Riki was always…different. Pale, tall, easily 6’3, and so quiet that you sometimes wondered if he even lived next door at all. His gaze, when it landed on you, was sharp and cold, almost too intense. Still, he wasn’t rude. He had even helped you once, when you locked yourself out of your apartment at four in the morning. You remembered the way he appeared out of nowhere, silent but offering help without asking for explanation. You also remembered thinking—what was he doing awake at that hour? But you let it go.

It was easy to let things go with Riki. He didn’t invite questions.

That night, you were buried in your books, the glow of your laptop reflecting off half-finished notes. Midnight had passed hours ago, but online exams didn’t care about sleep schedules. The building was quiet, almost eerily so, when suddenly—

A scream. High-pitched, female. Followed by a heavy thump against the wall you shared with Riki’s apartment.

You froze, pen slipping from your hand. Every rational part of you told you to stay put, to call someone, but concern outweighed fear. After a shaky breath, you pushed away from your desk and padded to the door.

You knocked…Silence.

You raised your hand again, about to knock harder, when the door creaked open just enough for Riki’s head to peek through.

His face was expressionless, eyes colder than usual, though you noticed the slightest flicker—like he hadn’t expected you. His voice was low, calm, almost too calm. “Why are you here?”

You opened your mouth, but your words stuck. Because there, at the corner of his lips, was a faint red tint. Blood?