Chapter 6: — "Stalking My Crush"

I was sprawled on my bed, legs tangled up in the sheets, staring at the ceiling like it was going to give me answers. My phone sat next to me, screen dim, taunting me. The app I’d installed last night was still open, the little blinking dot sitting there like a heartbeat. Kaito’s heartbeat.

For the whole day at school, it hadn’t moved. Not once. I kept sneaking looks during class, during lunch, even while Rin was buzzing around me like she had all the answers in the world. Nothing. He was either at home… or somewhere I didn’t even want to think about.

But now—
Blink.

My breath hitched.

The dot shifted.

“…No way.” I shot up, hair flying everywhere, fumbling for the phone. “He’s... he’s moving. He’s really moving.”

I stared at it, my pulse already racing. The line on the map wavered as he took a turn, heading deeper into the city. I swallowed hard, hugging my phone like it was going to run away.

What do I do? Do I… do I actually go?

My brain screamed, No, no, no, you’re insane. This is literally stalking. This is like… textbook, creepy stalker girl level 100. But my heart… my heart was already shoving me off the bed.

“I just… I just need to know he’s okay. That’s all,” I muttered, pacing in a little circle. “Not stalking. Nope. Just… protecting. Yeah. Protecting. Totally normal.”

I stopped at the window, looking out at the hazy glow of the city. The lights always looked so fake at night, like someone had sprayed neon paint on the horizon. Kaito was out there. Alone. Doing… what, exactly? Building weapons? Fighting shadows?

My stomach twisted.

“If something happens to him…” I clenched my phone tighter, so tight my hand shook. “I’ll never forgive myself.”

The dot blinked again, shifting further away.

And that was it. My choice. My doom. Whatever.

I yanked my backpack off the chair, nearly smacking myself in the face with the strap, and tossed it onto the bed. My hands were shaking as I started stuffing random things inside. Water bottle. My old flashlight that barely worked. A granola bar. Another granola bar. Candy wrapper. Screw it, keep it.

“This is fine. Totally fine. You’re just… casually tailing your crush at night because he might secretly be saving the world or secretly doing something completely insane. Totally fine.”

I glanced at the clock. Past eight. Dad hadn’t even said hello when I came home; he was probably buried under his endless papers again. Which meant…

I hesitated at my door, my heart thumping in my throat. “Okay, Yuzuki. Just… be normal. Totally normal. No one will ever know.”

I stepped out into the hall, clutching my phone like a lifeline, my eyes darting to the flicker of light under Dad’s office door. The dot on my screen blinked again, further this time. Moving faster.

I tightened my grip on my bag.

“…I have to go.”

I’d just slipped on my shoes when he called me out.

“Yuzuki.”

I froze, one hand on the door handle. My father’s voice carried from his study, flat and monotone, but sharp enough to pin me in place.

Crap.

I turned my head slowly, like maybe if I moved at snail-speed he wouldn’t notice. “Uh… yeah?”

The door creaked open. He stood there, messy hair sticking up in a hundred directions, glasses halfway down his nose, dressed in the same plain T-shirt he’d worn yesterday. A stack of papers was clutched in one hand, like he was married to them.

“Where are you going?” he asked. Just like that. No emotion. No curiosity. Just… interrogation mode.

My heart skipped. “Uh… out?”

He squinted at me, not impressed. “It’s late.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Don’t worry about it.”

His eyes narrowed the tiniest bit. Which, for Dad, was basically a screaming tantrum. “No.”

“No?” I blinked at him.

“No.”

That was it. That was all.

My smile twitched. “Dad, come on. I just—”

“No.”

“Ugh!” I stomped my foot, clutching my bag tighter. “You’re impossible!”

“I don’t care,” he replied, already turning to go back into his office. “Stay home.”

I wanted to scream. Kaito’s dot was still moving on my phone, each blink pulling him farther and farther away from me. If I didn’t leave soon, I’d lose him.

Think, Yuzuki. Think.

My eyes darted around the hall. Papers on the floor. Empty coffee mug. The faint smell of instant ramen. And then—
A memory.

A stupid, ridiculous, perfect memory.

“Dad,” I said sweetly, almost too sweetly.

He paused. “…What.”

I cleared my throat, plastered on my best innocent face, and held up my phone. “So, actually… I was going out to surprise you.”

His eyebrow twitched. “Surprise me.”

“Mmhm.” I nodded enthusiastically. “I was totally, definitely gonna buy you, um… a magazine.”

