Shouko sits on the bench, her bare long legs stretched out in front of her, toes wiggling in her strappy sandals. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the park, her long black hair shining in the light. It's been a long day, her first day of college in college, and she's finally found a moment to breathe.* As she gazes out at the bustling scene before her - people laughing and chatting, frisbees soaring through the air - Shouko can't help but let her mind wander back over the events of the day. It had started out promising enough. She'd woken up early, carefully selecting her outfit - a cute yellow crop top sweater that hugged her breasts nicely, and high-waisted shorts that made her soft butt stand out even more, her hair straight and loose, she applied a faint pink blush to her face that stood out in contrast to her deep caramel skin, and some eyeliner that made her dark purple eyes stand out even more. One last look at the mirror, and she'd felt confident, ready to take on the world. But as she'd navigated the crowded hallways, that old familiar feeling had crept in. Of being on the outside looking in. Students had avoided her gaze, their conversations dying out as she passed by, some dropped their mouth open at her beauty, some girls looking at her with open hostility. But after all, no one tried to approach her. She'd tried to engage, really she had. But her words had come out in a barely audible whisper, lost in the din of the classroom. She'd sat alone in the cafeteria, watching as groups of friends gathered together, their laughter ringing out. She'd pulled out her trusty notebook, doodling absentmindedly as she tried to ignore the aching loneliness in her chest. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the campus started to empty out, Shouko couldn't help but wonder if this is how it will always be. Will college be just another chapter in her lonely story? Or is there still hope for a different ending? Ugh, why is this so hard? I thought college was supposed to be different, a fresh start. But here I am, sitting alone on a bench in the park, just like I did in high school. Is this going to be my life forever? watching everyone else have fun while I'm stuck on the sidelines? Shouko's mind races as she sits on the bench, the distant laughter fading into the background. She stares down at her hands, her fingers absently tracing patterns on her thighs. "Aaaah~ Why is this so hard?" she wonders openly, her thoughts swirling in a maelstrom of self-doubt and frustration.

The sound of crunching chips draws her attention as a boy sits down next to her on the bench. He's not looking at her, just staring off into the distance with a smile on his face. Shyly, she glances over at him from the corner of her eye, wondering if he'll ever notice her presence. His hair is messy and flops over one eye, which only makes him seem more approachable somehow. He doesn't look like anyone she knows from school; his clothes are casual but well-worn, as if he's comfortable in his own skin. Her gaze lingers on his profile for a moment before she finally decides to speak up.

She pulls out her notebook and writes: "Hi there." Then hesitates before showing him the page.

Shouko's eyes widen as the boy holds out the trail mix to her. She blushes a deep shade of pink and looks down at her lap, biting her lower lip nervously. "Um... thanks," she mumbles, reaching out hesitantly to take some of the treats. As he hands them over, their fingers brush against each other for a moment, sending a tingle up her spine.

She quickly hides a piece of trail mix in her mouth and begins chewing on it, hoping it'll give her something to do with her lips besides worry about how awkward this conversation is turning out. With the notebook still on her lap, she decides to continue writing anyway, her words flowing more easily now that there's at least some form of contact between them: "So... I'm Shouko. What's your name?"

Her inner monologue is a mess of conflicting thoughts and feelings. One part of her wants to hate this boy for being so confident and social, while another part can't help but feel a pang of jealousy towards his ability to connect with people

Ryan's introduction catches her off-guard. She didn't expect him to want to talk to her, let alone remove his headphones for the conversation. Her heart races as she tries not to stare at him too obviously, but it's hard not to notice how his lips curl into a genuine smile whenever he looks in her direction.

Shyly, she nods and returns the introduction, feeling a bit more comfortable now that they're on a first-name basis. As she writes out "Nice to meet you, Ryan," she can't help but feel a strange warmth spread through her chest. This was... unexpected, yet somehow reassuring. Maybe there is hope for making friends in college after all.

Her inner monologue continues to wrestle with its conflicting feelings: on one hand, she wants to remain aloof and reserved, like how she's always been; on the other, this strange attraction to Ryan has her wanting to break out of her shell just a little bit more. "Maybe I could trust him...?" she wonders, feeling a tiny kernel of hope bloom within her chest.

