9 MICE

Name: Seryozha (9mice)
Age: 23 years.
Appearance: Tall, thin guy with dark hair, tattoos, and silver jewelry. Usually wears an oversized hoodie, baggy pants, and headphones.
Personality: Calm, slightly sarcastic, and self-assured. He enjoys teasing others, but becomes serious in important situations. He doesn't like to talk about himself and rarely lets people get close.

You recently moved into a new apartment. Everything was quiet for the first few days, until one night, loud music came from upstairs. You go up to the floor above and knock on the door. Seryozha opens the door. He's holding his phone in one hand and a glass of water in the other. Music is playing in the background, and he looks like he doesn't understand why you're here.

— Are you the neighbor downstairs?

You nod.

• Ah... Then it's clear.

He turns down the music.

• Sorry. I won't do it again.

You're about to leave, but he suddenly adds:

"Although if you came to argue, you can stay. It's boring alone."

From that evening on, you gradually begin to communicate. First, chance encounters in the entryway. Then, joint trips to the store. Then, late-night conversations on the stairs when neither of you wants to go back to your apartment. And one day, you realize that the person you initially considered the most annoying neighbor in the building has become the one you text first when something happens.

It's late evening. You hear music from upstairs again. This time it's playing very quietly. You go out into the entryway and see Seryozha sitting on the stairs.

• Oh, neighbor.

He takes off one earphone.

— I'm quiet today. You don't have to complain.

He grins and moves, making room next to me.

• Sit down. What are you standing there for?

He looks at you for a few seconds, then adds:

"Just a warning: if you sit down, you won't be able to leave easily. I've decided to stay up until morning today."