Chapter Text
The cherry blossoms on campus were in full bloom, pink petals drifting down onto the tree-lined path with the breeze. Lloyd, holding a stack of heavy economics textbooks, walked with calm, green eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses. As the student council president, he had just finished a meeting and was heading back to class.
"Senior Lloyd!"
A warm voice called from behind. Lloyd didn't need to turn to know who it was — Kai Smith, the student council's sports minister, Nya's older brother. The one who had been trying relentlessly to get close to him since transferring here three months ago.
Kai jogged to catch up, his brown hair, meticulously styled with gel into a flame-like shape, particularly striking in the sunlight. "President, you left your notebook in the meeting room." He held out a black-covered notebook, his red eyes gleaming with an overly enthusiastic light.
"Thank you," Lloyd replied curtly. As he took the notebook, his fingertips brushed against Kai's hand. He noted how Kai's ears instantly tinged pink.
So obvious, Lloyd thought. From Kai's stunned expression the first time they'd met, to the various "chance encounters" and offers of help that followed, to those stolen glances — this underclassman had an abnormal level of interest in him.
Lloyd wasn't annoyed, however. On the contrary, he found Kai amusing, like an over-enthusiastic golden retriever — clumsy but interesting. Moreover, Kai was indeed pleasant to look at; his tanned skin and ever-smiling red eyes attracted plenty of attention around campus.
"Senior, the basketball finals are next week. Will you come watch?" Kai asked hopefully, his fingers unconsciously twisting together.
"Student council members are required to supervise," Lloyd said, pushing his glasses up, his tone official. But he'd already mentally noted the date.
A brilliant smile immediately spread across Kai's face, almost dazzling. "Great! I'll save the best seat for you!"
Lloyd nodded and turned to leave. He could feel Kai's gaze following his back, so intense it felt like it might burn a hole through his uniform.
Interesting. The corner of Lloyd's mouth lifted in an almost imperceptible curve.
He had sensed Kai's peculiarities for a while. The "coincidental" appearances in all his routines, the little gifts that always seemed to align with his preferences, the feeling of being watched from some corner that he could always detect...
Lloyd had always been able to sense others' attention. It was an innate part of him, just as he was born knowing how to hide himself, how to observe, how to control. His parents — those two lunatics who vanished after giving birth to him — left him, aside from the regular massive deposits in his bank account, this deep-seated need for control and paranoia.
It was just that he had never been interested in anyone.
Until Kai appeared.
That night, Lloyd sat at his dorm desk and opened a special monitoring program. Months ago, he had placed a few miniature trackers on his belongings. As expected, one signal showed Kai was currently in the cherry blossom grove near the boys' dormitory.
Lloyd walked to the window and gently pulled back a corner of the curtain. Sure enough, that familiar figure was hiding under a tree, looking up at his window. Moonlight fell on Kai's face; those always-enthusiastic red eyes were now filled with a focus so intense it bordered on obsession.
A strange sense of satisfaction washed over Lloyd. He didn't know why he hadn't exposed Kai, but instead allowed, even anticipated, this attention. Perhaps he had been alone too long. Or perhaps, deep down, he knew he and Kai were the same.
Only, he was the better predator.
The next day, while Lloyd was organizing files in the student council office, Nya — his vice president and Kai's sister — walked in carrying a stack of documents.
"Senior, here's the budget report for the Cultural Festival you wanted," the black-haired girl said efficiently, her high ponytail swaying slightly. "My brother said he wants to add a street basketball exhibition game to the festival and asked me to get your opinion."
Lloyd took the files, feigning nonchalance. "Your brother seems quite busy lately."
Nya rolled her eyes. "Who knows what he's up to? He's been acting all secretive. Last night, he didn't even get back to the dorm until past ten, with leaves stuck to his clothes." She suddenly lowered her voice. "Honestly, I think he's in love. He's been so strange lately."
Lloyd's fingers paused on the paper. "Oh?"
"Yeah! He's always sneaking around texting, and he often smiles at his phone for no reason." Nya leaned in closer. "And I found he has saved a lot of—" She suddenly stopped, coughing awkwardly. "Uh, never mind."
Lloyd looked up, meeting Nya's eyes through his gold-rimmed glasses. "A lot of what?"
Nya's face reddened. "Just... lots of photos of you. Taken from all sorts of angles. I didn't mean to snoop!" she added hastily. "I just saw it by accident."
A strange sense of pleasure surged through Lloyd, but his expression remained placid. "Probably photos from student council events."
"No..." Nya mumbled. "Some are clearly taken secretly... Like the ones of you sleeping in the library..."
Lloyd gently pushed his glasses up. "Perhaps he just needs a reference for my hairstyle."
Nya snorted a laugh. "You actually made a joke!"
After Nya left, Lloyd walked to the office window. From here, he could see the basketball court where Kai was practicing. His dribbling was smooth and powerful, his jump shot fluid like a nimble leopard.
