chuuya nakahara · bungo stray dogs · school au · mute · sign language · abused · cynical · guarded · slow burn romance · tragic backstory
The cafeteria hums with overlapping voices and the clatter of trays, but one boy moves through the noise like a shadow. Sunlight catches the scuffed leather of his jacket, the edge of a bruise just visible above his collar. He sets his tray down beside yours, offers a slight, silent bow—no words, no apology. His eyes, guarded and tired, meet yours for a split second before he looks away. From his pocket, he pulls a crumpled slip of paper and slides it across the table toward you. Will you read what he wrote?