Saturday had finally arrived, and Haruka couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in her chest as she prepared for her meeting with Naoki.
It felt like it had been ages since they had last spoken in person, and now, she was eager to hear the details of his confession to Ayumi.
She had a warm feeling in her heart, knowing that Naoki had found someone who truly understood him.
She dressed casually, wanting to keep things relaxed and comfortable. Her phone buzzed, and she quickly checked the message from Naoki: *"Hey, I'm already here! I'm at the café, looking forward to seeing you!"*
Haruka smiled and texted back: *"I'll be there in 10 minutes!"*
As she made her way to the café, her thoughts wandered. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous too. Would this just be a friendly coffee date, or would it turn into something more? She had to admit, there was a part of her that was curious about where things might lead with Naoki, though she was still focused on their friendship.
When she arrived at the café, she spotted Naoki sitting at a small table by the window. He was dressed casually as well, with a relaxed smile on his face when he saw her approaching. Haruka's heart gave a little leap at the sight of him.
"Hey, Haruka!" Naoki greeted with a wave, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"Hi, Naoki!" she replied, her excitement clear in her voice as she sat down. "I'm so glad we could finally meet up!"
"I know, right? It feels like it's been forever," he said, his smile wide as he placed a cup of coffee in front of her. "I got you your usual—hope it's okay!"
Haruka smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Of course, it's perfect. Thanks, Naoki."
They both settled into the conversation, with Naoki sharing his story about Ayumi. He laughed nervously at first, clearly recalling the awkwardness of his confession.
"So, I told Ayumi how I felt, and it was... kind of messy at first," Naoki admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But then, I just told her the truth about everything, how I'd been holding these feelings for so long, and about how it felt like we were finally in the same place at the same time. And then... she smiled. She actually smiled and said she liked me too."
Haruka's face lit up, feeling genuinely happy for Naoki. "That's amazing, Naoki! I'm so proud of you for being honest with her."
He chuckled, looking relieved. "Yeah, it was a lot scarier than I thought it would be. But I'm glad I did it."
They sat for a while, chatting about his plans with Ayumi and about everything else that had been going on in their lives. Haruka felt comfortable with him, like she always had. There was no pressure, just the easy flow of their conversation.
"So," Haruka began, leaning forward with a teasing smile, "I have to know—how did Ayumi react when you told her? Did she swoon?"
Naoki laughed, shaking his head. "Not exactly. But she definitely seemed happy. And now, we're taking it slow, just enjoying each other's company."
Haruka nodded, her heart warming. "That's really great, Naoki. I'm happy for you two."
There was a pause as Naoki looked at her, his expression softening. "Thanks, Haruka. I appreciate everything you've done. You've been such a good friend, and I'm really glad we met."
Haruka blushed slightly, feeling touched by his words. "I'm just happy to see you happy, Naoki. You deserve it."
The rest of the afternoon passed by in a blur of laughter and conversation. As they finished their coffee and prepared to leave, Naoki stood up and smiled at her.
"I'm really glad we did this," he said. "I think we should do it more often."
Haruka smiled warmly, feeling the same way. "Definitely. Let's make sure we do."
As they parted ways outside the café, Haruka felt a sense of contentment. She was happy for Naoki, happy for Ayumi, and happy for herself.
No matter where things went from here, she knew that this was a day she'd look back on fondly.
The weekend had been everything she had hoped for—and more.
As Haruka stepped out of the café, still smiling from her meeting with Naoki, she noticed a familiar face standing just outside.
She blinked for a moment, unsure if it was her mind playing tricks on her, but there, standing in front of the flower shop right beside the café, was Yuto.
He looked a bit lost in thought, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets.
"Yuto?" Haruka called out, a bit surprised to see him there.
Yuto turned around at the sound of her voice, his expression lighting up when he saw her. "Haruka? Hey!" He greeted her, a warm smile spreading across his face. "What are you doing here?"
Haruka raised an eyebrow, surprised by his casual presence in the area. "I was just having coffee with Naoki," she said, gesturing toward the café behind her. "But what about you? What's with the flower shop?"
Yuto looked slightly embarrassed but then shrugged it off with a sheepish smile. "Ah, it's actually for my mom. I thought I'd grab her some flowers today. She's been doing a lot lately, and I thought I'd do something nice for her."
