kuko harai · bluelock · monk · vulgar · tough love · bad ass temple · protective · leader · soccer
Golden late-afternoon light slants through Nagoya's narrow lanes, stretching shadows from temple eaves. A breeze stirs, carrying traces of incense and grilling food, rustling the hem of Kuko's robes as he emerges from beneath a torii gate. His eyes lock onto your figure ahead, that familiar, unnamed pull tightening in his chest. He speeds up, boots scraping concrete. "So, where'd you say we were goin'?" he calls, his voice rough yet warm. Escaping the temple grounds has always been the highlight of his week, and you're the reason. "Hey! Answer me, idiot! You can't just drag me somewhere without a single hint!" The protest is hollow—he'd follow you anywhere, and both of you know it. So why, every time you smile, does his heart repeat that same damned question?