Stalker with a Secret

...............Run Baby Run...........

Koji had been the happiest he'd felt in the past ten years.
He was over the moon every time he received a gift from the mysterious 'Stranger with the Z signature'—not because of the gifts themselves, but because of the letters that came with them.

Each note told him that someone cared. Someone loved to see him smile. Sweet nothings spilled over paper, like sunlight bleeding through the cracks in his walls.Koji wasn't even bothered that this "guy or girl—who knows?" was breaking into his house and leaving without a trace.No, he waited eagerly for every new letter, every Z-signed reminder that someone out there wanted him happy.

He kept every single letter in a neat box, hidden away in the safest spot he could find: a clean cupboard. He'd read them over and over again—at least a million times in the past thirty days.

And the voice—that voice—had been silent.

Koji was really, truly happy.

And someone out there was going to make sure it wouldn't be the last time.

Koji took small, steady steps down the cold hallway floor of the school. There was one hot topic today: the new exchange student.

Koji might've been curious—maybe—if he hadn't been so lost in the latest letter's handwriting.Today, he'd gotten a yellow rose, along with a note that simply said:

"I'm very happy today."

That was enough to make Koji's day feel weightless.He slipped into class and only then remembered—oh, right. The new guy was joining today.Not that he cared.Apparently, every girl was losing their mind.The boys were in awe of his build.The teachers were practically wiping tears at his politeness.He had won the school's heart the moment he walked in.

Which gave Koji all the more reason to stay far, far away.

It's not that Koji disliked the guy.I mean... who could hate those mesmerizing blood-red eyes? Or pretend they didn't want to run their fingers through his jet-black hair?

But still. All that attention?

No thank you.

Koji sat in his usual corner of the cafeteria. From the edge of his vision, he could see the buzz surrounding the new guy. He sighed, finished his lunch, and stood to leave—

—only to bump into someone very familiar.

Raven hair. Furious glare.

Oh no.

He's pissed.

Koji froze, dread crawling up his back like ice.

Remembering how it always went, Koji quickly bowed and whispered,"G-good a-afternoon, s-sir!""Tch. That's just perfect. First those stupid red eyes, and now you."The boy sneered. "Useless shit. Tch. Whatever. Meet me behind the school in ten minutes... or you'll regret it."

He left with his two lackeys in tow, and Koji stood there trembling.

Maybe it'd just be a beating. That's survivable. Right?

Right...?

Unless... No. No. Think positive. Just the usual. Nothing worse.

Koji muttered affirmations under his breath as he made his way to the back of the school.No one would care he was gone.Those three never came to class anyway.He knew the raven-haired boy was pissed about the new kid.He'd stolen the spotlight. His attention. His girls. Even the gossip.Koji? Just the unfortunate punching bag.A kick to the stomach.A punch to the chest.The attacker kept cursing the new guy while hitting Koji like he was just a stand-in target.

Not that it mattered.

Koji's body would be fine by tomorrow.It always healed.As if he was made to be beaten.After what felt like the fifteenth hit, Koji collapsed.A hand grabbed his hair, yanking him up. His eyes met the one face he feared most."Awww, so sad. Is the princess hurt?"He chuckled darkly."Don't worry. We wouldn't hurt you. Let's have some fun instead."Koji's eyes widened in horror.No. No. No.His hand lifted in a weak attempt to defend himself——but the next hit never came.

Silence.

No, not silence—voices.Raised ones.

He peeked through trembling fingers.

A tall figure stood between him and the bullies, roaring with fury.

A voice, deep and thunderous, commanded the space.The raven snarled and attacked, throwing punches——but they were dodged. Effortlessly. Like a dance. Like he wasn't even trying.And then, with frightening restraint, the tall figure slapped the raven-haired boy.A slap. Not a punch.Just enough to bruise—no broken bones.

The others ran. Their 'boss' staggered after them.

And Koji looked up—green eyes locking with red.

His brain panicked.Why was he just staring like that? Why wasn't he saying anything?This guy was dangerous. Koji could feel it.That aura of power, of dominance... It wasn't normal.

If this man wanted to hurt him, Koji wouldn't stand a chance.

They stared for what felt like a full minute.

Finally, the red-eyed boy blinked and spoke.

"Ah—! I'm sorry. I zoned out. It's not polite to stare like that."

He held out a hand. Koji took it without thinking, and flinched when the grip tightened.

"Don't say sorry," Koji murmured, barely audible.

"Hmm? What was that?"The boy tilted his head, voice laced with something that sounded too much like a threat.

Koji said nothing.

"Ah, forget it. Are you okay, K—?"

He almost said it. Almost slipped.

"I-I'm fine," Koji rushed. "Thank you for saving me... and welcome to our school."

Wait.

This was the new kid?

Shit.

Koji's heart dropped.He couldn't mess with this guy.

"Thank you for the welcome," the boy smiled—charmingly, dangerously.

"I'm Zane. Zane Mobius."

Even the name was hot.

"I-I'm Koji. Koji Hasuke."

"That's a nice name. I—"

"I-It was nice to meet you, Mobius! But I should go now. Thank you again!"

Koji turned and practically ran.

One thing blaring in his mind:

Avoid him.