Haruka's expression softened. "That's sweet of you, Yuto. She's lucky to have such a thoughtful son."
Yuto scratched the back of his neck, feeling a little awkward. "I just figured I should do something nice for her, you know?"
Haruka nodded, smiling gently. "Well, I'm sure she'll love them."
For a brief moment, they stood in comfortable silence, before Haruka asked, "So, what's next on your agenda today?"
Yuto glanced at the flowers and then back at her. "Actually, I was thinking of heading to the park for a little while. But if you're free, we could hang out for a bit before I go?"
Haruka hesitated for a second but then smiled. "I'd love that. I'm free for a bit."
Yuto's eyes brightened at her response. "Great! Let's go then."
As they walked together towards the nearby park, Haruka felt a bit of warmth settle in her chest.
She couldn't quite pinpoint why, but there was something comforting about being around Yuto, something she hadn't really expected.
Maybe it was his kindness, or how easy he was to talk to.
"So, how's everything going with you?" Haruka asked as they strolled along, glancing over at him.
Yuto gave a small sigh, looking up at the sky. "It's been a bit of a busy week, honestly. But I've been doing alright. Work's been hectic, but manageable."
Haruka nodded. "I know what you mean. It feels like there's never enough time for everything, right?"
"Exactly!" Yuto laughed, nodding in agreement. "And then there's all these weird calls we keep getting at work..."
Haruka chuckled, remembering the odd and sometimes unsettling calls from earlier in the week. "Tell me about it. Some people really need to rethink their approach."
They both laughed together, and for a few moments, the stress of the week seemed to melt away as they chatted about anything and everything. It was nice to have a calm, easy moment like this after such a busy few days.
As they continued walking, the park came into view, its greenery inviting them to slow down and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
The weather was crisp and cool, perfect for a leisurely stroll. Haruka glanced over at Yuto, who seemed to be lost in thought for a moment.
"What's on your mind?" she asked curiously, breaking the silence.
Yuto looked over at her and smiled sheepishly. "I was just thinking... about how everything's been kind of weird lately. I mean, from my first call to the hotline to today... it's been a lot to take in."
Haruka raised an eyebrow, wondering where he was going with this. "In what way? I mean, things have been a bit crazy, but you seem to be handling it all pretty well."
Yuto gave a small laugh. "I guess. But it's strange... how I've ended up with you and Naoki and everyone else. I never expected to have such a good support system when I called that hotline. It's... kind of surreal."
Haruka smiled warmly. "I'm glad we could help you. Honestly, I didn't expect to get so involved either, but I'm glad you and I became friends. And you've been a great coworker, Yuto."
He paused, looking at her with a more serious expression. "I've been thinking a lot about this—about how I've started relying on you and everyone else. I mean, you all made me feel so welcome from the start, and I'm really grateful for that."
Haruka stopped walking for a moment, turning toward him. "Yuto, I'm really glad we could be here for you. But you've got a lot to offer too. I don't want you to think that you're just the 'new guy' or someone who's just getting by. You're part of the team, and you matter."
He smiled softly, his eyes softening as he met her gaze. "Thanks, Haruka. That means a lot to me."
They continued walking in comfortable silence for a bit, the sound of birds chirping filling the air.
Haruka glanced at Yuto from the corner of her eye, noticing how much more relaxed he seemed compared to the stressed-out version she'd first met.
He was definitely growing into his role, both at work and in his personal life. She couldn't help but feel proud of him.
As they reached a bench near the center of the park, they both sat down. Yuto pulled out his phone and checked the time.
"I should probably head home soon," he said, tucking his phone back into his pocket. "But I'm glad we could hang out a little today."
Haruka nodded, not ready to end their time together just yet. "Me too. It's nice to get out of the office and just relax for a bit."
Yuto smiled and leaned back slightly. "I agree. I've been so wrapped up in work and everything lately, it's easy to forget to take a breather."
The two sat there for a while longer, talking about small things—everything from their favorite movies to random facts they had learned recently.
It felt comfortable and natural, like they'd known each other far longer than they actually had.
Eventually, though, it was time to head back. They stood up from the bench, and as they walked back toward the park's exit, Yuto turned to her once more.
"Haruka, I want you to know... I really appreciate all the advice and support you've given me. It's made a huge difference in how I see things now."
