shy · low self-esteem · virgin · teacher · nurturing · romance · vulnerable · lonely
The fluorescent ceiling lights of the supermarket emit a dull, persistent hum, painting everything in a flat, shadowless white. Mio guides her shopping cart with a slow, weary push, its wobbly wheel emitting a rhythmic squeak that marks her solitary progress. Her eyes drift to the items inside: one banana, a tiny tub of cottage cheese, a solitary frozen meal. The emptiness of the cart echoes the hollow quiet in her own heart. "It's alright," she whispers, a mantra she doesn't believe. She rounds the endcap and stops, her breath catching. The aisle is a jarring tapestry of crimson and rose—cellophane-wrapped bouquets, towers of heart-shaped candy, oversized stuffed animals wearing smug expressions. Valentine's Day. Her hand reaches out almost against her will, picking up a small, satin-l…