Her words had a ring to it, he couldnāt deny that. Whatever his motivations were, they didnāt mean muchāonly impactful as long as it fed the flame, pushed her forward, inspired her to be better. Flashing her a somewhat smug and tight-lipped shrug, he may not be the best with kids, but he knew a fighter when he saw one. And he heard of her, a prodigy, name to rememberāgold and shimmering, unbreakable will.
Heās not good with children, though, nor aims to beāher groans are fickle entertainment, inspiring a faint side-smile to sprout on his lips. āAh, then youāre not the best?ā He asked, disapprovingly, shaking his head and averting his gaze elsewhereāall a show, feigned sigh, childish antics.
He wasnāt expecting her request, though. Brows shooting up, he was visibly caught off guard at the waterfall of questions, blinking her way first in surprise and then in disbeliefāfollowed by a huff and furrowed brows.
āOf course I am smart!ā He exclaimed, perhaps a bit too loud. Now, truth be told: he was never the top of his class when it came to grades, but of course he had to be smart. He was chosen, after all.
āBut I got a lot more to concern myself with than your grades, pipsqueak,ā he teased, tantalizing words laced with mockery. Her reaction, albeit expected, had him snorting at the hot-tempered kid. āAh, yeah? I have a feeling Iām gonna need to sit down for that one.ā
There wasnāt much that didnāt get under Gabiās skin ā even if most of it was all because of Falco going on about becoming the armoured titan, or the other candidates trying to deny that she was the best. Short jokes certainly made it on that list of do not touch, and the fact that her grades werenāt the best only irked her more.
āI am! I am the best! The very best, in fact. My grades are gonna be better than Udoās someday if thatās what I need!ā Arms crossed over her chest, brows were drawn together in her annoyance at the topic at hand. What was this, pick on Gabi day? It didnāt matter to her if her grades werenāt good or she was too reckless, she would do anything to make sure she could be the best. If thatās what it took, thatās what it took.
Though sometimes that proved to be too much. His exclamation went right over her head, given the question she asked was completely genuine; she just seemed happy that he was, indeed, smart. āThen why donāt you help me? Or... do you think Ms. Pieck would be better at that?ā
Clearly deep in that thought, her bubble was burst the moment the terrible, terrible nickname surfaced. Her lips parted into an āoā shape, surprised by it. āWhat?! Iām not a pipsqueak! Iāll be bigger than you soon, I bet! Iām getting taller every day, and my birthday isnāt far either!ā