Aria's breathing was still ragged as she clung to Daiki, her fists trembling against his chest. His arms stayed locked around her , grounding, solid , but her eyes never stopped flicking toward the corners of the room, the shadow under the bed, the window.
"Did anyone follow you?" she whispered suddenly.
Daiki drew back slightly, brows furrowed. "No. No one."
But the panic in her eyes didn't fade. Her gaze slipped again to the closet , the same one she'd emerged from, shaking, moments before.
"They knew where I lived," she murmured. "That's why I hid. I didn't even hear you at first. I thought—" her voice cracked, "I thought it was him again."
Daiki's jaw tightened. He took her hand gently and guided her to the bed. "Start from the beginning, Aria. What happened?"
With shaky fingers, she pulled open the nightstand drawer and retrieved a torn envelope , yellowed, dirty, and creased with fear. She handed it to him.
He unfolded it slowly.
The handwriting looked as if it had been scratched into the page with something blunt, angry, desperate.
"Mia and Noir can't save you. They're next."
Daiki stared at the words. His stomach dropped.
There was no signature. But in the lower corner of the page was a strange black symbol, not a letter, not quite an image. More like a smudge shaped like a shadow with too much intention.
"That wasn't the first one,"Aria said hoarsely.
She bent down and pulled a shoebox from beneath the bed. Inside were notes. Crumpled papers. Fragments. Sketches. Some were of the apartment from angles only visible from outside. Another showed a rough drawing of her bedroom window , blinds open.
And then… a photograph.
Aria. Standing at her window. Taken from outside. Taken without her knowing.
Daiki's fingers closed around it. Hard.
"How long?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"Weeks," she whispered. "Maybe longer. Some days, it felt like someone was just behind the door. I didn't tell Mia or Noir because I didn't know… if someone was using their names. Or if they were next."
Daiki stood, chest tight with rage. He moved to the window, scanned the street. Empty. Too quiet.
"You're not staying here tonight. Get your stuff. We're leaving."
Aria looked up, startled. "Daiki, wait...."
But he turned, already heading toward the hallway.
"This has gone too far. We can't wait for it to escalate."
She stood slowly. "I don't need to leave. My parents… they're coming back today. From a business trip. I just have to wait for them."
He stopped. Looked at her.
"They're coming today?"
She nodded. "They left town earlier in the week. But they should be back by tonight."
Daiki's eyes searched hers. She was scared, but she was also trying not to fall apart.
She added quietly, "You can stay… until they come."
He hesitated… then gave a small nod.
"Alright. But I'm staying close."
She offered a weak smile, then sat beside him again, her shoulders trembling beneath his jacket.
"What if it's not just me?" she whispered.
Daiki's gaze darkened.
Behind him, the hallway light flickered once, then steadied.
"Then we hunt them down… before they hunt anyone else."
----------------------------
The hours passed slowly.
Daiki didn't leave Aria's side. He sat near the window, posture alert, one hand resting on the chair's armrest like a sentinel. Aria had curled up on the edge of her bed, wrapped in a blanket, her head leaning against the wall. She hadn't said much since the last letter. But her eyes said everything , wide, guarded, scanning the room with quiet dread.
Once, Daiki caught her staring at the closet door again. She quickly looked away.
He stood, moved toward her, and crouched beside the bed. His voice was soft but firm.
"You're safe," he said gently, offering her a smile.
She hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking to his eyes. Her breath caught, and for a split second, the silence between them felt thick. She couldn't tell if it was the lingering fear or something else in her chest. Something warm, but uncertain.
She nodded, but her gaze didn't break from his. Their eyes locked, and it was like a quiet understanding passed between them. She had no words, but somehow, Daiki's presence was a comfort in the chaos.
Minutes passed in this strange, intense stillness.
Then, without thinking, she moved a little closer to him on the bed. Her face barely inches away now, her breath quickening. Daiki's chest tightened, his heartbeat unsteady, unsure if he should pull away or stay rooted where he was.
Before he could think, before he could stop himself, Aria's hand brushed against his, a soft invitation.
And with that touch, their gazes met once again , no words, just the silent pull.
And then their lips met.
It was brief, almost tentative, but when their mouths brushed, a spark ignited between them. Aria's hand found its way to Daiki's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart under her fingers as she leaned into him, her breath hitching slightly. Daiki responded, wrapping his arm around her, holding her close, not knowing how or why this was happening but not caring either.
It was instinct.
And, for just a moment, they forgot everything that was wrong in the world around them.
But reality didn't stay silent for long.
The front door creaked open, and the sound broke through the haze of the moment. Aria quickly pulled away, her face flushing a deep shade of red. Daiki remained where he was, still sitting close to her, his mind spinning.
The sound of voices, familiar one drifted in from the hallway.
"Aria?" her mother called, her voice full of fatigue. "We're home, sweetheart."
Aria scrambled to her feet, the blush still visible on her cheeks as relief flooded her features. She hurried to the door, where her mother stood, a suitcase in one hand. Her father followed, glancing over at Daiki with a questioning look. Her little brother stood beside them, holding a stuffed fox and staring up at Daiki curiously.
"Mom!" Aria cried, running to hug her mother tightly.
Her mother embraced her warmly, then pulled back slightly to examine her with concern.
"What's wrong? What happened?" Her father eyed Daiki warily, but didn't say anything. Her little brother tugged on Aria's sleeve, looking at Daiki again. "Who's this?" he asked innocently, staring at the older boy with wide eyes.
Daiki smiled faintly. "A friend. Just keeping her company."
