The campus looked the same as always — students laughing in the courtyard, couples holding hands, clubs recruiting noisily. But for Aika, it all felt staged, like a play performed in front of her while she sat in the audience, frozen.
Everywhere she turned, Kaito's presence lingered.
He didn't confront her after the archives. Didn't send a message. Didn't even glance at her during lectures.
But she felt him. Like he was letting her squirm. Like he was waiting for her to make the first move.
---
At lunch, Mina plopped down across from her with her usual dramatic flair.
"Girl, you look like you saw a ghost. Or worse — you found out your crush is secretly married with five kids!"
Aika forced a laugh. "It's nothing. Just tired."
But her grip on her fork betrayed her. Mina squinted, unconvinced.
And then, over Mina's shoulder, Aika saw him.
Kaito, leaning against a column, phone in hand. Smiling faintly when his eyes flicked toward her.
The breath caught in her throat. Mina kept rambling about some club drama, but Aika couldn't hear a word.
---
That night, as she packed up her notes in the library, her phone buzzed.
> Unknown Number: You read fast.
Her heart nearly stopped. She hadn't given him her number.
Another text followed.
> Careful with secrets, rabbit. Some bite back harder than others.
Her hands trembled. She shoved her phone into her bag and rushed out — only to nearly collide with him at the door.
Kaito. Calm. Smirking. Like he'd been waiting all along.
"You've been quiet," he said softly. "That's not like you."
Aika's breath came shallow. "You're sick."
He leaned down, his voice brushing her ear. "And you're curious. That's worse."
Her body froze. Heat and fear tangled in ways she hated.
Kaito stepped back, letting her pass. His smile said everything: I control the pace now.
---
Later, in her dorm, Aika curled on her bed, shaking. Mina had fallen asleep already, leaving the room silent.
For the first time since arriving at the campus, Aika buried her face in her pillow and let the tears spill.
She hated him. She feared him. But what terrified her most… was how much she couldn't stop thinking about him.
---