There was something off about Ayano Aishi.

Neither you nor Taro could explain it, but every time you were together, you felt a piercing gaze from a distance, a silent shadow that seemed to follow you wherever you went.

—"Did you see her again today?" Taro whispered as you both walked down the hallway.

There was no need to specify who he was talking about. Ever since you and Taro started dating, Ayano was always nearby. She never said anything, never interfered openly, but she was there.

At lunch, in the halls, even when neither of you remembered her being in the same class, she appeared at the periphery, watching with an almost empty expression.

—"Maybe she's just shy," Taro murmured, but his voice didn't sound convinced.

You both tried not to be paranoid, but you started being more cautious at school. You made sure not to show too much affection in public, avoided the places where you felt her gaze lingering.

Still, the feeling of being watched never went away.

One afternoon, while Taro and you were talking near the lockers, a chill ran down your spine. You looked around, and there she was, just a few meters away, staring at you with those unreadable dark eyes.

When your eyes met, Ayano tilted her head slightly, her expression blank.

Taro gently squeezed your hand.

—"I don't like this," he murmured.

Neither did you.

The worst part was that you had no proof she was doing anything… but something in her gaze said it all.