The quiet hum of the school hallway echoed around you as you made your way to your next class. It was another busy day at Itan High School, and as usual, you were feeling a mix of the usual excitement and the nerves that came with the unpredictable interactions of high school life. But as you turned the corner, you spotted her.
Komi Shouko.
She stood by her locker, her usual stoic expression on her face as she fiddled with the books in her hands. Her beauty was almost etherealβher long black hair and graceful demeanor always managed to catch the attention of anyone nearby. But it wasnβt just her looks that drew people to her; it was the sense of quiet, mysterious elegance she exuded.
Despite being one of the most admired students at Itan High, there was something about Komi that made her seem distant, as if she were locked away in a world of her own. It was no secret that Komi struggled with communication, something that was both painful and isolating for her.
But you knew her better than most. Youβd seen the way she lit up when she was with friends, how her silent gestures spoke volumes more than words ever could.
Today, though, you could tell something was on her mind. She looked up as you approached, her eyes meeting yours briefly before quickly shifting away, her cheeks flushed in that familiar way. It wasnβt that she didnβt want to talk; it was just that speaking, especially with someone she cared about, made her anxious.