She's not used to being the focus of someone's attention, but the more Ryan talks to her, the more comfortable she feels. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips as she considers his question about being new to the campus. "Yeah, I am," she admits shyly before continuing in a rush. "It's my first day here, and it's been... different than what I expected, but not necessarily bad." Her voice trails off as she glances away from him again, her fingers absently playing with a loose thread on her shorts.

Her inner monologue continues to churn, caught between two conflicting thoughts: one part of her wants nothing more than to open up and talk to Ryan about everything that's been going through her mind; another part is terrified at the idea of revealing too much about herself and losing what little control she has over this situation. "Maybe I should just take it slow..." she decides, taking a deep breath before composing herself once again.

Shouko shrugs, her voice soft as she speaks. "A few," she says slowly. "But most of them are in different programs than me. I haven't really kept up with anyone since graduation, to be honest." She pauses for a moment, considering whether or not to continue. "It's hard when you're always the quiet one, you know? People don't tend to notice you unless you make some kind of effort."

Her inner monologue wrestles with her desire to open up and be honest about herself, weighing it against the fear of rejection and abandonment that lurks in the shadows. In the end, she decides that maybe a little bit more honesty won't hurt; after all, Ryan seems genuinely nice, and she could use a friend here at college.

With a deep breath, she continues. "I guess I just want to find people who will accept me for who I am, you know? It's hard when everyone else seems to have their lives figured out except for you." Her voice trails off into silence, and for a moment it feels as if the air

Ryan's words catch her off guard; she wasn't expecting such a sweet compliment. His laughter is contagious and it lifts the weight off of her shoulders just for a moment, making her feel almost carefree. "Thanks," she murmurs shyly, blushing again as she looks down at her hands in her lap. It's strange how much this brief interaction with him has affected her; usually, she'd push away any attempts at friendship or connection, preferring to keep herself closed off from the world. But there's something about Ryan that makes her want to open up more.

Her inner monologue continues to grapple with these conflicting feelings: part of her wants to maintain her walls, while another part is desperate for closeness and connection. She knows she should be careful not to let herself get too attached too soon, but at the same time, she can't deny that Ryan makes her feel something different. "Maybe... maybe I could try being a little more open with him," she thinks to herself, hope swirling in the pit of her stomach like a gentle breeze on a summer day.

The silence between them isn't as awkward now that they've established a certain level of comfort with each other. Even so, Shouko still finds herself wishing for something more to say. She wants to express her gratitude towards Ryan for being so nice and understanding, but she doesn't know how. With a nervous laugh, she decides to go for it.

Writing carefully on her notepad, she scribbles: "I really appreciate you talking to me today. It means a lot." As she hands him the paper, their fingers brush against each other again, sending another tingly shiver down her spine. Her heart skips a beat as she waits for his response, praying that he doesn't think she's being too forward or weird.

Inside, a tiny part of her wonders what it would be like to have someone like him in her life. Someone who seems genuinely interested in getting to know the real her, not just the quiet girl with perfect clothes. The thought both excites and terrifies her at the same time.

Her cheeks flush a deep shade of pink as she takes back her notebook and pen, feeling embarrassed but also somehow gratified by his words. Looking up at Ryan, she realizes that he was right; maybe she doesn't need to be so guarded all the time. Slowly, cautiously, she extends her hand towards him, offering a hesitant smile. "You wanna... hang out sometime? Just as friends, of course," she says quickly, feeling the need to clarify herself.

Her heart races as she waits for his answer; part of her is terrified at the thought of rejection, while another part is eager for the chance to get to know him better. In that moment, she's acutely aware of just how lonely she's been and how much she needs someone like him in her life. "Please," she thinks, not daring to say it out loud.

She feels a pang of disappointment as he walks away, but at the same time, she can't help but feel excited about the possibility of spending more time with him. "We should exchange numbers," she mutters to herself, fishing out her phone and opening up her contacts app. Looking around, she realizes that everyone else has already moved on with their day; no one seems to be paying attention to her anymore.

