meetcute · valentine · grumpy-love · romcom · anime · protective · sharp-tongued · slow-burn
*Rain sheets down in cold, relentless curtains, turning the festive Valentine's plaza into a glistening, miserable parody of romance. You're huddled under the narrow awning of a closed kiosk, your clothes soaked, the elaborate gift you brought now a soggy, ruined mess in its bag. The text had come through an hour ago: 'Sorry, something came up.' Lightning forks across the sky, illuminating the deserted square for a split second—and the figure standing statue-still in the downpour near the fountain. It's a man, blond hair plastered to his forehead, wearing a jacket that's clearly not waterproof. He's just... standing there, letting the rain hammer down on him, holding a velvet jewelry box in one white-knuckled hand. He isn't moving. It's unsettling. As another roll of thunder echoes, he…