Confrontation

A Confrontation at the Lake

The lake was calm, the water reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun. A soft breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves.

But the tension in the air was anything but calm.

Teshii stood at the edge of the water, his hands in his pockets, watching the gentle ripples spread across the lake's surface.

Behind him—Yami.

His cold gaze locked onto Teshii, his fists clenched.

"…Who are you?"

Teshii didn't turn around. He simply smirked.

"You already know the answer to that."

Yami's expression darkened. "I don't."

Teshii chuckled. "Sure you do. You wouldn't be investigating me if you didn't already have a theory."

Yami took a step forward. "I don't care about theories. I want the truth."

Teshii finally glanced over his shoulder, his golden eyes unreadable.

"You think the truth will make a difference?" he asked, tilting his head. "It won't."

Yami gritted his teeth. "It will for me."

Teshii turned fully, facing Yami now, his smirk never faltering.

"Well, in that case…"

He took a slow step forward.

"…The truth doesn't matter to you. But it does matter to two people."

Yami frowned. "What?"

Teshii's smirk widened.

"Misaki Utsuro and Sayaka Nozomi."

Yami's breath caught in his throat.

His mother.

And Hikaru's mother.

Yami's mind raced. Why would Teshii bring them up?

Teshii leaned in slightly.

"Their pasts hold more than you realize," he whispered. "And if you dig too deep…"

Yami's eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to say?"

Teshii exhaled and shook his head, his usual playfulness fading.

"I'm saying, if you keep looking for answers—"

He stepped past Yami, his voice low, sharp.

"You might lose everything."

Yami stiffened.

Teshii kept walking.

"Your family."

Yami's fists tightened.

"Your precious Aoi."

Yami gritted his teeth.

"…And Hikaru."

That was the last straw.

"Shut up!" Yami snapped, turning around. "You don't get to act like you know everything—"

But Teshii was gone.

Vanished.

Like he had never been there.

Yami froze.

How the hell did he disappear so quickly?

He scanned the area, but there was nothing. No sound. No movement.

Only the wind whispering through the trees.

Yami clenched his fists, his heart pounding.

This only confirmed it.

Teshii wasn't normal.

And whatever truth he was hiding—

It was bigger than Yami had ever imagined.