The police station was a flurry of activity as Aika and Yumi handed over the evidence they had gathered. Inspector Nakamura listened intently as they recounted the events in the park, his expression growing more serious with each detail. The video footage and audio recordings were damning—Ryohta's words and actions were clear proof of his obsession and intent.
"This changes everything," Inspector Nakamura said, his tone grim. "We'll issue a warrant for his arrest immediately. In the meantime, I'll assign officers to keep an eye on you, Aika. We'll do everything we can to keep you safe."
Aika nodded, relief washing over her. For the first time in weeks, she felt like she could breathe. But the fear wasn't entirely gone—Ryohta was still out there, and until he was caught, she knew she wouldn't truly be safe.
Yumi stayed with Aika that night, the two women sitting in her apartment with the lights on and the curtains drawn. They talked late into the night, their voices low and their nerves on edge. Yumi tried to lighten the mood with stories from her work, but Aika's mind kept drifting back to Ryohta.
"What if he doesn't stop?" Aika asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if he finds a way to get to me, even with the police watching?"
Yumi reached out and squeezed her hand. "He won't. We have the evidence now. He's backed into a corner, and he knows it. He's not going to risk getting caught."
But Aika wasn't so sure. Ryohta had always been one step ahead, always watching, always waiting. She couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't done—not yet.
The next morning, Aika returned to work, her nerves still frayed but her resolve stronger than ever. The coffee shop felt different now, the familiar routine a small comfort in the chaos of her life. She kept an eye on the door, half-expecting Ryohta to walk in at any moment, but he didn't.
As the day wore on, Aika began to relax. Maybe Yumi was right. Maybe Ryohta was done. But just as she was starting to believe it, her phone buzzed. It was a message from an unknown number: "You think you've won, Aika? This isn't over."
Her hands trembled as she read the message, her heart pounding in her chest. She showed it to Yumi, who immediately called Inspector Nakamura.
"He's still out there," Yumi said, her voice tight with frustration. "And he's not going to stop."
Inspector Nakamura promised to increase patrols around Aika's apartment and workplace, but Aika knew it wasn't enough. Ryohta was too smart, too determined. He would find a way to get to her, no matter what.
That evening, as Aika walked home from work, she felt it again—the prickling sensation on the back of her neck. She turned slowly, her heart racing, but the street was empty. The shadows seemed to stretch toward her, the darkness closing in.
When she reached her apartment, she double-checked the locks and drew the curtains, her hands shaking. She sat down on the couch, her mind racing. She couldn't keep living like this—constantly looking over her shoulder, jumping at every sound. She needed to end this, once and for all.