Toshi stopped trying to understand it.
There was no logic left to hold onto.
No explanation that made sense.
Something was happening to him.
And it was getting worse.
He didn't sleep the next night either.
Or at least… he tried not to.
The lights in his room stayed on.
Every single one.
He even left the door slightly open, just enough to see the hallway outside.
It made him feel less trapped.
Less alone.
It didn't help.
By midnight, his head felt heavy.
His eyes burned.
His body begged for rest.
"…Just stay awake…"
He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor.
Counting seconds.
Breathing slowly.
Trying to stay in control.
That's when he noticed it.
A dark spot.
Near the corner of the room.
At first, he ignored it.
Just a shadow.
Nothing unusual.
But then—
It blinked.
Toshi froze.
"…No…"
He stared harder.
Closer.
Two small shapes formed within the darkness.
Eyes.
Not clear.
Not fully visible.
But there.
Watching him.
His breath stopped.
"…This isn't real…"
He whispered it.
But his voice didn't sound convincing.
The eyes didn't move.
Didn't blink again.
Just stayed there.
Watching.
Toshi slowly stood up.
His legs felt weak, but he forced himself forward.
One step.
Then another.
The closer he got—
The more the darkness seemed to deepen.
The eyes became clearer.
And then—
They vanished.
Just like that.
The corner was empty again.
Toshi staggered back slightly.
"…No… no… no…"
He ran a hand through his hair, breathing unevenly.
"I'm losing it…"
That had to be it.
There was no other answer.
But deep down—
He knew.
That wasn't imagination.
At some point—
His body gave up.
His eyes closed.
And everything went black.
He woke up.
He couldn't move.
Again.
"No…"
This time, he didn't even try to fight it.
He already knew.
His eyes shifted slowly.
Scanning the room.
Dark.
Quiet.
And then—
He saw her.
Standing near the door.
Closer than ever before.
Her white dress hung still.
Her hair covered most of her face.
But he could see one thing clearly.
Her eyes.
Red.
Not glowing.
Not bright.
Just… fixed on him.
Toshi's heart pounded violently.
"…Why…?"
The question formed in his mind.
But no answer came.
She didn't move.
Not at first.
Then—
One step.
Slow.
Silent.
Another.
Closer.
Toshi's breathing broke completely.
"Don't… don't come closer…"
But she didn't stop.
Step.
Step.
Until she stood right beside his bed.
Looking down at him.
Her head tilted.
Slightly.
Toshi's vision blurred.
His body refused to respond.
He couldn't even close his eyes.
Then—
She leaned closer.
Slowly.
Her face moving toward his.
Closer.
Closer.
Until—
He could feel it.
Her breath.
Cold.
Against his skin.
And then—
Everything went black.
Toshi woke up screaming.
His body finally free.
His voice finally working.
He fell off the bed again, gasping, shaking uncontrollably.
"…She's real…"
The words came out broken.
"…She's real…"
This time—
He believed it completely.