The Hunt - Choso Kamo

2. wicked

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The bell above the cafe door chimed softly, but y/n didn't look up from her sketchbook, her friends left a few minutes ago, so she was immersed in her work, her charcoal pencil moving swiftly across the page. The cafe, her favorite spot, was haven for creativity and observation.

From a distance, he watched her with a mixture of curiosity and something darker. Her black hair caught the soft cafe light, and the intensity with which she worked drew him closer than he intended.

Gathering his composure, he approached her table. "Is this seat taken?" His voice was calm, disarming, a skill he had perfected over the years.

She blinked, momentarily off guard by the man standing before her. He was tall, well build, all black dressed, dark purple eyes, medium length hair tied up into two messy buns, with a tattoo from both his sides of his face across the bridge of his nose, and oddly striking in a way that made her stomach flutter, a handsome stranger, but somehow familiar. She shook her head with a smile.

"No go ahead" she said, gesturing to the empty seat. "I could use a break from my drawing."

He settled into the chair, his gaze drifting over her sketchbook. "You're an artist" he noted, trying to sound casual.

"Yeah, mostly painting" she replied, her fingers brushing some stray charcoal from her sketchbook. "But I like to sketch here sometimes. It's a good place to observe people."

He nodded, though his attention was fixed on her. "I've seen you here before. You always seem so absorbed in your work."

Y/n smiled, leaning back in her chair. "You've been watching me, then? Creepy or flattering?"

"Flattering I hope" he said, managing a smile.
She tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "I'm Aku, by the way" he said.

Names held power, and giving her his real one wasn't part of the plan. But somehow, under her gaze, the usual coldness faded.

The name falling from his lips almost whitout thought. It wasn't his real name, but it felt right in the moment. Aku meant Evil or wicked.

"Nice to meet you, Aku" she said, extending her hand across the table. "I'm y/n"

The contact was brief, but electric. He felt it, a spark, something he hadn't expected. She was warm, innocent, completely unaware of who he really was. Of what he had done.

For the first time in a long as he could remember, he didn't want to hurt her.

"So, what brings you to this corner of the world. Is it your first time here?" She asked.

He nodded though it was far from the truth. He had been, here often, watching, observing. But she didn't need to know that. Not yet.

"Yeah, just passing through the neighborhood. Thought I'd check it out." He lied effortlessly.

"Well, welcome to my favorite spot" she said her smile widening.

"I'm glad I came in" he said, holding her gaze just a little too long. "This place.. it's nice."

She raised an eyebrow, amused. "You mean the cafe or the company?"

He smiled, genuine, for the first time in years.
"Both."

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
-stay safe.