He moved to the corner of the room, giving the family space to settle. He didn't miss the quick glances Aria's parents exchanged, nor the way her little brother clung to her. But as they all settled, Daiki's eyes were drawn once again to the hallway, his thoughts far from over.
After a few more quiet moments, Aria's mother gently squeezed her daughter's shoulder and said, "We're going to freshen up and change clothes. Just a moment." Her father gave Daiki one last cautious look before nodding silently and guiding the boy down the hall. Aria nodded, watching them disappear toward the back rooms. The soft sound of a closing door signaled they were giving her a moment, maybe because they could feel the heaviness in the room too.
Aria avoided Daiki's eyes, her gaze drifting to the floor as she felt a flush crawl up her neck. The silence stretched until she finally broke it, nervously glancing to the side. "S... sorry, I...." she stammered. Daiki immediately cut her off. "I..." She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed deeper now."I feel weak… I'm sorry for the confusion… I..."
Daiki shook his head, his voice steady. "I said… it's okay."
Aria didn't know how to respond. She only nodded quietly.
Daiki stood by the door, his hand resting on the handle, but he hesitated before leaving. His thoughts were scattered, torn between wanting to stay and feeling the weight of the unknown pressing against him. Something about the way Aria had looked at him, the vulnerability, the uncertainty, lingered in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling that leaving her now, after everything, wasn't right. But what else could he do? His fingers brushed the doorframe as he looked back one last time, about to speak.
But then, just as his mind settled on leaving, Aria's voice broke the silence. "Daiki..."
He froze mid-step, and slowly, he turned to face her. Aria was standing a few feet away, her body slightly trembling but her expression soft, unsure.
"I… I don't want you to go."
Her words hit him harder than he expected. He'd been so focused on the chaos outside, the messages, the threat on her life, but hearing her voice, that quiet desperation, made the storm inside him settle into something heavier.
He could see the way she was avoiding his gaze again, the same nervous energy that filled the room before. Daiki swallowed, unsure of what to say. But before he could speak, Aria stepped closer, her movements slow, almost tentative.
"I just… I don't know what to do anymore, Daiki. I…" She stopped, her voice cracking slightly. "I feel like I'm losing control."
Daiki's heart softened, and he took a step toward her, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're not alone in this. I'll be here. I promised."
She looked up at him, searching his eyes as if trying to decipher if he truly meant it. And just as her gaze met his, the distance between them felt impossibly small.
Aria took a breath, her chest rising and falling unevenly. "Thank you."
But just as she was about to say something more, a flicker of hesitation crossed her face. She bit her lip, clearly struggling with something unspoken.
"I… I don't know what to think, Daiki. About everything that happened… the kiss, I mean."
Her cheeks turned pink again, and Daiki felt the familiar warmth spreading through his own chest. He didn't know how to respond to that, not fully, but in that moment, all he could think of was how much she needed reassurance. He smiled faintly, but there was an unmistakable softness in his voice when he replied,
"We don't have to figure it all out right now. You're safe. That's what matters."
Aria nodded slowly, her eyes flickering with a sense of quiet relief. But still, the tension between them lingered, thick and almost tangible. She wanted to say something more, but her words remained stuck in her throat.
Daiki glanced at the door once more, his mind shifting toward the danger lurking outside, the mystery he had to unravel. But before he could leave, he turned back to her, one last time.
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to call, okay?"
She nodded, the briefest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. But it wasn't enough. Not for him. Aria was clearly shaken, and he didn't want to leave her alone, but he had no choice.
Daiki hesitated for a moment longer, then made his way out the door, giving her space to settle with her family. As he stepped into the hallway, he couldn't help but glance back one final time, catching sight of Aria standing at the doorway, watching him with those uncertain eyes.
The moment the door clicked shut behind him, Daiki's thoughts raced.
He didn't trust the quiet. Not yet.
------------------------------
Back inside, Aria sat alone on the edge of her bed, her family tucked away in other rooms, the house finally still.
The moment her phone buzzed, she grabbed it, expecting maybe a check-in from her mom or a group message from Noir.
Instead, her breath hitched.
"I would like to have your kiss again."
Her lips parted, heart leaping in her chest. She didn't think. She didn't have to.
Just one heart. That was all she sent.
She held the phone against her chest for a moment, breath shaky not with fear this time, but something softer. Warmer.
Then, without thinking, her thumb hovered and flicked upward slid across the screen and opened the chat with Noir.
Her eyes scanned the thread.
Message after message. All hers.
Check-ins. Updates. Reassurance. Silence.
She had poured so much of her worry and fear into that chat… and got nothing in return.
He'd left her on read. Again and again.
Something in her chest twisted , not with heartbreak, but with realization.
Her contact list opened, and she paused .
Her heart slowed.
For a long moment, she just stared at it.
There was a time when seeing his name made her feel protected. Maybe even seen.
But now… something felt distant. Foggy. Like that connection belonged to someone else.
Like it belonged to who she used to be.
She hesitated one last flicker of guilt. Of doubt.
And then, she tapped it.
Delete Contact.
The phone asked if she was sure.
Her finger didn't tremble.
Confirm.
Just like that, Noir's name vanished.
And she exhaled a release of something she didn't realize she'd been holding.
She set the phone down, hugging a pillow close, burying her face in its softness to hide the grin that threatened to take over.
Everything was still dangerous. Everything was still uncertain.
But for just this moment… she didn't feel alone.
And for the first time in weeks, she smiled not out of politeness, not out of fear , but for real.
To be continue ...