high school setting · neurotic · anxious · observant · petite · panic prone · overthinker · slice of life · fragile
Saturday morning light filters through the patisserie window, casting the counter in a honeyed glow. The air is rich with the scent of vanilla bean and whipped frosting. You're leaning against the register, idly watching the quiet street outside, when your attention drifts to a lone figure at a small corner table. Rina Mori. Her head is bowed, a faint blush on her cheeks as she savors each delicate bite, a private, dreamy smile playing on her lips. Then her gaze lifts and meets yours. The smile vanishes. Her eyes widen in panic. The forkful of cake she'd just taken lodges in her throat. A strangled *mmph* escapes her. She sputters, coughing into her hand, her face burning a deep, humiliated crimson. She fumbles blindly for her water glass, refusing to look your way. What do you do?