Theresa's gaze fluttered, her vision gradually clearing as she emerged from the suffocating embrace of darkness and cold. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a sliver of light pierced through the haze. Tentatively, she extended her fingers, brushing against the chill of the sheets that enveloped the mattress, their scent tinged with the sterile sting of chlorine. A sudden clarity washed over her as the fragments of memory reassembled. She was in the hospital, having accompanied Christian and Kathleen, yet she recalled with unsettling precision the moment she had collapsed—overcome by a vision that had seized her. Gradually, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing a world awash in sterile brightness. The overhead light was sharp and unyielding, forcing her to squint as her eyes adjusted to the glare. Shapes came into focus slowly, and her gaze drifted to the side. There, she noticed Takumi, his movements meticulous as he busied himself arranging a collection of foo
Kathleen exhaled deeply, her fingers pressing into her temples as the weight of the conversation with Christian's mother settled heavily on her shoulders. She had absorbed a barrage of words, all of which she understood at their core. If she were in the mother's shoes, she could hardly fault her for harboring such intense frustration; she might have even felt compelled to strangle her son's reckless, misguided girlfriend. Leaning against the balcony railing, her hand remained pressed to her forehead, trying to calm the storm brewing inside her. "I’m so sorry, love," Christian’s voice broke through her thoughts, and before she could say anything, he enveloped her in a warm embrace from behind. "I’ve already spoken with mom. She’s disappointed, but it’s not directed at you, you know?" Kathleen nodded slowly, a sad smile curling at the edges of her lips. "I know, love. I truly understand her." She paused before tapping his arm that was draped around her waist. "It's my fault, and I
Theresa observed as Takumi meticulously arranged the items he had procured for her—technically through the assistance of his household staff, who had been tasked with purchasing essentials such as clothing and undergarments on her behalf. Before Takumi could place the newly purchased items into the bag—also one of his thoughtful acquisitions—a maid entered the room and seamlessly took over the task, her movements efficient and unassuming. Takumi stepped aside, allowing her to continue, though his presence lingered, offering a subtle reassurance. Theresa sat nearby, her fingers pressing anxiously against the call card hidden in her pocket. She longed to share the truth with Takumi, to tell him everything she had discovered. Yet, each time the words formed in her mind, they dissolved under the weight of uncertainty. How could she articulate the inexplicable? How could she explain that Kaiser and Kim were far more than they appeared to be? The fear of disbelief, or worse, the impli
"Zach, how delightfully uninvited you are to be here," Takumi remarked dryly as he stepped out of his car, his gaze narrowing in faint irritation. At the sound of his voice, Zach, Sai, and Dryzza turned to face him, their surprise fleeting but palpable. One of Takumi’s guards quickly approached, taking his car keys with a bow before driving the sleek vehicle through the gates. “New car?” Zach asked, his eyes lingering on the vehicle’s elegant frame until it disappeared into the estate. Takumi allowed a faint smirk to curve his lips. “Yes, La Rose Noire Droptail. A small indulgence.” The mention of the car left Dryzza and Sai visibly stunned. It wasn’t every day someone casually referenced owning the most expensive car in the world. Dryzza, in particular, shifted uncomfortably, almost tempted to shield her own modest vehicle from view. “I sometimes wonder how much you really make as a psychiatrist,” Zach quipped, though his tone carried a knowing edge. He, better than
"Is everyone prepared?" Tomoya muttered, his voice laced with a quiet intensity, as he observed through the vast window of the house. The gates creaked open, revealing a procession of officers and three faces he knew all too well. He had suspected this visit was imminent since his earlier interaction with Dryzza and Sai. With a sigh of resignation, he couldn't help but flick his imaginary long hair in a dramatic flourish before turning to the five maids standing in wait behind him. "So, how do I look?" he inquired, purposefully inclining his face toward them, eager for their judgment. In unison, they raised their thumbs, a silent affirmation of his presentation. "Totemo ii desu, Tomoya-sama! Hontō ni, onaka ga yokatta hito mitaina kanji desu." ("You look incredibly good, Tomoya-sama! Like a real person with stomach issues.") Kotomi, the youngest of the maids, smiled as she tapped his shoulder. Haneul, around his age, also tapped his other shoulder. "Geunyeo neun ilgga, T
“Are we finished here?” Takumi inquired, his voice steady but edged with the faintest hint of impatience as Zach’s team regrouped in the center of the grand living area. The soft lighting of the space, coupled with its immaculately curated decor, belied the tension lurking in the atmosphere. Zach straightened, his gaze fixed on the papers in his hands before addressing the room. “The estate is extensive, Takumi. A thorough search would require several days at the very least. That said, based on my team’s preliminary report, no incriminating evidence has been discovered thus far. So far, so good.” He paused, lifting his head to glance around the room with a measured air of authority. “However, this isn’t the end. We retain the right to continue our search, and I assure you, my team will return tomorrow.” He gestured nonchalantly toward Sai and Dryzza, who stood at a slight distance, visibly affected by the opulence of their surroundings despite their best efforts to project an a
