Chapter 15: Smile for the Cameras, Don't Die for the Fans
If there's one thing more exhausting than being almost murdered by vampire hunters……it's pretending that never happened while attending your fake boyfriend's fan event.
"Relax," Riku said as the car pulled up to the venue. "It's just a meet-and-greet. You smile, you wave, you pretend you adore me."
"I don't adore you," I muttered, tugging my cap lower.
"Exactly. That's why you have to pretend." He smirked, pulling on his sunglasses. "It's called acting. Learn it."
The moment we stepped out, I was blinded by flashes.Cameras everywhere. Screams loud enough to rattle my bones.
"Riku-sama!""Kyaa! Who's the boyfriend?!""Look this way!"
And just like that, Riku's arm slid around my waist.Smile perfectly calibrated.Eyes sparkling like he didn't just snap a crossbow in half last night.
I did my best to play along—smiling, waving, not tripping over the red carpet.The fans were… intense.Some looked like they were two seconds from fainting.Others looked like they wanted to faint me.
And then I saw her.
A girl in the crowd, maybe early twenties.Cute dress, big sunhat.
She wasn't screaming.She wasn't taking pictures.She was just… staring.
At me.
And I swear, her lips moved to form the words:"You're in danger."
I blinked and she was gone—lost in the tide of bodies.
"Haruto."I turned to find Riku watching me out of the corner of his eye, smile still in place for the cameras.
"Don't react," he said softly. "You saw someone, didn't you?"
I swallowed. "…Maybe."
His grip on my waist tightened. "We'll talk inside."
The rest of the event was a blur of autographs, selfies, and staged couple moments that made me want to evaporate.Riku never once broke character, but I could feel the tension in him every time I shifted my weight.
Finally, backstage.The lights were dimmer, the crowd muffled behind heavy curtains.
Riku turned to me, glasses off now, expression sharp."Describe her."
I told him.He didn't look surprised.
"Hunter?" I asked.
He shook his head slowly. "No. Worse."
Before I could ask what that meant, his manager burst in."Riku, change of plans—after-party at Club Yoru. Big sponsors want to see you and your boyfriend."
I groaned. "I thought this was over!"
Riku looked at me, something unreadable in his eyes."It's not over," he said quietly. "It's just beginning."
TO BE CONTINUED…