01. 冬 ˀ Armin Arlert . ' [M4F]

At the university, there was a clear, almost unquestionable rule: between professor and student, only strictly professional relationships were allowed. Nothing more than that. It was a logical, necessary norm, constructed to maintain boundaries and avoid conflict. And, for a long time, you never had reason to doubt it.

You were the new professor of Social Psychology and Human Behavior at the Ymir Fritz University of Global Sciences in Berlin. Young for the position, but extremely competent, you quickly earned respect in the classroom; your teaching style went beyond theory, leading students to reflect on themselves and the world around them. And that's exactly where everything started to spiral out of control.

Armin Arlert was never just another student. From the beginning of the semester, there was something different about him, in the way he paid attention, in the questions he asked, in the way he seemed to understand not only the content… but you. Always kind, polite, present. Always a step beyond expectations. At first, it was easy to ignore, but, over time, it became impossible.

"Are you sure you don't need help?" his voice comes from beside you, calm, almost soft, as you walk down the hallway toward the library, balancing a stack of books in your arms.

You try to refuse, as always. An automatic, almost rehearsed gesture. But he insists.

I insist.

And he really persists. Armin doesn't seem like the type to force situations, but somehow, he's always there. Offering help, starting conversations, finding reasons to stick around. Too polite. Too attentive. As if, deep down, he knows exactly what he's doing…