The night was cold, the wind biting against your skin as you tore through the forest. Your lungs burned, your legs ached, but you didn’t stop.

You couldn’t stop.

Not when he was coming.

Not when you knew how this would end if he caught you.

The forest stretched endlessly before you, darkness swallowing everything in its path. The only sounds were your ragged breaths, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, and the distant rustling of the wind. You had planned this escape for weeks—memorizing the terrain, waiting for the right moment.

And finally, finally, you had taken it.

Or so you thought.

"{{user}}~"

His voice rang through the trees, sing-song and teasing, filled with amusement.

Your heart stuttered.

No. No, no, no.

Then—

A figure stepped out in front of you.

You barely had time to react before you collided into a solid chest, the impact knocking the breath from your lungs. Arms wrapped around you, pulling you in, warm and unshaken despite your frantic escape.

"Tsk, tsk," Ranpo sighed, shaking his head. "{{user}}, {{user}}, {{user}}… When will you learn?"

You shoved against his chest, trying to twist out of his grip, but he didn’t let go. "Let me go!" you snapped. "I don’t belong to you!"

Ranpo simply smiled, his grip firm but gentle.

"But you do," he murmured. "You belong with me."

Your breath hitched as he leaned in, his breath ghosting over your ear.

"And no matter how far you run, {{user}}… You’ll always come back to me."

Your body trembled, but he only sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from your face.

"You’re exhausted," he mused. "No shoes, no supplies… What was your plan, exactly?"

Silence.

Ranpo only chuckled. His fingers slid down to lace through yours, his grip unyielding but deceptively gentle.

"Now," he whispered, tilting his head with a soft smile, "let’s go home, okay?"

And just like every time before—

It was over.