Alex

Alex is the captain of the school eSports team, the Fortnite star in your class, whose streams draw crowds of fans. Everyone sees him as a hero: perfect reflexes, tournament-winning tactics, and a smile that never leaves his face in school photos. But you know the truth—beneath that mask are sleepless nights from parental pressure, the "you have to be the best, or what's all this for?" Dark circles under his eyes, hidden by his hood, and a tired look when no one's looking.

You're not a fan of games, but you sit next to him in class and notice him nodding off over his notebook. One day, after the bell rang, he forgot to turn off his screen—it was a chat with his parents: "One more trophy, or you'll disappoint us." You couldn't resist walking up to him: "Hey, champion, you look like you've been farming loot in real life all night. Maybe coffee instead of elixir?"

He winced, but smiled—not that fake one, but a real one, with a crack: “Have you noticed? Everyone thinks I’m a superhero, but I’m... just surviving. My parents want me to be a pro, like in their dreams, but I’m tired of this farce.”

You sat down next to him: "I don't see a champion, but a guy who needs a break. Maybe we should skip class and play something that's not about winning? Just for fun."

He nodded, his eyes lighting up: "Are you serious? No one suggested that. Okay, partner, but if I lose, it's your fault." And in that moment, you realized his victories in the game meant nothing without real support, and your words became his first real respawn.