Later that day, Haruka sat at her desk, her mind still reeling from the strange encounter with the man outside the office. The image of him lingered in her thoughts, his smile unsettling in a way she couldn't shake off. Every time the door opened, her heart skipped a beat, hoping it wasn't him.
Yuto had been quieter than usual since they'd left the office together. He seemed on edge, but Haruka couldn't blame him. After everything that had happened, she knew they both felt the weight of the situation.
Just as Haruka picked up another call, she glanced at the clock. Only a few minutes before the end of her shift. She thought she'd be able to relax once she got home, but deep down, she felt like she couldn't escape the anxiety that had taken root in her heart.
The phone call on the other end was familiar—a voice she'd come to dread over the past few days.
"Haruka, my love, why are you ignoring me?" The voice was smooth, too smooth. Her breath caught in her throat as she froze, recognizing the tone instantly.
"Stop. Who is this?" she demanded, trying to mask the panic rising in her chest.
"You already know," the voice purred. "It's Hiroshi. I told you, Haruka. You're mine."
Her hand trembled as she held the receiver, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn't let him see that he was getting to her.
"Leave me alone, Hiroshi," she said, her voice steady. "I'm not interested. I never will be."
There was a long pause on the other end, then a soft chuckle.
"Is that what you think, my love? We'll see about that."
Before she could respond, the call ended, leaving Haruka feeling sick to her stomach. The line had been disconnected, but the dread lingered in the pit of her stomach.
"Are you okay?" Yuto's voice suddenly broke through the tension, and Haruka turned to see him standing near her desk. His expression was concerned, and it only made her heart ache more.
"I... I'm fine," she lied, trying to mask the fear she felt. "It's just him again."
Yuto's jaw tightened, and he moved to sit next to her. "We'll figure this out, Haruka. I'm here, okay?"
She nodded, but the fear in her chest wouldn't subside. How much longer could she live like this before things spiraled further out of control?
After two weeks of not hearing about the guy who was stalking her, Haruka finally began to feel like she could breathe again. The tension that had gripped her every waking moment was slowly loosening its hold. Yuto and Takumi had been keeping a close eye on her, and she was grateful for their support, even though she still felt a lingering unease whenever she was alone.
At the office, things had returned to a semblance of normalcy. Haruka had thrown herself into her work, trying to keep her mind occupied. The hotline was busy as ever, with all kinds of calls that demanded her attention and empathy. She was starting to believe that maybe Hiroshi had given up and moved on.
During her lunch break, she and Yuto sat in the breakroom, enjoying a rare quiet moment. Yuto glanced at her, his expression softer than usual. "You seem more relaxed these days," he commented, sipping his coffee.
Haruka nodded, though she didn't completely agree. "I guess... I just hope it's really over," she said, fiddling with her cup. "I don't want to live in fear anymore."
Yuto reached out and patted her hand lightly. "It will be. And if he ever tries anything again, we'll handle it. Together."
His words reassured her, and she smiled. "Thanks, Yuto. You've been such a good friend through all this."
"Anytime," he replied with a small grin. "Now, how about we focus on something less gloomy? Like your plans for the weekend?"
Before Haruka could answer, Takumi popped his head into the breakroom, grinning. "Haruka, you've got a delivery at the front desk. It's a big one. Did someone send you a gift?"
Haruka furrowed her brows, confused. "A delivery? I didn't order anything."
Curious but wary, she stood and headed to the reception area, Yuto following close behind. When they arrived, her heart sank. A massive bouquet of red roses sat on the counter, with a card attached. The receptionist handed it to her with a knowing smile, but Haruka's hands trembled as she opened the envelope.
Inside was a simple note:
*"You thought I was gone? My love, I'm always watching. - H"*
Haruka's breath hitched, and Yuto, who had read over her shoulder, immediately stepped closer. "That's it. We're calling the police."
The two exchanged a determined look, and Haruka nodded. She had been hoping the nightmare was over, but now, it was clear: Hiroshi wasn't done.
Haruka's hands tightened around the note as she struggled to keep her composure. The familiar dread clawed its way back into her chest, threatening to overwhelm her. Yuto gently took the note from her hands and placed it back in the envelope.
"We're not going to let him get away with this," Yuto said firmly, his eyes scanning the lobby as if Hiroshi might be lurking nearby. "Let's go to Takumi. We need to take this seriously."
Haruka nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I thought it was over… two weeks of peace, and now this?"
