This week has been different. A kind of happiness I haven't felt in so long lingers, even though the tiredness in my body remains. It's strange, but I welcome it.
This weekend, my friend group decided to hang out at the mall near my apartment. It feels like forever since we've all been together like this.
My best friend showed up at my apartment this morning. He said it was easier to head to the mall from here than to go straight from his place. When he saw me, though, he stopped in his tracks, his face tightening with concern.
"You look worse than the last time I saw you," he said, his tone a mix of worry and frustration.
Worse? Why does everyone keep saying that? "I couldn't feel better," I told him, my voice filled with something close to defiance.
I mentioned the fight I had with her. The girl with the crimson eyes and that wicked smile. The one who carries the chill of death wherever she goes.
His expression changed instantly, his jaw clenching as he stared at me. "You need to stop seeing her," he said, his voice low and serious.
I laughed, brushing it off. "I'll see her when I want to," I replied, turning away to avoid his gaze. The conversation ended there, and we spent the rest of the morning killing time with video games before heading out.
At the mall, everyone looked great. Their energy was contagious, their smiles bright. It had been so long since we'd shared stories like this, catching up on each other's lives.
One of my friends announced that he was preparing to propose to his girlfriend. The news brought a genuine smile to my face, and I clapped him on the back, congratulating him. "That's amazing! You two are perfect for each other."
As the conversation circled back to me, I almost told them about her. The girl who had become such a significant part of my life. But before I could say a word, my best friend shot me a look. A silent warning. He shook his head, his eyes firm.
Why? I hesitated, the words dying in my throat. Instead, I nodded along with whatever someone else was saying, pushing the thought away.
When we checked the time, we realized it was time to head to the movies. Gathering our things, we left the food court, laughter and conversation swirling around me.
But even as I walked with them, my thoughts drifted back to her. Would she be waiting for me at the park later? The chill I'd grown so used to suddenly felt like it was missing, and the absence gnawed at me.
As we walked away from the food court, a sudden chill brushed against the back of my neck. It was sharp, unnatural. I stopped in my tracks and turned around, scanning the crowd. But there was no one there.
"What's wrong?" one of my friends asked, their voice cutting through my thoughts.
I shook my head, forcing a laugh. "It's nothing," I said, though the chill lingered, prickling under my skin.
We made our way to the theater, and for a while, I let myself get lost in the movie. But even as I laughed and reacted along with everyone else, a part of me was distant, distracted.
After the movie, we decided to find a restaurant for dinner, the laughter and teasing from the group filling the space between us. Then I saw her.
She stood there, not far ahead, in her usual outfit. Those crimson eyes locked onto mine, and the wicked curve of her lips sent a jolt through me.
Why is she here?
Before I could stop myself, I broke away from the group and approached her. "Why are you here?" I asked, my voice low, almost breathless.
She smiled and took a step closer. Her arm looped around my neck, pulling me in with a possessive ease. "To come get you," she said, her voice smooth, almost playful.
Heat flushed through my face, and from the corner of my eye, I saw some of my friends exchange teasing glances. She then took my hand and began to pull me away.
But Yukio, my best friend, stepped forward, his voice sharp and steady. "Who are you?"
She stopped, her head tilting slightly as her sly smile deepened. "Pardon my rudeness," she said, her tone dripping with mock politeness. "I'm Akane."
Akane. So that's her name. The way she said it sounded as captivating as the crimson gleam of her eyes.
My other friends didn't seem to mind, their teasing voices rising behind me. "It's alright, Yukio. Let Kageyama have fun with his girlfriend," one of them said, and Akane giggled, her laughter soft and almost enchanting.
I felt a strange mixture of pride and relief. Akane came to see me. She came all this way to find me. But then I remembered the promise I'd made to my friends. I couldn't just leave.
"I'm sorry," I said, turning to Akane. "I've already made plans with them. I promise I'll meet you tomorrow."
For a moment, her expression froze. Then her eyes darkened, and her smile twisted into something cold and menacing. A wave of fear shot through me as I instinctively stepped back.
Just as quickly as it had appeared, her wicked smile returned, and she bowed slightly. "Goodbye, then," she said softly, her voice almost mocking as she turned and walked away.
I stood there, stunned, unsure of what had just happened. The others shrugged it off, eager to find a restaurant, but Yukio remained tense, his gaze fixed on where Akane had disappeared.
As we walked, Yukio leaned in, his voice firm. "You need to stay away from her, Kageyama."
I chuckled, waving him off. "Sure," I said lightly, but the truth was, I didn't mean it.
By the time the clock struck 9 PM, I was struggling to keep my eyes open. We all parted ways, and Yukio offered to walk me home. He said he was too tired to head back to his place and asked if he could crash at mine.
I agreed without much thought, but as we approached my apartment building, my heart froze. Akane was there, standing just outside my door.
Yukio noticed her too, his expression immediately souring. "What the hell is she doing here?" he muttered, his voice sharp with anger.
Before I could answer, he strode forward, confronting her. "How do you even know where he lives?" he demanded.
Akane didn't flinch. She didn't even acknowledge Yukio. Instead, her crimson eyes locked onto mine, and in an instant, I found myself moving between them. "Stop it, Yukio," I said, my voice trembling.
"Move, Kageyama," Yukio growled, his tone colder than I'd ever heard. But Akane grabbed my arm, her grip like ice, and I couldn't bring myself to let her go.
"I'm sorry, Yukio," I mumbled. "You can't stay here tonight."
We argued in the hallway, the tension thick enough to draw curious glances from my neighbors. Their doors cracked open just enough to see what was happening before quickly shutting again.
Yukio, seeing the stares and sensing my resolve, exhaled sharply. "We'll talk about this later," he said, his tone laced with frustration as he turned and walked away.
As soon as he was gone, Akane tightened her grip on my arm, pulling me into the apartment. I barely had time to catch my breath before I turned to her.
"Are you okay—"
The words barely left my mouth when her hand struck my face, the sharp sound ringing in the small space.
"How dare you reject my invitation in front of your friends?" she hissed, her crimson eyes boring into me like twin daggers.
I clutched my cheek, stunned. "I'm sorry," I stammered, my voice shaking.
She didn't reply. She just stood there, her gaze unwavering and cutting. My legs buckled beneath me, and before I knew it, I was kneeling, bowing low.
"I'm sorry," I repeated, the words spilling out like a broken record.
When I finally dared to look up, I saw her smiling—a wicked, triumphant smile that sent a chill down my spine. She moved to the couch, sitting gracefully as though she owned the space, her eyes never leaving me.
I hesitated, then walked over to sit beside her, desperate to appease her. But her gaze hardened again, and I immediately understood.
Lowering myself to the floor, I sat at her feet, and her smile returned.
She placed one foot on my shoulder, pressing down with a slow, deliberate force. The weight pushed me forward, bowing me until my forehead nearly touched the floor.
"You deserve some punishment for embarrassing me in front of your friends," she said, her voice soft but laced with malice.