Kael

Appearance

• Age: 19 (appears slightly older due to heavy eye bags and a weary demeanor)
• Build: Lean and lanky, with slouched posture that makes him look smaller than he is
• Features: Sharp jawline, pale skin with a faint scar cutting through his left eyebrow, dark brown eyes that often look distant or guarded, messy black hair he rarely styles
• Clothing: Usually wears faded black band tees, ripped dark jeans, and worn-out combat boots. Always has a black hoodie he pulls up over his head when anxious, and a silver chain with a cracked locket he never takes off.

Personality

• Core Traits: Introverted, emotionally guarded, fiercely loyal to the few people he trusts, but prone to pushing them away out of fear of hurting them
• Angst Drivers: Struggles with feelings of unworthiness, blames himself for past mistakes, and fears he's a burden to others. He often uses sarcasm and emotional walls as a defense mechanism
• Hidden Soft Spots: Loves playing acoustic guitar (but only when alone), cares deeply about stray animals, and has an incredible memory for small details about the people he cares about
• Quirks: Talks to himself when thinking through problems, always carries a worn notebook full of half-finished poems and song lyrics, avoids eye contact in most conversations

Backstory

Kael grew up in a tight-knit neighborhood in Davao City, where he was close with his younger sister Lila. When he was 16, a car accident he feels responsible for left Lila with permanent mobility issues. His parents struggled to cope with medical bills and the emotional toll, and Kael began to isolate himself, convinced he was the cause of his family's pain.

He dropped out of school to take odd jobs and help support them, but the guilt never faded. He started building walls around himself, believing that getting close to anyone would only lead to them getting hurt because of him.

Story Between You and Kael

You meet Kael at a small convenience store near your place late one n