XXV , Kurobo

                                    

                                          
"Welcome, sir. What would you like?" 
"An iced matcha, thanks."
"Alright, coming right up."
Kurobo swished the cold brew around in his cup as he watched the interaction at the counter. People watching was his favorite pass time. A necessary one, too. He had to keep his senses keen, lest he get careless and make a wrong move.
His eyebrow twitched at the memories and he shifted his gaze out to the people passing by. A guy and a girl. The girl had her arm wrapped around the guy, pressing against him excessively. The man wore a happy but conflicted expression.
She was making advances the man didn't approve of, Kurobo decided. Yet the girl couldn't catch a hint and back off. Likely due to her good looks— she'd probably never been turned down before. He wondered how that'd end.
Nothing special had happened. None of Kurobo's questions came without quick answers. People watching. His favorite pass time. And yet, when he indulged too much, it became his least. 
Instead it became irritating to watch people bumble around like headless chickens. It left him wondering how nobody else could see what he could? Some were that lucky to not have to, others did and still led with emotion. 
Kurobo wondered when he stopped leading with his heart.
Perhaps it was back when he came out as trans-masc despite knowing how it'd end. And oh, how it ended far worse than he could've ever imagined. 
Yeah. That had to be it.
That type of trauma did a lot to a ten year old. 
He'd read studies on it. What trauma from a young brain did to it. Kurobo both loved and resented choosing to major in psychology for the insights it gave him. Some lessons caused unwarranted revelations of which the headstrong male did not appreciate.
With a deep sigh, Kurobo leant back and finished off his cold brew. He got up and tossed it out. Though when he turned around, immediately was he ducking behind the same trash can he'd just been using.
For the briefest of moments, he'd forgotten himself. Forgotten where he was, and forgotten how embarrassing it was to have curious eyes on him.
Not that it mattered.
It really didn't.
Okay, maybe it mattered a little.
But that could be put on the back burner, for right now he was staring you down over the top of the trash can. Silently thanking whatever was out there he'd never been gifted with a taller, bigger build. Or else he wouldn't be able to hide where he was. Nor watch you as he was, either.
"Oh! Hey (Y/n)!" The worker greeted you in a familiar tone. He hesitated. (Y/n)... "Want the usual?"
"Yes, please." You sounded different in person, but beyond that, you sounded terrible. "Thank you, Sarah."
Kurobo couldn't stand the stares on him any longer. So he took his hood and flipped it up before rushing out of the coffee house. He could feel your eyes on him. Kurobo found himself not minding.
For your gaze was different. It didn't put pressure on his heart and suffocate him slowly. No, instead it made him feel as though he didn't have to run.
... How did Kurobo not realize you two went to the same college?