God of Mischief (Light of Obsession #2)

Chapter 6

Yuto

The moment I stepped back into the crowd, the energy of the room thrummed like a live wire, igniting a manic thrill that coursed through my veins. The air was thick with excitement, anticipation boiling over as eager participants sprinted towards the myriad of hiding spots within the sprawling banquet hall. My heart raced, but the adrenaline surged in a way that made me feel invincible. It was intoxicating.

But more intoxicating was Amelie.

With the chaos enveloping us, I stole glances at her. She stood at the edge of the swirl, a beacon of confusion amidst the eager revelers. I loved that about her—how her uncertainty only heightened her allure. She was out of her element, caught in a world that didn't truly belong to her, yet I could sense the vein of curiosity running deep beneath her protestations. She was drawn to the chaos, and despite her fervent denials, she wanted to play.

The voice on the stage trailed off, fading into muffled noise as participants scattered like leaves in an autumn gale. My eyes locked onto Amelie, who seemed to be frozen in place, gripping the edge of a table, unreadable emotions flickering across her face. That was my chance—her fear was a twist of silk around my fingers, and I wanted to unravel it, layer by layer.

"This is going to be fun!" Kill shouted beside me, his ted mask glinting as he darted after two retreating figures. Laughter erupted around us, a dark symphony that beckoned those brave enough to engage in the madness. I felt the fever pitch rise in my chest, a wild excitement that screamed for release.

With newfound purpose, I lunged into the fray, weaving through the crowd, my eyes honed on her. I could feel the air crackle with the unspent energy, the sort that foreshadowed a storm, and within that storm, I could feel her—it excited every fiber of my being. I wanted to be the one to pull her into this chaotic dream, to take her hand and drag her along, forcing her to face the whirlwind instead of shrinking from it.

"Kotyonok!" I called out, my voice cutting through the din, and for a moment, all I could hear was the pulse echoing in my ears, drowning out everything else. But I could see her—not nearly far enough away. She was moving now, eyes searching the room, the flicker of panic igniting something deeper within me.

And then she turned.

Fear and resolve danced behind her eyes, and just like that, she was bolting down a corridor on the far side of the room. The chase was on.

I laughed, a manic sound that bubbled up from a deep well of exhilaration. She was faster than I anticipated, her legs carrying her away from me as though she could escape the game's clutches. But I was no mere seeker; I was potent chaos incarnate—my heart racing, my breath hitching with every step I took toward her.

"Amelie!" I shouted again, pushing myself to gain on her, I reveled in the sight of her weaving through the packed hall, desperate to dodge me.

Round tables spun in a blur of gold and crimson as I chased her, the world narrowing until only she existed in my line of sight. I was intoxicated by the thrill of the hunt, by the sheer idea of overpowering her fear and turning it into something else—into passion.

"Don't run from me! You can't hide from this!"

I caught the shifting pulse of excitement that radiated from her as she glanced back. There was something unspeakably enchanting in her defiance, the way she fought to retain her agency in a world that had already begun to consume her. It fueled my obsession, igniting a flame that could not be extinguished.

She veered around a corner, a flash of red disappearing behind a column—a split second decision that drew me even faster. My heart thundered as I reached for her just as she pivoted to find another path, but I was quicker, my fingers grazing her wrist as I pulled her toward me, our faces inches apart.