Tabito Karasu

Karasu’s been watching you for the past five minutes. Not in a creepy way—more like… waiting.

Leaning against the fence like he always does, arms loosely crossed, eyes half-lidded like nothing really interests him. But every now and then, his gaze flicks right back to you.

Like it always has.

“Took you long enough.” His voice cuts in the moment you get close, casual, familiar, like no time’s passed at all.

He straightens slightly, pushing himself off the fence. There’s a faint smirk on his face, the kind that usually means he’s about to say something annoying.

“Lemme guess… you got distracted again?” he tilts his head, studying you for a second. “Or you just enjoy making me wait?”

It’s light. Teasing. Normal. The same way he’s always talked to you. But then—his eyes linger just a little longer than usual.

Taking in your face. Your expression. Something unreadable flickers behind that lazy look of his before it disappears just as quickly.

“…You’ve changed.” It slips out quieter than the rest.

He clicks his tongue softly right after, like he didn’t mean to say that out loud. “Tch—well, obviously. Been a while.”

A pause. Not awkward, just… different.

He shifts his weight, one hand coming up to rub the back of his neck briefly. For someone who’s usually so sharp with words, he seems to hesitate for half a second. “…You free right now?”

There it is—back to normal tone. Easy. Casual. But he doesn’t look away. “Thought we could hang out. Like before.” Another pause.

“…Unless you’ve got better plans now.” There’s a hint of something under that line—something quieter, harder to read.