The Trap

The plan was simple, but every step felt like walking on a tightrope. Aika would continue her routine, acting as bait, while Yumi monitored Ryohta's movements from a distance. They had chosen a crowded area in Shibuya, hoping the bustling streets would provide some semblance of safety. But safety was an illusion, and both of them knew it.

Aika stood near the iconic Shibuya Crossing, her heart pounding as she pretended to scroll through her phone. The sea of people around her was both comforting and overwhelming. She felt exposed, vulnerable, but also invisible in the crowd. Yumi was nearby, hidden among the throngs of pedestrians, her eyes scanning for any sign of Ryohta.

Minutes turned into an hour, and nothing happened. Aika began to wonder if they had overestimated Ryohta's boldness. Maybe he wouldn't show up in such a public place. Maybe he was smarter than they thought.

Then she felt it—a prickling sensation on the back of her neck, the unmistakable feeling of being watched. She turned slowly, her eyes scanning the crowd. At first, she saw nothing out of the ordinary. But then, just beyond the sea of faces, she caught a glimpse of him. Ryohta.

He was standing near a convenience store, his gaze locked on her. Even from a distance, she could see the intensity in his eyes, the way his lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. He didn't move, didn't approach her, but his presence was enough to send a wave of terror through her.

Aika's hand trembled as she reached for her phone, sending a quick text to Yumi: "He's here. Near the convenience store."

Yumi's response was immediate: "Stay calm. I'm coming."

But before Yumi could reach her, Ryohta disappeared into the crowd, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared. Aika's breath came in short, panicked gasps as she scanned the area, but he was gone.

Yumi arrived moments later, her face pale. "Did he say anything? Did he approach you?"

Aika shook her head. "No. He just... looked at me. And then he was gone."

Yumi cursed under her breath. "He's playing with us. He knows we're onto him, and he's enjoying it."

The realization hit Aika like a punch to the gut. Ryohta wasn't just stalking her—he was toying with her, drawing out the fear and uncertainty. He was in control, and he wanted her to know it.

That night, Aika couldn't sleep. Every sound outside her apartment made her jump, and the shadows in her room seemed to shift and move. She felt trapped, as if the walls were closing in around her. The city that had once been her home now felt like a prison, and she was the unwilling center of a deadly game.

The next morning, Aika arrived at work to find a package waiting for her at the counter. It was a small, neatly wrapped box with no return address. Her hands shook as she opened it, revealing a single item: a photograph of herself, taken from a distance. On the back, written in the same neat handwriting as before, was a message: "You can't hide from me."

Aika's breath caught in her throat. Ryohta wasn't just watching her—he was sending her a message. He was everywhere, and there was no escape.

Yumi arrived shortly after, her face grim as she examined the photograph. "This changes everything," she said. "He's not just stalking you—he's escalating. We need to go to the police."

But Aika hesitated. "What if they don't believe us? What if they can't do anything?"

Yumi's expression softened. "We have to try. We can't do this alone."