Kai under the sunlight was dazzling, impossible to look away from. Lloyd felt an unprecedented sense of possessiveness sprout in his heart.
This person, he decided. He's mine.
The night before the Cultural Festival, Lloyd worked late. The campus was quiet, save for a few cicadas chirping. As he locked the student council office door and headed toward the dorms, his sharp senses picked up someone following him.
Lloyd didn't turn around. Instead, he deliberately took a detour down the secluded path behind the library — a place with no cameras and dim lighting, one of the most hidden corners on campus.
Just as he was about to exit the path, he heard light footsteps behind him. Lloyd swiftly turned and caught sight of Kai hastily ducking behind a tree.
"Come out, Smith," Lloyd said calmly.
Kai stiffened, then slowly emerged from behind the tree, his face a mask of panic. "S-Senior! What a coincidence!"
"Following me all the way from the student council office is indeed quite the coincidence," Lloyd remarked mildly, watching Kai's expression shift from embarrassment to shock, and finally to a strange calmness.
Kai straightened up, his voice suddenly steady. "You knew all along."
"That you were following me? Knew it when you started, three months ago." Lloyd took a step forward. "And that you 'coincidentally' ran into me seventeen times at my usual café, left three letters in my locker, slipped five notes into my textbooks, and stood under the cherry blossoms outside my dorm staring up at my window for at least half an hour every day..."
Kai's eyes widened, his red pupils deepening like red wine in the moonlight. "You... how..."
"How do I know so clearly?" Lloyd took another step. Now they were almost face to face. "Because I noticed you, Kai Smith. I noticed every glance, every tail, every attempt to get close."
Kai flushed, but this time not from embarrassment — from a kind of excitement. "Then why didn’t you call me out?"
Lloyd gently removed his glasses, revealing a pair of green eyes startlingly sharp under the moon. "Because I was curious. What do you want to do? Or rather, what do you want from me?"
Kai took a deep breath and suddenly laughed. It wasn't his usual bright, sunny smile, but one carrying a dangerous, captivating allure. "I thought I'd made it pretty obvious, Senior. I want you."
"Want me?" Lloyd tilted his head slightly. "Like a collectible to display at home? Or like a pet to keep on a leash?"
Shock flashed in Kai's eyes, followed by understanding and an even more fervent emotion. "You... you know..."
"I know what a yandere is, Kai." Lloyd's voice was soft but icy. "I know that crazy possessiveness, that impulse to possess someone at any cost. I know the thrill of stalking, watching, controlling. I know..." He took the final step. Now their noses were almost touching. "...because I'm one just like you. Only, I'm better at hiding it."
Kai's breathing quickened, his red eyes shimmering with disbelief. "You too..."
"Since birth." Lloyd reached out and lightly touched Kai's cheek, a gentle gesture that nonetheless made Kai tremble. "My parents were two extreme yanderes. They loved each other madly and tortured each other, then disappeared after having me, as if I were just a souvenir of their insane love."
Kai leaned into Lloyd's touch, his eyes filled with infatuation. "So you knew I've been..."
"I know everything about you," Lloyd whispered. "I know what time you stake out under my dorm every day. I know you have 327 photos of me on your phone, 43 of which are taken while I was asleep. I know you've researched all my class schedules and habits. You know how I like my coffee and how many sugars. You even know my underwear size."
Kai's face burned hot, but his gaze didn't waver. "Then... do you think I'm terrifying?"
Lloyd chuckled softly, a low, captivating sound. "On the contrary. I think you're adorable. And..." His fingers slid to the back of Kai's neck, applying slight pressure. "...I've been enjoying your attention."
"So you accept me?" Kai's voice held hope and uncertainty.
Lloyd's eyes suddenly turned deep and dangerous. "No, Kai. You don't understand." He pulled them closer, his lips almost brushing Kai's ear. "I'm not your prey. I'm the better hunter."
He released Kai, putting his glasses back on, resuming the cool, composed demeanor of the student council president. "Now, go back to your dorm. There's still a lot of work for the Cultural Festival."
Kai stood frozen, watching Lloyd turn and walk away. That elegant, composed figure was a stark contrast to the tempest raging inside him now.
Just as Lloyd was about to exit the path, Kai suddenly called out, "Lloyd!"
Lloyd stopped but didn't turn around.
"Even if you're the hunter," Kai's voice was firm and clear, "I'll never stop chasing you."
A smile curved Lloyd's lips, unseen by anyone.
"I know."
On the day of the Cultural Festival, the campus was packed. Kai's street basketball exhibition attracted a large crowd, but he remained distracted, his eyes constantly searching the masses for that blond figure.
As student council president, Lloyd was making rounds inspecting the various booths. He was as calm and professional as ever, only occasionally flashing a nearly imperceptible smile when his eyes met Kai's.
In the afternoon, when Kai finally got a break, Nya ran over and handed him a water bottle. "Kai, what's with you today? You keep zoning out."
Kai took the water, his eyes still following Lloyd in the distance. "It's nothing. Just thinking."
