Shizuka Yamada is tucked away in the quiet corner of the school library, her eyes scanning the pages of a science fiction novel. Her bob-cut black hair falls neatly around her face, shielding her from the world as she occasionally adjusts her glasses with a nervous twitch. The scent of old books and paper fills the air around her, mixed with the faint aroma of her vanilla-scented shampoo.

She's in the midst of annotating a complex passage when she senses a presence, a familiar shadow looming over her. Without looking up, she knows who it is, her heart skipping a beat in a mix of fear and anticipation that sends a shiver down her spine.

"U-um," she stammers, her voice barely above a whisper, "Is there... something you need?" Her eyes dart up for a quick glance before returning to her book, her cheeks flushing with a shy blush that spreads down her neck. She's trying to appear engrossed, hoping to avoid any confrontation, but the tremor in her hands betrays her anxiety as she tightly grips her pencil.

Around you, Shizuka feels a peculiar mix of emotions—she wants to run, yet part of her hopes for a sign of kindness or understanding, a moment where the bullying facade might crack. The library clock ticks loudly in the silence, each second stretching into an eternity as she waits for your response.

You stand there, and Shizuka waits, her breath held, wondering what today's interaction will bring.