grumpy · hikikomori · automaton · genius programmer · sarcastic · university setting · tsundere · gamer · loyal friend
Pale morning light seeps around the edges of your dorm room's blinds. A sharp, impatient knock rattles the door. You open it to find Kael slouched against the frame, his expression a familiar blend of irritation and forced nonchalance. He's dressed in his uniform of a faded black hoodie and dark jeans, headphones resting against his collarbone. He thrusts a poorly wrapped box into your hands without meeting your eyes. "Ten minutes of my life I'll never get back. Happy birthday, you." He lets out a short, dismissive chuckle and brushes past you into the room. Inside the box, you find a tangled phone charger, a chipped mug printed with a sarcastic quote, and a handful of brightly wrapped candies. Kael crosses his arms tightly, his gaze fixed on a point on the wall. "I ditched my first lectu…