Twisted Fate | Akutagawa Ryūnosuke ✓

01 | Shadow Thief

Four Years later

You pushed the door open with your elbow, a large leather suitcase nipping at your heels as you walked into the lobby of your apartment building. Leaning the bag against the wall and giving your arm a rest, you swept your gaze over the sparsely furnished room and sighed.

In the two weeks you'd been away, it hadn't changed a bit. Same old peeling wallpaper - that shade of yellow you couldn't quite place between mellow daffodil or muted sunshine - and tatty grey carpet; same old dingy armchair tucked away in corner of the room, creased beyond recognition. You'd never actually seen anyone sit in it, so the yellow and brown stains dyed into the fabric were something of a mystery.

Using the back of your hand to wipe away the sheen of sweat clinging to your forehead, you hooked your fingers through the handle of your case and hauled it toward the elevator, passing the staircase with an undisguised scowl.

Seconds after pressing the button, the elevator doors shuddered open, and you hastened into the boxed space, pulling your belongings along after you. The doors whistled shut and began its slow ascent to the peak of the building - where your apartment resided - the low hum of metal grinding against metal stirring the silence.

Taking your leave of the shabby lift, you trudged across the landing and inserted your key into the lock, giving it a twist before pushing open the door.

Something seemed off the moment the door arched over the carpet, rousing the dust that had settled there. Only, it looked as though it had been disturbed recently. Much too recent, considering you'd been away for two weeks.

Crossing the threshold with wary steps, you left your suitcase by the door and slipped down the hallway with your breath stuck in your throat. Unease settled in your stomach as you craned your neck around the wall leading to the sitting room and stole a glance into the dimly lit space. One of the curtains was hanging partially ajar, infusing the room with the pale glow of dawn and highlighting a figure poised in front of the window, their back facing you.

Clenching your knuckles, you murmured a quick command under your breath, feeling your veins suddenly thrum with power.

Within a matter of seconds, you were concealed. Nothing but a shadow.

Silent. Stealthy. Subtle steps.

"Wish the damn target would show up already." Male.

You prowled around the outskirts of the room unnoticed, stopping adjacent to where the intruder was gazing down to the urban streets below. From this perspective, the auburn-haired stranger was no closer to being identified, but you were now aware of the gun angled through the window in front of him.

A sniper?

Still, something about this man seemed familiar - a small pull at your memories.

Tossing your thoughts aside, you raised your right hand and gave a flick of your wrist.

"Bind."

The command fell from your lips in a sharp utter, barely audible above the low hum of traffic stealing through the window. Gasping sharply, the man froze - pinned to the spot by spidery threads you had constructed from the shadow previously lingering in the crevices of the room.

"What the hell?"

Dashing forwards, you swung your fist in a powerful uppercut and connected with the nape of his neck, throwing him against the wall and onto his knees. Dislodging the gun from its stand, you drew the curtains fully across the window to dim the room further, and to prevent the scene from being witnessed by any prying eyes.

The shadows were your advantage here. Your companion. Your lifeline.

Umbral disease.

Your ultimate demise.

"Shit."

The sniper was back on his feet, wiping a trail of blood from the corner of his mouth as he searched frantically for his attacker.

Even as his eyes fell to the gun at your feet, the incessant tug at your memories grew intolerable, until you finally snapped.

This man. You knew this man.

"Where are you?" he spat, raking his fringe away from his menacing azure eyes. "Hiding in the shadows, huh? Coward."

Suddenly swamped with the feeling of panic and dread, you whispered hoarsely, "retreat", and the shadows crawled back to the outskirts of the room, where they waited on your call like a loyal dog.

You were exposed.

"I'm surprised you didn't recognise me."

The man's eyes widened, face blanching into chalk white as he choked on his words. "[Y-Y/N]!?"

"Hmph. So you do remember me?"

Dipping his head so that his hat fell over his eyes, his lips drew back into a snarl, raising his fists in a pugilist stance. "How could i forget - shadow thief."

"Hah - don't mock me with such petty titles," you hissed, jaw locked into place. "Why are you here?"

The sniper grinned wickedly. "Oh, don't flatter yourself. This has nothing to do with you. It just so happens you went on vacation just as I needed a place to set up my hideout. Back a bit early, aren't we?"

Your brows furrowed at his words. This was just a coincidence? It was true you'd come back from your holiday a few days before you were supposed to, but what were the chances of him choosing this apartment merely due to that fact?

"I suggest you leave before I phone the police," you warned, your tone sharp, threatening.

His laugh made you grimace - a dry bark. "What, too scared to take me on yourself? Hah - don't take me for a fool. You're not getting away so easily this time."