Hanada Takumi had always found solace in the quiet corners of the campus library. Amidst the towering shelves filled with countless volumes, he felt a sense of calm, a fleeting escape from the chaos that seemed to follow him everywhere. Today, he sought that peace more than ever.
As he pushed open the heavy wooden door, a familiar scent of old books and polished wood greeted him. He took a deep breath, feeling a bit more at ease. The library was relatively empty, save for a few students scattered across the study tables, their heads buried in textbooks and laptops.
Hanada made his way to his favorite spot, a secluded corner near the back where the literature section was located. He settled into a comfortable chair, pulling out his notes and a textbook, determined to focus on his studies.
Unbeknownst to Hanada, Ayaka had followed him into the library. She had been keeping a careful eye on him, her obsession growing more intense with each passing day. Today, however, something seemed different. There was a manic glint in her eyes as she trailed behind him, her breaths coming in short, heavy pants. Her face was flushed bright red, and a thin line of drool escaped her lips as she watched him with a mixture of adoration and madness.
Hanada, oblivious to Ayaka's presence, tried to concentrate on his reading. But his mind kept drifting back to the events of the past weeks. The confrontation with Miss Takeshime, the constant shadow of Ayaka, and the whispers of the other students weighed heavily on him.
Ayaka, meanwhile, had found a hiding spot behind a nearby bookshelf. She peeked through the gaps between the books, her eyes fixed on Hanada. Her heart raced as she watched him, her thoughts spiraling into a frenzy of love and obsession.
"Hanada-kun," she whispered to herself, her voice a breathless sigh. "You're so perfect. I want to be close to you, always."
As she continued to spy on him, Ayaka's mind concocted various scenarios of how she could approach him, each more ridiculous than the last. She imagined herself swooping in like a hero, rescuing him from some imaginary danger, or perhaps dramatically declaring her love for him in front of the entire library.
Her fantasies were interrupted by a sudden sneeze. Ayaka quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, hoping no one had heard. But Hanada, startled by the noise, looked up from his book and glanced around.
Hanada's eyes scanned the room, his expression puzzled. He shrugged and went back to his studies, but the momentary distraction had piqued his curiosity.
Meanwhile, Ayaka was in full panic mode. She knew she had to be more careful, but the intensity of her feelings made it hard to think clearly. As she continued to watch Hanada, she absentmindedly picked up a book from the shelf in front of her, trying to appear inconspicuous.
Hanada, feeling the need for a break, decided to stretch his legs. He stood up and wandered towards the bookshelf where Ayaka was hiding. As he reached for a book on a higher shelf, his hand brushed against Ayaka's, causing her to drop the book she was holding.
Ayaka's face turned an even deeper shade of red as she looked up at Hanada, her eyes wide with surprise. "H-Hanada-kun!" she stammered, trying to think of an excuse for her presence.
Hanada blinked, clearly not expecting to see her there. "Ayaka? What are you doing here?"
Ayaka's mind raced as she struggled to come up with a plausible explanation. "Oh, um, I was just... looking for a book!" she said, forcing a nervous laugh.
Hanada raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Right. Well, it's a library, so I suppose that makes sense."
Ayaka nodded vigorously, clutching the book to her chest as if it were a lifeline. "Yes, exactly! I was just looking for this... fascinating... book on... marine biology!"
Hanada glanced at the book in her hands. "That's a novel by Haruki Murakami."
Ayaka's eyes darted to the cover, and she let out a nervous chuckle. "Oh, right! Silly me, I must have picked up the wrong one. I'll just, uh, go put it back and find the right one."
Hanada couldn't help but feel a bit amused by the situation. Despite the bizarre circumstances, there was something endearing about Ayaka's awkwardness. "Okay, well, good luck with that," he said, trying to be polite.
As Hanada walked back to his study spot, Ayaka exhaled a sigh of relief. She quickly put the book back on the shelf and decided it was best to leave the library before she embarrassed herself further.
---
Later that evening, Hanada returned to his dormitory, feeling a strange mix of emotions. The encounter with Ayaka had been odd, but it also reminded him of how isolated he felt. Despite the unwanted attention, there was a part of him that yearned for genuine connection.
As he lay in bed, Hanada's thoughts drifted back to his past. The bullying, the loneliness, and the constant fear of rejection had left deep scars on his psyche. But now, surrounded by new friends and faced with new challenges, he wondered if there was a way to heal those wounds and move forward.
---
The next day, Hanada found himself back in the library, determined to make the most of his study time. He had barely settled into his usual spot when he heard a familiar voice.
"Hanada-kun!"
He looked up to see Akari and Kenji approaching, their expressions a mix of concern and amusement.
"Hey, Hanada-kun," Akari said, sitting down across from him. "We heard about your little run-in with Ayaka yesterday. Are you okay?"
Hanada sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'm fine. It was... weird, but I managed."
Kenji chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Weird is an understatement. That girl is seriously obsessed with you. You need to be careful."
Hanada nodded, appreciating their concern. "I know. I just wish things were simpler."
Akari gave him a sympathetic smile. "I get it. But you don't have to go through this alone. We're here for you, no matter what."
Hanada felt a warmth in his chest at their words. Despite everything, he was grateful to have friends who cared about him.
---
Meanwhile, Ayaka was back in her dorm room, pacing back and forth as she replayed the previous day's events in her mind. Her obsession with Hanada was growing stronger, and she knew she had to find a way to get closer to him.
As she plotted her next move, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She opened it to find her roommate, Yumi, standing there with a worried expression.
"Ayaka, we need to talk," Yumi said, stepping into the room.
Ayaka frowned, closing the door behind her. "What is it, Yumi?"
Yumi hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I've noticed how you've been acting lately. The way you're always following Hanada-kun around, it's not healthy. You're scaring him, and I'm worried about you."
Ayaka's expression hardened. "You don't understand, Yumi. Hanada-kun and I are meant to be together. He just doesn't realize it yet."
Yumi shook her head, her eyes filled with concern. "This isn't love, Ayaka. It's an obsession. You need to take a step back and think about what you're doing."
Ayaka clenched her fists, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. She knew Yumi was right, but the thought of staying away from Hanada was unbearable.
"I can't," Ayaka whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "I love him too much."
Yumi stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Ayaka's shoulder. "I know it's hard, but you have to let him go. For your sake, and for his."
Ayaka felt her resolve wavering, and for a moment, she considered listening to Yumi. But the intensity of her feelings for Hanada was too strong, and she couldn't bring herself to let go.
"I'm sorry, Yumi," Ayaka said, pulling away. "But I can't do that."
Yumi sighed, her expression sad but resigned. "I just hope you find a way to move on, Ayaka. For your own sake."
As Yumi left the room, Ayaka sat down on her bed, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She knew she had to find a way to get closer to Hanada, but she also knew that her obsession was consuming her. It was a battle she wasn't sure she could win.
---
The following days were a blur of study sessions and awkward encounters. Hanada tried his best to focus on his classes, but the constant pressure from Ayaka's stalking and Miss Takeshime's advances made it difficult.
One afternoon, as Hanada was leaving the library, he spotted Ayaka lurking nearby. She quickly ducked behind a tree, but it was clear that she was still watching him.