Yui slammed the door behind her, her trembling hands fumbling with the lock before twisting it shut. The click echoed in the small bedroom like a final wall against the outside world. She staggered to her bed and collapsed face-first into the pillow, burying her sobs into the fabric as if it could swallow the sound.
Her uniform reeked of soda and humiliation. Sticky strands of hair clung to her cheeks, mixing with the salt of her tears. The laughter still rang in her ears—Haruto's voice, low and maniacal, replaying over and over like a curse.
"Now I like it."
Her throat burned. She wanted to scream, but instead, her cries came out in broken whispers.
A knock rattled against her door. "Yui? Hey, what happened?"
Her brother's voice.
She squeezed her eyes shut, gripping the pillow harder. No. She couldn't tell him. He would storm into the school, fists flying, and make it worse. Haruto's gang wasn't just any group of delinquents; they were poison. And Haruto—he was the kind of boy who enjoyed destruction for sport.
Another knock, firmer. "Yui, open the door. Did someone hurt you?"
Her lips trembled, but she forced the words out. "I… I just miss Mom and Dad. That's all."
Silence followed. She imagined her brother frowning, his hand hovering over the doorknob, torn between pressing her and respecting her.
Finally, he sighed. "Alright. But if anything happens, you tell me. Promise me that much."
She nodded, though he couldn't see it. "Promise."
His footsteps faded down the hallway.
Yui rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling with empty eyes. The stains on her uniform had dried, crusting against her skin. She wanted to peel it off, shed the humiliation like a second skin, but it wouldn't wash away that easily.
She rose slowly and shuffled to the mirror. Her reflection made her stomach twist—red-rimmed eyes, sticky hair plastered to her forehead, lips trembling. She looked pathetic. Weak.
This is who I am, she told herself bitterly. A soft, fragile girl. Easy prey.
Her fingers brushed against her cheek, where Haruto's thumb had smeared soda before he licked it away. The memory made her shudder.
And yet, buried deep inside her chest, a spark of something ugly stirred. Shame. Rage. Powerlessness. She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms.
"No," she whispered to her reflection. "I won't fight him. I just… I just have to survive."
Her words rang hollow, but she repeated them until exhaustion dragged her into a restless sleep.
Elsewhere, under the same night sky.
On the school rooftop, Haruto Kuroya sat on the ledge, a soda can dangling loosely between his fingers. His gang lounged around him, laughter mixing with the hum of cicadas.
"Did you see her face?" one of the boys snickered. "Crying like a baby. Too easy."
Another chimed in, "Boss, you've got yourself a new toy. Don't break her too fast, yeah?"
Haruto smirked, tilting his head back to watch the stars blur above. The bruises on his face stung where a teacher's reprimand had landed earlier that day, but he wore them like medals. His shirt hung loose, collar slipping enough to reveal the edge of a tattoo curling along his collarbone—ink that whispered rebellion.
"Toy, prey, whatever you want to call her," Haruto said lazily. He raised the can and let the last drops fall onto the concrete, splattering like blood. "She's mine now."
The gang howled with laughter, their voices echoing into the night.
But when their noise faded, Haruto's smirk lingered, sharper than ever.
The memory of Yui's wide, tearful eyes replayed in his mind. The way her lips trembled when she whispered leave me. The salty taste of her tears still lingered on his tongue.
It thrilled him.
Pathetic. Weak. Fragile.
And yet… something about that weakness called to him, like a riddle he wanted to tear apart piece by piece.
"Prey," he murmured, the word tasting sweet. "But maybe… something more."
The next morning.
Yui hesitated in front of her mirror again. The uniform she wore was clean now, the stains scrubbed away, but her reflection still looked haunted.
"Just… keep your head down," she told herself. "No eye contact. No mistakes."
The walk to school felt heavier than usual. Every step toward the gates tightened the knot in her chest. Students whispered around her, some glancing her way, some smirking knowingly. Her humiliation had spread overnight—of course it had. Haruto's reach was everywhere.
When she entered the classroom, her stomach dropped.
He was there.
Haruto lounged in his seat like a king, one leg stretched out, an arm slung over the backrest, bruises on his face only enhancing his dangerous allure. His eyes flicked to her the moment she stepped inside.
A slow, predatory smile spread across his lips.
Yui froze, gripping her notebook like a shield. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but her legs moved mechanically toward her desk. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor.
Don't look at him. Don't breathe near him. Don't—
"Morning, prey."
His voice sliced through the chatter like a blade.
The class fell silent. All eyes turned.
Yui's heart slammed against her ribs. She sank into her chair without answering, hoping silence would shield her.
Haruto chuckled, low and cruel. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm, eyes locked on her trembling form.
"Did you miss me?" he asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Snickers spread through the room.
Yui pressed her lips together, her throat too tight to respond.
The teacher walked in, saving her for now, but Haruto's smirk never left his face.
All throughout the lesson, she felt his gaze burning holes into her back. Watching. Waiting.
When the bell finally rang, Yui gathered her things quickly, desperate to escape. But before she could slip out, a hand shot out, gripping her wrist with iron strength.
Haruto leaned close, his breath brushing against her ear.
"You run fast, prey," he murmured. "But not fast enough."
Her blood ran cold.
He released her just as suddenly, shoving her notebook back into her arms. His laughter followed her all the way down the hallway, echoing like chains she couldn't break.
That night, Yui lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep wouldn't come. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Haruto's smile, heard his voice.
Why me?
Her body trembled, but deep inside, another thought clawed its way up.
If I'm his prey… then how long until he devours me whole?
And for the first time, Yui wasn't sure if the fear in her chest was the only thing she felt.