Haruto was just about to turn toward the staircase when—

—"Hey, Haruto!"

Her soft voice rang unnervingly close to his ear, Instinctively, he jumped back, his hands raised defensively, as if ready to throw hands with an unseen threat.

Something about her voice today felt...off. Maybe it was the unusual closeness or the subtle edge beneath her usual tone.

—"I made this," Sazaki announced with a grin, revealing her hands from behind her back. Nestled in her palms was a doll—a disturbingly accurate likeness of Haruto, its stitched button eyes staring blankly into his.

—"What is that supposed to be, exactly?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

—"It's you! Mini-you! Voodoo-you!" she chirped, waving the doll in front of him. Its limp limbs flopped lifelessly, swaying with each motion.

—"You actually believe in that stuff?" His voice was flat, unimpressed, though his body remained slightly on edge.

—" 'Course!" she exclaimed, making the doll "dance" in her hand. "It always keeps me close to you, no matter what <3."

Haruto remained expressionless, though his eyes shifted from the doll back to her.

—"You're late to class," he pointed out, his words hang in the air, in what people call an awkward silence.

—"Mhmm!" she replied, completely unconcerned, even proud. "And you're coming with me!"

Sazaki giggled, wiggling the doll in her hands. "I'll make it walk, and so you'll have to walk with me—forcefully!"

Haruto sighed.

—"What happened to just asking?" he asked, though he already knew what the answer would be.

Her pout seemed to stretch the air itself, a comically surreal expression in contrast to her usual playful demeanor.

—"Asking is boring! Controlling your soul sounds way more fun!" Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she continued to wave the doll.

Haruto is unsure if he found her antics adorable or terrifying.

—"If you say so," he finally muttered.

They began to walk side by side, with Sazaki swinging the doll alongside them, making it bounce with each step.

—"See?" she said with a grin. "This way, you're in two places at once! Maybe... just maybe, the universe will finally notice you!"