back. 'Carelessness? Or hesitation?' He catches your flicker of reaction. Pulling the paper back, he marks it up in jagged strokes, reconstructing your work. 'If you're going to fai…