no Shuyaku wa Wareware da (Wrwrd)

Zomu~ Stalker

You were scared, but it wasn’t the kind of fear you’d felt when you woke up in a nightmare. No, this was new and it mixed with something else entirely.

Paranoia.

This was the kind of fear a stalked victim would feel.

As much as you hated to admit it, you knew you weren't famous in this manor. How could you not? You were the only female came from the boys group, and was also the sole female in an all-boys institution. Attention was bound to happen whether you wanted it or not, but you never expected someone to actually stalk you.

You just wanted to live your life peacefully, for God’s sake! Not constantly looking over your shoulder in fear of someone following you.

But, of course, there was none. The coast was clear, and yet, the stare never ceased.

You used to think you were being paranoid like most people would’ve assumed. You’d experienced lingering glances at the manor, but none of them were as persistent as this one.

Whoever they were, they must be very skilled in hiding.

You contemplated reporting to Gruppen about this matter, but you had no proof to back it up. It was just a suspicion, and you doubted he’d take action. If he always pushed some of his responsibilities to you, what made you think he’d be willing to aid you in exposing your elusive stalker? It wasn’t as if he’d helped you more than necessary ever since your arrival, and it was meager anyway.

Hoping for any assistance, you’d told Roboro about the eyes that always followed you everywhere. And, as expected, he brushed it off like it was nothing. He chalked it up to your exhaustion because the bags under your eyes had indeed grown darker lately.

But it wasn’t your fault that you lost sleep over this. You were already fatigued in handling your chaotic group. And now, you had to deal with a stalker.

What was their motive, anyway? Why were they so keen on pursuing you? Aside from the obvious lack of skill, you didn’t think you were that interesting.

However, your stalker seemed to think otherwise.

A beacon of hope came to you in the form of sleeping Zomu, and no, you didn’t accidentally step on his stupid pranks again. Desperate to avoid that piercing gaze, you decided to flee to the botanical garden. It wasn’t exactly the wisest choice, especially when you just escaped all alone. But at least, the serenity of otherworldly plants managed to soothe your nerves somewhat.

“Tch, it’s you.” A gruff voice remarked, shattering the feeble peace you had. You snapped your head towards the speaker, and the breath promptly hitched on your throat.

“Z-Zomu-san…” you murmured fearfully. It wasn’t as though he’d hurt you, honestly. He merely clucked and warned you to be more careful during your first encounter. But your mind wasn’t really in the best state, nor were you able to repress the tears that glazed your eyes from leaking.

Noticing the sudden change of expression, Zomu’s green eyes widened. Body tensed and ears erected, he cautiously sat up and frowned.

“Oi, why are you crying?”

You sniffled and shook your head. “It’s… it’s nothing.”

Zomu clucked. “It’s clearly not nothing if you’re sniveling like that.” he grumbled.

Maybe it was the begrudging concern that he hid behind an annoyed façade, or maybe it was his nonchalant aura until you willingly spilled all of your troubles to him. Throughout your half-coherent confession, he merely nodded and occasionally hummed with his eyes closed in seeming concentration.

“Well, what’re you gonna do now?” he inquired once you finished venting.

You closed your eyes in resignation, slumping against the bench.

“I don’t know anymore…” you murmured, hands clutching your head. “Nobody wouldn’t believe me if I told them. They might even tell me I’m being paranoid, instead. I mean, they’re not wrong but…”

You sighed deeply.

“Do you know who the stalker is, Zomu-san?”

Zomu rolled his eyes. “Probably Utsu. That guy is always sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.” he mumbled, squinting slightly as if mentioning his name brought him great displeasure. “Just stick with me if you want him to go away.”

You blinked repeatedly, half surprised and half hopeful. “R-really…? I can do that?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself, girly.” He proceeded to lie on his side, all tension left his body.

You smiled and nodded happily. Finally, after weeks of relentless observation, someone was willing to help you. Although it came as a surprise, you gladly received any assistance thrown in your way.

It was all for the sake of your survival, even if you didn’t know their  ulterior  motives.

True to his words, the eyes that followed you vanished ever since you stuck close to him. Zomu remained the aloof and lazy man he was but that didn't change the fact that he was a bombing psycho, but you managed to discern a softer treatment towards you. He always shared his favorite burgers with you, mostly giving you the tomato slices. dragged you to sleep together when he noticed your exhaustion or demanded Shaoron to buy your lunches while you kept him company. If you didn’t go to him, then Zomu would either visit you himself or had Emile ‘pick you up’.

The majority of your time was spent on his side, gradually isolating you from your friends. You noticed the subtle change; how Zomu seemed more possessive and affectionate to you. Never once did he treat you roughly, but it didn’t erase the fact that he was trying to monopolize you.

And you didn’t want it. You wanted to leave. You wanted out.

“Zomu-san, thank you so much for protecting me all this time. But I think it’s time for us to part ways.”

Ears perked up at your soft request, Zomu slowly raised his head. “What? What did you just say?” he inquired, his gaze was glaring down on you.

You smiled nervously. “I think the stalker has gone now, so there’s no need for you to protect me anymore.” You quickly added so he wouldn’t feel more offended. “I-it doesn’t mean we can’t be friends, though. I’ll still talk to you sometimes, but I’ll return to my old life.”

He squinted coldly. “My protection is the reason why you’re still alive. And now, you want to leave your protector?” he sneered. “Don’t be stupid.”

You frowned, the polite yet tentative smile slowly melted from your features. “I-I don’t understand. Haven’t I been bothering you all this time? Why do you want to keep me so much?”

“Tch, are all girls this dense…?” he muttered, shaking his head wearily. Then, he scowled up to you. “Listen here, girly, I won’t protect you if you’re bothering me. I’m not that nice. So either you stay with me, or return to your stalker.”

“Is that… is that a threat?” you whispered, unable to believe that your protector had the heart to blatantly manipulate you into behaving.

“Depends on how you take it.” he retorted smoothly, showing his razor sharp teeth. “But you know that I’m right. Who’s to say that he won’t use the chance of you leaving me to stalk you again?”

“I…”

“Just accept your fate already, girly. You need me.” He slowly stood up, green eyes pierced into your hesitant ones while his right arm wrapped around your waist as he grinded devilishly. “Because nobody cares about your life more than me. And even if you reject me…”

Lifting your chin with his gloved fingers, Zomu leaned forward and squinted.

“… I’ll make sure you run away from me  again .”