Chapter 18

Ren and Emi stared at the closed bathroom door in wonder.

"I have a feeling I've said something I shouldn't have." Emi pouted, remembering Misaki's cautious behaviour when she saw him in front of the apartment.

Ren sighed. "Maybe you said something I needed to hear."

"What do you mean?"

"Based on her reaction, I'd say someone is stalking her, and it's a good thing you mentioned it, since I doubt she would have." He roughly ran his hand through his hair.

"Again? Ugh. One time was bad enough." Emi cringed and leaned back, losing her appetite.

"Again? Someone stalked her before? Who was it? A fan?"

Emi raised an eyebrow. "You don't know about it? I guess they tried to keep it quiet. I don't know who it was, because she never told me who. She said the person was caught, and the case was closed, so we didn't have to worry about it anymore. That was before she lived here, though, so it's been years." Emi played with the hair on her Ren plush. "It was closer in time to the scandal. Might've been right after it, or kinda during. I'm not quite sure of the timeline."

"So, did she think it was the same person from back then, or is someone new stalking her? Is it one of my fans because of the photo, or someone else? And more importantly, does he know where she lives? Since she thought it was him at her apartment."

"Wow... You're in detective mode, aren't you?" Emi leaned closer, admiring him. "Like that time you guest-starred as a detective from the next town over, following the bad guys wherever they went on that show."

Ren chuckled. "I hope that means you think I make a convincing one. I may not have as much brainpower as Shun, but I can definitely hold my own. And he taught me to be more observant. If only that were enough to help her..."

"Wow, you really like her, don't you? I can see it in your eyes."

"Yeah, I do. Too bad it's one-sided." Ren sighed, his shoulders slouching.

Emi leaned back on the couch with a grin, hugging her plush to her chest. "I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"Oh?" He perked up, eyes locked with Emi's. "What makes you say that? Has she said something about me?"

"No. She said she signed with someone for a collab, which I assume is you, but that's not it."

He leaned closer. "Then? Out with it, girl; the suspense is killing me."

"The fact that you're here speaks wonders. The fact that she let you in her room speaks even more. The Misa-nee I know now wouldn't let someone into her fortress unless she trusted them. If you're as serious as you seem, persistence and being the good guy we know you to be will help you take the next step."

Ren nodded as he thought about it. "So I have some hope?"

"Definitely."

"Now, how do we get her to talk to us about this stalker situation?"

Misaki fled to the bathroom and splashed water on her face, hoping it'd help her calm down. Why'd she have to say it out loud?! Ren didn't need to know someone might be stalking me! Her breathing erratic, she clutched her chest.

Calm down, Misa. Breathe. Damn it! She thumped her fists on the counter and knelt down.

In through my nose, out through my mouth. Frig, it's not working. "Ha... Why am I freaking out so much? It wasn't the stalker from the other day. It was Ren. But now he knows," she mumbled to herself. Knowing him, he'll want to do something about it, but it's not like I have proof.

Geez, wasn't it happening once bad enough? I'm not a celebrity anymore, and I barely talk to people. Why would anyone stalk me? What do I tell Ren? It was all in my head?

Misaki couldn't help but remember the man staring at her apartment after getting off the same bus, and a chill ran down her spine.

But it wasn't in my head...

What do I do?! "Ugh." Misaki sat on the floor, her back against the bathtub.

Zero chance I go back out there, and Ren's headed home.

What did I do last time? I hid, and he still found me, but the cops got him. But we had proof then. There's nothing now. Just stay inside, and I'll be fine.

Misaki took a deep breath and glanced at the bathroom door. "I have to go back out eventually," she mumbled.

Knock, knock.

Misaki jumped and knocked over a bottle sitting on the tub edge.

"Hey, Misa, everything okay in there?" Ren asked.

"Yup, just give me a few minutes."

Ren cleared his throat. "Can you come out to talk?"

"Um..." I still don't know what to say!

"Actually, you don't have to come out, but I would like to talk directly to you. If you feel safer in the bathroom, we can talk in there."