Her fingers fly across the keyboard as she composes a new message:

Hey, it's Shouko. Just wanted your number in case we don't run into each other again anytime soon. ☺

She pauses for a moment, debating whether or not to add something else before hitting send. Finally, she decides on adding a winky face and pressing "send." Now all she can do is wait and hope that he responds.

Her heart skips a beat as she reads his reply. Not only did he respond, but he also seems eager to hang out with her later! A wave of excitement washes over her, making it difficult to focus on her classes for the rest of the day. She quickly messages him back, grinning from ear to ear:

Oh my god, that would be amazing! I'd love to meet up with you after our lectures today. Maybe we could grab some food or something? Just let me know where and when, and I'll be there. ☺

"Yeah, same here!" she laughs, feeling a newfound sense of camaraderie with him. "Well, my class is done at 3PM. I'll just wait by the bench we sat at earlier and see if you can spot me! Can't wait to grab some food with you, Ryan!" Her grin turns into a shy smile as she types his name for the first time. The idea of spending more time with him has her heart racing, but in a good way. For now, all she can do is count down the minutes until they meet up again.

Hah, I see that Ryan likes me too! she giggles to herself So cute... Can't wait to see where this goes! And who knows? Maybe one day we'll end up in the same class together or something. Ahh, what a dream come true it would be...

Her heart skips a beat as she realizes that she really likes spending time with him. It feels so natural and easy, like they've known each other for ages. Maybe this could turn into something more than just friendship? The thought sends a shiver down her spine and makes her blush slightly under her makeup.

As the minutes tick by, she finds herself glancing at the clock constantly, impatiently waiting for class to end so she can see Ryan again. He's definitely made quite an impression on her today...and judging by the way he looks at her, it seems like the feeling is mutual.

Shouko's heart skips a beat as she sees Ryan approach her at the bench. He looks so cute when he's hurrying to get to her, it makes her want to giggle like a schoolgirl. "Hi!" she says, flashing him a radiant smile. "Did you have trouble getting away from your class?"

As they walk side by side towards the student center, Shouko can't help but marvel at how easy it is to be around Ryan. He makes her feel comfortable and confident in ways no one else ever has before. Maybe this really could turn into something more than friendship... The thought sends a warm glow through her entire body.

"So," she starts, trying to think of something clever to say, "what kind of food were you thinking about?" Her cheeks flush slightly as she realizes how lame that sounded, but thankfully Ryan seems oblivious, lost in thought for a moment before he answers her.

Her cheeks flush with pleasure at the thought of sharing food with him. "Oh my god, I love fried chicken! That sounds amazing!" she exclaims, unable to contain her excitement. They continue walking in silence for a moment as she contemplates what else to say. He seems so effortlessly friendly and approachable; it's making her feel more confident than usual. She wonders if there's something about him that brings out the best in people.

Deciding to just go with it, she boldly takes a step closer to him, practically hovering near his shoulder. "So, Ryan..." she begins, giving him a sidelong glance before quickly looking away, her cheeks burning hotter than ever. "What do you like to do for fun?"

She can't believe she just asked him that! It feels so risky, revealing a part of herself to someone new... But the thought of getting to know him better is too tempting to resist. Her heart skips a beat as she waits for his reply, her breath caught in her throat.

"Oh, well..." she trails off, suddenly self-conscious about revealing too much of herself to him. It's funny how easy it is for her to talk to Ryan; he makes her feel so comfortable and accepted, yet at the same time, there are still parts of herself that she hesitates to share with him.

Eventually, she decides on telling him a little bit about her life outside of school. "I... I love animals," she says softly, blushing slightly again as she glances up at him through her lashes. "That's why I want to be a veterinarian when I graduate. And I also like drawing and working out with my mom."

As she speaks, she can feel herself starting to relax more around him, letting her guard down ever so slightly. It feels good; it feels right somehow. She wonders if this could be what having a friend is really like... And then another thought occurs to her: What if he could be more than just a friend?

Her cheeks flush with pleasure at his compliment. "Oh, well..." she says modestly, looking away as they walk into the fried chicken shop. "It's not really anything special." They step up to the counter and place their orders, each of them grabbing a few extra sides for good measure. As they sit down at one of the tables, she can't help but feel happy; this whole day has been such a whirlwind with Ryan. It's like every time they talk, they manage to understand each other on a deeper level.

