Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, with Riu wrestling not only with her academic challenges but also the lingering emotional wounds inflicted on that stormy night. Her father's biting words had become an unwelcome companion, a persistent whisper casting shadows over each new day.
In the solitude of her room, Riu sought solace in the refuge of her passion for writing. Penning poems, quotes, and expressions that mirrored her struggles became her escape, where the power of words drowned out harsh judgments. The books lining her shelves transformed into a sanctuary, a realm where she could redefine her worth independent of the rigid confines of grades and societal expectations. Deep into the night, she lost herself in the realm of creativity, fervently hoping to carve out a niche where her unique voice could resound.
Yet, the outside world remained an unyielding force. School, once a place of learning, morphed into a relentless battleground of comparison. The once-vibrant halls now echoed with whispers of Riu's perceived shortcomings, magnifying the isolation she felt. Her attempts to forge connections with others were met with disheartening responses – fake attitudes and dismissive behavior that only compounded her predicament. In response, she sought refuge in the anonymity of the back of the classroom, choosing solitude as her shield against a world that seemed indifferent.
Riu's struggle deepened as she grappled with emotional turmoil at home and the palpable isolation within the school's unforgiving walls. She found herself stranded, bereft of confidantes, feeling like an unnoticed specter in a world teeming with indifferent humans.
Then, as the seasons changed, a subtle shift occurred within Riu. Determination, which had been dormant for too long, began to stir. Despite the desolation that surrounded her, Riu clung to a flicker of hope. As she sat alone at the back, staring blankly at the ceiling, one of her classmates called out to her, urgently informing her that someone was looking for her outside the classroom.
"Riu!" her classmate exclaimed. "Someone is looking for you outside of our classroom. You should go out and figure out who it is. Don't keep a very beautiful woman waiting for too long outside," her classmate teased playfully. Curiosity sparked within Riu as she wondered who could be seeking her. With a newfound sense of purpose, she quickly made her way towards the classroom door, hoping to uncover the mystery that awaited her.
Riu giggled, appreciating the humor, and decided to step outside their classroom, curious to discover who was seeking her. The hallway greeted her with its familiar echoes, and as she ventured forth, a sense of anticipation lingered in the air.
It seemed as though the woman waiting for her was someone she had met before; she just couldn't figure out who. When she finally met the woman, Riu greeted her with a polite but inquisitive expression.
Riu: "Yes. What is it that you need?"
Seika: "I have a question, dear student. What is your name?"
Riu: "I am Nishimura Riu."
Seika: "I'm Fujiwara Seika. Thank you for answering my question."
Riu: "Are you a teacher here?"
Seika: "I'm just filling in as a substitute teacher for now."
Riu: "I see, miss. Why do you need my name?"
Seika only stared at Riu and left without answering her question.
Riu was left dumbfounded and decided to go back into their room and keep quiet.
As Riu sat in her room, she couldn't help but wonder why Seika had asked for her name. She replayed the encounter in her mind, trying to make sense of Seika's mysterious behavior. However, no matter how hard she tried to find an explanation, the answer remained elusive. Riu couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more to this encounter than met the eye. She wondered if Seika had recognized her from somewhere or if there was a hidden motive behind the question. Riu couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, as if she had stumbled upon a secret that was not meant to be revealed.
She continued to dwell on the incident, contemplating why the substitute teacher had asked about her name. Throughout the entire day and night, these thoughts clung to her mind, refusing to dissipate and persisting until the clock struck midnight.
Suddenly, a loud thud echoed near her house, and the gates began to shake. The unsettling barking of the dogs, coupled with the persistent thud, further startled Riu. She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to investigate the commotion or stay hidden inside. Curiosity got the better of her, and she cautiously approached the window to see what was causing the disturbance.
However, when she peered through the windows, no one was there. Her heart raced as she tried to make sense of the situation. Was it just her imagination playing tricks on her? Or was there something more sinister at play? The eerie silence that followed only deepened her unease, leaving her with a lingering feeling that she was being watched.
It creeped Riu out to the point that she ended up slamming the windows closed and wrapping herself in a blanket while hugging the teddy bear her mom had given her.
As she sat there, clutching the teddy bear tightly, Riu couldn't shake off the feeling of being vulnerable and exposed. The sound of her own rapid breaths echoed in the room, amplifying her fear and making her wonder if she had overreacted. Nevertheless, she couldn't shake off the nagging sense that something wasn't right, causing her to remain on high alert throughout the night.
Every creak of the floorboards and rustle of the wind outside made her heart race, and she couldn't help but glance nervously at the dark corners of her room. The hours dragged on, and as dawn finally broke, Riu let out a sigh of relief, grateful that the night had passed without incident. However, the unsettling feeling still lingered in her mind, leaving her with a sense of unease that would stay with her long after the sun had risen.
As the morning light bathed the room in a soft glow, Riu couldn't shake the remnants of the eerie night. Almost forgetting about what that substitute teacher needed from her.
Could it be that someone is actually stalking Riu, or was it just her imagination? Let's find out in the next chapter, which will be released tomorrow at 10:00 PM!