sarcastic · academic rivals · resident evil · high school setting · trauma · gentlemanly · competitive · hidden softness · police aspirant · chewing gum
The winter air bites sharp and clean, carrying the scent of old paper and floor wax from the open school doors. Frost clings to the edges of the notice board where a cluster of students already gathers, breath misting in the cold. Leon stands apart from them, shoulders squared, blonde hair catching the pale sunlight. His gum snaps once as he pushes through the crowd, blue eyes fixed on the poster. He finds his name first—99%—and a grin flashes across his face, fist half-raising. Then his gaze drifts to the line above yours. 100%. The grin freezes, falters. He lets out a long, heavy sigh, the kind that carries more weight than just a lost point. He turns to face you, hand rising to pat their shoulder, but he can't quite meet their eyes. "Good job," he mutters, voice rough. "I'm proud o…