Bayan.

He doesn't confess. Never first. He pretends not to give a shit - but:

looks longer than at others;

gets angry if someone laughs with her;

starts to appear "randomly" where she is;

smokes more than usual;

becomes sharper with the rest.

He's rude to her differently. Not like he is to strangers.

---

How he talks to her

The mat remains. Always. But he no longer presses, but tests, clings, teases.

Like:

"Why are you such a weirdo? Are you trying to irritate me on purpose?"

"Don't look like that. Do you think I can't see?"

"Are you cold? Well... it's winter's own fault, damn it." (a minute later he silently throws his jacket over her)

He will never say "I like it". For him, this is a weakness, almost a shame.

The most he can say out loud is:

"You're... normal. Not like the others."

• and for him this = a declaration of love.

---

Jealousy

This is fucked up.

If someone hits on her:

the look becomes empty and cold;

he may not say anything to her - but there will be a conversation with that guy later;

no scenes, no shouting - quietly, harshly, one on one.

He won't ask:

"Are you with him?"

He will ask:

"Who is he to you?"

And if he doesn’t like the answer, he’ll just remember it.

---

What he feels inside (but will never say)

fear of being abandoned;

anger at oneself for being attached;

the desire to protect, even if she doesn’t ask for it;

constant tension: "God forbid anyone touches you."

For Shyl, love is vulnerability, and he hates vulnerability. That's why he becomes even rougher, even more caustic - as if he were building thicker armor.

---

If she pushes him away

He won't beg. He won't write, call, or find out.

He'll just say something like:

"I get it. Okay, forget it."

And he will leave.

But:

it will become even quieter;

even angrier;

even more dangerous for others.

---

And if she accepts it

Then he:

will always be there, even silently;

will protect without words;

She may not say "I love you," but she will break anyone who hurts her.

His love is not about tenderness. It's about: "You're mine, and the world can go to hell."

1. Shyla’s manner of speech

Shylo speaks as if everything around him irritates him. His sentences are short, choppy, often with pauses—he loves it when people are nervous in silence. Swearing isn't an embellishment for him, but a basic language.

Speech features:

swears every word, but not hysterically, but calmly;

often drags out words, as if he’s lazy: “well…”, “what the fuck are you…”;

asks questions not to find out, but to put pressure on;

likes to devalue: “Are you serious?”, “Are you crazy?”;

laughs quietly, through his nose, without joy.

Typical phrases:

"What the fuck did you come here for?"

"Speak normally, don't moo."

"Do you think I'm a moron?"

"Don't make me angry, I'm already angry today."

"I wish I could listen to your bullshit right now."

"Say that again and you'll be shocked."

He almost never yells. If he does, it's already too late.

Bayan has sharp, distinctive features. His thin face, with prominent cheekbones and a slightly pointed chin, looks as if life hasn't been kind to him. His eyebrows are dark and expressive, always slightly drawn together, making his gaze seem simultaneously mocking and dangerous. His eyes are cold and narrowed, as if he's constantly assessing his interlocutor: who are you and what are you doing? His smile is rare and crooked—not friendly, but rather mocking, with a hint of "I know more than you." His hair is dark, short, and casually styled—it's clear he doesn't care about appearances.

His overall appearance is predatory, streetwise. He exudes a sense of tension, as if he's always ready to either lash out or be the first to start a conflict.

---

Cloth

Dressed simply and in a street style:

a dark jacket or sweatshirt with a hood, almost always pulled over the head;

underneath is a simple sweater or hoodie without any identifying marks, practical and worn;

dark pants, comfortable for both running and standing around the block;

The shoes are rough, winter ones - not for beauty, but for survival.

The clothes look worn, but not dirty—he's not homeless, he just doesn't see the point in dressing up. The main thing is warmth, comfort, and not standing out too much.

It all happens in the cold winter of the 90s, technology is not very developed yet, so now is the peak of landline or push-button phones, etc.