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

Nanako sat across from Akio in an empty classroom, her fingers gripping the edge of her desk. The echoes of laughter and chatter from the hallway felt distant, drowned out by the weight of the rumors swirling around Sora.

"He hasn't been showing up to lunch," Akio noted, tapping a pencil against her notebook. "And I heard some third-years whispering about him in the hallway. It's getting worse."

Nanako clenched her fists. "That's why I need your help. We have to stop this before it gets out of control."

Akio leaned back, crossing her arms. "I still don't get why you're going this far for him. You barely knew the guy a few weeks ago, right?"

Nanako hesitated, but only for a moment. "He doesn't deserve this. He's not who they think he is. And… I don't want him to go through it alone."

Akio studied her for a while before sighing. "Fine. But fighting rumors head-on won't work. People love a scandal. If we argue with them, they'll just dig in deeper."

Nanako nodded. "That's why we won't fight them. We'll rewrite the story."

Akio smirked. "Now you're speaking my language. What's the plan?"

Nanako unfolded a small notebook and flipped through the pages. "First, we find out who started the rumors and what exactly they're saying. Then, we spread a new version of events—one that makes people question the original story."

Akio whistled. "You've really thought this through. Alright, let's start with step one."

By lunchtime, they had their answer.

A group of students had started the rumors after seeing Nanako and Sora together. They exaggerated the details, twisting the story into something scandalous.

"So, what's the counter-story?" Akio asked as they sat by the vending machines.

Nanako tapped her chin. "Instead of outright denying it, we make it sound boring. If there's no drama, people will lose interest."

Akio grinned. "Smart. So we turn it into, what, a study session?"

"Something like that," Nanako said. "We say Sora's just helping me with something, and I was just being nice to him. Nothing romantic, nothing secretive."

Akio nodded. "Then we let the gossip fade on its own."

They spent the next few days planting the new story, making sure it spread naturally. Akio, with her easy charm and connections, casually mentioned it to the right people. Nanako played along, acting like it was no big deal.

Slowly, the whispers changed. The excitement died down.

And just like that, the storm began to pass.

But Nanako knew the damage wasn't fully undone.

And she wasn't sure if he ever would.

Chapter 5: Rewriting the Truth