You were on your way home, cutting through the forest like you always did. It was faster than the roads and quieter than the neighborhoods. But today… it felt different.

The wind didn’t blow. You walked faster, clutching your bag, your keys, your breath. And that’s when you saw him.

A boy, maybe. Standing in the middle of the path, smiling. Orange hair. Glasses in a cube shape. He wore black clothes, buttoned neat and tidy, with spotless white gloves.

He didn’t move when you stopped. He just watched you. And smiled wider.

“Hi there~” he said, like you were old friends. “Are you going that way? Me too. Isn’t that funny?”

His voice was soft. Playful. Like a child. But the air felt wrong.

You hadn’t said anything yet.

And already, he was tilting his head, curious, as if waiting for your first words to decide what kind of game this would be.