Alisus didn't sleep.
Not even a little.
He lay still until Iyan's breathing evened out across the room, soft and slow like a lullaby. The kind of rhythm that could make someone drop their guard.
Not him.
Not anymore.
His eyes stayed wide open in the darkness. Heart loud. Mind louder.
"I missed you even when you were dead."
Those words played on repeat, haunting the thin veil of silence between them.
How could Iyan have known he'd died? It had to be a coincidence—just a figure of speech. An expression. Maybe even a bad dream.
But deep down, Alisus felt it. That sense of being hunted… not by a stranger. Not by a killer. But by someone who smiled like sunshine and brought your favorite food when you were sad.
Someone who knew you so well…
They knew how to trap you.
8:20 a.m. — Student Affairs Office
"I didn't send any withdrawal," Alisus said, pressing his palms flat on the advisor's desk. "Please. There's been a mistake."
The woman behind the desk looked at him with confusion. "Well, Mr. Yan, the system shows an authenticated login from your student ID. It was canceled from your account with full password verification."
"I didn't cancel it," Alisus repeated.
She looked uncomfortable. "Well, if someone else had access to your account, that would be a security issue. But unless you can prove unauthorized activity, I'm afraid—"
"What if I can't prove it, but I know someone did it?" he snapped, voice rising before he could stop himself. "What if someone's… trying to trap me?"
The woman blinked. "Sir… are you in danger?"
Alisus opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Because how do you explain it?
How do you explain the soft grip of a hand that never bruises, only lingers?
How do you explain a friend who never yells, but won't let you breathe?
He swallowed the words.
"No," he muttered, forcing a smile. "Forget it. Thank you."
10:01 a.m. — Campus Café
Alisus stood in line for coffee, checking over his shoulder.
No Iyan.
He exhaled for the first time in hours.
His phone buzzed.
Iyan:
"Good morning You weren't in the room. Are you feeling okay today?"
"Don't forget to wear your scarf. It's cold today."
A photo followed. The scarf in question—wrapped neatly over the desk chair.
Alisus turned off his phone.
The line inched forward.
But then he heard it.
Footsteps behind him.
Not hurried. Not loud. Just… close. Quiet. Measured.
"Alis?"
He didn't even need to turn around. The air shifted when Iyan was near. Soft, scented with citrus shampoo and mint gum.
"I didn't know you'd be here," Iyan said, smiling.
He wore a soft blue sweater and a knitted beanie Alisus had given him last winter. His eyes glowed like starlight.
Alisus stepped back.
"Right," Iyan murmured, his smile faltering. "Still mad at me?"
"I'm not mad."
"Then why do you flinch when I walk in?"
Alisus didn't answer.
The barista called his name. Coffee ready.
He grabbed the cup, turned to leave—but Iyan touched his sleeve gently.
"I know you're scared. I just don't understand why."
His fingers were cold.
Or maybe it was Alisus who was freezing inside.
"I just need time," Alisus whispered. "Please."
Iyan looked at him for a long moment. His gaze softened again, eyes shimmering.
"…Alright," he said finally. "But don't shut me out completely, Alis. We've always had each other. You said that."
That was the problem.
He had said it. And Iyan never forgot a single word.
Later that day — Group Study Room
Alisus joined a study group, hoping to surround himself with noise, with people. Maybe that would ease the grip of isolation.
He laughed too loudly. Smiled too long.
The others glanced at him but said nothing.
Until the girl beside him leaned closer and whispered, "Your friend is kinda intense, huh?"
He blinked. "Who?"
"That guy who always stares at you like you're gonna vanish. He was waiting outside earlier, by the door."
Alisus's stomach dropped.
"Short black hair. Pale. Pretty. But kinda…" She twirled her finger. "Creepy?"
He laughed it off, stiffly. "Just protective."
"Oh," she said. "Well… tell him he doesn't need to glare at everyone who talks to you."
He felt sick.
Evening — Dorm
Alisus sat on his bed, staring at the small desk drawer.
It had a lock.
He hadn't remembered locking it recently. But the key was gone.
Inside were personal notes. His class schedule. And—his old journal.
The one where he'd written about Kyllian Yang.
About the fluttery feelings he once had. The jealousy. The confusion.
All of it.
Gone.
The drawer was empty.
Then a knock at the door.
"Dinner?" Iyan asked cheerfully.
Alisus turned.
Iyan held a takeout bag. He looked so casual. So normal.
And yet—
His hand was curled slightly at his side.
Holding a small key ring.
Something glinted silver between his fingers.
Night
Alisus couldn't do it anymore.
He went to the university counselor's office under the pretense of academic stress. Sat there, eyes red, voice shaking.
"I just feel like I'm being watched all the time," he said. "Like someone knows everything I do."
The counselor was kind. "Do you feel unsafe?"
"Yes."
She nodded. "Do you want to report someone?"
"…No. Not yet."
She handed him a pamphlet. "If anything changes, we're here."
But he saw her glance toward the hallway.
Someone had been standing there moments earlier.
He saw a shadow slip away through the glass before she shut the door.
A soft laugh echoed faintly.
Was it real?
Or was he finally losing it?
That night — Lights Off
He came back to the dorm late, long after curfew.
Iyan was already asleep—or pretending to be.
Alisus crept into bed, staring at the ceiling.
But then—
From across the room—
A whisper.
"You're trying so hard to leave me, Alis."
Alisus clenched his eyes shut.
"I'll still love you even if you hate me."
Silence.
Then:
"But I hope one day... you'll realize we belong to each other."
Alisus didn't answer.
He didn't move.
He just lay still, feeling the walls inch closer.