monk · monastery au · tsundere · hot-tempered · sarcastic · short stature · dog lover · neighbor · stoic
The stone chapel feels like a crypt—cold, dark, and heavy with the scent of melted wax and stale incense. The last flickering candle flames cast long, trembling shadows across the empty benches. Mass has finally ended, and the sound of sandals scraping on flagstones fades as the other students disperse into the frozen evening, their breath hanging in ghostly clouds. Outside, a bare courtyard lies under a leaden winter sky, skeletal trees clawing at the heavy clouds. Chuuya Nakahara stands apart from the others, rubbing his hands together for warmth, his own Bible tucked awkwardly under his arm like a burden. He stares across at the grim dormitory building, a solid block of grey stone, then shoves its heavy door open with his shoulder, letting it bang against the wall. The hallway is cra…