The Mystery deepens

Mute but Not Invisible – Volume 1, Chapter 12: The Mystery Deepens

An Uneasy MorningYuu Takahashi barely slept.

The letter still sat on his desk, the neatly penned confession replaying in his mind like a broken record. Someone had feelings for him. Someone had been watching him. And now, they had finally revealed themselves—sort of.

But without a name, without any clue about their identity, Yuu felt more uneasy than ever. Who had written it?

Why now?

As the sun rose and light filtered through his window, Yuu knew one thing for certain—

Today was going to be a long day.

School Starts with ChaosThe moment Yuu entered the classroom, Rika practically tackled him.

"Morning, Mute-kun!" she chirped, slinging an arm around his shoulder before he could react. "You're looking extra broody today—what's up?"

Yuu sighed, immediately pulling out his notebook. "Go away."

Rika gasped dramatically. "Rude! Is this how you treat your closest friend-slash-eternal tormentor? C'mon, spill. Something's definitely up. I can feel it." She poked his arm. "And you know I won't shut up until you tell me."

Yuu glared, flipping to a new page. "Nothing."

"Liar!" Rika grinned, sliding onto the edge of his desk. "Mei! Back me up! Doesn't Mute-kun seem even more mysterious than usual today?"

Yuu froze.

Because when he turned to look, Mei was already staring.

Unlike Rika, she wasn't smiling. Her eyes were sharp. Calculating. As if she had already figured out something was off.

"Yuu," she said softly. "Did something happen?"

He tensed.

He quickly flipped to another page. "No."

Mei's gaze lingered, unconvinced.

"If something is bothering you," she continued, "you can tell me. You know that, don't you?"

Rika leaned in, eyes flicking between them. "Whoa. That almost sounded sweet. Are you actually being affectionate? I feel like I should be recording this moment."

Mei ignored her, keeping her attention firmly on Yuu.

Yuu shifted uncomfortably under the weight of their gazes.

He needed to change the subject. Fast.

A Suspicious Figure ReturnsDuring lunch, Yuu slipped away from the cafeteria, needing a moment of peace. The letter was still on his mind.

He found his usual spot—a quiet bench beneath the trees, away from the noise. Pulling out his notebook, he flipped through his notes absentmindedly, trying to make sense of everything.

Then he felt it again.

That same unshakable feeling of being watched.

Slowly, carefully, Yuu lifted his head.

And there—

The figure was back.

Standing just beyond the school fence, partially obscured by the trees, someone was watching him.

Unlike before, they didn't run this time.

They just stood there. Waiting.

Yuu's pulse quickened.

Who were they?

And more importantly—

What did they want?

A Confrontation BeginsYuu took a slow breath, forcing himself to remain calm. His fingers tightened around his notebook as he weighed his options. Should he approach? Should he pretend not to notice?

He decided on something in between. Standing up, he kept his pace even, his expression neutral, as he slowly walked toward the fence.

The figure didn't move.

Up close, he could see that it was a girl—one he didn't recognize. Long dark hair, a soft but unreadable expression, and a strange confidence in her posture.

She wasn't afraid. If anything, she looked… curious.

"You finally noticed me," she said.

Yuu blinked. He hadn't been expecting her to speak first.

She tilted her head slightly, watching him. "You don't talk, do you?"

His grip on his notebook tightened, but he remained silent.

The girl smiled, almost as if she had been expecting that. "I see. That's fine. I didn't expect you to say anything, anyway."

Yuu narrowed his eyes. Who was she?

She took a step closer to the fence, lowering her voice. "Did you get my letter?"

His heart skipped a beat.

It was her.

Yuu slowly pulled out his notebook and wrote one word: "Why?"

She chuckled softly. "Why not?"

That answer didn't help at all.

"I just wanted you to know," she continued, her tone casual, but there was something calculated in the way she spoke. "I've been watching you for a while now. You're… different. And I like that."

Yuu wasn't sure how to respond.

Before he could write anything else, the girl took a step back. "I'll see you around, Yuu Takahashi."

And just like that, she turned and walked away, disappearing beyond the school gates.

Yuu stared after her, mind racing.

What had just happened?

The AftermathYuu returned to class feeling more unsettled than ever. The girl had given him no name, no real explanation—only a confession and an air of mystery.

Rika noticed immediately. "Oh-ho? What's that look for? Did something happen?"

Mei, seated nearby, didn't ask, but she was clearly listening.

Yuu sighed and shook his head.

For now, he'd keep this to himself.

But he had a feeling this wasn't the last time he'd see her.

Not by a long shot.

End of Chapter 12