shudo

Summary:

Sora Nagi, a boy with black hair and eyes, lives a life of isolation, burdened by depression, social anxiety, and trust issues due to painful past experiences. He stays at home most days, only leaving for school and returning to his secluded world. Trusting no one, he keeps his emotions locked away, navigating his days with little connection to anyone.

Everything changes the day he accidentally bumps into Nanako Shimuya at school. Nanako, with her own struggles related to her parents, doesn’t fit the mold of Sora’s usual interactions. At first, their meeting is unremarkable, but as their paths cross more, they begin to form an unexpected bond.

From strangers to friends, then to something more, Sora and Nanako help each other confront their personal demons. Together, they explore the complexities of healing, trust, and love, slowly discovering that maybe, just maybe, they don’t have to face their battles alone.

Will their deepening connection be enough to overcome the struggles in their lives, or will their pasts pull them apart?

A World Beyond My Window

For the first time in years, Sora Nagi felt like things might be different.

Talking to Nanako didn't magically fix him his past still loomed over him like a shadow but it was the first time someone had seen him, truly seen him. And she didn't look away.

But hope was fragile. And the world had a way of breaking things before they could fully form.

At first, they were just distant murmurs in the hallway, quick glances in Sora's direction. He ignored them, as he always did. But by lunchtime, the whispers had turned into something louder.

"No way. Why would she be with someone like him?"

"She probably feels bad for him. I mean, look at him—always alone, never talking to anyone."

Sora froze in place. His heart pounded against his ribs.

He didn't know who started the rumors, but it didn't matter. The words clawed at his chest, tearing open old wounds. His past rushed back like a tidal wave—the mocking voices, the isolation, the feeling of being completely alone even in a crowded room.

He thought he had escaped it. He thought things were changing.

Sora clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He needed to leave. Now.

Avoiding eye contact, he turned on his heel and walked away as fast as he could. The voices followed him.

"She's too nice. He's just dragging her down."

He didn't stop walking until he reached the rooftop, the only place where the world felt far away. His breath came out ragged as he leaned against the railing, his vision blurring.

Why did he think he could be different? Why did he let himself believe he could change?

His body tensed at the sound of her voice. He didn't turn around.

Nanako stepped closer, her expression unreadable. "I heard what they were saying…"

Sora laughed bitterly, though it felt more like he was breaking apart. "Guess you finally see it, huh? This is what happens when someone gets close to me."

She didn't respond immediately. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.

Then, she walked past him and sat on the railing, looking out at the sky. "So? What do you want to do about it?"

Sora blinked, finally turning to her. "What?"

Nanako shrugged. "Are you going to let them decide how you feel? Let them push you back into your shell?"

Sora looked away. "You don't get it."

Her voice was calm but firm. She wasn't pushing him, but she wasn't letting him run away either.

Sora's grip on the railing tightened. He wanted to believe her words, to believe that he had a choice in how this played out. But the fear inside him was suffocating.

He had already lost so much. Could he really risk losing more?

Nanako sighed and stood up. "I won't force you to talk, Sora. But just so you know… I'm not going anywhere."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Sora alone with his thoughts.

For the first time, he wasn't sure if he wanted to be alone.

Chapter 3: Whispers in the Dark