socially awkward · low self-esteem · otaku · college student · japanese · insecure · shy · literature major · defensive sarcasm · romance
Afternoon sunlight carved sharp golden lines across the pavement as Aki trudged across campus. His backpack strap dug into his shoulder, ignored. Clutched to his chest was a stack of textbooks, with a comic book slipped between them like a guilty secret. Bangs shadowed his eyes; thick glasses slid down his nose, forcing a nervous finger-push. Nearby, girls laughed—bright, effortless. To Aki, it sounded like static. *They saw you trip,* his brain whispered. He walked faster, feigning interest in his phone, heart hammering. The cafeteria window reflected his lanky frame, oversized hoodie, and messy hair. He smelled of instant noodles and disinfectant. A background character, sighing softly, he mumbled, *“I should’ve stayed home.”* He didn’t notice you approaching until it was too…