Yuto placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault. He's the one who's sick. But he won't win. I promise."
They quickly made their way back to Takumi, who was waiting in his office. The moment Yuto explained the situation and showed him the note, Takumi's expression darkened. He leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen against his desk thoughtfully.
"This changes things," Takumi said gravely. "We can't just ignore it. Haruka, I'll call the police right away. And I'll contact security to make sure they're on high alert."
Haruka hesitated. "Do you think they'll actually do something this time? The last time we reported him, they said they couldn't act unless he directly threatened me."
Takumi shook his head. "This is different. He's escalating. The police can't ignore a physical delivery like this. Plus, I've got connections. I'll make sure this is taken seriously."
Yuto crossed his arms, his protective instincts kicking in. "And until then, she's not going anywhere alone. If I have to shadow her 24/7, I will."
Haruka blinked at Yuto, touched by his determination. "You don't have to do that, Yuto. I'll be fine."
"Not up for debate," Yuto replied. "Takumi agrees, right?"
Takumi smirked faintly. "For once, I agree with Yuto. We're not taking any risks."
As Takumi made the call to the police, Haruka slumped into a chair, her mind racing. She thought about the peaceful weeks she'd had, the hope she'd started to feel about returning to normalcy. All of that seemed to crumble with the appearance of those roses.
When Takumi hung up, he turned to her. "The police will send an officer over to take your statement and collect the evidence. In the meantime, let's stay alert. We'll get through this, Haruka."
She nodded, though her heart felt heavy. For now, she had to trust her friends and the authorities to help her find a way out of this nightmare.
The rest of the day passed in a haze. The police arrived and took her statement, along with the card and the flowers. They promised to investigate further and suggested some immediate precautions, including avoiding her usual routines and keeping her phone nearby at all times.
By the time Haruka got home that evening, exhaustion weighed her down. Yuto had insisted on escorting her again, and she didn't have the energy to argue. As she unlocked her apartment door, she turned to him.
"Thanks for everything today, Yuto," she said, her voice soft. "I don't know how I'd get through this without you and Takumi."
Yuto smiled gently. "That's what friends are for. Get some rest, Haruka. Tomorrow's a new day."
As he walked away, Haruka closed the door behind her and leaned against it, letting out a long breath. She glanced at her phone, half-expecting another chilling message. But for now, there was nothing.
She hoped it would stay that way, even as she doubted it.
After another week passed, Haruka stayed home with Yuto to keep her place as safe as possible. Just as things seemed peaceful, Yuto was busy outside on Haruka's front lawn, hoping not to encounter the stalker again. But, of course, the world is small. Hiroshi appeared, standing right in front of Yuto, a knife glinting in his hand.
"Why are you with my sweet love Haruka?" Hiroshi shouted, his voice trembling with anger and delusion, as he marched toward Yuto.
Yuto immediately went on alert, raising his hands defensively. "Hiroshi, you need to leave. Haruka doesn't want you here, and you're not welcome," he said, his tone firm but calm, trying to defuse the situation.
But Hiroshi wasn't listening. Instead, he lunged at Yuto, forcing him to grab a garden tool nearby to fend off the attack. The two struggled, Hiroshi's movements wild and erratic, while Yuto did his best to block the blade.
Inside, Haruka heard the shouting and looked out the window, her heart stopping at the sight of the fight. Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone and called the police. "There's a man with a knife attacking someone outside my house! Please send help immediately!" she pleaded, her voice shaking.
As soon as she hung up, she called Takumi. "Takumi, Hiroshi's here! He's attacking Yuto—please hurry!"
"I'm on my way," Takumi replied urgently. "Stay inside and lock the doors!"
But Haruka couldn't just wait. Grabbing a heavy vase from her living room, she ran outside to try to stop the fight. The sight of Yuto bleeding from a cut on his arm made her panic.
"Hiroshi, stop this!" she yelled, trying to distract him. "This isn't love—it's obsession! Leave him alone!"
Her voice caught Hiroshi's attention for a split second. "Haruka, I'm doing this for you! Don't you see? He's keeping us apart!" he shouted, his tone desperate.
Yuto took the distraction as a chance to knock the knife from Hiroshi's hand with the garden tool, sending it clattering to the ground. Haruka hurled the vase at Hiroshi's legs, causing him to stumble and fall.
The sound of approaching sirens filled the air, and moments later, police officers arrived. They quickly subdued Hiroshi, handcuffing him and securing the knife.
