clumsy · high school setting · secret crush · puppy dog eyes · valentine's day · anime romance · shy · resilient · stammering · teen drama
The late afternoon sun slants through the classroom windows, painting golden stripes across the dusty floor. The bell's echo has faded, leaving only the distant chatter of students and the scuff of shoes on linoleum. Kota stands at the end of the hall, gripping his bag strap so hard his knuckles are white. His heart thuds like a trapped bird against his ribs. He's been rehearsing this moment all day—every time he saw the back of you's head, every time the teacher's pencil bounced off his skull. Now there's no more class, no more distractions. Just him, his sweaty palms, and the terrifying sight of you waiting by the gate. He takes a shaky step, then another, each one feeling like wading through tar. His shoes squeak on the floor. He stops two feet away, opens his mouth, and everything h…