Haruka smiled, her heart warming at his words. "Of course, Yuto. I'm happy to help. And I'm glad you're doing better. I really think you're going to do great things."
They shared a final smile as they parted ways outside the park, with Haruka heading toward the bus stop and Yuto walking toward his car.
Both feeling lighter than before, with a sense of calm that came from spending time together—two friends, just enjoying the moment.
Later that day, as Haruka walked home through the dimly lit streets, the crisp evening air sent a shiver down her spine. She clutched her bag tightly and quickened her pace, hoping to shake off the unsettling feeling. The back of her mind nagged at her—she couldn't shake the eerie sensation that someone was following her.
She turned her head subtly, trying to catch a glimpse without being too obvious. At first, she saw nothing unusual, just the usual pedestrians scattered along the sidewalk. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a figure in a dark hoodie a few paces behind her. The figure seemed to slow down whenever she slowed, and quicken whenever she did.
Her heartbeat quickened, and she tried to calm herself. *Maybe I'm just imagining things. It's probably just someone heading in the same direction.*
Still, she wasn't willing to take any chances. Haruka reached into her bag and gripped her phone tightly, her finger hovering over the emergency call button. She decided to take a detour, turning down a more crowded street instead of her usual shortcut through the quieter alleyways.
As she walked, she deliberately slowed down near a convenience store, pretending to check her phone. She glanced around again and noticed the figure had stopped a short distance away, loitering as if trying not to look suspicious. That confirmed it—she was definitely being followed.
Her mind raced. *Should I confront them? Should I call someone?*
Just then, her phone buzzed in her hand, startling her. She looked down and saw Yuto's name on the screen. Without hesitation, she answered the call.
"Yuto!" she said, trying to keep her voice steady but unable to hide the tremor in her tone.
"Haruka? Are you okay?" Yuto's voice immediately carried concern. "You sound... off."
"I—" she hesitated, glancing back at the figure. They had started moving again, keeping their distance but clearly still tailing her. "I think someone's following me."
"What? Where are you right now?" Yuto asked, his tone shifting to urgency.
"I'm near the 24-hour convenience store on East Street," she said quickly. "I'm heading toward the main road."
"Stay there. Don't go anywhere quiet or secluded. I'm coming to get you right now," he said firmly. "Keep your phone on and stay in a well-lit area."
Haruka nodded even though he couldn't see her. "Okay. I'll wait near the store."
She stepped inside the brightly lit convenience store, feeling slightly safer under the watchful eyes of the staff and cameras. She kept her phone to her ear as Yuto stayed on the line, reassuring her with calm, steady words while he hurried to her location.
Within ten minutes, the store's doorbell jingled, and Haruka saw Yuto rushing in, his face etched with worry. He scanned the store, and his shoulders visibly relaxed when he spotted her. She felt an immense wave of relief wash over her as he approached.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softening as he stood in front of her.
Haruka nodded, her voice a little shaky. "I'm okay now. I'm glad you came."
Yuto glanced outside the store, his sharp eyes scanning for anyone suspicious. "Let's get you home. I'll walk with you."
Together, they left the store. Yuto stayed close to her side, his presence reassuring. They didn't see the figure again, but Yuto remained vigilant the entire way, constantly glancing around to ensure her safety.
When they finally reached her apartment, Haruka turned to him, her gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you, Yuto. I don't know what I would've done without you."
He gave her a small smile, the worry in his expression easing slightly. "Don't mention it. If anything like this happens again, don't hesitate to call me, okay?"
She nodded. "I will. Goodnight, Yuto."
"Goodnight, Haruka," he said, watching her enter the building before heading off to ensure she was truly safe.
Haruka closed the door behind her, her relief from being home evaporating as her phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced at the screen, expecting a routine notification, but her heart dropped when she saw the message from an unknown number:
*"Think you can get away from me, my love."*
Her breath hitched, and a cold chill crept up her spine. She stared at the words, her mind racing. *Who is this? How did they get my number? Was it the person following me earlier?*
Her fingers trembled as she locked her door and double-checked the chain. She immediately texted Yuto:
*"Yuto, someone just sent me a creepy message. I think it's the same person who was following me earlier."*
The phone buzzed almost instantly with Yuto's reply:
*"What? Are you safe? Did you lock your doors?"*
*"Yes, everything is locked, but I'm scared. The message came from an unknown number."*
Yuto replied:
*"Stay inside. Don't answer any calls or messages from unknown numbers. I'm coming over right now. Call the police and show them the message."*
Haruka hesitated but knew Yuto was right. She dialed the local authorities and explained the situation, her voice trembling as she read the text aloud. They assured her an officer would be dispatched to her location to check on her safety.