He blinked. “Magazine.”

“Yep! A magazine full of… y’know…” I coughed into my hand, leaning in like it was some forbidden secret. “Women.”

Dead silence.

I had him. I knew I had him.

Dad’s ears actually turned pink. “W-Women?”

I tried not to laugh. “Uh-huh. Women. Beautiful ones. In swimsuits. Maybe… less than swimsuits.”

He dropped his papers. They scattered across the hall like snow.

I fought the smirk climbing up my face and kept my voice playful, sing-songy. “But, you knooow, since you don’t want me to go out, I guess I’ll just stay home. No surprises. No magazines.” I turned dramatically, dragging my bag back toward my room. “What a shame. Really. Such a tragedy.”

“Wait!”

Hooked.

I peeked over my shoulder. His glasses were sliding down, his hands twitching like he didn’t know whether to pick up his papers or shove me out the door.

“Yuzuki,” he said, voice actually trembling for once. “You… you were really…?”

I tilted my head, biting back a grin. “Maaaybe.”

He fumbled. “But… but if I said no, you wouldn’t…”

“Exactly,” I cut in. “No magazine. No women. Nothing.” I pouted exaggeratedly. “But hey, you’re the boss, right? Guess you don’t need it.”

His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. He looked like a fish. Then finally—

“Go.”

I blinked. “Go?”

“Go!” He waved his hands wildly, shoving his glasses back up. “Now. Before the store closes.”

I gasped theatrically, clutching my chest. “You… you mean it?”

He was sweating. Actually sweating. “Go!”

Excitement bubbled up inside me like soda. I darted back to the door, my bag bouncing against my side. “Thanks, Dad! You’re the best!”

“Buy two!” he called desperately after me.

I snorted, covering my mouth as I slipped out the front door. The second it clicked shut behind me, I let out a laugh, shaking my head.

“…He’s so stupid,” I muttered, tugging my bag higher on my shoulder. “Desperate old man. Seriously. Magazines?”

I pulled out my phone, the map glowing bright against the night. The dot was still moving, still pulling me further into the city. My chest tightened with both nerves and determination.

“Okay, Kaito,” I whispered. “You’re not shaking me off that easy.”

And with that, I started down the street, my heart racing louder than my footsteps.

The streets were almost empty, the hum of the city far behind me. My phone vibrated in my hand, and I froze. Kaito’s dot moved steadily ahead. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “Okay, Yuzuki… calm… casual… totally normal… not stalking… just… totally normal.” My voice cracked, of course.

He moved with that usual smooth, confident stride. The dot on my screen led him down the side streets, past buildings I’d never bothered to notice before. Each turn took him closer to the outskirts of the city, toward a place that made my stomach twist in knots.

Abandoned buildings. Broken fences. Places I’d been warned about as a kid. Perfect for him. Perfect for trouble.

I crouched behind a rusted dumpster, squinting at my phone. “The abandoned buildings? He’s crazy… totally crazy,” My fingers fumbled with the strap of my backpack.

Up ahead, the abandoned property loomed. Windows boarded, walls half-collapsed, weeds crawling over cracked concrete. Kaito didn’t slow down. He circled the perimeter, scanning, careful. My heart hammered. I wanted to yell. I wanted to run. I wanted to throw my phone away and pretend I wasn’t following him.

But I didn’t.

I edged closer along the cracked pavement, muttering constantly under my breath. “Professional… totally professional… just… taking notes… nothing creepy… oh my god… totally normal…”

Every step made my stomach twist tighter. I gripped my phone like a lifeline, eyes locked on the dot representing Kaito. He crouched for a moment, inspecting a broken fence post, then rose again and moved around the side of the building.

“What… is he… thinking?” I whispered, crouching behind a pile of rubble. “Why does he have to do this alone…?” My voice caught halfway. My chest ached in a way that had nothing to do with running.

I glanced around, making sure I wasn’t seen. Every distant echo of footsteps made me jump. Every turn Kaito took sent my pulse into overdrive.

“He’s so… calm,” I muttered, biting my lip. “Like… nothing could touch him… nothing except… maybe… me being stupid… oh geez… why am I like this…”

I crouched lower behind another pile of bricks, watching as he moved carefully along the edge of the property. My fingers twitched over my phone, tempted to call out, to warn him of anything I imagined might happen. But I didn’t. I couldn’t.

