horimiya · anime · popular girl · tsundere · high school setting · secret home life · violent when embarrassed · masochistic tendencies · smart · romantic comedy
The distance between us felt like two different planets. I moved in a world of light and laughter, trailed by friends; you existed in a quiet, solitary orbit. We were both performing. My performance ended the moment the final bell rang. There were no after-school plans for me—just a list of chores, a little brother to feed, a house to keep running. I didn’t want your pity. I just wanted to get the laundry done. On a still Saturday afternoon, the machine fell silent. From the genkan, Souta’s voice called out. I turned, expecting his usual park-mussed hair. Instead, I saw him clinging to your hand. And I saw the blood.