Minutes later, she heard her phone buzz again. This time, it wasn't a message. It was another call from an unknown number. Her heart raced as she stared at the screen, the ringtone echoing loudly in her apartment. She declined the call, her hands shaking.
The phone buzzed again, this time with another message:
*"Don't ignore me, Haruka. You're mine."*
A soft knock at her door made her jump, and she froze. Her phone buzzed once more—this time, it was Yuto. She let out a shaky breath and answered.
"It's me," he said through the line. "I'm at your door. Open up."
She peeked through the peephole, relief washing over her when she saw Yuto standing outside. She unlocked the door and let him in, her voice cracking as she said, "Thank you for coming."
Yuto stepped inside, his jaw tightening as he looked at her pale face. "The police will be here soon, right?"
She nodded. "They said they're on their way."
"Good." His tone was firm yet gentle as he added, "We'll figure out who this creep is. I won't let anything happen to you, Haruka."
As they waited for the police, Haruka felt a small sense of comfort with Yuto by her side, even as her phone sat ominously on the table, still buzzing with the caller's relentless attempts.
The atmosphere in Haruka's apartment was tense as they waited for the police to arrive. Yuto paced near the window, occasionally peering outside while Haruka sat on the couch, clutching a pillow tightly. Her phone buzzed again, but she didn't dare look at it.
"Block the number," Yuto suggested, glancing at her. "At least for now, so you don't have to see the calls coming in."
Haruka hesitated but eventually nodded. She grabbed her phone, blocked the unknown number, and sighed in relief when the buzzing finally stopped.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Yuto gave her a reassuring nod and sat beside her. "It's going to be okay. The police will handle this, and we'll make sure you're safe."
A knock at the door startled them both. Haruka jumped, but Yuto was quick to get up and check the peephole. "It's the police," he said before opening the door.
Two officers stepped in, one of them introducing himself as Officer Tanaka. "We received your call about a potential stalker. Can you show us the messages you've received?"
Haruka handed over her phone, her hands still trembling. Officer Tanaka examined the messages, his expression growing serious. "This is concerning. Do you have any idea who this could be?"
Haruka shook her head. "No… but I think someone was following me earlier today on my way home."
The second officer, a woman named Officer Kato, took notes. "Did you notice anything specific? Their appearance? Did they say anything to you?"
"No, I just had a feeling. But when I came home, I got the first message."
Yuto spoke up. "She mentioned the same person could've been following her earlier. Haruka also works at a hotline center—maybe someone from there tried to track her down."
Officer Tanaka nodded. "That's a possibility. We'll investigate further. In the meantime, we suggest staying with someone you trust. Don't be alone until we figure this out."
Haruka swallowed hard, glancing at Yuto. "I… I'll ask one of my colleagues to stay with me."
"I can stay," Yuto said without hesitation. "At least until this situation is under control."
Officer Kato smiled faintly. "That might be a good idea. Haruka, make sure to report any further messages or suspicious activity immediately."
After the officers left, Yuto turned to Haruka. "I mean it. I'll stay here tonight. There's no way I'm letting you be alone while this is happening."
Haruka hesitated, then gave him a grateful nod. "Thank you, Yuto. I don't know what I'd do without you."
He smiled, his usual playful demeanor replaced with genuine concern. "Don't mention it. Now, let's figure out how to make you feel safer in your own home."
As the evening progressed, the tension in Haruka's apartment eased slightly. But the unease lingered in her chest, and the question haunted her mind: *Who was behind those messages?*
Haruka's mind spiraled as she spoke, her thoughts unable to escape the idea. *Could it be one of my exes?* she wondered again. *No, it couldn't be. I mean, it was really bad, but I didn't think that one of them could be a stalker.*
"Will it be okay for you to sleep on the couch?" Haruka asked, her voice quieter now as her unease grew.
Yuto gave her a reassuring nod. "Of course, the couch is fine. I'm just glad I can be here to help. You don't have to handle this alone."
"I'll get you some blankets and a pillow to sleep on," she added quickly, almost to distract herself.
