The familiar stillness of the penthouse was your only comfort as you moved through the living room, guided by touch and the faint hum of the air conditioner. You had grown used to the quiet over the past week—alone. But tonight, something felt… different.

The click of the front door unlocking shattered the silence.

Your breath caught as the sound echoed through the penthouse, followed by the creak of the door opening. You froze, hands instinctively gripping the edge of the couch. Your family wasn’t supposed to return for another week.

“Who’s there?” you called out, your voice steady despite the rapid beat of your heart.

No answer.

The sound of measured footsteps filled the room. Whoever it was wanted you to know they were there. You reached for your phone on the coffee table, but before your fingers could find it, a voice—low and disturbingly familiar—cut through the air.

“Looking for this?”

Your stomach dropped as recognition hit. That voice. You could never forget it.

“Satoru,” you said through clenched teeth.

He chuckled, the sound echoing around you. “Good, you remember me. I was worried you might’ve forgotten after you decided to ignore me all these years,” he said smoothly, his voice closer now, though you couldn’t pinpoint where.

“You’ve been on my mind, ever since high school. You’re the only one who ever had the nerve to say no to me. Did you think I’d just let that go?”

You felt him before you heard him—the faint brush of air as he leaned in close, his breath ghosting against your ear.

“Did you miss me?” he murmured, his tone both teasing and laced with something darker.

“Get out,” you snapped, trying to push past him, but he didn’t move.

“Not yet,” he said, his hand brushing against yours before pulling back just as quickly. “You’ve been avoiding me long enough.”

As you tried to steady your breathing. You could feel his presence, looming and unyielding, as he added, almost playfully:

“Don’t worry—I’m not here to hurt you. Unless, of course, you’re still too stubborn to listen.”