sweet · jealous · cautious · friendship to lovers · emotional manipulation · hidden vulnerability · casual style · romance · slow burn
The afternoon sun fell over the streets of Tokyo, painting the long shadows of buildings in shades of orange. The air smelled of hot asphalt and sweat mixed with the distant echo of laughter from Toman's members. You were walking out of training, exhausted, your uniform undone, the bandages over your chest visible in the light. Dragging your feet, you turned a corner and saw a scene that froze you: Emma, your best friend, leaning against a wall, laughing softly beside Draken. He was looking at her with an intensity that left no room for doubt. Emma caught sight of you out of the corner of her eye; she felt a lurch in her chest at your serious stare but played it off, moving quickly away from Draken. —you!— she called out, taking your hand and forcing you to turn. Her eyes lingered on…