Tokyo Yandere Girlfriend

Chapter 1

Tokyo, H University, Room C-301.

"Did you guys hear the new single Hojo-chan dropped yesterday? It's sooo good!"

"Heard it! Rumor has it she's doing a solo concert in Kanagawa next month—anyone wanna go?"

"Totally, but good luck snagging tickets. I'd kill to see her live..."

"Hey, Takahashi, isn't that the same bag Hojo Shione has? Wasn't it, like, a hundred grand?"

"It's okay. I loved it so much I caved. I kinda regret it now..."

"But it looks amazing on you—great eye for fashion..."

"......"

Girls will always cluster in threes or fours to gossip, and the menu never changes: crushes, soap-opera romances, brain-dead variety shows, or random overpriced merch.

High school was like this; university is no different.

Shiratori Seiya couldn't understand how they managed to stay so animated—no different from the grannies cackling at the village gate.

None of that mattered, though.

Seiya's gaze was locked on one girl with waist-length gold hair. The color was almost blinding, and the tips faded to a vivid teal that caught the light.

She looked like a model ripped off a magazine cover—only a little less wild and a lot more polished.

Preppy blouse, high-waist miniskirt, black tights, boots... classic gal uniform.

Seiya hated the word "gal"; it felt interchangeable with "delinquent." Still, he had to admit the outfit showed off Takahashi Mio's figure perfectly—especially that waist.

Objectively, Takahashi Mio was stunning. Even if her chirpy personality grated on him, he'd still give her face and body an eight out of ten.

Small wonder she stood dead center in every group photo.

Yet a glossy exterior didn't guarantee the same shine underneath...

Mio must have felt the stare; her delicate brows drew together and she turned toward him.

Their eyes locked. Two seconds passed—Seiya didn't look away. Mio clicked her tongue.

Being ogled was routine; usually the culprits scurried away like sewer rats the moment they were caught.

This one just kept staring—shameless.

Mio shot him a dagger-sharp glare.

"Huh? What's wrong, Miss Takahashi?"

Her friend blinked at the sudden hiss.

"Nothing."

Mio flashed a bright smile and spun back to her friends, gossip resumed.

Still, she wondered—had she seen that guy before? Someone had mentioned he was in the kendo club... Whatever. Probably just dazzled by my looks.

Smiling smugly, Mio savored the small victory.

The lecture on classical literature dragged by. Mio fought off sleep, eyelids drooping until the bell finally rang.

Her stomach growled. While stuffing books into her bag she wondered what to eat for lunch—then someone slammed into her.

"Ouch!"

Her knee cracked against the desk. Pain wiped the expression from her face; she bent double, clutching her leg.

"Hey, watch it! You blind or just stupid?" her friend snapped, reaching for the offender.

But the boy in the white shirt had already melted into the stream of students heading for the door.

"You okay, Miss Takahashi?"

Mio shook her head at the girl beside her, frowned, and tried to spot the jerk who'd rammed her.

Small-minded and proud of it—she'd make him pay next class. An apology wouldn't cut it; five thousand yen minimum.

The "suspect" paused at the doorway, as if to make sure she remembered him, then glanced back.

Mio's eyes narrowed—how arrogant.

Before she could hiss at him, the boy pointed at her bag and vanished.

She looked down. Her purse sat open on the desk, a folded scrap of paper resting on top...

1:00 p.m.

Mio burst onto the rooftop of Building A, brows knit, face frosty.

Inside, she was anything but angry—more like a live wire of nerves.

After lunch she'd slipped into a restroom cubicle and unfolded the note he'd left.

The message nearly made her shut her legs in panic.

[You don't want your mom to find out about the money you owe, do you? I can help. Come alone to the rooftop of Building A at 1 p.m.]

How did anyone know about her online loans? Had the company sold her data? Jerks—I'm not even overdue!

Heart pounding, she pushed open the rooftop gate.

Screeech.

Hot wind slapped her face; dust stung her eyes. She shaded them with a hand.

A boy in a white shirt sat against the fence, motionless, black eyes fixed on her.

Jerk.

Some people fall in love at first sight; Mio's temper flared at first sight.

The gate clanged shut behind her.

She stalked over, arms crossed, staring down at him.

"What are you?"

"As you can see, human. But that's not what you're asking."

Shiratori Seiya didn't bother standing; he barely tilted his head, gaze sliding to her waist.

"First meeting—Shiratori Seiya. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"First meeting? Amnesia? My knee still hurts, by the way—nice 'acquaintance.'"

"Sorry your knee's sore. Don't worry; we'll have plenty of chances to get better acquainted."

"You—!"

A beat later Mio caught the innuendo; pink flashed across her cheeks. She clenched her fist to keep from slapping him.

"Cut the crap! What did your note mean?!"

She glanced around, making sure they were alone, then pinned Seiya with a furious glare.

"Hard to understand?"

Seiya tilted his head.

"Miss Takahashi, you're in debt—two million yen, rolling loans to cover loans..."

"Don't call me Miss!"

The word pricked her like a needle. Mio's eyes widened, feral.

Seiya ignored the warning, gaze drifting to the bag in the crook of her arm.

"That one—one hundred ten thousand yen, bought on credit last week."

"Miss Takahashi, you have no plan. You're not in control of your own life."

"Want me to describe exactly how dark your future looks?"