I was too stunned to speak.
There was no room for doubt anymore—Sanae was definitely a yandere.
But… why? Why would someone go this far for me? All I did was encouraged her a little, offered a bit of kindness. Was that really enough to spark something this intense in her?
I looked at her again, her anxious eyes searching mine, waiting for judgment.
Do I hate her now?
Absolutely not.
Am I scared of her now?
...Maybe a little. Yeah, I take back what I said earlier about never being scared of her. Just a little, though.
But she didn't hurt anyone. She didn't do anything wrong. All she did was take a bold, wildly passionate step—just for me. How could I possibly hate her for that?
If anything… isn't this kind of devotion rare? Which guy wouldn't feel something if a girl liked him so deeply she changed her entire life for it? Well, as long as you don't straight-up hate her.
I found something weirdly… beautiful about it.
I stared up at the ceiling for a long moment, letting the silence stretch before speaking in a calm, solemn tone, "The desire to see someone again… to talk to them, to be close to them—it's natural. It's what makes us human. I would never hate you for that. You didn't do anything wrong."
I saw her body tremble slightly, like she'd been holding her breath for far too long and finally exhaled.
But inside, my thoughts ran deeper.
One of the things I learned from those late-night WeTube rabbit holes about handling yanderes—never let them believe you hate them. That belief alone can twist their thinking, drive them into a spiral, make them do things even they wouldn't imagine themselves capable of.
At the same time, it's important to make it clear—subtly—that certain lines, once crossed, can also make you hate them.
Sanae isn't there yet—she's not at that extreme point. And I pray she never reaches it.
Because I don't want her to become someone I'm forced to fear.
I don't want anyone I care about to become someone I could end up hating.
While Hayato's thoughts wandered in caution and silent resolve, Sanae's gaze never wavered from his face. Her heart thudded with warmth and longing, her eyes gleaming with unspoken emotion.
'Ah… Hayato. You really are so kind… So warm. You accepted even this side of me—this ugly, selfish part I was so afraid to show. How could I not fall deeper in love with you?'
Her fingers tightened slightly around his hand as her inner voice whispered with aching sincerity, 'I love you… I really love you. I want you to love me back. I want you to hold me close—right now. I want to stay by your side forever… no matter what.'
To her, this moment wasn't just about relief—it was a confirmation.
"Ahem."
The tender atmosphere between the two was gently shattered by a soft cough. Both Hayato and Sanae turned their heads toward the doorway, slightly startled. Standing there with a small, polite smile was Sanae's mother.
"Sorry to interrupt you two," she began, her voice calm and composed, "I decided to check in on you before heading home."
She stepped into the room and glanced briefly at Hayato, her expression softening. "I've taken care of most of the matters with the police, but they might still need your statement tomorrow since you were directly involved in the incident," she said gently.
Hayato gave her a quiet nod in response, his face showing appreciation.
"I have work tomorrow, so I won't be able to stay here with you two. I'm sorry about that." Her gaze then shifted to her daughter, she paused for a moment before adding, "And, Sae-chan, could I have a moment with you outside?"
Sanae blinked, surprised, then nodded obediently. "O-Okay, mom."
She gave Hayato's hand a final squeeze before letting go and stood up to follow her mother out of the room.
"Sae-chan, will you be spending the night here?" her mother asked the moment the door closed behind them.
"Y-Yes," Sanae nodded without hesitation, her voice firm. "I want to stay by his side now."
Her mother smiled knowingly, a teasing glint in her eyes. "That's only natural. Hayato did so much for us—he even risked his life to protect you. I'd say that boy really treasures you."
Sanae's cheeks flushed a deep red, but before she could say anything, her mother gently placed her hands on Sanae's shoulders, her expression turning into something far more serious.
"Listen, Sae-chan," she began, her tone calm but firm, "you won't come across someone like him often. He's kind, selfless, protective… and he didn't even hesitate when it came to putting his life on the line for you. Your father was kind of like that too. That's why I fell in love with him."
Sanae's eyes widened, her mother rarely spoke about her father in such an intimate tone.
"In my eyes," her mother continued, "Hayato is a keeper. You like him, don't you?"
Sanae lowered her gaze, lips trembling slightly, then gave a quiet nod.
"As your mother, I only want the best for you," she said, squeezing her daughter's shoulders with gentle encouragement. "And honestly, I can't think of a single guy better suited for you than Hayato. So you have to win him over, Sae-chan. No matter what."
That's right. Sanae liked him—no, she loved him. What happened earlier had only made her feelings stronger. Why should she give up on him now? She had never fallen in love before, this overwhelming, all-consuming emotion was still unfamiliar territory. But that wasn't an excuse to back down.
Now that she had found someone she truly loves… someone she wants to spend the rest of her life with… she wasn't going to let go.
A shadow flickered in her eyes, soft and hazy, yet holding a dangerous resolve beneath its surface. Her lips curved into a sweet smile as she looked at her mother and said with quiet determination, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll make him mine… no matter what."
Her mother mirrored that smile—warm, knowing, and perhaps just as dangerous. "That's my girl."