"Is she asleep now?" Takumi asked quietly the moment Tomoya stepped out of the room, his voice barely louder than a whisper, as if raising it would disrupt the fragile peace inside.Tomoya nodded, his expression a mixture of weariness and relief. "Yes," he murmured. "She needs to recover her strength. Whatever energy she expended earlier took more of a toll on her body than I anticipated."The memory of Samantha collapsing replayed vividly in Takumi's mind. After their unexpected encounter with her, she had crumpled to the ground, her legs giving out as though the very act of standing had drained her completely. Without hesitation, Takumi had carried her to the spot where Tomoya had been resting earlier, her weight feeling far lighter than it should have.He sighed, his gaze drifting downward to Tomoya’s hand, where traces of blood smeared faintly around the spot where the IV line had been connected earlier."You should take care of that," Takumi said, gesturing toward the barely scab
Kathleen's breath quickened the moment she crossed the threshold. The grand hall, usually bustling with life, stood eerily silent. She moved with such urgency that the maids, preoccupied with their duties, failed to notice her abrupt entrance. Christian's stride followed closely behind, though not quick enough to evade Haneul, who caught up effortlessly. "Sir, they've already left that room," Haneul's voice rang out, almost frantic, breaking the silence. Her words startled Kathleen, prompting her to spin on her heel toward the source of the revelation. "Where are they?!" Kathleen's voice trembled as she darted back to Christian, who now stood poised beside Haneul, his expression tense. "Dr. Andersen is at the pavilion with Tomoya-ssi," Haneul informed them, her hand gesturing toward the hallway leading to the distant structure. "She's woken up again?" Christian voiced the very question swirling in Kathleen's mind, his tone laced with hope and urgency. Kathleen didn’t hesit
"What kind of a sick joke is this?!" Kim's fist slammed against the table, the sound reverberating through the dusky room Her patience had already worn thin, but now, it was crumbling entirely. Her gaze snapped to the man seated beside her, who was flipping lazily through the grimoire—the supposedly cursed artifact that had cost them so much to obtain. The same one Tomoya had handed over through Jess. "We've spent days trying to decipher whatever secrets this book holds," Kim seethed, voice sharp enough to cut through the tension, "and you're telling me that none of this makes sense?!" The man, utterly unfazed by her outburst, merely arched an eyebrow before lazily flipping to the next page. He hadn’t slept a wink since being summoned to assist with some so-called "historical witchcraft discovery," only to find himself drowning in this absolute nonsense. He ran his fingers over the inked text, his expression caught somewhere between amusement and intrigue. "I'm telling you,"
Theresa’s gaze flickered toward Samantha, her fingers absently tightening around the hem of her sleeve. She sat on the couch across from her, positioned beside Tomoya, but despite their proximity, she felt miles away from the conversation about to unfold. Samantha, for her part, remained unnervingly still. Beside her, Kathleen’s posture was equally rigid, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, as though bracing for the inevitable. No one in the room looked prepared for what was coming. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, until the sharp chime of the doorbell shattered it. Tomoya sprang up, his movements quick—almost desperate. He didn’t make the same mistake as before. This time, he peered through the peephole, his shoulders visibly relaxing only after confirming the identity of the visitor. With a swift motion, he unlatched the door, revealing Takumi. The moment he stepped inside, all eyes locked onto him. Except for Theresa. She couldn’t bring herself to l
“H-How is she—”Theresa’s voice wavered, her disbelief evident in the tremble of her words.Tomoya didn’t hesitate. In a swift movement, he stepped between her and Samantha, blocking her view as if shielding something fragile, something that shouldn’t exist.But Theresa was quicker.She sidestepped him, her eyes locking onto Samantha before widening in shock.“D-Did you guys really open a portal…?” she whispered, the color draining from her face.Her words sent a chill through the room.Kathleen tensed beside Samantha, her fingers curling into fists. She darted forward, gripping Theresa’s arm with a careful but firm touch.“Theresa,” Kathleen’s voice was soft but urgent. “Come inside.”There was no resistance. Theresa allowed herself to be pulled in, her eyes never leaving Samantha, as if afraid that if she looked away, she would vanish.Tomoya, still on edge, cast a quick glance over his shoulder before shutting the door. He lingered for a moment, scanning the dimly lit hallway, ensu
