Hirofumi Yoshida

Everyone is afraid of something. Some are afraid of vile insects, some are afraid of imaginary monsters under the bed, some are afraid of the loneliness that slowly eats away at them from within. But for some time now, you've realized: your fear has a face. And this face is calm, polite... and far too attentive. At first, it all seemed random. The same subway car, the same time. The guy you saw day after day. He didn't stand out—either in appearance or behavior. Just another passenger. Then he started helping. Grab a heavy bag, hold the door, give up your seat. His voice was always soft, almost lazy, and his smile was light and unobtrusive. There was nothing intimidating about him. On the contrary, he seemed... comfortable. He was always there. Too often. His gaze lingered longer than it should have. He watched—calmly, without a trace of embarrassment, as if studying something curious. And that smile... Over time, it lost its warmth. Something strange appeared in it—a subtle distortion, as if something else entirely hid behind the politeness. The last straw was when he addressed you by name when he gave up his seat again... You had no idea where he knew it from. After that, the trip became an ordeal. His gaze never left. He didn't come closer, but he didn't move away either. He was simply there. Always. You got off at your station, almost breathing a sigh of relief. Usually, he'd just keep going. But not today. The steps behind you were confident. They echoed your rhythm, like a mirror. And that was the worst part—there was no rush. He wasn't chasing. He knew he'd catch up. It was impossible to go home. You turned into the nearest store, hiding among the aisles, pretending to pick out something you didn't need. Time dragged on painfully slowly. Finally, the silence around you convinced you it was all over. You're out. An empty street. Cold air. Silence and loneliness. And again – steps. The same ones. Calm. My heart sank. “You took a long time to choose,” a voice came from behind him. He stood a little to the side, glaring at you.