--------
Yuka sat at her desk, the pages of her textbook open in front of her, but her eyes weren't focused on the words. Her pen paused mid-sentence, the quiet scratch of ink against paper coming to a halt.
Lately, her study hours had dwindled—something that would've horrified the old Yuka. She used to be strict with herself, always on schedule, always disciplined. But now… things were different.
She knew exactly why.
There was a particular guy responsible for throwing her life out of its well-ordered orbit. A guy who, with every word, every smile, every glance, was changing the way she viewed the world—no, the way she viewed herself.
And the strangest part? She didn't regret it. Not even a little. In fact, she found herself smiling at the thought.
Today had been fun—too fun, maybe.
Yuka let out a small groan and buried her face into her arms, resting on the desk as if she could hide from the memory playing on loop in her head. The bold things she'd done, the words she'd said, the way she leaned in just a little too close… What was she even thinking?
But deep down, she knew exactly what she was doing.
It was necessary—for her goal, to get him. If she didn't take the initiative, someone else might. And that was a risk she wasn't willing to take.
Still, recalling those moments now made her cheeks burn. Her heart thudded softly in her chest, not from shame… but from the thrill. The closeness, the tension—it all felt so exhilarating. And truthfully, if he had taken it further, if he had just said the word… She wouldn't have stopped him.
But he didn't.
It was as if he wasn't ready, as if there was a wall he had put. Not just with her, but with everyone.
Yuka looked up at the ceiling, a small, wistful smile tugging at the corner of her lips. It's okay, she thought. There are still things I can do… many ways to win him over.
Her mind wandered back to that morning, when she was just about to leave for Hayato's house. She remembered the way her grandmother peeked over the rim of her teacup, sharp eyes twinkling with mischief despite her age.
"You seem very excited," she said with a knowing smile. "Are you meeting Hayato?"
Yuka had frozen mid-step, her mouth opening slightly to respond, but before she could say anything, her mother stepped in.
"My daughter seems to be changing a lot lately," she said gently, gazing at her with eyes full of warmth. "But it's a good kind of change."
Yuka paused in the hallway, her fingers brushing over the strap of her bag as she glanced back at her mother and grandmother. Lately, the two had developed an uncanny habit of teasing her—and without fail, the subject was always him.
Not that she hated it.
In fact, those lighthearted moments warmed the atmosphere of the house. They made everything feel more... alive, in a different way than their busy restaurant.
"I'll be eating lunch at his place and returning by noon," she said, keeping her voice even.
The two women exchanged a knowing glance, their smiles perfectly in sync—as if reading from the same secret script.
"Listen, Yuka," her grandmother began, her voice filled with amused wisdom, "take this advice from us old folks."
"Sometimes," her mother added, picking up smoothly, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
Yuka's cheeks tinged a soft pink. Of course they knew. They had seen through her quiet glances, her subtle changes, the way her footsteps became lighter whenever Hayato was mentioned. But rather than disapproving, they supported her. Encouraged her.
Until now, she just wanted to cook for him. But maybe she could use this advice to her advantage too.
"Thank you," she said softly, her voice almost drowned by the fluttering of her own heart. "I'll be leaving now."
With that, and a faint blush painting her cheeks, Yuka stepped out of the house and into the sunshine.
She looked up—the sky above her seemed brighter than usual, as if the whole world had subtly shifted to reflect her mood. The gentle sway of the trees, the warmth of the sunlight, even the distant chirping of birds... everything felt more vivid, more alive.
"Is this how it feels to be in love?" Yuka wondered silently, her chest tightening in the most pleasant way. Love was something she had never given much thought to before—a distraction for her previous future goals. Yet now, wrapped in this quiet moment, she was beginning to understand why people chased after it so desperately.
She found herself smiling as a flurry of sweet daydreams began swirling in her mind.
If just falling in love feels this nice... what would it be like to actually date him? Would they walk to school together every day, side by side? Would they hold hands while walking? Maybe even sneak in a quick hug—or something even more intimate—when they were alone at school?
Yuka's eyes widened as her thoughts crossed a certain line, and she shook her head rapidly, trying to chase the heat from her face.
No, no, stop—what am I even thinking?!
Her pace quickened, her shoes tapping rhythmically against the pavement. But despite her flustered state, a smile remained on her lips—because somewhere deep inside, the idea of a future with him no longer felt like a fantasy.
It felt like a goal.
"Their advice seems to be working." Yuka muttered softly as her flashback came to an end, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. She rose from her chair and stretched, her body still buzzing faintly with the warmth of her earlier thoughts.
With a gentle sigh, she walked over to her bed and let herself fall backward onto the mattress, her eyes drifting up to the ceiling. The room was quiet, but her heart wasn't—it was still fluttering from the emotions she had just relived.
Her gaze slowly shifted to the side, landing on the bear plushie nestled against her pillow. Her fingers reached out, brushing lightly against its soft fur. That simple, adorable plushie—though small—held a special place in her heart. It was the first gift she had ever received from someone outside her family. And not just from anyone… it was from him.
She grabbed the plushie and pulled it into a tight embrace, pressing it close as if trying to feel the warmth of the one who had given it to her. In her mind, it wasn't just a toy—it was him. The one who unknowingly carved a special place in her heart with small kindnesses.
