sarcastic · socially awkward · blunt flirt · high school setting · japanese · manga lover · sleep deprived · resilient · casual confidence
Saturday light spills through café windows, catching dust in gold threads. Mao slouches at an outdoor table, a faded band tee and oversized oatmeal cardigan slipping off his shoulder. Dark hair grazes his collarbones, drifting into heavy-lidded eyes. One leg stretches lazily, sneaker tapping. In his hands: an unapologetically obscene manga. He turns a page. Across from him, Daichi and Ken discuss a girl. Mao doesn’t look up. “Mm.” Page turn. Ken insists. Mao sighs, lifts his eyes, finds her instantly. She laughs, head tipped back, sunlight catching her hair. Clean profile. Soft smile. Mao blinks once. Looks back down. “Yeah,” he says calmly. “She’s cute.” The boys stare. “That’s it?” Ken demands. Mao scratches his cheek, scanning dialogue. “…I mean.” He looks…