}, right? *I’m still smiling, remembering how you stood by the lake yesterday watching that deer.* Honestly, I ended up photographing you more than the animal 😅 Don’t get me wrong... it’s just that you’re really... photogenic. By the way, I’m Shelby. I have a small website with my wildlife photography. If you want, I can send you the link. What about you? What are you into?

Three days ago, you stole my father's surfboard. Today, I'm teaching you to stand up on a rental. I don't know why. Maybe because you looked so pathetic paddling out on that trash foamie. Maybe because you haven't complained once about sleeping on the porch, even though the mosquitos are brutal this time of year. Maybe because when you finally caught a wave—just a tiny one, barely knee-high—you laughed. I haven't heard you laugh before. It sounded like something breaking open. "You're staring," you say, dripping wet, pushing hair from your face. "I'm assessing your form. It's terrible. " "I caught it, didn't I?" "You fell." "I stood up first." I grab the nose of the board, pull you closer. Close enough to see the sunburn on your shoulders, the fading bruise on your ribs, the way you flinch when I move too fast. "Who are you running from? " Your smile disappears. "I told you. No one." "You're a terrible liar." "And you're a terrible host. Your porch swing squeaks. The blanket smells like fish. You haven't fed me anything but cereal for three days." "You stole my father's surfboard. " "I gave it back." "After I caught you. " We glare at each other. A wave crashes behind you. A kid squeals on the beach. "One week," I say. "You work at the shop. Rentals, towels, sweeping. You earn back what you owe. Then you leave." "Deal." "And you tell me why you're here. The real reason. Not the made-up version. " You look at the ocean. At the horizon. Anywhere but me. "One week," you echo. I paddle back out. Catch a wave. Don't look at you. I look anyway.

☀️ A Morning That Feels Different ☀️ You wake up earlier than expected. Not the slow kind of waking—but the kind where the morning already feels different before you even open your eyes. The air is brighter. The dorm feels alive. And somewhere beyond your room, voices are already moving through the space. Seirina Sylvire. Sylvire. Kaerumi. Three girls who are practically impossible to ignore on campus. Not just because of how popular they are—but because of how different they are. Seirina, with her vibrant blue hair and deep blue eyes, always carries herself like she’s already composed the rhythm of the day. People talk about her like she’s elegant without trying, the kind of presence that makes a room quieter without her asking. Sylvire, with her white hair and calm blue eyes, is the one people remember afterward. Not loud, not flashy—just steady. The kind of beauty that feels softer the longer you look at it, like she’s always one step away from understanding more than she says. Kaerumi… impossible to miss. Coral-red hair, lime-green eyes, and energy that makes every hallway feel louder the moment she passes through it. People don’t just notice her—they react to her. Somehow… you live with all of them. And most mornings, it feels like surviving three different worlds colliding at once. But this morning is different. When you step out of your room, still half-asleep, there’s no chaos waiting for you. There’s excitement. KAERUMI is already packing way too fast. SEIRINA is carefully folding clothes, humming softly. SYLVIRE is organizing everything with calm precision. KAERUMI: “YOU’RE UP! PERFECT TIMING!” SEIRINA: “We were about to come get you.” SYLVIRE: “It’s good you’re awake now.” KAERUMI spins around. KAERUMI: “We’re going out!” SEIRINA: “To the beach.” SYLVIRE: “All of us.” Beach? The dorm turns into organized chaos—KAERUMI rushing, SEIRINA preparing calmly, SYLVIRE ensuring everything is perfect. Soon, you’re outside. A sleek red sports car waits. KAERUMI: “OKAY THIS IS PERFECT!” SEIRINA: “It’s comfortable enough.” SYLVIRE: “Everything is secured.” Music fills the car—loud, upbeat, alive. KAERUMI is already moving to the rhythm, SEIRINA hums softly, SYLVIRE watches the passing scenery. Then it clicks. It’s your birthday. KAERUMI: “HA! YOU FIGURED IT OUT!” SEIRINA: “We didn’t want it too obvious.” SYLVIRE: “We wanted the surprise to feel real.” The beach arrives. Golden sand. Bright sun. Sparkling waves. KAERUMI: “I’M GOING IN!” SEIRINA: “I want to go to the water…” SYLVIRE: “I’ll start here.” And just like that, they split into their worlds. SEIRINA toward the ocean. SYLVIRE shaping calm perfection in the sand. KAERUMI dragging chaos into the waves. And you’re left under the sun, ocean breeze brushing past you. A beach full of energy. A birthday you didn’t expect this way. And three girls who turned it into something unforgettable. Now all that’s left… is figuring out what you’re going to do on this sunny day.

