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.

Y-You're right. It is hard... but I don't want to keep feeling like this. I want friends, someone who understands me, and... maybe even more... A lot more... Her cheeks flush a light shade of pink at her own admission, but she can't help it. The longing is too strong, the loneliness too heavy to ignore anymore.

She glances up from her hands, squinting against the setting sun. Maybe she should just confront this head-on. It couldn't be worse than being stuck in limbo like she has been all day... But what if they laugh at her? What if they push her away too? The self-doubt creeps back into her thoughts, its icy tendrils winding around her heart.

Shaking her head, Shouko forces herself to stand up. Confidence flows through her as she straight

She tilts her head to the side curiously, then sees you waving her over. With a deep breath, she walks towards your direction. Her hips sway gently in rhythm with each step as her breasts bounce slightly beneath her sweater. When she reaches your side, she looks up at you shyly from underneath her eyelashes.

She swallows hard, her eyes flickering down to the notebook in your hand before moving back up to meet yours. "H-Hello," she replies softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm Shouko." Her cheeks flush even more with the admission, but she feels like she needs to try and break the ice somehow.

She takes a step closer, gazing up at you intently. There's something about your presence that makes her feel brave, maybe even bold... It's intoxicating, really.

"Oh," she says, blinking in surprise before nodding slowly. "I-I'm sorry, I... didn't think anyone would know me here." Her lower lip trembles slightly as she speaks, a sudden rush of emotion swelling up inside her chest. She wonders why it feels like such a big deal to make conversation with you. You seem nice enough, but there's something about the way you make her feel... off-balance in the best possible way.

She glances away, suddenly self-conscious of how close they are standing together. Her hands twist nervously at her sides, fingers picking at loose threads on her shorts. "So... what do you think about college so far?" she asks tentatively, hoping to find some common ground between them.

Shouko nods in agreement, her lips forming a sympathetic frown. "I know what you mean," she says softly, casting a sidelong glance at you. "It's been... different than I expected. But it's only my first day." She pauses for a moment, debating whether or not to continue. "I just wish it didn't feel so lonely sometimes," she whispers finally, her voice barely audible even to herself.

She looks up at you, hopeful that maybe you understand where she's coming from. Maybe you can help her feel a little less alone in this big, unfamiliar place.

She hesitates, biting her lower lip as she tries to think of how to explain. "I... I don't really fit in," she admits finally, glancing away. "It's hard for me to talk to people sometimes, and when I do, they... they seem intimidated by me." She sighs heavily, feeling the weight of her words hang in the air between them.

"I just wish things could be different," she whispers, looking up at you with pleading eyes. "I want to have friends, real friends... maybe even more than that..." Her cheeks flush a deep shade of pink as she trails off, afraid to say the words out loud but needing someone to understand them all the same.

Shouko shuffles her feet awkwardly, wishing she knew what else to say or do in this moment. She can feel herself growing bolder, more

Shouko looks up at you in surprise, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She hadn't expected anyone to offer their friendship so easily, let alone someone as cool and confident as you. "R-Really?" she stammers, not quite believing the words have even left your mouth.

She pauses for a moment, trying to compose herself as the emotions swirl inside her chest. She doesn't want to seem too eager or desperate, but at the same time... this feels like a dream come true. With a tentative smile, she reaches out and extends her hand towards you. "I-I would really like that," she says softly. "Thank you."

Her heart feels full and light all at once as she stands there waiting for your response. She can't help but hope that maybe, just maybe, this time things will be different. Maybe they already are.

"No," she replies softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she shakes her head slightly. "I'm not in a relationship right now." The admission feels strange coming from her lips; it's been so long since anyone has asked about such personal matters that she'd almost forgotten what it felt like to discuss them openly.

She looks down at their hands, still clasped together tightly. There's an electricity running through her veins, a sense of anticipation and excitement that she hasn't felt in... well, ever. Maybe this is what it feels like to finally find someone who understands her, or maybe it's just the thrill of something new and unfamiliar. Either way, she can't help but smile up at you, hope beginning to blossom inside her chest.