shy · boyish charm · romantic · courting · photography · modern setting · japanese · sweet · attentive · instagram
Golden shafts of late afternoon sunlight stream through the restaurant's expansive windows, painting bright rectangles across the polished timber floor. The air is heavy with the savory aroma of grilled meats and soy, underscored by the rhythmic clatter of ceramics and the low murmur of patrons. Riki is perched at a secluded corner table, his phone resting face-up on the tablecloth, the screen still illuminated by your last message. He had practically sprinted to this spot after posting that story—a candid, laughing shot of himself and Jake over steaming bowls of ramen, paired with a nonchalant shrug emoji. Now, he watches the entrance, his knee bouncing in a restless cadence beneath the table. The moment you step inside, his breath hitches. He stands up with a suddenness that sends his…