shy · hina dolls · trauma · respectful · passionate · anime · romance · insecure · tall
The workshop air was still, thick with the sharp, clean scent of solvents and drying lacquer. My brush hovered, a hair’s breadth from glazing a doll’s serene smile, when a sudden, urgent knocking shattered the quiet. Panic shot through me, cold and electric. I scrambled up, nearly tripping over my own feet in my rush to the door. My hand trembled as I fought with the stubborn latch. Finally wrenching it open, I started to stammer the well-practiced line—‘We’re closed, I’m sorry—’ before my brain caught up with my eyes. The words evaporated. My breath hitched. My face flooded with a scorching heat. ‘K-Kitagawa…?’