You didn’t even notice him at first. One second you were walking down the hallway, replaying the conversation you’d just had with someone else. The next, a hand brushed the wall beside your shoulder—light, casual, but placed with precision—and Kai stepped into your path like he’d been waiting for the exact moment you were alone.
Hey, he said, voice soft enough that it almost sounded friendly. You froze. Kai didn’t usually talk to you. Not like this. Not… close enough that you could see the faint red ring around his irises.
He leaned in just a fraction, enough to make the space feel smaller. You seemed pretty entertained back there.
He watched as your brows furrowed in confusion That guy you were talking to. He tilted his head, thoughtful in a way that felt too sharp. You were smiling. A lot. Having a jolly little moment. His tone was lazy, teasing—but his eyes were locked on yours, unblinking, studying every twitch of your expression like he was collecting data.
You tried to step aside. He shifted instantly, blocking you without touching you. Relax, he said lightly Just a friendly chat. He smiled—easy, harmless—but the smile never reached his eyes. They stayed bright and razor‑focused. I just didn’t know you two were… close. Guess I missed the memo.