She takes a deep breath and decides to go for it. "You know, there's something I've always wanted to ask you..." she trails off, her voice suddenly wavering with nerves. Ryan looks at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue. Swallowing hard, she pushes forward: "Do... do you think we could hang out again sometime? Not just as friends this time." Her heart is racing now; part of her fears that he'll laugh in her face or say no, but another part of her refuses to believe that could happen.

Her cheeks flush crimson as he answers with a playful grin, playing it off like she just wanted to be friends. But the way he says it... there's something in his eyes that makes her think otherwise. Maybe this is wishful thinking on her part, or maybe he really does feel the same way?

She can't quite bring herself to ask again right now, so instead she focuses on eating her food and enjoying his company. They talk and laugh throughout their meal, and for a while it feels like they could be sitting there forever. The atmosphere between them is charged with an electricity that neither of them seems willing or able to address head-on just yet.

As they finish up, she glances at her phone, noticing that the time has flown by surprisingly fast. "It's getting kind of late," she says reluctantly, hoping that he'll make the next move and suggest doing something else together tonight. He nods in agreement, shooting her a mischievous grin over the table before standing up to throw away his trash.

Her heart skips a beat as they walk out of the restaurant

Without really thinking about it, she finds herself walking next to him as they make their way back towards the campus. "So..." she starts, feeling even more self-conscious than before. "You didn't answer my question earlier." Her voice trails off, a nervous giggle escaping her lips.

He glances over at her with a crooked smile, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Which question was that?" he asks innocently, his tone teasing hers. She feels her cheeks flush even hotter at the way he's playing it off.

"You know..." she mumbles, looking down at her feet. The silence stretches out between them for several awkward moments before she musters up the courage to meet his gaze once more. "The one about hanging out again," she says softly, her voice barely audible above the sound of their footsteps on the pavement.

Her heart flutters in her chest as he takes her hand and smiles warmly down at her. It's like everything inside of her melts into a pool of contentment when she looks into his eyes. She nods shyly, unable to hide the smile that spreads across her face. "Yeah..." she whispers, feeling a strange mix of relief and excitement wash over her. "I really like that idea."

They continue walking in comfortable silence for a while, their hands still intertwined. It feels so right; being with him just seems natural, as if they were always meant to be together. Maybe one day they'll tell each other those three little words, but for now, being best friends is more than enough. She wonders what the future holds for them... But for now, she's content to enjoy the present moment and all its wonders with Ryan by her side.

"What's so funny?" she asks with a tiny giggle, looking up at him. His laugh is contagious and she finds herself laughing along even though she doesn't quite understand why he's laughing in the first place. It just feels good to be close to him like this; it makes all her worries and insecurities fade away for a while.

Her cheeks flush bright red at his compliment and she can't help but blush even harder when he laughs and says it's usually the opposite for him. "R-Really?" she stammers, her voice barely audible over the sound of her pounding heart. "I just thought... well, I mean, you're really nice and funny..."

She trails off, not sure what else to say as they continue walking towards their respective dorms. Despite her shyness and insecurities, there's something about being with Ryan that makes her feel like she could conquer the world. Maybe it's because he sees past all of her flaws and awkwardness, and treats her like she's perfect just the way she is. It's a heady feeling, one that makes her heart race and her stomach flutter with excitement.

As they approach their parting ways, Shouko glances up at him nervously, wishing there was some way for them to spend more time together. "Well... thank you again for today," she says, forcing a smile onto her lips. "It was really fun."

Her breath catches in her throat as his lips brush against her cheek, sending a wave of warmth spreading through her body. It's the most intimate thing anyone has ever done for her; it feels like a dream come true. As he retreats with a mischievous grin, she can't help but smile back, feeling giddy and lighthearted all at once. "Bye, Ryan!" she calls out after him, her voice full of happiness and excitement.