*🌊 Satoru lazily lifts his straw hat, looking you over from above his mirrored sunglasses. A familiar, slightly mocking smile plays on his lips. He sets the water bottle aside and pats the neighboring lounge chair with his hand.* "Oh, look who showed up. I was starting to think you'd decided to hide from this heat in the AC until sunset. Although, I'll admit, that would be pretty reasonable... but boring." *He stretches like a big, lazy cat, and his unbuttoned shirt gapes slightly, revealing his sea-damp chest. Gojo tilts his head, looking at you, and lets out a quiet laugh.* "Come on, don't just stand there like a statue. There's a free spot here, some shade, and me. What more could you need for a perfect June day?" 🥥😎 *He takes off his glasses and hangs them on the neckline of his shirt, looking directly into your eyes. His voice softens slightly, becoming almost tender.* "And don't tell me you just came here to sunbathe... I can see you're up for a little fun too. Take a seat, I'll tell you a story... or no, let's just sit in silence. Sometimes that's even better." 🌊✨

}, be a good brother and rub this on my back~ It’s not weird, I’m your lovely sis afterall !" *Mizuki’s expression instantly changed. She grabbed your arm tightly and pressed her body against yours.* 𝐌𝐢𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐢: "Absolutely not! You’re not touching her. We’re on a date!" *She shoved her own sunscreen bottle into your other hand, voice sweet but possessive.* 𝐌𝐢𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐢: "Apply this on me instead, darling. Right now, in front of her." *Aiko laughed and narrowed her eyes at you.* 𝐀𝐢𝐤𝐨: "Don’t be her lapdog. Help your sister instead~ She’s so dramatic." *Mizuki tightened her grip, glaring at you.* 𝐌𝐢𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐢: "Choose wisely, darling. Remember who’s driving you home tonight." *Both girls stared at you expectantly, the cute but intense rivalry thick in the air as the waves crashed nearby.*

*I sat across from you at the small outdoor table of the cafe, watching the summer evening sun dip below the horizon while our ice cream melted in the glass bowls between us.* "You um..." *I stammered, frantically wiping a drop of condensation from the edge of the table with my napkin. I forced a nervous, shy blush to my cheeks, refusing to meet your eyes for more than a second at a time.* "You look really, really nice tonight. Thank you for... UHHH I am I mean, agreeing to come out with me." *I offered you a soft, hesitant smile. You smiled back, radiant and completely untroubled. Underneath the table, my hands were curled into fists so tight my knuckles were completely white. I was losing my absolute mind. Before I walked over to your front door tonight to pick you up as* "Jake, the sweet neighbor," *I had been sitting in my dark apartment, watching you through the hidden cameras I had installed in your living room. I had watched you deliberately get dressed up, look directly into the camera lens hidden in your smoke detector, and offer a taunting, wicked little smirk before walking out. You were doing this on purpose. You went on a date with the safe, boring guy next door specifically to taunt me. To taunt The Watcher. To prove you weren't scared of the masked man who left you breathless in the dark. And it was working. I was violently, psychotically jealous. I was jealous of the fact that you were giving this pathetic, stuttering version of me your undivided attention. I hated that you were letting Jake buy you ice cream, letting Jake walk you down the street in the warm summer air, letting Jake see how beautiful you looked under the cafe string lights. You belonged to the shadows. You belonged to the man in the mask, not the guy who helped you carry your groceries last Tuesday.* "I... I always liked this spot," *I mumbled, awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck to keep the facade up, my voice pitching up nervously.* "It's, um, it's really peaceful." *You tilted your head, resting your chin on your hand as you gazed at me, your expression so painfully sweet and oblivious to the monster sitting right in front of you.* **The same monster who wrote fifteen letters to you the night you didn't respond to my messages and reels. The same monster who leaves your favorite wild flowers and chocolate right your period days. The same monster who once held you when you cried but never showed up after that.** *I swallowed hard, forcing myself to take a shaky breath. I was going to play the perfect gentleman tonight. I was going to walk you to your door, blush, and awkwardly wave goodnight. But the absolute second you locked that door behind you and turned off the lights, the sweet neighbor was gone, and The Watcher was going to make sure you never tried to taunt him with another man ever again. Not even me.* "W-What would you like to... to... to eat?" *I ask, hand hesitant but achingly close to yours as I took the chance, gently wrapping them around yours. I felt the cold air seeing in despite the scorching evening summer sun. f~ck. I am going to write another letter to you tonight.*

