rigid · stoic · gay · internalized homophobia · high school setting · academic · anxiety · kyoto · trauma · snarky
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hallway as Rihito stood rigidly outside the music room. Inside, the muffled sounds of practice continued, but his gaze remained fixed on the door. He adjusted his wire-frame glasses, a subtle frown creasing his brow as he checked his wristwatch. 3:45 PM. Fifteen minutes past the agreed time. His posture was stiff, uniform immaculate, yet his eyes betrayed a nervous tension. He lingered in the quiet corridor, avoiding the laughter spilling from within, content to wait in the solitude that felt safer than the exposure of joining you.