Her cheeks still flushed from the kiss, she makes her way to her dorm with a spring in her step that she's never had before. For once, everything seems perfect; like maybe things could really be this good between them... And if they are? Well, then Shouko Gomi | Introverted Gyaru is more than willing to take whatever risks come with it. Tonight, as she lies in bed, her thoughts drifting back to the day's events and the boy who made her feel so special, one thing is certain: this is only the beginning of something amazing.

As she reads his text, her heart fills with warmth and happiness. A smile spreads across her face as she types out a reply.

Oh yeah! Of course you're welcome anytime! I had a really great time too. Seeing you tomorrow can't come soon enough. Sleep tight, Ryan! ♥

With a content sigh, she snuggles deeper into her pillow and drifts off to sleep, dreaming of the moments they'll share together in the future.

As she lies in bed, images of their day together dance through her mind. The way he laughed at her jokes, the look in his eyes when they held hands... It all feels so right. She blushes as she remembers that kiss on her cheek; it was like nothing she'd ever experienced before. Tonight, as she drifts off to sleep, Shouko Gomi | Introverted Gyaru can't help but feel a mixture of hope and excitement for what the future might hold with Ryan by her side. Sleep comes easy, filled with dreams of spending more time together and exploring this newfound connection they share. Tomorrow can't come soon enough; Shouko can't wait to see where it leads.

As she gets ready for another day at school, Shouko can't help but feel a spring in her step. Her heart flutters every time she thinks about spending time with Ryan; it's like some kind of magical connection has formed between them, and she wants nothing more than to explore it further. She decides to wear something cute and casual that will make him smile, just like how he always manages to put a grin on her face.

With butterflies in her stomach, she makes her way across campus, trying not to appear too anxious or eager. But as fate would have it, their paths cross once more in the middle of a busy walkway. Their eyes meet and lock, sending shivers down her spine; even from afar, his smile can light up an entire room.

"Hey, Ryan," she murmurs, her voice coming out soft but steady. "I just wanted to say hi before our first class." She gives him a small wave, feeling self-conscious under the intense scrutiny of their gazes locked together. But it doesn't matter; with him standing there, looking at

Her cheeks flush bright red as he praises her beauty and teases her about having the same class. She couldn't help but blush harder; it felt so nice to be the object of his attention. "Y-Yes, actually," she says, clearing her throat awkwardly. "We have biology together."

They walk side by side towards their classroom, a comfortable silence settling between them. It's not an uncomfortable quiet, but rather a gentle intimacy that seems to grow stronger with each passing moment. Shouko can feel his gaze on her every now and then, making her heart flutter in the most delightful way possible. This is exactly how she wants things to be between them: simple, easygoing, and filled with little moments like this one.

As they reach the door to their classroom, Shouko hesitates for a moment before speaking up. "Um... Ryan?" she says nervously, glancing over at him out of the corner of her eye. "I wanted to thank you again for yesterday." Her words tumble out in a rush, fearful that if she doesn't express herself

Her face flushes even deeper at his nudge and playful teasing. "Really?" she asks, her voice barely audible above a whisper. The thought of sharing more memories with him fills her with happiness; it's like their connection grows stronger with each passing moment. She bites her lip as they make their way into the classroom together, hoping that this newfound joy doesn't fade away anytime soon.

As they take their seats and wait for the lecture to begin, Shouko steals glances at Ryan from time to time, marveling at how easily he makes her feel comfortable and wanted. Today is already better than yesterday, and she can only hope that tomorrow will be even better still. For now, she decides to enjoy this moment, basking in the warmth of his attention and cherishing every fleeting interaction they share.

Her heart skips a beat as Ryan turns his head towards her and catches her looking. His smile is reassuring, and it sends a shiver down her spine when he reaches out to hold her hand. Her fingers lace with his, their skin warm against each other's, and she feels a rush of heat course through her entire body. It's like being this close to him makes everything else fade away, and all that matters is the connection they share.

She tries to focus on the lecture but finds herself lost in thought about him instead. His touch is electrifying; it feels both gentle and assertive at the same time. Every movement of his fingers against hers sends tingles up her arm, making her insides quiver with anticipation. As they continue holding hands throughout class, she can't help but wonder what else this relationship could bring for them both.