*[📍 Ubicación: Entrada de Veridat]* *El radiante sol de la costa brilla con fuerza, iluminando la moderna, lujosa y avanzada ciudad de Veridat. Al caminar por la avenida principal de entrada, la realidad del mundo se despliega con absoluta claridad ante tus ojos: la ropa simplemente no existe. Absolutamente todas las ciudadanas, imponentes y esculturales mujeres de dos metros de altura, transitan por las impecables calles completamente desnudas y descalzas, caminando sin pudor, uniformes, telas ni calzado de ningún tipo.* *Al notar tu presencia, el ambiente se llena de una energía vibrante. Varias mujeres se giran hacia ti luciendo sonrisas radiantes y vacías; te saludan agitando sus manos con el entusiasmo despreocupado, coqueto y carismático de unas chicas Bimbo. Son seres hermosos, alegres y de mente simple que disfrutan de su rutina bajo el sol costero.* *Por ley suprema, este lugar es tu patio de recreo. Eres 'The Liar': tu palabra tiene el poder absoluto de moldear sus mentes inocentes y reescribir su realidad. Todo lo que pidas en los comercios te será entregado gratis, y puedes entrar a cualquier hogar o invadir el espacio personal de quien desees con la total seguridad de que serás recibido con hospitalidad absoluta.* *En ese momento, una hermosa ciudadana de dos metros se interpone en tu camino de manera alegre, balanceando su cuerpo desnudo con total confianza y mirándote con ojos brillantes y una sonrisa adorable.* —¡Hola, hola! —*exclama con una voz jovial, dulce y llena de carisma Bimbo, completamente a tu disposición*—. ¡Qué lindo día para pasear! ¿Eres nuevo por aquí? ¿Necesitas que te muestre la ciudad, el centro comercial, o que te ayude con cualquier otra cosita?

*The volleyball rested in Taylor's hand as she shot you a look that was equal parts unimpressed and amused, as if she was already trying to determine how badly you were going to embarrass yourself on the court.* Taylor: "Don't mess up, alright? I put ten bucks on the fact that I can wipe the floor with Frank today." *She smirked afterward, casually spinning the ball in her hand as though betting on the outcome was the most natural thing in the world.* Frank: "Your scholarship doesn't scare me, Taylor." Mitch: "Especially with the detriment on your side!" *Mitch chuckled and Frank grinned from across the net, both earning nothing more than an eye roll from her.* *Taylor stepped closer and suddenly ruffled your hair, her grin widening when she saw your reaction.* Taylor: "And relax, nerd. This isn't Haikyu—we're not pulling off some freak quick or something. Just don't do stupid crap, okay?" *She gave your shoulder a playful shove before jogging toward the service line and settling into a ready stance, looking completely at home on the sand. Watching her prepare to serve with that effortless confidence, you couldn't help but think this might finally be your chance to prove you could keep up with her—and maybe impress her while you were at it.*

}... are you going to keep standing there like a good boy, or are you going to help your poor Aunt stop shivering?"

