Red Threads and Unspoken Screams

The media had finally caught on.

After Haruki's arrest, news spread fast—"School Idol Targeted in Obsession Scandal"—but the real fire was the photo of Ayumi and Kaito on the rooftop, stolen by someone with a long lens and a cruel agenda.

"Is she in love with her 'rescuer'? Or is she just his next victim?"

The headlines didn't care about truth. But Ayumi didn't care about them either.

One Week Later – Kaito's Apartment

She stood in his kitchen, barefoot, wearing his hoodie over her school skirt. A slow jazz record played in the background. Her eyes followed him as he moved, fixing coffee like it was a sacred ritual.

"Are you always this domestic?" she teased.

Kaito smirked over his shoulder. "Only when there's someone worth impressing."

Ayumi leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "You already did that when you tackled a stalker in the dark."

"Still. I like watching you drink my coffee in my hoodie."

She laughed softly—and then, suddenly serious—stepped forward, closing the space between them.

Her fingers slipped into his. "You're not leaving, right? Even with everything…?"

He kissed her forehead. "Not unless you run first."

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Then I guess you're stuck with me."

Elsewhere – A Rainy Night

Haruki was gone—but someone else watched now.

In the back of a dim-lit bar, a man flipped through printed photos on a table. Kaito. Ayumi. The school. The garage. The alley where Haruki was arrested.

He lit a cigarette with calm hands.

"You ruined everything," he said to no one, voice low, laced with venom. "You took what was mine."

The lighter clicked shut.

"You killed my brother."

The Next Day – At School

Ayumi returned to school like a storm survivor—tired, changed, but unbroken. Most students stayed quiet around her. Some looked with awe. Others, envy. And at least one, with hatred.

Reina Tońo

Elegant. Respected. And, once upon a time, very close to Kaito before he dropped out.

She cornered Ayumi in the courtyard.

"I see you've been busy," Reina said with a smile too sharp to be kind.

"I'm not in the mood," Ayumi replied calmly.

"You think you're special because he kissed you? You think you know him?"

Ayumi met her gaze head-on. "I know enough."

"Do you know why he really dropped out?" Reina whispered, stepping closer. "Do you know who died the night before he vanished?"

Ayumi froze.

Reina leaned in, eyes glittering. "Ask him about Riku."

That Night – Kaito's Garage

Ayumi sat beside Kaito, the tension between them thick as fog.

"Who's Riku?" she asked gently.

Kaito's hands stilled. He didn't look up.

"A friend," he said slowly. "More than that. Like a brother."

"What happened to him?"

Kaito's jaw tightened. "He died. Two years ago. Motorcycle crash."

"You were there?"

"I was the one driving."

The words fell like bricks. Ayumi's heart ached.

"There was a storm. He wanted to ride. I said yes. I thought I could protect him—like I always did. But the road was slick, and I… I couldn't turn in time."

Silence.

Ayumi reached over, took his shaking hand in hers.

"It wasn't your fault," she said, voice steady. "You didn't kill him.

Kaito met her eyes—broken, vulnerable.

"His brother thinks I did."

Ayumi froze. "Wait. Riku had a brother?"

Kaito nodded. "Older. Dangerous. He disappeared after the funeral."

Ayumi's breath hitched.

"He's back," she whispered. "He's watching us."

That Same Night – Abandoned Apartment Building

A shadowed figure stood over a body.

Another photo printed slowly from an old Polaroid camera. The flash flickered like lightning.

Kaito's face. A knife marked through it.

Below the photo, the dead man's face was revealed: a police officer.

The same one who arrested Haruki.

The message was clear.

This wasn't over.

To be continued…