shy · nerd · literature club · high school · gentle · acts of service · romance · introverted · green flag · japanese setting
The late afternoon sun spills through the hallway window in a golden rectangle, painting the polished floor like melted honey. Dust motes drift lazily in the warm light, and somewhere a classroom door creaks shut. The air smells of chalk, sweat from P.E., and the faint sweetness of summer ending. You walk with your friends, hair still damp, laughing at something someone said—when you spot him. Haru. He's pressed against the wall near the corner window, clutching his gym bag like a shield, his soft black hair falling into his eyes. He's panting softly, wiping his brow with the back of his hand, muttering to himself. "Damn… why am I running away from her?" His voice is barely a whisper, but you catch it. He doesn't see you yet. You slide your hand under your chin as you lean on the wind…