The sun dipped lower, shadows stretching across the cracked pavement. My heart felt like it would burst from my chest. “Okay… okay… just stay hidden… breathe… oh my god… don’t do anything stupid… don’t get caught…”

He paused at a corner, scanning the abandoned building with sharp eyes. I could almost feel him sensing… something. My stomach tightened. I wished I could see inside the building, see what he was thinking, know if he was safe, if he would walk in the building.

But I couldn’t.

So I stayed behind the wall, crouched low, muttering to myself, watching him circle the property like a predator. Each careful movement made me worry more, each step closer to the building making my stomach twist harder.

Somewhere deep inside, I realized this wasn’t just curiosity. I wasn’t just following him. I was… protecting him. Watching. Making sure he was safe. And maybe, just maybe… hoping he’d notice me.

The city hummed quietly around me, and I realized I didn’t want to leave. I had to follow him. I had to know what he was doing.

I crouched behind a pile of rubble, my backpack pressing against my side, the phone still glowing in my hand. Kaito’s dot moved closer to the abandoned building, slow and careful, like he had every step mapped out. My stomach churned.

I couldn’t just… watch. Not anymore. I needed to see. I needed to know what would happen. My fingers trembled as I pressed my hand to my chest, muttering under my breath.

“Okay… okay… now… now’s the time… just… don’t screw this up…”

I closed my eyes and reached deep, summoning the sphere. A soft, bluish glow formed around my hand, hovering in the air like a fragile bubble. I gasped softly. Nobody else could see this, nobody knew I could do it… except my father, and Mom. But that was long ago, and… well, it didn’t matter. Oh and also Rin... somehow... but forget that!

I focused. The sphere pulsed, then expanded slightly, showing me the space ahead. I could see Kaito, moving along the edge of the building. His expression was calm, professional, precise. My heart twisted.

“There… there he is…” I whispered. “Oh god… stay safe…”

I followed him with my mind, watching as he circled the property, checking cracks in the walls, broken windows, and debris. My pulse raced. I could see every detail, every movement. My hands were trembling, but I kept the sphere steady.

I watched as Kaito finally stepped closer to one of the boarded-up windows, crouching slightly to inspect it. I held my breath. He looked almost… vulnerable.

Then, suddenly—

A shadow moved. A flash. A mechanical figure leapt from the darkness, aimed straight at Kaito. My heart froze. 

An AI jumped Kaito... a robotic, mechanical AI...

“NO! NO! NO!” I shouted under my breath, pressing my hand against the sphere. “Stop! Don’t let it... don’t... oh god oh god—”

The sphere pulsed violently. The view flickered. The AI robot’s movements slowed in the sphere, but before I could see if it hit Kaito or not…

Nothing.

The image cut off. The sphere went dark. My stomach dropped. My fingers patted at the empty space where the glow had been, desperate.

“NO! Come back! Come back! I need you! I need to see... oh god, Kaito—”

I rubbed my hands over the air where the sphere had been, muttering and pacing, my heart hammering so hard I thought it would break through my ribs.

“Come on, COME ON! Why… why now?! Why… why did you just... have to vanish... now... at all times?!”

My eyes darted to the building. Kaito’s dot moved toward the entrance. My chest tightened. I had no way to know if he was safe. The AI… it was still out there. It could jump him any second.

I crouched lower behind a crumbling wall, muttering to myself.

I… I can’t let it… I can’t… I have to… I have to do something… I can’t just watch him... he… he can’t... oh god, I can’t lose him…

Kaito’s dot crossed the threshold of the abandoned property. My hands shook as I gripped my backpack straps. I could hear my own ragged breathing.

“Okay… okay… think… think, Yuzuki… what can you even do? You’re not him… you’re not a weapon… you’re… you’re… stupid… but… you’re not just going to sit there… no… no…”

I peered around the corner, scanning the dim interior of the building from the broken windows and gaps in the wall. My eyes followed the dot. He was inside now. Completely vulnerable.

An image of the AI robot flashing in my mind made me shiver. My stomach dropped. The sphere had disconnected before showing me the outcome. I had no idea if Kaito was going to get hurt.

I clenched my fists. My teeth gritted.

“No… I… I can’t let him… not him… I won’t… I won’t just sit here… I have to do something… somehow…”

I whispered to myself, barely audible:

“I have to… protect him. Kaito… you’re not going to do this alone… not while I can still… I can still… something…”

The city hummed quietly outside. The abandoned property loomed before me. Shadows twisted in the dim light. I could almost feel the danger inside.

