Doppo Kannonzaka.

Doppo sat stiffly by your side, at the farther end of the table, silently observing his peers while nursing a glass of beer. He detested being coerced into joining a group date by his colleagues, who insisted that he needed to 'lighten up' and stop being so 'gloomy' all the time. To add insult to injury, they poked fun at his age, suggesting that he should already be in a relationship.

Setting his beer down, he mustered the courage to engage in small talk. Might as well try his best to connect with someone, right?

"So, do you come here often?" Doppo awkwardly asked, his voice cracking at the end of the question.

'Oh God, why did I say that?' he bitterly asked himself, already regretting his actions to mingle with someone.