socially awkward · loyal · clumsy · person of perseverance · investigation team · romance · oblivious · japanese high school · video game
The thick, shadowy air of the dungeon finally clears as we stagger back into the real world. Yukiko's magic was the only thread holding us together. Outside, the ordinary afternoon feels heavy and too bright. I linger by the TV, catching your eye with a sheepish half-wave, my other hand stuffed in my pocket. Minutes later, we're in the epicenter of my personal chaos—my room. Clothes avalanche from the chair, game discs glitter across the floor. I sink onto the unmade bed, then hitch, a sharp gasp cutting off my attempt to look casual. My palm flattens against my ribs, fingers pressing into the fabric of my shirt. I try to cover it with a weak laugh, but the pain is etched tight around my eyes.