The morning erupted in chaos before Samantha even had a chance to process where she was. The muffled sound of a ringing phone reverberated through Tomoya’s small apartment, followed by the sharp clatter of something being knocked over. From the kitchen, the scent of burnt coffee mixed with the faint tang of disinfectant, remnants of whatever frantic cleaning had taken place the night before. She sat on the worn-out couch, her fingers curling around the fabric of Tomoya’s blanket draped over her lap. Her mind was sluggish, heavy with exhaustion, yet confusion gnawed at her. Why was she here? Why Tomoya’s apartment, of all places? If Takumi wanted to keep her safe, wouldn’t Kathleen’s home have been a more logical choice? Kathleen would have welcomed her without hesitation. But instead, she had woken up to Tomoya pacing the small living room, muttering to himself, his laptop glowing with lines of code she couldn’t decipher. Samantha’s pulse quickened as she tried to recall the las
The stillness of the Takahashi estate lingered in the air like a suffocating fog, broken only by the hurried footsteps of Anwar and Anthony as they dragged Gerald back inside. The young guard’s face was pale, his wide eyes darting around like a hunted animal. “I… I swear I didn’t mean to wander around,” Gerald stammered. “Something… something pulled me into the garden. I just… got lost.” Takumi’s sharp gaze pierced through him, but he said nothing, gesturing for Anwar and Anthony to continue their investigation. When they reached the surveillance room, the scene before them deepened the mystery. Two guards, barely conscious and bloodied, were slumped against the consoles. Their wounds weren’t life-threatening but told a tale of a brutal struggle. The air in the room was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the faint hum of the untouched monitors. “Junel,” one of the injured guards managed to rasp. “It… it was him. He attacked us out of nowhere… like he was possessed.” Anthon
"J-Junel! What’s going on? What are you doing?" Samantha’s voice cracked as fear tightened its grip on her throat. Her feet stumbled backward as Junel advanced with slow, deliberate steps, his shadow looming larger under the dim light. Samantha’s heart pounded wildly, her eyes flicking between the knife in his trembling hand and his face—blank, emotionless, and eerily pale. His movements were mechanical, devoid of humanity, as if he were a puppet pulled by unseen strings. "C-Cut it out, Junel!" she pleaded, her voice breaking into a desperate groan. "One more step, and I’ll scream! The guards—they’re right outside. I swear, I’ll sue you!" But Junel didn’t stop. His gaze, glassy and unfocused, passed through her as though she weren’t there. He moved with a haunting slowness, each step a deliberate march toward her. Samantha's stomach churned as she realized something was horribly wrong. This wasn’t Junel—at least not the Junel she knew. It was as if a stranger had stepped into
"You need what now?" Zach’s voice was sharp, though he leaned closer as if Takumi’s request was somehow a mistake he had misheard. Takumi sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The words had been difficult enough to say the first time, but now he had to repeat himself. “Samantha’s belongings. The ones taken from her office and from her home for evidence after the incident.” Zach sat back in his chair, his expression shifting from disbelief to suspicion. “You’re kidding me. That’s highly restricted material. Chain of custody rules. You know I can’t just hand it over.” “I’m not asking you to hand anything over,” Takumi replied evenly. “I just need access. A chance to examine them.” “For what?” Zach asked, his tone laced with doubt. “You think her hairbrush or her diary is going to solve this mess?” “It’s not about the belongings themselves,” Takumi said, his voice calm but firm. “It’s about what they might reveal. Patterns, traces—clues that could explain what’s been happenin
The stillness of the Takahashi estate lingered in the air like a suffocating fog, broken only by the hurried footsteps of Anwar and Anthony as they dragged Gerald back inside. The young guard’s face was pale, his wide eyes darting around like a hunted animal. “I… I swear I didn’t mean to wander around,” Gerald stammered. “Something… something pulled me into the garden. I just… got lost.” Takumi’s sharp gaze pierced through him, but he said nothing, gesturing for Anwar and Anthony to continue their investigation. When they reached the surveillance room, the scene before them deepened the mystery. Two guards, barely conscious and bloodied, were slumped against the consoles. Their wounds weren’t life-threatening but told a tale of a brutal struggle. The air in the room was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the faint hum of the untouched monitors. “Junel,” one of the injured guards managed to rasp. “It… it was him. He attacked us out of nowhere… like he was possessed.” A
Outside, she cast a glance at Takumi’s butler, who stood rigidly by the car. “Not joining us, sir?” she called out with a casual edge.The butler smiled faintly. “I’ll wait here, detective.”Dryzza shrugged and headed into the station. Inside, she spotted Takumi seated at Zach’s desk, his posture deceptively relaxed but his eyes betraying an intensity that made her pause. Across the room, Sai was furiously dialing Zach’s number on the office phone.“Why’d you leave him out there?” Dryzza hissed as she slipped into the chair beside Sai.Sai glanced at her, lowering his voice. “He wasn’t saying much—just sitting there quietly. It’s unnerving.”Dryzza’s lips curved into a sly grin. “Sounds like a golden opportunity.” Without waiting for Sai’s protest, she strolled toward Takumi.She eased into the chair across from him, letting the silence stretch. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Takumi cut her off, his voice steady and deliberate.“I believe I was clear about who I wanted to see,