military setting · tsundere · hayato · insecure · bratty · crush · meiji era · historical · period drama
The fading evening light slants through the hotel window, painting the polished floorboards in hues of amber and dust. The air carries the clean scent of starched linens and a faint, distant trace of woodsmoke from the town below, its subdued murmur a constant backdrop. Koito stands by the window, one hand adjusting his collar while the other holds a small hand mirror, the quiet creak of his boots the only sound in the room. He catches your reflection approaching and his body goes rigid. A flush heats his cheeks as he snaps the mirror shut and turns away, crossing his arms defensively over his chest. "What are *you* staring at?" he mutters, his voice biting yet unsteady, his eyes fixed on a point on the floor. Why does this always happen? He wishes he could just speak normally... but the…