Yuto collapsed onto the ground, clutching his bleeding arm. "Are you okay?" Haruka asked, rushing to his side. Her hands hovered, unsure where to touch without hurting him further.
"I'm fine," Yuto muttered, though his pale face and labored breaths said otherwise.
Takumi arrived moments later, his car screeching to a halt as he jumped out. "What happened? Yuto, you're hurt!"
"It's over now," Yuto said weakly, giving a small, reassuring smile. "Haruka's safe."
Takumi wasn't having it. "You're going to the hospital. No arguments," he said firmly, helping Yuto to his feet.
Haruka nodded, still shaken but relieved. "Thank you, Yuto," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Yuto managed a small smile, despite his pain. "You'll never have to find out, Haruka."
The police officers held Hiroshi firmly as he struggled against them, his face a mix of desperation and rage. "No! You're not taking me away from my love Haruka!" Hiroshi shouted, his voice echoing through the neighborhood. He turned his eyes to Haruka, his expression softening in a twisted way. "Haruka, my love!" he cried out, reaching toward her even as the officers dragged him to the police car.
Haruka froze, the words sending a chill down her spine. She clung to Takumi's arm for support as he guided her away from the scene. Yuto, despite his injury, stood protectively in front of her, his eyes sharp as he watched Hiroshi being restrained.
"Hiroshi, this isn't love," Haruka said, her voice trembling but steady enough to convey her disgust and fear. "This obsession of yours is hurting everyone. Just stop!"
Hiroshi shook his head violently, his voice rising. "No! They're the ones hurting us! You belong to me, Haruka!" His voice cracked, and his struggles weakened as the officers finally secured him in the back of the police car.
The chaos began to settle as the police prepared to leave, taking Hiroshi away. Yuto, his arm still bleeding but tightly wrapped in a makeshift bandage Takumi had provided, looked at Haruka. "It's over now," he said softly, though his voice carried exhaustion.
Haruka nodded, her eyes still glossy with unshed tears. "Thank you, Yuto. You protected me again," she whispered, stepping closer to him.
Takumi placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Let's get Yuto to the hospital. And after that, you need some rest, Haruka. This has been too much for anyone to handle."
As the police car drove off, Hiroshi's shouts grew faint until they disappeared completely. Haruka took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past weeks slowly begin to lift. Yuto smiled at her, weak but reassuring, and she realized she wasn't alone in facing this nightmare.
"Let's go," Yuto said softly, wincing as Takumi helped him to the car. Haruka followed, knowing this was just the beginning of her path to healing, but also knowing she had people she could trust by her side.
Just as they arrived at the hospital, Haruka and Takumi helped Yuto out of the car. His face was pale, but he managed a weak smile to reassure them. As they entered the emergency room, a familiar voice echoed through the air.
"Oh, my dear brother! What happened to you?" Yuto's sister, Sayaka, rushed toward them, concern written all over her face. Her sharp eyes darted between Yuto's bandaged arm and Haruka, who looked equally distraught.
"Sayaka…" Yuto started, his voice soft and strained, but she cut him off, gently guiding him to a nearby chair.
"Don't 'Sayaka' me, Yuto. What on earth happened? And why are you bleeding?!" she demanded, her tone a mix of worry and frustration. Her hands hovered over his bandage, unsure whether to touch or not.
"It's… complicated," Yuto muttered, wincing slightly as he adjusted his arm. "Let's just say I ran into some trouble."
"Trouble?" Sayaka repeated, narrowing her eyes before turning her attention to Haruka. "And you're Haruka, right?" Her expression softened as she looked at the younger woman. "I'm guessing this trouble has something to do with what's been going on with you?"
Haruka nodded hesitantly, guilt evident on her face. "I… I'm so sorry, Sayaka. This is all because of me. Yuto got hurt because he was trying to protect me…"
Sayaka frowned but shook her head quickly. "Don't apologize. My brother is stubborn, and if he chose to protect you, it means he cares a lot about you." She sighed and glanced at Yuto. "But still, you should've called me, Yuto. You're not invincible."
Yuto chuckled weakly. "I'm fine, Sayaka. Just a scratch."
"A scratch?! You're bleeding, Yuto!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in exasperation. "I swear, you're going to give me a heart attack one of these days."
Before Yuto could respond, a nurse approached them, motioning for Yuto to follow her into an examination room. Sayaka helped him stand, glaring at him to stay steady. "Go get that looked at properly. I'm not leaving until I'm sure you're fine."
