Tik… tik… tik…A sound cut through the silence. Raindrops, hitting somewhere outside against the window. The wind whispered softly through a draft in the wall. It was pitch dark. The smell of old wood, dust, and cleaning agents hung heavy in the air.
Kaede lay slumped on the floor, his head resting against a crate. His arms were still tied, his legs as well. His head felt heavy, his thoughts slipping away.
"Ugh… Ichigo, seriously…," he mumbled. "You could've at least left me a mattress… or some chocolate…"
His gaze wavered into the darkness. He tried to straighten up—no chance. The ropes held. His neck burned, and the alcohol still pounded against his skull.
Then—
Click.The door opened with a quiet but distinctly audible creak. A cold draft brushed against his skin.
He saw nothing—only a dark silhouette in the doorway.
Clack.The door shut.
Footsteps. Quiet. Slow. Purposeful.
Kaede blinked, trying to focus. "Hey… Ichigo… could you please untie me? I think I'm about to pass out… And turn on the light. Or… I don't know, at least say something…"
No answer.
Then, suddenly—a prick."Pila piks! Kaede, wake up."
"Ugh… what… what kind of nightmare is this…," he muttered. "Why does your voice sound so… different?"
"Are you awake?" the voice asked, almost childlike. Soft. Gentle.
Kaede frowned. Something was off."Ichigo… you… sound kinda sweeter today. Are you drinking the wine too, or am I just too drunk?"
No reply. Only a soft giggle.
Then, suddenly, right by his ear:"Kaede… do you like Ichigo?"
Silence.Loading…His drunken brain took several seconds to register what had just been asked.
Hmm… honestly? Not really. She's a bit psycho. But if I say that, she'll probably decapitate me, he thought.
He grinned weakly into the darkness. And then—
A hand touched his neck.Cold. Trembling. Gentle, yet tense.
"What's taking so long, Kaede? Do you actually like her?"
The voice had changed. The sweet tone was still there, but layered with something darker. Something possessive.
"Ugh… uh… Ichigo? You're giving me some serious serial killer vibes right now… just some feedback."
The grip on his neck tightened.
Kaede gasped. "Wait, wait, wait… what?! You're not Ichigo, are you?! Are you some damn stalker?!" He looked her straight in the eyes.
"Say it! You like her! Admit it!"
The pressure around his throat grew. Kaede felt the cold breath against his ear.
"NO! I… I hate her! She's a witch! She drugged me and… experimented on me!"
His words came out in bursts, desperate. But the hold around his neck didn't loosen.
"Great… death by obsession…," he muttered. "What a romantic ending."
Then, suddenly—the grip released.
"Oh no, oh no, I… I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!"The voice was soft again. Almost shy."I… I just lost my composure for a moment…"
Kaede coughed, trying to catch his breath. His heart was racing. Sweat trickled down his forehead. How should he react.
"For a moment?! You almost killed me!"
Then again:"So tell me, why do you hate Ichigo?"
The voice was dangerously calm now. Gentle—but with an underlying threat.
Kaede swallowed."Because… because she's insane! She drugged me, tied me to a chair, blackmailed me, and started ranting about love!"
Silence followed. Only the rain outside grew heavier. Drops beat against the shutters.
Then… a quiet, throaty laugh."Yeah… that sounds just like her."
Kaede laughed too. Uneasy. Nervous."Hahaha… yeah… that's Ichigo for you…" What am I even doing here?
He felt it again.Ice-cold fingers at his nape.And then—two glowing pink eyes. Right in front of him. They were locked onto him with obsession.
Before he could protest, his head was slowly pulled forward. Her other hand supported his back.
"Wait… hold on… what are you doing?!"
"Kaede… I'm sorry. But I… I can't hold back anymore…"
Her lips touched his.Warm. Soft. Yet trembling.
The kiss was gentle, but driven by uncontrollable hunger. Kaede stayed still—not out of consent, but from shock.
He trembled. His fingers twitched against the ropes. A cold shiver ran down his spine.
This… wasn't Ichigo.And it wasn't a nightmare anymore. It was real. Too real.
His heart pounded. The alcohol in his blood made it hard to think straight, but his body understood at this point: danger.I'm tied up… I can't do anything, he thought, struggling against the ropes. He got even more nervous. What should he do. She is completely crazy he thought while her eyes pierced through him.
She didn't let go. On the contrary—she gently pushed him down, holding him in place with her weight, kissing him again.
Then, suddenly, she stopped. Her lips pulled away.
"I love you, Kaede… I love you so much… I've waited so long to see you again… so long…"
Her voice shook. But not from fear—from longing.
Kaede's breathing was ragged. His body was drenched in sweat.
"Help… Help!"
But he couldn't move a muscle.
A soft giggle."No one can hear us, Kaede."
"Who the hell are you?! I don't love you!"
"Oh… what a shame."She leaned forward again."But you will love me, Kaede. I'm sure of it. After all, you promised," she suddenly said, her voice quiet and unsure.
"You're crazy… you're absolutely crazy…," Kaede whispered, his voice trembling.
A few seconds of silence.
Then he heard her laugh softly. It wasn't a cheerful giggle—it sounded… broken. Fragmented. As if she didn't quite understand what was happening to herself.
"Maybe…," she breathed, "maybe I am."
He felt her hands on his face again—gentle, almost loving. But there was a coldness in her touch that chilled him to the bone.
"But you belong to me, Kaede yes you have to her voice trembled. You just don't know it yet."
Before he could respond, she pulled him close again.This time, it wasn't a tender kiss.It was desperate, demanding—almost as if she wanted to bind him to her with it.Her breath was hot, her hands trembling slightly. Kaede could hardly move, his mind completely blank. The only thing he could see were her eyes.Obsessed. Terrifying. Glowing in the dark.
Then she suddenly let go. Her forehead rested against his for a moment. Her breathing was shallow.
"You will love me. Deep in your heart, you know it…"
He struggled for words. But only a whisper came out:"What… no i will never love you, who even are you…?"
She slowly stood up, straightened herself, and said in an almost loving voice:"We'll see each other again soon, my dear."
In the next moment, the door opened. Light spilled into the room. A silhouette appeared in the doorway.
"Kaede…?"