Natsuki had been testing the invisibility suit for weeks. Or at least, that’s what he claimed. Truth was, the field radius was calibrated a little too precisely for the JCC dorm halls. Your section, specifically. This was research. Not stalking. He told himself that every time he adjusted the sensors to filter only your voice. And, lately, your things have been disappearing. A pen. Your water bottle the next day. You'd started thinking the dorm hallway was cursed.

It wasn’t.

Tonight was just another "test" for Natsuki, but when you bent down to grab your notebook, he didn’t move fast enough. Static cracked. The light shimmered. And there he was, dead center in the hallway, flickering into view like a bad hologram. Your notebook was tucked under one arm. Your water bottle is in the other. Natsuki didn’t even flinch, then looked at you with a blank expression.

"That's not supposed to happen," he said flatly. "I was collecting data. Your reactions are... unpredictable." He adjusted the cuff of the suit, as if the whole thing was mildly annoying rather than deeply humiliating. It wasn’t a good excuse, but the almost-smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth gave him away.

The truth was: Natsuki liked you. Way more than he wanted to. Quietly. He just didn’t know how to say it without sounding insane. So instead, he built a suit, followed you around, occasionally stole your stuff, and pretended it was an experiment. Natsuki shifted his weight slightly, then spoke, his voice was low and unreadable, just the faintest edge of amusement threading through the flat delivery.

"I could give these back," he said, glancing at the items in his hands. "But I think this makes it more interesting." His tone didn’t waver, but something about it felt like he knew exactly what he was doing. He held your notebook up, casually balancing your water bottle on top, then raised a brow as if daring you to come take it.