Favorite Fixation (Yandere boys x Reader)

68.) Apotheosis

(Y/n) had hoped that spending time with the kids would be a welcome distraction, a way to escape the storm raging in her mind, even if just for a little while. But she was sorely mistaken. Every movement felt sluggish, like she was wading through thick fog, and the dark circles under her eyes felt heavy, as if they were pulling her whole face downward. Her brain was in a haze, dragging behind her body, making every second feel drawn out and distant.

The moment she'd stepped through the door, Akemi rushed over and wrapped her arms around (Y/n) in a tight hug. "You looked like you needed extra love," the little girl had whispered, her small arms squeezing with surprising strength. (Y/n) had managed a weak smile, patting Akemi's head, but the warmth in the gesture barely reached her heart.

Then Satomi, the three-year-old with big, curious eyes, had looked up at her with innocent confusion. "Are you already wearing your Halloween costume?" she'd asked, her voice soft with genuine curiosity.

(Y/n) blinked, taken aback by the child's bluntness, and the sting of those words settled deep. She didn't need a mirror to know she looked terrible- pale, haggard, a shadow of herself. Before she could react, Hayami had swooped in, smoothly taking the reins.

"Alright, kiddos, let's watch Hocus Pocus!" Hayami announced brightly, ushering the two children toward the couch as if she sensed (Y/n) was about to crumble.

Now, (Y/n) sat on that same couch, slouched beneath a blanket, feeling more like a zombie than a human being. Akemi had informed the girl that apparently, the AC and heater hadn't been working properly. When the teen tried to dig for more information, she was met with, "I don't know. It's just what my mom said."

The soft, flickering glow of Halloween candles bathed the room in warm light, their spicy scent teasing at her nose. Yet even the cozy atmosphere felt oppressive, like it was mocking her with its cheerfulness.

Hayami shifted beside her, sitting close but not too close; like she was carefully measuring the distance, trying not to push (Y/n) too hard. "We're going to have to help them with their costumes, you know," the brunette mentioned softly, as if speaking too loudly might shatter her friend completely.

The tone grated on (Y/n)'s nerves. Everything did lately. She clenched her jaw, resisting the sharp, sudden urge to snap back. I don't need you treating me like I'm made of glass, Hayami.

Instead, she forced herself to respond, her voice a low mumble. "Akemi." The little girl's dark head of hair turned toward her, her bright eyes curious. "What are you dressing up as this year?"

Akemi beamed, bouncing in her seat with excitement. "A scarecrow!" she chirped, her joy infectious, though it only seemed to drain more life out of (Y/n).

The moment those words left Akemi's mouth, the teen felt her entire body lock up, her heart slamming against her ribcage. A scarecrow. Her breath hitched, and a wave of icy dread washed over her, paralyzing her in place.

She swallowed hard, trying to keep herself composed. A scarecrow. Haha. Isn't that funny? The irony twisted in her gut like a knife.

Her hands drifted to her hair, threading her fingers through the tangled strands as if the motion could somehow keep her steady. She could feel her heart thrumming violently in her chest, each beat loud and painful in her ears.

"A scarecrow," she echoed under her breath, the words flat, emotionless. She couldn't bring herself to say anything more- couldn't trust her voice to hold steady.

Hayami glanced over at her, a flicker of concern crossing her face. "You okay?"

(Y/n) nodded stiffly, forcing a tight-lipped smile. "Yeah. Just... tired."