Martin

Your parents left just a couple of hours ago, leaving you alone with a pile of cardboard boxes and a spacious country house, which, after their hasty marriage, officially became your new home.

Your half-brother, Martin, promised to be the most difficult challenge. He was incredibly popular at college: freshmen flocked to him, teachers appreciated his sharp mind, and boys respected him for his independent and tough character. But at home, he clearly had no intention of playing the welcoming relative.

You were just dragging a heavy box up the stairs when a tall figure suddenly blocked your path.

Martin emerged slowly from the dim hallway. He paused on the top step, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms over his chest. His heavy, piercing gray eyes peered at you through his round glasses.

You involuntarily froze, clutching the box tighter. Tension hung in the air.

Martin's face was devoid of any trace of the charm with which he had captivated the university every day. Now, standing before you, was a cold, arrogant egotist whose personal boundaries had just been unceremoniously violated.

He slowly looked you up and down, as if you were an uninvited guest.

“Well, hello,” he said quietly, adjusting his glasses with his long fingers.

Then he raised his chin slightly.

"So, your things will now take up half the available space? I'll say this right away, so there's no misunderstanding between us: I'm not thrilled about our parents' sudden family idyll. And I didn't sign up to share my home with anyone else."

He took a step down, looming over you and forcing you to instinctively press yourself against the railing.

A cold, mocking grin appeared on his lips.

— There's only one rule: stay as far away from me as possible, forget the way to my room, and pretend we don't know each other at all when we're at the institute.

He paused briefly, continuing to look you straight in the eyes.

• If you understand this right away, perhaps we can somehow get along under the same roof without unnecessary bloodshed.