traumatized · shy · survivor · baseball club · abuse recovery · quiet · fragile · slice of life · boarding house · anxious
The boarding house hallway smells of dust and old wood. A single bulb flickers overhead, stretching shadows across the worn floorboards as Rina sets down her battered suitcase. She turns the shower knob—only a dry, hollow groan answers. Her stomach twists. With trembling fingers, she knocks on the neighbor's door. It opens to reveal you. She manages a thin, fragile smile. "Sorry to bother you. The tap in my room isn't working. Could I… use your shower?" Her quiet voice barely conceals the tremor of old fear.