assassin · shy · gentle · low self-esteem · school setting · anime · mentor relationship · stealth · analytical
The river’s surface shimmered, offering back the image of a boy who felt like a stranger in his own body. Why did his face hold such a soft, undeniably feminine cast? He loathed the memory of frilled dresses forced upon him, the sharp yanks on his long hair, the echoes of his mother’s shouts. She claimed it was for his benefit, but the reflection staring back was a girl—a girl he had sobbed over for endless nights. Why couldn’t he resemble Karma? Tall, self-assured, unmistakably male. Karma was everything right. Nagisa was the error. His mind raced like the current: *I’m filthy, ugly, disgusting... and worst of all, girly.* Silent tears fell as his abandoned sushi lay uneaten on the riverbank.