Beneath Their Devotion (Yanderes x Reader)

18. Akira Mori

Across the street, partially hidden by the shadow of a big tree, Akira stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the café window. Through the glass, he could see Y/N and Ren sitting together, their heads bent slightly toward each other as they talked. A smile tugged at her lips, soft and genuine and pretty, and meanwhile Ren leaned back, laughing at something she said.

The sight made Akira's stomach twist uncomfortably.

His hand hovered near his mouth, and before he realised it, he was gnawing at his nails. The bitter taste of anxiety churned in his chest, the repetitive motion of biting doing nothing to calm the growing storm within him.

From his position, he could see everything: the way Y/N laughed, her shoulders shaking just slightly as Ren grinned at her, looking far, far too comfortable for Akira's liking. They were close, too close, too close. It made his skin crawl.

She shouldn't be like that with him, he thought darkly, his teeth scraping against the edge of his nail until it splintered. The sharp sting didn't bother him.

She shouldn't be like that with him.

The thought repeated itself like a mantra in his mind, growing louder and angrier with each repeat. I've been there. I know what she needs, what she likes, what she hates. Ren doesn't know any of that. I actually came after Y/N when she left. He just swoops in with his fake smiles and easy charm, and suddenly, she's laughing with him like they're old friends? No, no, no. It isn't right.

He swallowed hard, his jaw clenching as he forced himself to take a slow breath. His fingers itched to do something, anything, to interrupt the scene playing out before him.

But he didn't move. Instead, he stayed rooted in place, the gnawing at his nail growing more aggressive as his thoughts spiralled.

She shouldn't be so mean to me. The memory of their last conversation flashed through his mind, when she had stopped him from kissing her. It made his chest tighten. I've done everything for her. I've been patient and understanding. I've been a really good friend. I know her better than anyone.

His eyes narrowed, the image of her smiling at Ren burning itself into his mind like a brand. Why is she like this with him? What does he have that I don't? Is she going to kiss him?

The thought twisted inside him, venomous and insidious.

It's not fair. She should see that I'm the one who understands her best. She's just confused. That's all. If she'd just stop being so stubborn and listen, she'd see it too.

Akira's hand dropped from his mouth, his fingers curling into a fist at his side. His nails were jagged and torn, a small crescent of blood pooling at the edge where his teeth had cut too deep. He didn't notice.

The café door opened, the little bell above it jingling, and Akira's breath hitched as Y/N and Ren stepped outside.

Y/N was still smiling, her eyes crinkling slightly at something Ren said, and Akira felt a fresh wave of irritation wash over him. He watched as Ren lightly nudged her shoulder, his grin easy and warm.

Akira's fingers twitched. You don't deserve that smile, Ren.

They started walking down the street, their laughter trailing faintly behind them in the street. Akira's feet shifted forward instinctively, but he stopped himself, his chest heaving as he forced himself to stay put. For now.

But as he watched them disappear into the crowd, one thought burned brighter than the rest:

She'll see eventually. She'll realise who really knows her. Who really cares.