Bait and Blaze

The plan was risky. Reckless, even.

But Ayumi had made up her mind.

She wasn't going to wait around for her stalker to make the next move.

Kaito's Garage – 6:00 p.m.

"You want to what?" Kaito stared at her like she'd grown another head.

"Bait them," Ayumi repeated, steady despite the fear in her gut. "They want to expose me, right? Fine. Let's give them something to chase."

Kaito paced the garage floor. "You're asking to be hunted."

"I already am being hunted," she shot back. "At least this way, I get to choose the ground."

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration and worry carved into every line of his face. "This isn't a school rumor anymore, Ayumi. Someone's playing dirty. This could get dangerous."

She stepped in front of him, placing her hands gently on his chest.

"I trust you," she said quietly. "So don't make me do this without you."

His eyes searched hers for a long moment—then he let out a low breath and nodded.

"I'm with you. Always."

The Setup – 10:45 p.m.

Ayumi sat alone on the riverbank in the same spot where the photo had been taken. She wore the same school uniform. Her hair was styled the same. The only difference?

This time, a tiny mic was hidden under her collar.

Kaito watched from the shadows of the trees, eyes trained on every movement around her. His bike was hidden nearby, engine primed.

She clutched her phone, every second stretching like a wire pulled too tight.

Then—footsteps. Soft. Slow.

She didn't look. Just breathed. "I know you're there."

Silence.

Then a low, distorted voice replied. "You shouldn't be here alone."

Ayumi turned slowly—and finally saw them.

Black hoodie. Face half-covered. Phone in hand. Eyes unreadable.

"You've been following me," she said, calm despite her pounding heart. "Why?"

The figure chuckled. "You're interesting. Sweet little schoolgirl falling for the town's leftover trash. You think people will protect you? They'll chew you up."

Ayumi stood, heart racing. "You don't scare me."

"You should."

The figure lunged forward—too fast. Ayumi gasped, stumbling back—but the roar of a motorcycle cut through the air like thunder.

Kaito flew from the trees, engine blazing, cutting between them with a spray of gravel. He jumped off before the bike had fully stopped, eyes blazing.

"Back. Off."

The figure hesitated—but not for long. They bolted.

"Ayumi—stay here!"

"No way!"

She took off after them too, adrenaline surging. Kaito cursed under his breath and followed.

Chase Through the City

The stalker ducked into narrow alleyways, sprinting past empty storefronts. Ayumi kept pace surprisingly well, feet slamming against the concrete.

But Kaito was faster.

He cornered the figure near a chain-link fence. "Game over."

But the stalker turned—something gleamed in their hand. A blade.

Ayumi screamed. "Kaito!"

He dodged just in time, grabbing the attacker's wrist mid-swing. They struggled, slammed into the wall—and Kaito ripped off their hood.

Ayumi froze.

"…You?"

It was a face she knew. Not a stranger.

Haruki.

Third-year. The student council vice president. Quiet. Polite. Obsessed with order—and apparently, obsessed with her.

"Why?" she whispered.

Haruki's smile was warped. "You were clean. And you let him touch you. He's filth. You don't even see it."

"You don't know him," she spat. "And you don't get to decide who I am."

Police sirens wailed in the distance—someone must've called. Kaito shoved Haruki back as he tried to escape again, pinning him until help arrived.

Later That Night – Rooftop Above the City

Ayumi sat beside Kaito, both of them quiet, wind tugging at their hair.

She leaned against his shoulder, exhausted. "I can't believe it was someone from school…"

"He was good at hiding. People like that always are." Kaito looked at her. "But you were brave. You didn't freeze. You fought."

She smiled faintly. "You always make me feel like I can."

He turned slightly toward her, brushing her hair back again—soft this time, slow.

"No one's ever looked at me the way you do," he murmured. "Like I'm not broken."

"You're not," she said, voice barely a whisper. "You're strong. And kind. And maybe a little reckless."

He laughed quietly. "Takes one to know one."

Their lips met, finally—not rushed, not desperate. Just quiet. Real. A promise made in the dark, with the city lights flickering below them.

To be continued…