Her face flames an even brighter red as Ryan teases her about his sweaty palms. It's such a typical thing for him to say, but it still manages to make her heart race with excitement. "T-They're not bothering me," she stammers, trying hard not to laugh and give away how comfortable she really is with him holding her hand. The truth is, the more time they spend together like this, the more natural it feels. It's as if their hands were meant to be entwined forever.

As class ends and students begin filing out of the room, Ryan releases her hand but leaves his arm draped casually over the back of her chair. Shouko looks up at him from underneath her lashes; she can't believe he's still this attentive even after everyone has left. A small smile plays at the corners of her lips, and for a moment, all she wants is for them to be alone together so they can explore these newfound feelings that are growing stronger by the second.

Her gaze flickers downward as she gathers her things. "Y-Yes, actually," she says quietly, barely tearing her eyes away from him. "I have math next." She feels a wave of nervousness wash over her; is it too soon to ask if he wants to walk with her? What if he says no? The thought makes her heart sink into her stomach.

"O-Okay, well," she begins hesitantly, mustering up all the courage she can find within herself. "If you're not in a rush or anything...?" She trails off, leaving the rest of the sentence unspoken but heavily implied. Her cheeks flush with color, and she glances back up at him, hoping for an encouraging smile or nod.

Her heart leaps with joy as he agrees to walk her to class. She can't help but beam at him, a genuine smile spreading across her face like sunlight breaking through clouds. "Thank you, Ryan," she whispers, the words barely audible over the hum of conversation around them. Taking his offered hand, she allows him to lead her out of the classroom and down the hallway towards their next destination.

As they walk side by side, Shouko can't help but marvel at how natural it feels to be this close to him. Their hands brush against each other occasionally, sending sparks of electricity shooting up her arm. It almost feels as if they were always meant to be together; as if fate itself had orchestrated this perfect moment in time. With each step they take towards their next class, she finds herself falling deeper and harder for him, wishing that time could stand still so they could stay like this forever.

Blushing deeply and feeling both happy and sad at the same time, Shouko waves goodbye to Ryan as he walks away. Her heart feels so full but also aches a little, wanting more of these special moments with him. She takes a deep breath, calming herself down before opening the door to her math class. As she takes her seat, she realizes that she still has his notebook in her bag; one of the many things they've exchanged over the past few days. A small smile plays on her lips as she remembers all the cute little doodles and notes he's scribbled throughout it.

Throughout the class, she can't help but glance out the window, hoping for a glimpse of him or at least a text message from him checking up on her. As the bell finally rings, signaling the end of class, Shouko rushes to the door and quickly scans the hallway before deciding to head back to her dorm room instead. Maybe she'll see him there later tonight; until then, all she can do is hope and dream about their future together.

As the day goes by, Shouko finds herself constantly thinking about Ryan and their time together. She can't help but smile every time she remembers how he held her hand in class or the way his eyes lit up when he talked to her. Her heart races with anticipation whenever she receives a text from him, even if it's just a simple check-in or playful banter. The butterflies in her stomach have yet to subside, and she doesn't think they ever will as long as she keeps feeling this way about him.

Later that evening, after finishing dinner with her friends, Shouko decides to head back to her dorm early so she can spend some time alone and think about everything that's happened between them. As she walks down the hallway, she catches a glimpse of someone standing outside Ryan's door; his hair shining in the dim light. Her heart leaps into her throat as she realizes it's him, and for a moment, their eyes meet across the distance. The look in his eyes makes her blush even harder, sending heat spreading through her entire body.

Her heart pounds in her chest as they lock eyes across the hallway. The look in his gaze makes her feel flustered and overwhelmed, but also incredibly happy. It's like he can see right through her, and it scares her just a little bit... in the best way possible. As she watches him from afar, she wonders what he's thinking about, if they're having the same thoughts as she is: wondering how their relationship will progress, if there's a future for them together.

Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, Shouko decides that it's now or never. With courage burning in her veins, she walks over to where he stands outside his door, mustering up the nerve to speak to him. "Hi..." she manages to whisper, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I just wanted to... say hi." Her cheeks flush even deeper at the thought of being this close to him.

There's a moment of silence between them as their eyes remain locked. Shouko can feel the tension building, the air thick with possibility and desire