Chapter 3 Always Watching

The rumors spread through the university faster than wildfire.

By lunchtime, everyone knew Ren Kurozawa had given Aira Nakamura a gift.

By evening, people had already created their own versions of the story.

Some claimed they were secretly dating.

Others insisted Aira had somehow manipulated him.

A few believed Ren was playing a cruel joke.

Nobody knew the truth.

Not even Aira.

She stared at the small gift box sitting on her desk.

Ever since morning, she had been afraid to open it.

Why would someone like Ren give her a present?

Why did he know her birthday?

And why did it feel like he knew things about her that nobody else did?

Taking a deep breath, she finally opened the box.

Inside was a silver bookmark.

Simple.

Elegant.

A tiny moon charm hung from one end.

Aira frowned.

There was also a note.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she unfolded it.

"For the girl who always hides in the library."

Her eyes widened.

The library.

That was her favorite place.

Nobody knew that.

Not even her family.

Yet Ren did.

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

Not fear.

Not exactly.

Something she couldn't describe.

Who was he?

The next day, Aira decided she needed answers.

The moment she spotted Ren leaving a lecture hall, she followed him.

At first she thought she was being subtle.

She wasn't.

Ren clearly knew she was behind him.

The corner of his lips twitched.

Amusement.

Eventually he stopped near a quiet courtyard.

Aira almost walked into him.

He turned.

Dark eyes met hers.

For a second, neither spoke.

Then Ren smiled.

"You followed me."

"You noticed?"

"I always notice you."

The answer came too quickly.

Too naturally.

Aira felt her heartbeat speed up.

"That's not normal."

"Probably not."

The fact that he admitted it so casually somehow made it worse.

Aira crossed her arms.

"I want answers."

Ren studied her face.

"What kind of answers?"

"How do you know me?"

The smile disappeared.

For the first time, something serious entered his expression.

"I've known about you for a long time."

"That's not an answer."

"I know."

Aira sighed.

This was impossible.

Before she could continue, several girls approached.

Their eyes immediately landed on Ren.

One of them smiled brightly.

"Ren, there you are!"

The friendliness vanished when they noticed Aira.

Aira recognized the look instantly.

Disdain.

Judgment.

She had seen it her whole life.

The girl linked her arm through Ren's.

"Are you free after class?"

Ren gently removed her hand.

"No."

The girl blinked.

"Oh..."

"I'm busy."

His gaze shifted directly to Aira.

The meaning was obvious.

The girl's face fell.

Aira wanted to disappear.

The group eventually left.

Ren looked completely unbothered.

Aira, however, felt awkward.

"People seem interested in you."

"They're interested in an image."

"What about me?"

The question escaped before she could stop it.

Ren stared at her.

For a moment, the entire world seemed quiet.

Then he answered.

"You're different."

His voice was low.

Honest.

Dangerously sincere.

Aira looked away first.

That evening, Ren sat alone inside his apartment.

The room was luxurious.

Large windows overlooked the city skyline.

Yet he wasn't paying attention to the view.

Instead, dozens of photographs covered one wall.

Every single picture showed Aira.

Walking to school.

Reading in the library.

Sitting beneath the cherry blossom tree.

Smiling.

Thinking.

Living.

Years of memories.

Years of searching.

Years of waiting.

A normal person would have called it obsession.

Ren knew it probably was.

Yet every time he looked at those pictures, he felt the same certainty.

Aira was important.

More important than anyone realized.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

His childhood friend, Haru, entered.

The moment Haru saw the photographs, he sighed.

"You really found her."

"Yes."

"You've spent years looking."

Ren's gaze remained fixed on one photograph.

Aira laughing alone while feeding a stray cat.

A rare moment of happiness.

"I know."

Haru folded his arms.

"Are you finally going to tell her the truth?"

Silence.

For several seconds, Ren didn't answer.

Then he smiled.

A dark smile.

A dangerous smile.

"Aira already has enough problems."

"So you're going to keep watching from the shadows?"

Ren's eyes narrowed.

"No."

For the first time, certainty filled his voice.

"I'm done watching."

Haru immediately understood.

That was what worried him.

Because Ren Kurozawa was not the type of person who did things halfway.

Once he decided something belonged in his life...

He never let go.

Meanwhile, Aira returned home.

The moment she entered, shouting echoed through the house.

Her father looked furious.

Reina stood nearby with tears in her eyes.

"Aira!"

She froze.

Her father rarely used her name.

Usually that meant trouble.

"Did you touch your sister's laptop?"

"What?"

"Answer me!"

Aira stared in confusion.

"No."

"Then why is her project missing?"

Reina wiped away fake tears.

"I saw Aira near my room yesterday."

Aira couldn't believe it.

A lie.

A complete lie.

Yet nobody questioned it.

Nobody defended her.

The verdict had already been decided.

As always.

Her father pointed toward the stairs.

"Go to your room."

"But—"

"Now."

Aira clenched her fists.

The familiar ache returned.

No matter what happened, she was always guilty.

Always unwanted.

Always alone.

She quietly walked upstairs.

Once inside her room, she closed the door.

Then sat on the floor.

The tears came before she could stop them.

For a while, she simply cried.

Nobody knocked.

Nobody checked on her.

Nobody cared.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

One message.

From Ren.

Did something happen?

Aira stared.

How could he know?

Another message appeared.

You looked sad when you got home.

Her breath caught.

Looked sad?

What did that mean?

Aira rushed toward the window.

Outside, across the street, stood a familiar black motorcycle.

And leaning against it—

Ren.

Watching her window.

Waiting.

Not smiling.

Not moving.

Just there.

As if he had been guarding her.

As if he had known she would need someone.

For the first time in years, Aira didn't feel completely alone.

And that terrified her almost as much as it comforted her.

Because Ren Kurozawa wasn't simply interested in her.

The more she learned about him...

The more she realized something dangerous.

Ren didn't just want to know her.

He wanted to become a permanent part of her world.

And once Ren decided something...

He never let it go.

To Be Continued...

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