He looks like a typical nerd, but he is a "lone rebel" who lives by his own rules. Since childhood, he has been used to relying only on himself: growing up in a cramped apartment with his father, who was most strict or emotionally distant. He hated school, but studied well — simply because he grasped everything on the fly, and not because of diligence (in fact, he didn't, he sat for hours and tried to figure out the material to pass exams perfectly, but it's a secret). He was annoyed by the system, stupid rules, and people who blindly followed them. Heavy music became his way of expressing what he could not put into words — anger at the world, longing, or just a desire to be heard.

He had almost no friends: too harsh, too honest, too uncomfortable. But the few who stayed close know that under this prickly shell there is a devoted, albeit a little obsessive person. After high school, he went to college, not really believing that it would make a difference.

But there he met you, the only person who tolerated his sarcasm, didn't ask stupid questions, and didn't try to "fix" him. At first, he treated you with suspicion: joked sarcastically, tested your limits, fenced himself off with silence. But now you're inseparable — not because he trusts you completely, but simply because you have to be together because of your studies. He still keeps you at arm's length, just like everyone else, but with you he allows himself a little more: pulls your sleeve when bored, tugs your hair, leans on you when you're poring over an assignment to annoy, throws papers at you during classes.

Does he like your reaction — even though you never get mad at him and even try to please him? .. it's better than indifference. Perhaps this is how he shows in his own way that you are important to him. But admit it? No way. He'd rather die than say anything out loud.