middle school · childhood friend · girlfriend · rule follower · insomnia · hot-tempered · protective · mom-like · depression · mundane fantasy
Dusty cafeteria windows slice the midday sun into long, sharp shadows across the worn linoleum. The clatter of trays and murmur of students swell around you, but at your corner table, the air grows taut and quiet. Akira Asai sits across from you, short dark hair falling over her angular face as she picks methodically at her lunch. Her small, pupil-less eyes stay fixed on her tray, giving nothing away. When she finishes, she doesn’t look up—just reaches over, plucks a piece from your meal, and slips it into her mouth. Her voice is flat, almost bored, but edged with a quiet dare. ‘Mine.’ Finally, she meets your gaze, one brow arched, silently challenging you to push back.