As Yuto walked away with the nurse, Sayaka turned back to Haruka and Takumi. "Alright, spill. What exactly happened? And how bad is this 'trouble'?" Her tone was serious, but her concern was genuine.
Haruka glanced at Takumi, then back at Sayaka. "It's… a long story. But I'll tell you everything."
Haruka nodded, looking at Sayaka with a grateful expression. "Thank you for being here, Sayaka. It means a lot to us."
Sayaka smiled warmly, then let out a deep sigh. "Look, I'm a nurse, and luckily, I was just a few blocks away from this hospital where I work. When I got a call from my colleague who works here, I came as soon as I could." Her voice softened, and she glanced toward the door where Yuto had just entered with the nurse. "He's been through a lot, hasn't he?"
Haruka sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "You could say that. This whole situation… it's just been a mess. There's been someone stalking me, and Yuto's been trying to protect me. He's been hurt so many times because of it, and I… I just feel so helpless."
Takumi, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Haruka. Yuto's the one who chose to stay by your side, even through all of this. He's not the type of person to back down when someone he cares about is in danger."
Sayaka nodded in agreement. "That's true. Yuto has always been the protective type. Even when we were younger, he was always the one looking out for me." Her eyes softened with a mixture of pride and concern. "I just wish he would let me help him more. He's always so stubborn, but I can't blame him. He's been through a lot."
As they spoke, the door to the examination room opened, and the nurse motioned for them to come in. "He's ready for you."
Haruka took a deep breath and followed the nurse inside, with Takumi and Sayaka by her side. Yuto sat on the bed, his bandage now rewrapped and his expression still tired but relieved to see his sister.
"Yuto!" Sayaka called, walking over to him. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, really," Yuto reassured her, though his voice was weak. "It's not as bad as it looks."
Sayaka raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "I'll be the judge of that," she muttered, sitting beside him. "Now, tell me what happened, and I'll make sure you're alright."
Haruka sat down beside Yuto, holding his hand. "We'll tell you everything, Sayaka. Just… please, don't be too mad at him."
Sayaka smiled softly, her eyes showing understanding. "I'm not mad, I'm just worried. But I'm glad you're okay, Yuto." She turned to Haruka. "And I'm glad you're safe, too."
Haruka smiled, feeling a sense of comfort with Yuto and Sayaka's support. It wasn't going to be easy, but at least for now, they were together and safe.
Haruka sat beside Yuto, her hand still clasped around his as they shared a quiet moment. Sayaka, now focused on making sure Yuto was properly taken care of, gently checked his bandages and made sure everything was in place. She was clearly in her element, but there was a touch of worry in her eyes that couldn't be hidden.
"Haruka, you should really try to get some rest. I'll stay here with Yuto for a bit, make sure he's okay," Sayaka said with a reassuring smile.
Haruka shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "I can't leave him. Not after everything that's happened." Her gaze softened as she looked at Yuto, who was watching her with a faint, tired smile.
Yuto, despite his injuries, squeezed her hand gently. "I'm okay, Haruka. I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me."
Sayaka gave him a playful nudge. "You've always been stubborn, huh? Well, I'm not going to let you go anywhere just yet. You're stuck with me for a while, little brother." She turned to Haruka and added, "But, seriously, you should take care of yourself too. We can't have you getting sick after everything you've been through."
Haruka smiled, though her exhaustion was beginning to catch up with her. "I guess you're right. Just... promise me you'll keep an eye on him?"
"I'll keep an eye on both of you," Sayaka assured her. "Now go get some rest, Haruka. I'll text you if anything changes."
Reluctantly, Haruka stood up and gave Yuto's hand a gentle squeeze before turning to leave. "I'll be back soon. You better be resting when I get back, okay?"
Yuto nodded, though his eyes still held a certain intensity that made her feel at ease. "I'll be here, I promise."
As Haruka stepped out of the room, she found Takumi waiting outside, leaning against the wall. His expression was a mix of concern and quiet understanding.
"Everything okay?" he asked softly.
Haruka nodded, though she couldn't quite shake the heaviness in her chest. "Yeah, it's just... a lot to process. I don't know how much more of this I can handle, Takumi."
Takumi smiled sympathetically, pushing off from the wall and walking beside her. "I know it's tough. But you're not alone in this. Yuto's not alone, either. You both have each other, and you have me, too. If you ever need to talk or anything, I'm here for you."