But even as she held it close, a pang of reality settled in her chest. She knew… she wasn't the only one. She wasn't the only girl who had received a gift from him. She wasn't the only one whose heart had been stirred by that same warmth.
There were others. Rivals.
One of them even claimed to support her, offering help like a friend. But Yuka could tell—there was something else behind that kindness, something not entirely selfless.
Still, it didn't matter.
As long as she could reach his heart, as long as he could return her feelings, none of the rest would matter.
And deep down, she already had a feeling—her rivals would only continue to grow. More girls would see what she saw in him. They'd be drawn in by his kindness, his quiet charm, his unwavering presence. The very things that had captured her in the first place.
But that was fine. Because she loved that about him. And no matter how many rivals appeared… she has no intention to lose.
Yuka opened her eyes slowly, a faint gleam of darkness flickering beneath the surface. Her lips curved into a gentle, affectionate smile—one that carried a hint of something deeper, something unwavering.
"I just have to try even harder," she whispered to the quiet room, her voice almost dreamy. "After all… I'm willing to do anything for you, Hayato."
Her fingers traced the edge of the plushie she still held in her arms, and her smile deepened.
"I wonder what you're doing right now…"
A pause.
"I already miss you."
Her words lingered in the air like a vow, soft and dangerous in the same breath.
---------
"Achoo!"
The sudden sneeze echoed through the quiet room, making Misaki jolt slightly in her chair. She blinked, then rubbed her nose with her finger, her digital pen hovering just above the tablet screen.
"Hmm… someone must be thinking about me," she mumbled with a smirk, half-joking to herself.
Her mind wandered for a moment, and almost instinctively, a name surfaced.
"Is it… Hayato?" she murmured, and before she could realize it, a smile bloomed on her face. Not one of mischief or teasing like she often wore, but something softer—genuine.
A true friend she didn't expect to get.
Misaki's fingers slowly tightened around the pen, her mind drifting back to that day—when Hayato stood up for her without hesitation. She was on the verge of being cornered, mocked for the very thing she loved most. And while she sit there, frozen, unsure of what to do, he stepped forward.
He didn't even hesitate.
He shielded her, not just from those people, but from the doubt that had always lingered in her heart. He stood up for her passion when even she couldn't find the courage to do so. That moment etched itself deep within her.
After getting close to him, her life shifted—not drastically, but in small, meaningful ways. She started believing in herself more, unapologetically expressing what she loved, and letting go of the exhausting need to be liked by everyone.
She didn't have a lot of "friends" now. Most of the people who once pretended to care faded away. But strangely enough, she didn't feel lonely at all. In fact, she was having more fun than ever.
And it was all because of him.
Her eyes lingered on the action figure sitting proudly on the shelf—his gift to her, one she had treasured since the day she received it. It wasn't just a figure; it was a reminder. A reminder that someone saw her, valued her, and didn't ask her to change.
With a soft exhale, she returned her gaze to the graphic pad in front of her, her fingers moving again with newfound energy. Now that she believed in herself, now that she wasn't afraid to show her passion, she was finally taking steps toward her dream. Becoming a manga artist wasn't just a faraway goal anymore—it was something she was chasing, bit by bit, every day.
The story she had in mind, one she'd been outlining in her head during quiet times, was finally starting to come to life. And at the center of that story would be, "Hayato… you really appeared in my life like a hero," she murmured with a soft smile, her cheeks tinged with pink.
But that smile… it didn't last long.
Doubt crept in again, like a shadow inching across her heart. Her expression dimmed, and her hand slowly stopped.
There was something she was keeping from him—something she hadn't told anyone. A secret she had discovered recently… one that terrified her.
No matter how kind Hayato was, no matter how understanding, a small voice inside whispered cruel possibilities: What if he sees her differently? What if he's disgusted? What if he walks away?
She clenched the pen tightly.
"Even I would hate someone like me," she thought bitterly.
So she made a silent decision—one she'd already rehearsed in her head a dozen times. She would keep this part of herself hidden. As long as she could stay by his side as a friend without expecting anything more, that was enough.
On the other hand, she had made another decision—to support Yuka, or anyone else who genuinely harbored feelings for Hayato, in getting closer to him. It wasn't out of kindness. No, it was a selfish act, for her own benefits.
Or so she told herself.
But the moment she imagined Hayato holding someone else's hand, smiling at someone else. Her chest tightened with a suffocating ache, her breath growing shallow and uneven.
Gasping slightly, she stumbled back, her eyes catching her reflection in the mirror—and froze.
"Why… am I making this face again? I hate it!".
She covered her face with both hands, as if to shield herself from the truth—if she couldn't see it, maybe it would go away. But the truth couldn't be hidden. A single drop of water fall to the floor with a soft *plip*.
(AN: Sorry everyone for the late upload, at this time of the year there are many festivals happening around me and I was busy enjoying them UWU. Anyway, with this chapter the volume 2 has been officially concluded, starting next chapter will be the start of volume 3, it will bring new characters, new emotions, and new development, along with new troubles, new villains and new revelations. So look forward to it, and I will see you guys soon.)