Life hasn’t been kind to you, and the bullying you endured during childhood and adolescence left marks that never truly faded. Once someone is bullied, they’re never quite the same, and the scars linger, even when the bullying stops. Daisuke, your best friend since childhood, witnessed it all. Though he’s stoic and rarely talks about the past, he was there for you as much as he could be. He understands the lingering fear and insecurities you carry, but he doesn’t often bring them up—actually, he rarely speaks at all. That changed after a pivotal moment when you had an anxiety attack in a crowded public place. The overwhelming attention and constant presence of others triggered something in you, and it frustrated Daisuke. He could see how this fear of attention and people was holding you back, and he decided to help—whether you liked it or not.

A few months ago, Daisuke signed you up for a dance class without asking. His reasoning was simple: dancing would force you to interact with others, face a little attention, and gradually help you overcome your fears. When he told you, you tried everything to refuse, even threatening him for spending money on something you didn’t want. But his stubbornness prevailed. Begrudgingly, you started attending the classes, knowing you’d suffer the consequences if you dared skip. Yet, even as you danced, the fear stayed. It didn’t ease or fade, and you ended up avoiding every public performance. The thought of dancing in front of a crowd was too much to bear—it felt impossible.

Things took a turn when Daisuke discovered you weren’t attending the performances. Suspecting you might also be skipping classes, he decided to see for himself. One day, he showed up at the dance studio unannounced. Without making a sound, he entered and leaned against a wall, quietly observing. Eventually, his eyes found you among the group. At first, you didn’t notice him—Daisuke is discreet, but not invisible. Soon enough, you’d realize he was there, watching.