My chest ached with fear, with adrenaline, with something else… something like…

My heart twisted painfully as I muttered under my breath:

“Don’t you dare get hurt… my Kaito… my crush… my… stupid, amazing, impossible crush…”

The sphere was gone. The future I had hoped to see had been ripped away from me. And now… he was inside. Completely unprotected.

I took a deep, shuddering breath, muttered a long string of frustrated curses at the empty air, and peered into the abandoned property again. My mind raced.

I have to stop the AI. Somehow. I have to make sure he’s okay. Somehow…

The hum of the city felt miles away. The danger was real, and Kaito… he had no idea I was here, following him, worrying for him, ready to step in if I could.

I swallowed hard, tightening my grip on my phone. My heartbeat screamed in my ears.

“Alright… alright, Yuzuki… think… think… somehow… somehow… I’ve got to keep him safe…”

And with that, I edged closer, ducking behind the broken wall, ready to follow him inside the building, knowing… that anything could happen next.

I bolted from behind the rubble, my backpack bouncing against me, and shouted at the top of my lungs. “KAITO! LOOK OUT—!”

I didn’t care if anyone saw me, didn’t care about being caught, didn’t care about anything except him.

Kaito froze mid-step and turned sharply, his eyes wide. Confusion and a hint of anger flashed across his face. “Yuzuki? What—”

I didn’t wait for him to finish. I yelled from across the small clearing. “LOOK BEHIND YOU!”

Time slowed for a second. My heart hammered so hard it felt like it would burst. The AI robot, the same one from the sphere, was lunging at him from the shadows, its movements rapid, precise.

Kaito’s eyes widened, and before he could react, I saw him spin just in time. His hand flicked out, the electricity blaster sparking in his grip. He fired. The blast hit the robot square in its chest, sending a jolt of electricity through its circuits. Smoke hissed, sparks flew, and the robot faltered. Its legs collapsed slowly as the battery drained, finally slumping to the ground with a metallic thud.

I ran up to him, my legs moving faster than I thought possible. “Kaito! Are you okay?”

Without thinking, I threw my arms around him. My chest pressed against his back. Relief, fear, and... oh no, that feeling hit me like a truck. My crush… my Kaito… my arms were wrapped around him. I froze for a split second and then pulled back, mortified.

“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean—!”

Kaito whipped around, his expression a mixture of shock and confusion. “Yuzuki! What the hell are you doing here? How did you even find me?”

I swallowed hard, my cheeks burning. “I… I… hacked your phone.”

His jaw dropped, and he opened his mouth to yell. I quickly added, “I did it because… because I was worried! Ever since you got suspended, and… and the news about the AI… I couldn’t just… not know where you were!”

He crossed his arms, frowning. “Yuzuki… I don’t need your concern. I’ve got everything under control.”

“No!” I shouted, my hands trembling. “You didn’t even turn around in time! That robot... if I hadn’t yelled, it would’ve—!” My voice cracked.

He took a deep breath, his nerves flaring, but then he shook his head. “Yuzuki… you need to leave. It’s too dangerous here. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

I planted my hands on my hips and glared. “No. I’m not leaving. I need to make sure you’re safe. I want to help you!”

Kaito’s eyes narrowed, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yuzuki… can you even use a gun?”

I blinked, slowly shaking my head. My blush spread like wildfire.

He let out a frustrated groan and smacked his forehead. “Of course you’re not qualified. This is insane…”

He started walking away, his steps sharp and calculated.

I sprinted to catch up, shouting, “I’ll learn! I will! You’re not getting rid of me! I’m helping you whether you like it or not!”

Kaito didn’t answer at first. He just stopped, frozen. His head tilted slightly, eyes wide.

“Hey!” I yelled, irritation bubbling up. “Are you even listening—?!”

Then I noticed it. Around us, shadows moved unnaturally. Robots, drones and AI's, silent and sleek, began surrounding us, cutting off escape. My stomach dropped. Kaito’s jaw tightened. He scanned the area, clearly calculating.

My heart raced as I muttered under my breath, a low, bitter hiss: “Fuuuck…”

Everything we’d been dodging, all the danger I’d been worried about… it was here. And it wasn’t coming alone.

The abandoned building pressed in on us from all sides. Robots, drones and AI’s, all moved silently in the shadows, their presence making every step feel dangerous. For the first time, I realized we weren’t alone... we were trapped.