The alley stretched before Kira like a gaping void, the dim glow of a single flickering streetlamp barely keeping the darkness at bay. The air was thick with dampness, the scent of rain lingering from earlier.

Her boots clicked against the uneven pavement, the sound swallowed by the eerie silence. Not a single soul stirred. This place felt abandoned—forgotten by the world.

Yet, she wasn’t alone.

With deliberate steps, Kira approached a run-down apartment complex. The door was slightly ajar, creaking as she pushed it open. The building smelled of dust and neglect, the stairwell dimly lit by weak emergency bulbs that buzzed faintly.

She reached the final door. She didn’t knock.

Instead, she pushed it open.

The room was swallowed in shadows, save for the dim blue glow of a laptop screen flickering in the corner.

A lone figure sat before it, back turned to her, unmoving.

Kira’s voice was low but firm. "Found you........"

No reaction.

She took another step forward, eyes narrowing. "......Ryujin!!"

A laugh broke through the stillness, warm yet laced with mischief.

The chair creaked as the figure finally turned, revealing a handsome man with a smirk that was as frustrating as it was familiar.

His long, ash-brown hair was loosely tied back, strands framing his face effortlessly. He had sharp, warm brown eyes, the kind that always seemed to carry amusement, as if he were in on some private joke the world wasn’t aware of. His crisp, slate-blue shirt fit comfortably on his well-built frame, sleeves casually rolled up as though he had just finished something important—but not important enough to stop him from teasing her.

Ryujin leaned back, arms resting on the chair’s armrests like a king surveying his domain.

Kira crossed her arms, tilting her head. "Of course. You Know I was a pro at hide and seek."

Ryujin’s smirk widened. "You're still the same as before."

She shrugged. "Yeah, I am."

Then, with a spark of mischief, he leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. "So…how are you doing? got any boyfriend?"

Kira groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Oh, come on. Not this again."

His teasing expression didn’t waver. "So, you do have one now, huh?"

Her playful irritation flickered—just for a second. And that second was enough.

Ryujin’s smirk faltered, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Kira…What happened?"

For once, she didn’t dodge the question.

She told him everything.

The messages. The calls. The suffocating presence that followed her, even in the places she thought were safe.

Her voice wavered—just barely—but Ryujin caught it.

His usual relaxed demeanor shifted, amusement vanishing as something more dangerous settled in his gaze.

Kira met his gaze without hesitation. "Okay ,Whatever it is, I accept."

Ryujin blinked, momentarily surprised. "Wait! You’re accepting it before I even say what it is?"

Her expression was unwavering. "Because I trust you."

Something unreadable flickered across his face—an emotion too quick to catch.

Then, he leaned back, grinning again, but this time, it was different.

Kira inhaled deeply. "The person stalking me."

Ryujin’s fingers tapped against the desk, his eyes sharp. "Tell me everything. And why didn’t you go to the police?"

Kira’s voice was steady, but tension lurked beneath the surface. "I only know he’s a man—I’ve heard his voice through my phone and laptop. He’s been watching me for at least two weeks. And as for the police... there's no evidence."

Ryujin frowned. "No evidence? But you have his messages and call history, right?"

A humorless chuckle escaped her lips. "They all vanish after I read them."

Ryujin exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Well That will be tough....."

Kira’s fists clenched. "So he is a hacker?"

Ryujin leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. "Yes. But not just any hacker. Someone this skilled at covering their tracks isn’t easy to find. But I will find him."

Kira let out a breath, her shoulders loosening slightly. "Thank you, Ryujin."

His smirk returned, but it was softer now. "Don’t thank me yet. You still owe me something."

Kira raised an eyebrow. "Your condition? So what was it?"

His grin widened. "Go on a date with me."

She sighed. "You never give up, do you?"

Kira rolled her eyes but allowed herself a small smile. "Fine. After we find him."

Ryujin beamed. "Yes! Deal Done."

She pushed herself off the desk. "Oh No it's so late ,I should go now."

Ryujin hesitated before speaking. "Want me to walk you home?"

Kira shook her head. "Hey I’m fine."

He frowned. "But Kira—"

She cut him off, voice firm yet warm. "Enough Ryujin!. I'm not a kid anymore. I can go by myself."

Without another word, she turned and left.

---

The night air was cool as Kira walked through the alley. The rhythmic click of her boots was the only sound—until a subtle shift in the darkness made her skin prickle.

She glanced over her shoulder.

A shadow.

Someone was following her.

Her pace quickened, her heartbeat rising with it.

The figure behind her matched her steps.

Then—

A firm hand gripped her shoulder from behind.

Her breath hitched.

She spun around—

And everything stopped.

---