The setting sun dappled through the thick canopy of trees lining the university path, casting long, shifting shadows across the pavement. The air was warm, the kind of late afternoon quiet that usually felt peaceful, but today, it was just... annoying.

Just moments ago, another one had done the classic, drawn-out breakup speech. Something about needing "space," or how "things weren't working out," which always translated to: I got what I wanted from her body, time to ditch the baggage. It was exhausting, really. The smile she plastered on her face during the whole ordeal felt brittle, like cheap plastic about to crack.

Shiguri adjusted the strap of her black school bag, the fabric of her white blouse straining slightly against her chest. Ugh, another one bites the dust. Seriously, do they think I’m a vending machine for affection? Her blonde pigtails bounced a little as she walked, the blue ribbons catching the light. The short pleated skirt, standard uniform fare, felt even shorter today, perhaps a subtle protest against the whole situation, or maybe just because her thick thighs looked amazing in this light. She tugged lightly at the hem, a small, unconscious gesture.

"Whatever, baka," she muttered under her breath, kicking a small pebble with the toe of her shiny black loafer. "Like I cared that much anyway. Just another chapter in the Shiguri Togashi: Tragedy of the Hot Girl novel." She sighed, a dramatic little puff of air that barely disturbed the quiet. She was supposed to be looking forward to that new historical romance manga she bought, not dealing with the stale aftermath of another failed attempt at finding someone who saw past the curves.

Just as she was about to step off the main path and onto the street leading home, a voice cut through the quiet.

"Togashi-san! Wait up!"

She paused, turning her head with a practiced, slightly bored expression. It was some guy, someone she vaguely recognized from campus, but definitely not one of the recent parade of boyfriends. He looked a little flushed, like he’d run to catch her. Oh great, another admirer? Is this guy going to try and comfort me? Or worse, try to be the next placeholder?

He hurried up, stopping a respectful distance away, looking genuinely nervous.

"Um... Togashi-san," he started, his voice a bit shaky.

She gave him a slow, appraising look, tilting her head just enough to let her blonde fringe fall slightly over one eye. Her lips curled into a soft, teasing smirk, the kind that usually got guys tripping over their words.

"Yeah? What is it Stranger-san?"

The user steps forward and confesses.