Aika sat on the floor of her apartment, her breathing ragged and her mind racing. The fear that had been gnawing at her for weeks had reached a boiling point. She couldn't keep living like this—constantly looking over her shoulder, jumping at every shadow. Ryohta had invaded every corner of her life, and she was done letting him control her.
When Yumi arrived the next morning, she found Aika sitting at the kitchen table, a determined look in her eyes. The shattered phone lay in pieces on the counter, but Aika's hands were steady as she sipped a cup of tea.
"I'm done running," Aika said before Yumi could even sit down. "I'm done being afraid. If the police won't help, then I'll take matters into my own hands."
Yumi raised an eyebrow. "What are you thinking?"
Aika leaned forward, her voice low but firm. "We set a trap. We lure him out and catch him in the act. If we can get proof—video, audio, something concrete—then the police will have to take action."
Yumi hesitated, her journalist instincts kicking in. "It's risky. If he realizes what we're doing, it could backfire. But… it might be our only shot."
The two women spent the next few hours refining their plan. They decided to use Aika's daily routine as bait, but this time, Yumi would be hidden nearby, ready to document everything. They chose a location where they could control the environment—a quiet park near Aika's apartment, secluded enough to draw Ryohta out but public enough to ensure some level of safety.
The plan was simple: Aika would walk through the park at her usual time, acting as if nothing was wrong. Yumi would be stationed nearby, armed with a camera and a voice recorder. If Ryohta showed up, they would capture his actions and use the evidence to finally bring him to justice.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Aika stood at the edge of the park, her heart pounding in her chest. The air was cool, and the faint sound of distant traffic filled the silence. She took a deep breath and stepped onto the path, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
Yumi was hidden behind a cluster of trees, her camera ready. She had insisted on staying close, but not too close—close enough to intervene if things went wrong, but far enough to avoid tipping Ryohta off.
Minutes passed, and nothing happened. Aika's nerves were frayed, but she forced herself to keep walking, her footsteps steady. She was about to give up hope when she felt it—the familiar prickling sensation on the back of her neck.
She turned slowly, her breath catching in her throat. Ryohta stood at the edge of the path, his hood pulled low over his face. He didn't move, didn't speak, but his presence was enough to send a wave of terror through her.
Aika's hands trembled as she reached into her pocket, pretending to check her phone. She pressed the button Yumi had given her—a silent signal that Ryohta was here. She could only hope Yumi was ready.
Ryohta took a step forward, his voice low and calm. "You can't keep running, Aika. You know that, don't you?"
Aika's heart raced, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"
Ryohta smiled, the faint light from a nearby streetlamp casting shadows across his face. "I want you to see me. To understand me. You're the only one who can."
Aika took a step back, her mind racing. She needed to keep him talking, to give Yumi enough time to capture everything. "I don't understand you. You're scaring me."
Ryohta's smile faded, replaced by a look of frustration. "You don't have to be afraid. I would never hurt you. I just want to protect you—from everyone else."
Aika's stomach churned. His words were twisted, his logic warped, but she could see the sincerity in his eyes. He truly believed what he was saying.
Before she could respond, a rustling sound came from the trees. Ryohta's head snapped toward the noise, his expression darkening. "Who's there?"
Yumi stepped out from behind the trees, her camera in hand. "It's over, Ryohta. We have everything we need."
Ryohta's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Aika thought he might lunge at Yumi. But instead, he turned and ran, disappearing into the shadows.
Aika collapsed to her knees, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. Yumi rushed to her side, her face pale but determined. "We got him, Aika. We have the evidence. He won't get away with this."