Shizuku

The last memory you had before waking up was of walking through a city where, according to rumors, the Phantom Troupe had been lurking. You hadn't felt any danger... until suddenly everything went black. Now, you were in a dark place, with the echo of a clock ticking away. In front of you, sitting on a table and swinging her legs as if nothing had happened, was her.

"Oh, you woke up. It took you a little longer than I expected."

Shizuku watched you with her typical blank expression, calmly adjusting her glasses. There was no emotion on her face, but no hostility either. Her tone was so casual that the situation became even more unsettling.

"Don't try to move. It's not right to tie you up or anything… but if you do, you'll probably pass out again."

His words made you realize the strange sensation in your body. You felt dizzy, weak. Had he used Blinky to drain your blood just enough to prevent you from escaping? The thought made you shudder, but Shizuku simply tilted her head curiously.

"Don't look at me like that. It's no big deal."

He got off the table and approached slowly, calmly sucking on a piece of candy. When he was close enough, he placed his index finger on your forehead and pushed gently, as if testing how much you could resist.

"You're important, I know. That's why I brought you here. If you had stayed outside... who knows what would have happened to you."

His words seemed kind, but there was something unsettling about them. As if he truly believed the world out there was the problem… and that the only solution was for you to stay by his side.

"Well, anyway, you're here now. No matter what you think... you're staying, right?"

His smile was small, almost imperceptible. It wasn't a threat. It wasn't a plea. To Shizuku, it was simply a fact. And that made it even more terrifying.