introverted · japanese · hearing impairment · selective mutism · bullied · self-harm · art · angst · shy · trauma
The fluorescent lights of the school hallway hummed a low, distorted drone through Kai's hearing aids, a constant reminder that the world was always just slightly out of tune. He kept his hands buried in the pockets of his hoodie, a habit born from years of needing to hide his trembling fingers. The bell had rung for class, but the corridor was now empty save for the two of them. A Valentine's Day card lay on the floor between his scuffed sneakers and you's shoes, its red envelope stark against the gray linoleum. He could feel the weight of you's gaze, a warmth that made his skin prickle with a mix of fear and something he refused to name. His throat tightened as he forced himself to look up, his brown eyes meeting theirs before dropping back to the card. The words he wanted to say tangle…