Yuto smiled gently. "That sounds perfect. Thanks, Haruka."
She hurried off to her closet, grabbing the softest blanket and a pillow she could find. *Why now?* she thought, her mind running in circles. *Everything was fine until that text. Is this some kind of cruel prank?*
Returning to the living room, she handed him the bedding. Yuto accepted them with a thankful smile. "This is great. Really, don't stress yourself out."
Haruka forced a smile in return. "Easier said than done, but thanks."
As Yuto set up his makeshift bed, he glanced at her with concern. "Haruka, if anything else happens, don't hesitate to wake me up, okay? I'll be right here."
She nodded, muttering a quiet "thanks" before retreating to her room. Yet even with the door shut and the blankets wrapped around her tightly, she couldn't shake the unease. *Why now?* she thought again.
Yuto, meanwhile, settled onto the couch but couldn't relax. He stared at the ceiling, his thoughts running wild. *Whoever this creep is, they better hope I don't find out who they are.*
The night dragged on, leaving both of them lost in their own thoughts and the shadows of worry that seemed to fill the room.
The hours of the night seemed endless as Haruka tossed and turned in her bed, her mind replaying the message over and over. The words felt like they were etched into her brain, refusing to let her rest.
Each creak and groan of the apartment felt amplified in the silence, making her heart race.
In the living room, Yuto remained alert despite lying down. His ears were attuned to the slightest sound, and his phone was within arm's reach in case he needed to call for help.
He hadn't been able to stop thinking about the text either. The thought of someone lurking, threatening Haruka, made his blood boil.
Eventually, the faint light of dawn seeped through the curtains. Haruka emerged from her bedroom with heavy eyes, her sleep-deprived state evident. Yuto was already awake, sitting upright on the couch with a cup of coffee in his hands.
"Morning," he greeted softly, setting his cup down. "Did you sleep at all?"
Haruka shook her head, rubbing her temples. "Not really. Every little noise made me think someone was outside."
Yuto frowned. "You can't keep living like this, Haruka. Have you thought about reporting the message to the police? It's not safe to ignore something like this."
She sighed, sitting down across from him. "I thought about it, but what can they really do with just one text? It's an unknown number. They'll probably just tell me to block it."
"That's a start," Yuto said. "But if this person tries to contact you again, we need to have a record of it."
Haruka nodded reluctantly. "I'll block the number. And if it happens again, I'll report it."
Yuto studied her carefully. "You don't have to face this alone, you know. I'll help however I can."
His words brought a small smile to her lips. "Thanks, Yuto. I'm glad you stayed."
"Of course." He stood up, stretching his arms. "Why don't I make us breakfast? You look like you need something warm to cheer you up."
Haruka's stomach growled, betraying her hunger, and she laughed lightly. "That would be nice."
As Yuto moved to the kitchen, Haruka pulled out her phone, hesitating before opening her messages. She blocked the unknown number and took a deep breath, trying to shake the anxiety still lingering in her chest.
*Whoever you are,* she thought to herself, *you're not going to control my life.*
But despite her resolve, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this was far from over.
As they were tidying up and made breakfast, the doorbell rang. Both of them looked at each other, momentarily confused by the unexpected visitor.
"I'll go get it," Yuto said, standing up and walking toward the door. He peeked through the peephole and saw Takumi standing there, holding a paper bag.
"It's just Takumi," Yuto said, turning back to Haruka. "Should we let him in?"
"Takumi?" Haruka said, her voice curious as she set down the dish she was washing. "Sure, let him in," she added, a little surprised.
Yuto opened the door, and Takumi stepped in with a friendly smile. "Good morning, both of you. I thought I'd stop by with some breakfast ingredients," Takumi said, handing over the paper bag he was holding. "You mentioned yesterday that you weren't feeling your best, Haruka. Thought you might want something fresh."
Haruka blinked in surprise but quickly smiled. "Oh, Takumi, you didn't have to do that. But thank you."
Yuto stepped aside to let Takumi in fully. "We just finished making breakfast, but you're welcome to join us," he said casually, though there was an underlying note of concern in his voice.
Takumi set the bag on the counter. "I wasn't sure if you were planning to cook, so I brought some extra stuff just in case." He glanced at Haruka. "I heard you've been a bit overwhelmed lately. Everything okay?"
