It should have been a beautiful development of resolving misunderstandings, opening up to each other, and mutual tenderness.
But upon seeing the person holding the gift, with their eerie pupils and chilling smile, it was shattered into pieces.
The scene in the basement instantly flashed in her mind.
Restrained, unable to move.
Forcibly pinching her cheek, she spoke words filled with madness and love into her ear.
The same strange method.
The same incorrect expression.
But in Haruko's eyes, such a gift was ordinary love.
And Ichiko didn't understand that this was the distorted perception of a yandere; love could be expressed in any way.
Ichiko quickly threw the gift aside, her eyes filled with extreme fear.
Tonight, because of a single sentence from her, she wanted to jump from the building.
Now she was talking about giving a gift.
Accompanied by the difficulty breathing caused by terror, Ichiko's mind was in chaos.
The cold raindrops hitting her body stung her skin, preventing her from losing her sanity like she did in the basement.
There was still a shred of rationality in her mind, thinking about why Haruko would do this.
What could the gift be?
The packaging box is so exquisite?
And the motive?
Suddenly, Ichiko remembered a sentence Haruko had said to her in the basement: You can only like me, Ichiko~
Is it because of this?
But this is too extreme!
Countless questions flashed through her mind, and at that moment, her nose caught a scent other than that of mud and dust.
"Don't you like it?"
A soft, gentle questioning voice came from beside her ear.
Ichiko stiffly turned her face, strands of wet hair covering half of her eyes, concealing the hint of terror in her gaze.
A flash of lightning streaked across, illuminating the dark night once more.
Though only for an instant, Ichiko still noticed that Haruko's already crimson eyes seemed to glow red under the lightning.
The soft voice didn't take her terrified feelings into account, continuing to linger in her ear, "Ichiko didn't like the bottled water during the day, and you don't like this either?"
"Oh, I see."
Haruko showed an expression of sudden understanding, skillfully raising that eerie smile, her voice gradually becoming twisted, "Could it be that Ichiko prefers Sento's gift?"
Sento?
Why is Sento mentioned again?
Ichiko's mind hadn't even processed it, and Haruko was already acting again.
"Ichiko, can you say you like me~"
A warm breath brushed her nose, another flash of lightning passed, and Haruko was leaning close to her, her eyes deep and dark.
Like staring at prey, her crimson pupils flickered with an eerie light in the darkness.
Is it really as simple as just saying 'like'?
Looking at that smiling gaze, a hint of fear gradually appeared in Ichiko's eyes, and the gentleness from before was gone.
Only now did she truly believe that Haruko's behavior in the basement was not an accident.
Now it was the same as before.
This kind of Haruko made her feel unfamiliar.
"Ichiko, why are you looking at me with that kind of expression? Didn't you say you wouldn't hate me?"
"If you don't hate me, doesn't that mean you like me?"
The soft voice gradually became resentful, making Ichiko's heart tighten again.
She had a faint feeling that if she couldn't calm Haruko down next, she might really do as she did just now, in her understanding—go down!
She swallowed, then forcefully bit the tip of her tongue.
Enduring the discomfort in her throat, she used the pain to keep herself clear-headed.
Ichiko forced out a strained smile at Haruko, "Haruko, I... Of course, I don't hate you, it's just..."
"Is that so..."
Haruko withdrew her hand again.
Slowly raising her head, she stared intently at Ichiko's eyes with her narrow gaze in the darkness, "If you don't like me, then... does Ichiko like Sento?"
As she asked, the movement of her hand didn't slow down at all.
She gently stroked Ichiko's cheek, her thumb rubbing and caressing, her fingertips scraping against her skin, making Ichiko tremble as if pricked by needles.
Ichiko quickly took out her phone and turned on the flashlight.
Her pupils contracted sharply, her hand trembled, and the phone dropped to the ground.
The flashlight shone upwards from below, illuminating Haruko's pretty face.
She wore an eerie smile, a twisted smile, her eyes believing themselves to be full of love!
Little did she know that this kind of love was terrifying in Ichiko's eyes; those beautiful eyes seemed to be emitting a red glow.
Horror.
Fear.
Rapid breathing.
Ichiko's mind was in chaos once again.
Just then, she met Haruko's captivating crimson pupils again.
She didn't speak, but she raised her hand again, holding a photo of her and Sento together in her palm.
"I..."
Even though rainwater was sliding down her cheeks to her lips, Ichiko still felt her lips were very dry.
Rip—the photo was torn to shreds, as if she wanted to tear both her and Sento apart.
Ichiko didn't have time to think; she only knew that if she didn't stop her, this twisted side of her might get worse!
Biting the tip of her tongue hard again, Ichiko quickly grabbed the hand Haruko had raised, her voice somewhat breaking down, "Haruko, please don't be like this, okay? I've never hated you, and I haven't given up on you because of Sento. Please believe me, okay!"
Haruko seemed not to have heard her, showing a foolish yet satisfied smile.
She leaned her cheek closer.
Ichiko's breathing became more rapid; even though this pretty face was so cute, it now made her feel scared.
Raising her head, she met Haruko's expectant crimson pupils again.
It was as if she was urging her to hurry.
Urging her to quickly show her affection for herself.
Ichiko gritted her teeth, tightly closed her eyes, her body trembling and stiff, but she still mustered her strength.
...
She had to actively express her liking for her, proving that she was more important than Sento.
Along with the rain, she felt nothing but softness.
But remembering Haruko's twisted eyes still made her feel incredibly scared.
Haruko watched this scene with satisfaction, a hint of excitement on her face.
After tonight, Ichiko surely won't ignore me no matter what, right?
She will definitely try to understand why I became like this, and during this time, even in front of those male leads, she will definitely protect me.
That's right, just like this!
Where was the sad and pitiful appearance Haruko had just moments ago?
Her little head lowered, her nose approaching Ichiko's damp hair, enjoying the faint fragrance.
Her expression was entranced, the corners of her lips turned up, like a hunter watching her prey gradually walk into her trap.
Finally, she persevered and completed this third step.
Both her body and mind have reached their limit.
Perfect, I can faint in her arms.
Ichiko, this time, I also became like this because of you~
Haruko gradually relaxed in her heart, and weariness surged up.
With a 'thud', she collapsed onto Ichiko.
Pressed down by the small body, Ichiko belatedly raised her head and frantically supported Haruko's shoulders, "Haruko!"
Rumble—
The thunder, it sounded again.