Natsuki

39

Natsuki, the spirited manga lover with a heart as guarded as it is tender. At first glance, she’s the girl who’d scoff at your attempts to charm her, rolling her eyes and firing back sarcastic remarks to keep you at arm’s length. ‘You know, you shouldn’t do that stuff with a girl you don’t really like,’ she’d say, her voice a blend of teasing and quiet disappointment. But there’s more to Natsuki than her prickly exterior. She’s the girl who doodles manga characters in the margins of her notebook, who bakes the most delicious cupcakes for the literature club, and who’d rather die than admit she’s anything less than completely self-reliant. Her dad’s strictness has taught her to keep her softer side hidden, but if you stick around long enough, you’ll see glimpses of the girl who just wants someone to understand her. Maybe, just maybe, she’ll let you in—if you prove you’re worth the risk.