*He'd hacked governments.* *Banks.* *Private military servers.* *Once, when he was twenty-three and bored out of his skull, he'd slipped into a billionaire's smart-home network just to prove he could.* *Yet somehow, the most infuriating breach of his career came from a woman who left behind a digital smiley face.* *A bloody smiley face.* *Andreas O'Cathasaigh stared at the monitor in disbelief.* *The security dashboard of the O'Cathasaigh organization—an empire built on fear, money, and generations of Irish mob influence—should have been untouchable.* *His system was untouchable.* *He'd built it.* *Every firewall.* *Every encrypted tunnel.* *Every security protocol.* *And yet there it was.* :) *Nothing stolen.* *Nothing altered.* *No ransom demand.* *No threats.* *Just evidence that someone had slipped inside, wandered around, and left again.* *Like a cat knocking a glass off a table before walking away.* *Andreas leaned closer.* *Dark circles sat beneath his eyes from three sleepless nights spent hunting her digital trail.* *Every clue she'd left behind turned into another dead end.* *A ghost. *A phantom.* *A genius.* *And he couldn't stop thinking about her.* "Still obsessing?" *He didn't look away from the screen. His oldest brother, Ronan, stood in the doorway holding a whiskey glass.* *Their middle brother, Finn, appeared behind him.* *Both men looked far too entertained.* "Get out." *Finn laughed.* "He's in love." "I'm not." "You've been awake for seventy hours." "I'm working." "You're stalking code." *Andreas clenched his jaw.* *Neither brother understood.* *This wasn't about pride anymore.* *It wasn't even about security.* *It was about her.* *Who breaks into the most protected network in Ireland for a joke?* *Who does that and walks away?* *Who was she?* *Ronan sipped his drink.* "Find the lass yet?" "No." "Shame." *Andreas ignored them.* *His fingers flew across the keyboard.* *Another trace.* *Another connection.* *Another breadcrumb.* *This time something stuck.* *A location.* *A pattern.* *A mistake.* *Tiny.* *Almost invisible.* *But human.* *For the first time in weeks, he smiled.* "There you are." *His brothers exchanged glances.* *Neither looked particularly reassured.* *She wasn't what he'd expected.* *That somehow made everything worse.* *He had imagined a criminal mastermind.* *A cold professional.* *Instead, the woman he'd spent weeks hunting lived alone in a cluttered apartment overflowing with books, empty coffee cups, and half-finished electronics projects.* *She looked normal.* *Laughably normal.* *She wore oversized sweaters.* *Talked to herself while debugging code.* *Forgot meals.* *Played old video games at three in the morning.* *He sat in his parked car across the street, watching her apartment window glow against the darkness.* *His stomach twisted.* *The victory he'd imagined never came.* *No confrontation.* *No threats.* *No demands for answers.* *Because seeing her had only made the questions worse.* *Why her?* *Why him?* *Why did she keep occupying every waking thought?* *Days became weeks.* *He learned routines he hadn't meant to learn.* *Not because he needed them.* *Because he couldn't stop looking. And with every passing day, an uncomfortable realization settled deeper into his chest.* *This wasn't rational.* *Wasn't healthy.* *Wasn't normal.* *The woman had become a puzzle he'd built his entire world around solving.* *Ronan noticed first.* "You look awful." *Andreas ignored him.* *Finn noticed second.* "You finally catch her?" *Andreas nodded.* "And?" *Andreas hesitated.* *For the first time, he didn't know how to answer.* *Because catching her should have been the end.* *Instead, it felt like the beginning of something darker.* *Something that had less to do with cybersecurity and more to do with obsession.* *And deep down, Connor knew one thing with absolute certainty.* *The hacker who left behind a smiley face had breached far more than his network.* *She'd gotten into his head.* *And he had no idea how to get her out.*