Beneath Their Devotion (Yanderes x Reader)

10. Passed Out

Y/N shifted awkwardly on her feet. The Circle members carried on with a discussion that flew far above her understanding. She glanced sideways at Nao, who stood poised and authoritative.

A small part of Y/N still couldn't believe she was here, standing among them, even if the circumstances felt off. She had been the first to finish the test, something the Circle members occasionally acknowledged with murmurs of approval, though the praise felt undeserved. If they only knew how much of it had been sheer luck.

Yuuichi's absence didn't help her discomfort. He had mumbled something about having to take care of something earlier and left without much explanation, leaving her stranded with these unfamiliar people.

"You did well," one of the members remarked, their tone light. "Most people would still be trying to figure out what the clues entail."

Y/N forced a tight smile. "I guess I got lucky."

The comment earned her a raised eyebrow, but they didn't press. Their attention drifted back to their discussion, and Y/N took a step back, trying to make herself smaller. The more she stood there, the more the room felt stifling.

Her thoughts drifted to Mika.

Mika, who should have been there earlier in the attic. It didn't make sense—she was always the first to jump into things, always the one pushing forward. But something about her absence nagged at Y/N. Mika wouldn't plant the clue, Y/N was almost sure of it.

The itch to do something, to find out what was really going on, gnawed at her. She took a hesitant step back from the group, glancing around to ensure no one was watching her too closely.

"Excuse me," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

Nobody turned to look at her. Perfect.

———

Y/N wandered deeper into the hallways, her stomach twisting into tighter knots with every turn. She'd been trying to follow a simple strategy: turn right, then keep going. It should've worked—these halls weren't that complicated, were they? Yet every corridor seemed to fold into itself, and no matter how far she walked, she always found herself in an unfamiliar hallway. She seriously needed a Circle tower map.

The stone walls loomed on either side of her, the dim sconces casting long, unsettling shadows. Y/N's breath came faster as frustration and unease began to creep in.

"Okay," she muttered under her breath, pausing to press her back against the wall. She rubbed her temples, trying to think. "Right again? Or—no, left this time..."

Her voice sounded too loud, even in a whisper. The absence of sound was deafening.

Then, voices.

Y/N straightened abruptly, her heart skipping a beat. She held her breath, ears straining. The murmurs were faint at first, but they grew louder the closer she edged toward the next turn.

Please let it be Mika, she thought, her feet moving before her mind could catch up.

The voices seemed to be coming from a door just ahead, slightly ajar. Pale light spilled into the dark hallway from the crack, and Y/N crept closer, her steps careful.

Leaning against the doorframe, she tried to make out the conversation.

"...eleven years ago. It's still too risky."

"They're not going to find out," a second voice responded. "Unless someone gets careless."

Y/N's breath caught in her throat. Eleven years? What were they talking about? She adjusted her position, leaning closer to hear better.