Nya followed his gaze and frowned. "You're staring at President Montgomery again. Seriously, you've been so weird lately."
Kai just smiled, not answering. His phone vibrated — a text from an unknown number:
Your shooting form is beautiful. —L
Kai's head snapped up. In the distance, Lloyd was looking down at his phone, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Kai's heart raced. He quickly replied: How did you get my number?
A reply came soon: I know everything about you, remember? By the way, the handcuffs in your bedside drawer — nice taste.
Kai nearly dropped his phone. He stared incredulously at Lloyd, who was now conversing with a teacher, utterly composed as if he hadn't just sent that message.
This was the real Lloyd Montgomery. Beneath the icy surface lay a nature more dangerous and obsessive than his own.
A shiver ran through Kai, but not from fear.
After the Cultural Festival ended, students gradually left campus. As president, Lloyd was among the last to go. By the time he locked all the doors and windows and headed for the gate, it was already dark.
Kai was waiting at the school gate, leaning against his motorcycle, his expression more serious than ever.
"Waiting for me?" Lloyd asked calmly.
"We need to talk, President," Kai said, meeting his eyes directly. "About last night. About... everything."
Lloyd nodded. "Get on. Let's go somewhere quiet."
They arrived at an overlook on the hill behind the school, offering a view of the city's nightscape. Kai cut the engine, leaving only the sound of the wind and the distant hum of the city.
"Why only tell me now?" Kai finally asked the question that had been burning all day. "If you knew all along, why expose it now?"
Lloyd looked out at the distant lights. "Because I liked watching you go crazy for me." He turned to Kai, his eyes terrifyingly honest in the moonlight. "And I needed to confirm your feelings weren't a fleeting impulse, but true obsession."
Kai was stunned. "You... were testing me?"
"Observing you," Lloyd corrected. "And you didn't disappoint. Your stalking skills improved, your sneaky photo angles got better. You even learned to avoid campus security cameras — though not mine yet."
Kai didn't know whether to feel ashamed or proud. He chose the latter. "So I passed?"
Lloyd shook his head gently. "There's no test, Kai. Only a choice." He took a step forward, fingers lightly tracing the handle of Kai's motorcycle. "Now you know the real me. Someone more dangerous and obsessive than you imagined. Someone born knowing how to control and possess."
He looked straight into Kai's eyes. "Do you still want me?"
Kai's answer was to kiss him. It wasn't a gentle, exploratory kiss, but one filled with possessiveness and a hint of madness, as if trying to consume Lloyd whole.
When they finally broke apart, Lloyd was breathing lightly, his glasses slightly askew. Kai had never seen him so disheveled; it was unbelievably attractive.
Kai's voice was low and dangerous. "You think something this small would scare me off?"
Lloyd let out a soft laugh, the sound dispersing in the night breeze. "Good." He took off his glasses and put them in his pocket. "Because from now on, you're mine. Forever."
"I should be the one saying that," Kai retorted defiantly, but a smile was already curling his lips.
Lloyd suddenly pushed Kai against the motorcycle, arms caging him between his body and the bike. "You still don't get it, Kai." His voice was soft but threatening. "I let you follow me. I let you watch me. I let you think you were in control. But only because I allowed it."
He leaned close to Kai's ear, his breath sending shivers down Kai's spine. "If I wanted, I could make you never find me. If I wanted, I could make you belong only to me without you even realizing. If I wanted..." His lips almost touched Kai's skin. "...I could make you love me madly, yet never have me."
Kai grabbed Lloyd's collar, a challenging fire burning in his red eyes. "Try it, Senior. Let's see who ends up capturing whom."
Lloyd smiled, a real, captivating smile. "Finally, things are getting interesting."
Just then, Lloyd's phone rang. He glanced at it, his expression shifting slightly.
"What is it?" Kai asked.
Lloyd turned the screen toward Kai. It was a text from an unknown number:
We're proud of you, son. He suits you. — Mom and Dad
Kai looked up, shocked. "Your parents? Weren't they..."
"Gone for years," Lloyd's expression was complex. "Seems they've been watching me all along." He sighed. "A family tradition, I suppose."
Kai suddenly burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the night sky. "Now I finally get why you're a top-tier yandere, Lloyd. It's hereditary."
Lloyd shook his head helplessly, but there was a softness in his eyes Kai had never seen before. "Scared? You can still back out."
Kai wrapped his arms around Lloyd's neck and kissed him again. "Never. You're mine, Montgomery. No matter how dangerous you are, no matter how crazy your family is."
Lloyd returned the kiss, more fervently than before.
In the distance, the city lights twinkled like stars scattered across the earth. And on the overlook, two dangerous young souls had finally found understanding and belonging in each other.
"Let's go home, Kai," Lloyd finally said softly. "I have a lot to teach you about... how to stalk someone better without getting caught."
Kai grinned. "And I can teach you how to be stalked better."
They smiled at each other and kissed under the moonlight, like two imperfect, perfect lovers who had finally found their match.
Their story was just beginning.