Haruka appreciated his words, but something still lingered in her mind. The feeling that someone was still out there, watching, waiting for the right moment to strike. She couldn't shake it, even though the immediate danger seemed to have passed.
"Thanks, Takumi. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."
They walked in silence for a moment, Haruka's thoughts racing. She couldn't help but wonder what Hiroshi's next move would be. Would he truly give up now? Or was this just the beginning of something far worse?
"I just need to know that we're safe," Haruka said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Takumi placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You are. And if anyone tries anything again, they'll have to go through me first."
Haruka gave him a small, grateful smile. "I know. Thanks."
As they reached the waiting area, Haruka felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. The hospital had become a strange kind of sanctuary, a place where Yuto was safe and surrounded by people who cared for him. For now, that was enough. She had to believe that things would get better.
But as she glanced back at the entrance to the emergency room, her phone buzzed once again. Another unknown number. Her heart skipped a beat. Would the silence ever last?
Taking a deep breath, Haruka looked at Takumi, who nodded, sensing her unease. "You don't have to answer it. It's probably just him again."
Haruka nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming, something worse than what they'd already endured. But for now, she had to focus on Yuto, on making sure he healed. He was the priority.
And with that resolve, she pushed the thought of the call aside, at least for the moment, as she made her way back to Yuto's room, ready to face whatever came next with him by her side.
Meanwhile, Hiroshi sat in a small, dimly lit room in the mental institution, his hands gripping the cold metal railing tightly. The sound of his frustrated screams echoed through the sterile walls. "No! This can't be happening! Why is everyone keeping us apart!" he shouted, his voice trembling with anger and desperation. He slammed his fists against the railing again, the dull thud of his knuckles reverberating through the room.
The nurse outside the room watched with a mixture of concern and indifference. She had seen this behavior before, the violent outbursts of someone who couldn't let go of a fantasy. She turned to one of the attendants. "He's been like this ever since he was brought in," she said quietly. "Obsessed. He won't accept that Haruka doesn't want him."
The attendant sighed and nodded. "He's not the first, and sadly, he won't be the last. Some people can't move on. The obsession becomes all-consuming."
Inside the room, Hiroshi's eyes were wild with rage and frustration. "She's my only love! Why can't anyone understand that? Haruka... she belongs with me! Not that... that Yuto!" His voice cracked, and he collapsed onto the floor, rocking back and forth as tears mixed with the sweat on his face.
In his mind, Haruka was the only one who mattered. She was the one he had chosen, the one who had to love him. He couldn't fathom why she'd reject him. Why had she turned her back on him? He remembered the first time they had met, the way she had smiled at him. To Hiroshi, it was fate. She had been the one. But now, it felt like everyone was conspiring against him.
He didn't notice the door creaking open until a voice broke through his thoughts. A calm, professional voice.
"Hiroshi," the psychiatrist said softly, stepping into the room. "We need to talk."
Hiroshi's head snapped up, his eyes bloodshot and full of wild energy. "No! I'm not talking to anyone! I don't want to hear any more of your lies! You all just want to take her away from me!"
The psychiatrist remained unfazed. "Hiroshi, I know you're angry, but you need to understand something. This obsession, it's not healthy. It's not love. You're only hurting yourself, and you've hurt Haruka by continuing to stalk her and cause trouble in her life."
"No!" Hiroshi shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. "She loves me! I know she does! She's just scared, but I'll show her! I'll prove to her that I'm the one for her!"
The psychiatrist sighed, sitting down calmly in front of Hiroshi. "Hiroshi, you need help. The more you try to force this, the more damage you'll do to both yourself and the people around you. You need to let go. It's the only way to heal."
But Hiroshi's face twisted in defiance. "I can't let go. I won't let go. I'll make them all see, especially Haruka. She's mine."
As the psychiatrist continued to speak calmly, offering a chance for Hiroshi to accept treatment and start his recovery, Hiroshi's mind remained locked in the same delusional spiral. In his mind, nothing would change. Haruka would be his, no matter the cost.
Outside the mental institution, the world continued to turn. Haruka was safe, Yuto was recovering, and life was slowly returning to normal. But Hiroshi's obsession had yet to be broken. As long as he was trapped in this cycle, he would never stop believing that Haruka was his, and his alone.
It was a sad, twisted reality, but for now, Haruka could only focus on healing and moving forward with her life, hoping that Hiroshi's time in the institution would bring him the help he needed to finally let go.
•~• End of 11 •~•