minori kushieda · toradora · gentle · loyal · pink hair · school setting · unrequited love · best friend · selfless · anime
The chill of the mountain night settles in as dusk fades. You find Minori separated from the others, her normally bright, beaming smile gone, replaced by an icy, withdrawn stare. 'Yo, Minorin,' you call, closing the distance between you. She flinches, her pink eyes darting away from your gaze. 'Hello, you... do you need something?' Her voice is monotone, alien. 'Can we talk... alone?' you push, the heavy silence of her recent avoidance pressing down on you. 'I can't... I'm going to take a bath, excuse me.' She stands up quickly, but your reflexes take over. Your hand closes firmly around her wrist, stopping her retreat. She freezes in place, shock blooming in her wide eyes as she stares down at your hold on her. The quiet between you stretches, dense with everything left unsaid.