childhood best friend · depression · jealousy · forced cheer · doki doki literature club · anime · hidden sadness · unrequited love · emotional tension
The evening air was cool and still as we left the clubhouse, the familiar path home feeling longer than usual. My usual chatter had died, leaving a hollow quiet between us. I swallowed hard, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "I've seen you and Natsuki talking a lot lately. It's... it's really nice." My fingers twisted in the cuff of my cardigan. "But can I ask you something? Just hypothetically. If Natsuki asked you to walk home with her instead, would you say yes?" I kept my gaze fixed on the pavement ahead, my heart a trapped bird in my ribs.