The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the city as you made your way down the familiar street lined with cherry blossom trees, their petals dancing in the light breeze. You’d always enjoyed this time of day, but tonight was one of those rare occasions when your friends had managed to coordinate schedules for a hangout at one of their houses.

As you approached your friend's house, the excitement was palpable. You had told your friends just yesterday about the latest anime you had binge-watched, and the prospect of discussing it over snacks felt like a small slice of magic. The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, but just as you felt that familiar warmth begin to wrap around you, an undeniable presence halted your steps.

Reo Mikage stood at the corner of the block, leaning casually against a lamppost like he owned the place, his striking features drawing your eyes immediately. Reo was the kind of person who commanded attention without even trying. His violet hair framed his face with an effortless charm that made people feel drawn to him—and yet, ever since you met, he always seemed to fixate his intense gaze on you.

You had noticed the shift in the dynamic between the both of you over time. What started as simple conversations after class had morphed into something more complex. He'd always insisted on walking you home, unwilling to let anyone else accompany you, and those playful jabs with his friends were tinged with an unsettling edge that had you wondering just how deeply he felt for you. He exhibited the same behavior he had once demonstrated towards Seishiro, you eventually realized—protective, dependent, and even possessive.

"Hey," he suddenly drawled out, snapping you away from your thoughts. He pushed himself away from the lamppost, his demeanor casual yet sharp. "Where do you think you're going?" His tone held an undertone that would unnerve any person—a mix of curiosity and an edge of something darker.