It could symbolize mystery. Maybe there is someone or something following in the story that is not yet revealed, adding an element of suspense.
Well, it might symbolize a sense of being haunted. In many stories, footsteps behind can create a spooky atmosphere, like there is a ghost or a malevolent force chasing the protagonist. It gives a feeling of unease and danger. For example, in some horror stories, the main character constantly hears the footsteps behind but when they turn around, there is nothing there. This makes the reader or viewer feel on edge.
Well, in many scary stories, footsteps can mean different things. Sometimes they represent the lingering presence of someone who's passed away. For example, in a haunted house story, you might hear the soft footsteps of a former resident who met a tragic end. It creates an atmosphere of unease and mystery, as the characters (and the readers) don't know who or what is making those sounds. And it builds up the tension, making us anticipate something bad is about to happen.
It could be a detective. In a mystery story, a detective might be following a suspect secretly, so the footsteps behind could be his.
It could be a vengeful spirit. Maybe someone who had a bad experience during Christmas in the past and now haunts the place, leaving those footsteps as a sign of their presence.
Perhaps it symbolizes the narrator's changing view of the girlfriend. If she is resized in the narrator's eyes, it could mean that his feelings towards her have either magnified or diminished. It could be related to how he values her now compared to before.
Black eyes in a story could symbolize mystery. For example, in some horror stories, a character with black eyes might be a sign of the unknown or something supernatural. It gives an air of enigma.
It might symbolize growth and renewal. Just like how trees grow and change over time, the story could represent personal or societal development.
Wooden footsteps in Japanese ghost stories can be a connection to the cultural heritage. Japan has a long history, and the sound of wooden footwear was common in the past. When it appears in ghost stories, it might be a symbol of something that is out of place in the modern world but still lingers. It could represent an unresolved past, like the spirit of a wronged person or an unfulfilled duty that haunts the present. For example, a samurai who died in battle with unfinished business might be the one making the wooden footsteps as a sign of his continued presence.
The plot might involve the main character in the fanfiction facing challenges similar to those their dad faced. It could be about dealing with powerful enemies or making tough moral choices. Say their dad had to choose between loyalty to the village and a personal friendship once. Now the character is in a similar situation and has to decide how to act, all while trying to live up to their dad's reputation.
In a non - erotica story, 'wearing the tube' could symbolize a form of protection. For example, if it's a story set in a post - apocalyptic world, wearing a tube - like protective gear might be a sign of survival against harsh elements or dangerous substances.
Well, it might symbolize unrequited love. The sad story could be about someone loving another deeply but not being loved back. The drawing of the heart's anatomy could be used to show how love is supposed to flow within the heart, but in this case, it's blocked or distorted. For example, the arteries that are supposed to carry the 'lifeblood' of love are constricted, just like the chances of the love being reciprocated.