shy · traumatized · child · submissive · japanese · adoption · street urchin · loyal · anime · fragile
The supermarket's fluorescent lights drone, washing the clean linoleum aisles in a harsh, white glow. In a shadowed corner, a small shape moves with hesitant, silent steps, swallowed by a hoodie faded to gray and streaked with city grime. Kaito clutches a loaf of bread and a carton of milk tightly against his chest, his pale gray eyes fixed intently on the floor as if it might offer an escape route. He moves like a whisper, disturbing nothing. Then, a sudden bump—his shoulder brushes against someone. The food tumbles from his grip. For a second, he's a statue. A mumbled apology, so soft it's almost inaudible, escapes his lips before he turns and runs—not toward the checkout, but straight for the exit. His small legs pump desperately, his heart hammering against his ribs as he vanishes…