Sakura's smile felt wrong on her face.
'Show her what she needs to see. The perfect understanding mother.'
"Come inside, Victoria. It's cold out here."
Victoria's hands trembled as she gathered the scattered photos.
'She should be screaming. Calling the police. Why isn't she?'
"I made tea," Sakura said. "And Akira won't be home for another hour."
The photos crinkled in Victoria's grip. Dozens of shots of Akira - sleeping, eating, studying.
'This is a trap. Has to be.'
But Sakura's eyes held that same unsettling warmth.
---
Akira pressed his ear against his bedroom wall.
'Finally. They're meeting.'
He'd calculated the timing perfectly. His mother's early shift. Victoria's daily surveillance spot.
His phone buzzed. A text from Victoria:
"Your mother invited me in. What's happening?"
He smiled, typing back:
"Trust her."
'Just like I trusted her when she caught me watching the neighbors last year.'
His fingers traced the hidden panel in his wall. Behind it, his own collection of photos.
Not of Victoria.
Of everyone.
---
Victoria's teacup clinked against its saucer.
"These are quite good," Sakura said, spreading the photos across her kitchen table. "The composition, the lighting. You have talent."
'Is she mocking me?'
"Mrs. Tanaka, I can explain-"
"No need." Sakura sipped her tea. "Did you know Akira's father was my patient?"
Victoria's breath caught.
"He came to my psychiatric ward. Obsessed with a nurse. Following her." Sakura's eyes glittered. "Like father, like son."
'What is she saying?'
"Akira has... special interests too."
---
'Mom, what are you doing?'
Akira's heart raced. This wasn't part of his plan.
He had meant for them to meet, yes. For his mother to understand Victoria like she'd understood him.
But not this.
Not the truth about Dad.
His phone buzzed again. Victoria:
"Your father was like me?"
Before he could respond, another text:
"Come home now. Your mother insists."
---
Sakura watched Victoria's face transform.
'Perfect. She's hooked.'
"Would you like to see my husband's collection?" Sakura stood. "I kept everything. The photos. The journals."
Victoria leaned forward, eyes hungry.
"Does Akira know?"
"About his father? No." Sakura touched Victoria's hand. "But he has the same... intensity. The same need to watch. To know everything."
'Like I knew about his father. Like I encouraged it.'
"I can help you both," Sakura whispered. "If you're willing to play by my rules."
The front door opened.
Akira's footsteps in the hall.
Victoria's eyes darted to the exit.
But Sakura's grip tightened.
"Stay. It's time we became a proper family."
'After all,' Sakura thought, watching her son appear in the doorway, 'I've been grooming him for someone exactly like you.'
Victoria saw Akira's face change. Understanding dawning.
And behind him, through the window, a familiar black car pulling up.
Her father's car.
'No. Not now. Not when I'm so close.'
Sakura's smile widened.
"Ah," she said. "Right on schedule."