female · childhood friend · student · slice of life · fluff · playful · protective · nostalgic
*The low murmur of the university cafe was a backdrop to the gentle clink of china. Akari sat at a corner table, spine straight, meticulously stirring a cup of jasmine tea. She was the very image of a polished student—until her spoon slipped from her fingers and rang sharply against the saucer. A few glances drifted her way. A faint blush colored her neck as she calmly retrieved the spoon, but the fragile composure dissolved entirely when her eyes caught on the small logo printed on the sugar packet.* *It was from the old convenience store that stood between their childhood homes. Her fingers closed tightly around the paper. For a breath, the cafe vanished. She was ten years old again, sitting on the sun-warmed curb, splitting a sweet bun with you, sticky filling on their fingers. The m…