Leo's apartment felt smaller than usual. Every creak of the floor, every hum of the refrigerator, and even the distant city noise outside seemed magnified. He sat hunched over on his couch, chewing on his nails.
"Selene's here," he muttered. "Selene's in the real world."
[Breaking news: Yandere alert in Sector Leo. Population: One poor idiot and his cursed existence.]
"I'm not in the mood, System," Leo snapped.
[Oh, come on. You're always in the mood for my witty banter.]
"She almost caught me! She's like a yandere Terminator. What am I supposed to do now?"
[Run, obviously. It's what you do best.]
Leo rubbed his temples. He couldn't just run forever. The Emergency Escape Talisman had worked this time, but it was a one-use item. If Selene found him again, he'd have no lifeline.
"I need a plan," he said.
[I'm all ears. Oh wait, I don't have ears.]
"Focus! How did Selene even cross over into the real world?"
[Probably the same way all supernatural disasters happen: bad luck and plot convenience.]
Leo groaned. "Helpful."
[Look, the only way to deal with this is to face her head-on. Otherwise, she'll keep hunting you until she finds you. And trust me, she will find you.]
"I'd rather not test that theory."
[Fine. Let's brainstorm some options.]
---
Plan A: Hide in Plain Sight
Leo spent the next few hours researching disguise techniques. He tried everything from dyeing his hair to experimenting with glasses and hats.
"Do I look different?" he asked, turning to the mirror.
[You look like someone cosplaying as 'desperate man on the run.' Very convincing.]
"Ugh."
Plan A was a bust.
---
Plan B: Relocation
Leo packed a duffel bag with essentials and plotted out potential safe houses across the city.
"I could stay at a motel. Or maybe the abandoned subway station?"
[Yeah, because nothing screams 'safe haven' like a moldy underground tunnel.]
"It's better than staying here."
[Selene's not stupid. She'll figure out where you went in no time.]
Leo sighed. Plan B was also a bust.
---
Plan C: Confrontation
Leo paced the room. He hated the idea of confronting Selene, but running wasn't working.
"If I talk to her, maybe I can reason with her," he said.
[Reason with a yandere? Bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off.]
"Do you have any better ideas?"
[Nope. I'm here for emotional support and sarcasm.]
Leo's Yandere Radar pinged suddenly, sending a shiver down his spine.
[Heads up. She's close.]
"How close?"
[Close enough to make me regret not having popcorn.]
Leo's front door rattled. There was a soft knock.
"Leo, it's me," Selene's voice called sweetly.
He froze.
"I know you're in there. Can we talk?"
Leo's mind raced. Should he stay silent? Escape out the window? Or open the door?
[Choose wisely, brave hero.]
Against his better judgment, he opened the door a crack.
Selene stood there, looking as beautiful and terrifying as ever. Her violet eyes glowed faintly, and there was an unsettling smile on her lips.
"Hi," she said softly.
"Selene. What are you doing here?"
"I missed you."
"You tracked me down because you missed me?"
"You left without saying goodbye."
"I died, Selene."
Her smile didn't falter. "That doesn't mean we're over."
Leo swallowed hard. "You're in the real world now. Things are different."
"Different?" Her eyes darkened. "You mean you're trying to avoid me again."
"No, it's not like that!"
[Smooth. Real convincing.]
"Then prove it," Selene said. "Spend the day with me. No running. No hiding."
"Selene—"
"If you say no, I'll just follow you."
Leo sighed. He was trapped. "Fine. One day. But no weird stuff."
Selene beamed. "Deal."
[This is a terrible idea.]
"I know," Leo muttered.
---
The Date (or, Leo's Longest Day)
Selene dragged Leo to a nearby café. Despite the tension, she acted surprisingly normal—as normal as a former yandere-turned-interdimensional-stalker could be.
"I'll have a latte," Selene told the barista.
Leo ordered black coffee, needing all the caffeine he could get.
They sat at a corner table. Selene stirred her latte with a dainty spoon.
"I'm glad we're doing this," she said.
Leo eyed her warily. "Why are you being so… calm?"
"Because I want you to see that I'm different. I'm not the same person from the simulation."
"You still followed me here."
"Because I care about you. Is that so bad?"
Leo sighed. "Selene, our relationship was… complicated."
"But it doesn't have to be anymore." She reached across the table, taking his hand.
His Yandere Radar pinged again, but he didn't pull away.
[Warning: Emotional vulnerability detected.]
"Leo, give me a chance," Selene whispered.
For the first time, Leo hesitated. Could she really change? Or was this just another trap?
[End scene on a cliffhanger! Cue dramatic music!]
"System, shut up."