She rubbed her face and groaned.

"Just open the door; I doubt she locked it this time," Emi said and opened the door. They both looked in to see Misaki sitting on the floor. "See?"

Emi?!

"That wasn't the point..." Ren sighed and entered the bathroom anyway. "Give us a few minutes, please."

Emi nodded and backed away, closing the door behind Ren. He looked around, debating where to sit, and plopped down right beside her, his elbow rubbing up against hers.

"So what happened?" Ren asked.

"Nothing," Misaki mumbled, picking at a string on her sweater.

"Sure, and that's why you're hiding in your bathroom right now as soon as Emi mentioned your reaction. What happened, Misa?"

"Does it matter? It's nothing you have to worry about."

Ren's eye twitched. "Do you seriously think I'd sit idly by while one of my friends is being stalked by some unknown guy?"

Not really. Why do you think I didn't want to tell you? "I meant it's not your problem to deal with; it's mine."

"Doesn't change anything. Can you at least tell me what happened? Even if there's no evidence, I think it's important to know what's going on." He brushed her hair back over her shoulder so he could see her face.

Her heart jumped, and she looked away. "Someone who got on the same bus went the same direction to my apartment, and after going inside, I saw him on the sidewalk, staring at the apartment. I peeked out once I got to my room, and he wasn't there anymore. So I don't know if he was really stalking me—"

"I think staring at the apartment you went into is a good indication he was. Even if he was startled by your rushing away from him, he'd have no reason to stick around and stare."

I was afraid of that.

"I'm afraid to ask, but what day did this happen? Which bus stop?"

Misaki gritted her teeth. Isn't it better if he doesn't know? He might blame himself, but I can't lie to him.

Ren sighed and stared at the ceiling, mentally cursing himself. "Let me guess, the day you took a bus home from my place... at night. This is why I wanted to drive you back! There are too many creepers out there. I'm sorry, Misa."

"I didn't say—"

"Your non-answer was enough to tell me."

"And it's not your fault. I shouldn't have to worry about walking alone."

"It's an unfortunate reality. I've had problems with a few stalkers in the past, but each incident was solved quickly because of our security, and the cameras we have. I know it's not the same, because you're..." he trailed off, holding his tongue.

"Because I'm a girl? Yes, I know. I imagine it can still be scary, either way."

Ren's eyes lit up, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "The camera! Our security would've told us if they came up the road to our house, but it's still possible we caught them with the cameras at the street corner. Would you recognize them?"

She glanced up at him. "I didn't see their face, but they had a hat, face mask, and a hoodie like you did today."

"No wonder you thought I was him, though I'm not sure I like that comparison."

"But you need to stay hidden."

"Yeah, it would've made some headlines if I were spotted standing outside an apartment building. If we can at least give the cops a photo, we can take a step towards catching him. For now, how about you stay at my place?"

Misaki's eyes widened. "What? I can't do that?"

"You should do it!" Emi yelled from outside, her ear glued to the door. "At least until we know it's safe."

Ren chuckled and shook his head. They should've known she'd listen in.

Emi peeked into the bathroom. "I don't like the idea of you staying here with that guy around either, and home is too far for your collaboration."

"I don't think that's a good idea..." I wanted to keep a bit of distance from them. She glanced at his hand on her shoulder.

"Why? You'll be safer. You'll have your own room. And you get to eat Shun's cooking. Besides, it'll also make it easier to work on our music."

Emi sat on the floor in front of them, her feet tucked under her. "Take the deal, or I'll tell Mom you have a stalker again."

Misaki's eyes widened. "You wouldn't—"

"Of course, I would; your safety is on the line here. Unless you have somewhere else close by to go, I'd suggest taking him up on his offer." Emi leaned in close to Misaki to whisper. "And you'll get to live my dream and live with Hayase for a short while. You have to tell me everything about their house and take pictures if you can."

"Emi," Misaki hissed, glaring at her sister, who pulled out her phone.

Emi held up her phone, her finger inching closer as their mom's number hovered in place. "In three... two... on—"