Haruka hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I'm fine for now. Just... some personal things to work through. It's nothing major, really."
Yuto exchanged a look with Takumi, who seemed unconvinced. "Haruka, if you need to talk about anything or need any help, you know I'm here," Takumi said, his voice sincere.
Before Haruka could respond, Yuto spoke up, his tone more matter-of-fact. "We were just talking about staying vigilant, especially with everything going on." He didn't want to bring up the creepy message again, but his concern was evident.
Takumi turned toward Yuto, frowning slightly. "What's going on? Haruka, has something happened?"
Haruka's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't realized how much she'd been keeping to herself until now. "It's... it's nothing, really. Just a few unsettling things happening," she said, her voice soft.
Takumi's expression immediately turned serious. "You don't have to deal with this alone. If someone's bothering you, we need to take action."
Yuto nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We're not letting this slide, Haruka."
Haruka felt a sense of warmth from both of them but also a wave of anxiety. "I just want everything to go back to normal," she muttered, before shaking her head. "But thank you, both of you, for being here."
Takumi looked at her intently. "Just remember, you're not alone in this. Let us help."
The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, Haruka felt a little more at ease.
The three of them continued with breakfast, though the undercurrent of concern remained, as Haruka silently considered how to deal with the unsettling situation that lingered.
"Since it's Sunday, what do you guys want to do in the meantime? I'm sure you two haven't slept a bit," Takumi said with a knowing smile, glancing between Haruka and Yuto.
Haruka sighed, rubbing her eyes. "Yeah, we barely got any sleep, but we're good... for now."
Yuto stretched, looking a bit exhausted but still managing a grin. "Honestly, I'm still trying to wake up. Maybe we could just relax today—no work, no stress?"
Takumi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Sounds like a plan. But it's Sunday, so how about we do something a bit more fun? I was thinking of going to that park nearby—get some fresh air, stretch our legs. We could even grab a coffee or something after."
Haruka nodded, her mood lifting at the thought of a leisurely day. "That sounds perfect, actually. I could use a change of scenery after the chaos this week."
Yuto agreed, giving Takumi a thumbs up. "Yeah, a walk in the park sounds like just what we need."
"Great," Takumi said, standing up from the table. "Let's get ready and head out. No work talk, no phone calls—just a nice, calm day."
The three of them finished breakfast, gathered their things, and headed out to the park.
It was the perfect chance to unwind, catch up on life, and enjoy some well-needed peace and quiet. Haruka felt a weight lifting off her shoulders as they walked, grateful for the break and the company of her friends.
As they arrived at the park, the warm sunlight kissed the earth, and the breeze was just enough to carry away the lingering tension from the past few days.
They walked down the path lined with trees, chatting and laughing, the sound of their voices blending with the soft rustling of the leaves. Takumi, Yuto, and Haruka shared funny stories, lighthearted conversations, and even a few playful jabs at each other.
"Remember that time you tried to convince me to get into karaoke, Yuto?" Haruka laughed, nudging him gently. "You couldn't even hold a note."
Yuto rolled his eyes. "Hey, I was getting better! You just need to give me more credit."
Takumi chuckled from beside them. "I think it's a good thing that you didn't take up a singing career. You'd be a threat to everyone."
Haruka grinned, her chest feeling lighter with each moment. The day felt perfect—the kind of peace she hadn't realized she'd been missing.
But as they walked, Haruka couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that someone was watching her.
It started as a slight chill at the back of her neck, an eerie sense that someone's eyes were lingering just out of her direct line of sight.
She brushed it off at first, trying to focus on the fun conversation with her friends, but the feeling wouldn't fade.
She subtly glanced over her shoulder, then around them, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. There were other park-goers walking, some families enjoying picnics, a couple jogging by, and children playing near the swings. Nothing seemed out of place.
Still, she couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of being watched. Her gaze flitted back to Yuto and Takumi, who were talking animatedly about their latest plans for the week. She tried to push the sensation away, convincing herself it was just paranoia, but her heart beat a little faster.
She exhaled quietly, trying to focus on the present again. But it lingered—unsettling, persistent—like a shadow trailing her every step.
As the three of them continued their walk through the park, Haruka tried to immerse herself in their laughter, pushing the uncomfortable feeling aside, but the eerie sensation of being watched never quite left her.
•~• End of 09 •~•