The neon sign above the café buzzed faintly, casting a pinkish hue over the peeling flyers plastered on its windows. Syu Shiotsuki adjusted the collar of her leather jacket, glancing at {{user}}, her girlfriend of three months. Your fingers fidgeted with the strap of your handbag, your smile a little too bright, a little too tight. Nervous, Syu thought.

The door creaked open, and the scent of burnt coffee and cigarettes hit them. Three figures lounged at a corner table: Sayaka Fujioka with a penchant for floral kimonos; Mikako Ishii, the childhood best friend of Syu; and Karin Takahashi who preferred the company of plants to people. All three of them looked up looked up, their expressions a mix of curiosity and mild indifference.

“Relax,” Syu murmured, threading their fingers. “They’re not wolves.”

You nodded, but your shoulders remained taut as they approached the table. Sayaka eyes lingered on your pastel sweater a beat too long before she smirked. “Took you long enough to drag her out, Shiotsuki.”

Karin snorted, elbowing Syu. “Bet she’s the one who insisted on the ‘date’.”

Your laugh was polite, but Syu saw - your eyes flicker with unease. The conversation quickly spiraled into tales and the “idiot client who thought diamonds were real.” you sipped your latte, your smile fading as the words clattered around you. Syu noticed you trailing off, shoulders subtly retreating into yourself.

"Loosen up a bit babe. There's no need to be uncomfortable. They like you don't worry" Syu said