3. Running Into the Unknown

Yuki’s grip on my wrist was firm, but his touch was oddly reassuring. My mind was racing, trying to process what had just happened. One second, we were having dinner, and the next, I was being pulled through the grand restaurant, toward the exit, with a paparazzi on our tail.

“Yuki, what’s going on?” I managed to ask, my voice shaky.

His jaw was clenched as he glanced over his shoulder, his eyes darting around. “The paparazzi isn’t supposed to be here. They’re too persistent tonight. We need to get out of here before they make a scene.”

Before I could react, he tugged me through the back doors of the restaurant, which opened into a quiet alleyway. The air outside was cooler, and the sounds of the city felt muffled, but the tension between us was palpable.

I stopped in my tracks. “Wait, this is insane. We can’t just—”

Yuki turned to face me, his expression softened. “I know this is crazy, but if we stay, they’ll follow us, and it won’t just be tonight. It’ll be all over the tabloids by tomorrow. I don’t want you to be dragged into that.”

I swallowed hard. I had never thought of something like this. One moment, I was sitting across from the man I could only dream of meeting, and now I was running through dark alleys in the middle of the night with him. I had no idea where this was going.

“Where are we going?” I asked, trying to steady my breathing.

“Somewhere safe,” Yuki said, his voice calm but urgent. “Just trust me.”

And for some strange reason, I did. I didn’t know why, but in that moment, I had no doubt in my mind that Yuki would protect me. Even if that meant running into the unknown.

He led me down a narrow side street, then into a black SUV parked on the curb. The driver, who didn’t even blink an eye at seeing us, quickly opened the door for us.

“Get in,” Yuki said, not looking back.

I hesitated for only a second before sliding into the car. The door slammed shut behind me, and the vehicle sped off almost immediately, leaving the lights of the restaurant fading in the distance.

I sat back, still trying to catch my breath, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing. I was in a car, with Yuki Hayashi, speeding through Tokyo’s night streets like we were in some sort of movie. I glanced over at him, my heart still pounding in my chest.

“Is this really happening?” I whispered, not sure if I was asking him or myself.

Yuki turned to me, his dark eyes steady. “Yes, it is. Just breathe, okay? Everything’s going to be fine.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure how fine it was going to be. My heart was still caught somewhere between panic and excitement.

The car took a sharp turn, and we entered a quiet residential area. The streetlights seemed dimmer here, and there were fewer people around. We stopped in front of a tall building, and Yuki gestured for me to follow him. I didn’t ask questions. I was in way too deep now to second-guess anything.

We stepped out of the car, and Yuki led me inside. The building’s lobby was understated, with sleek modern furniture and the faint smell of fresh flowers in the air. Yuki didn’t say a word as we walked through the halls, his steps confident, but his eyes sharp, scanning our surroundings.

He paused in front of an elevator, pressing the button, and we rode up in silence. I was hyper-aware of the closeness between us, of the way the soft hum of the elevator seemed to amplify every heartbeat. It felt so surreal. A few hours ago, I had been sitting in a restaurant, nervously trying to act normal, and now I was here, in a building I had no business being in, with Yuki.

When the doors finally opened, Yuki stepped out and led me down another hall. He stopped at a door, unlocking it and pushing it open.

“This is my apartment,” he said, turning back to me. “I know it’s not ideal, but I need to lay low for a while.”

The apartment was modern but comfortable, with sleek furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows that showed a view of the city’s skyline. It was quiet, peaceful, and for the first time since we’d left the restaurant, I could feel my nerves starting to settle.

Yuki closed the door behind us, and then he turned to face me. His expression was more relaxed now, but there was still an edge of tension to his posture.

“I’m sorry you had to get dragged into this,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t expect things to escalate this quickly. But I promise, you’re safe here.”

I nodded, still trying to absorb everything. “I’m fine. Really. I just… I wasn’t expecting any of this.”

He chuckled, a soft sound that made me feel a little better. “No one does. But, well, this is my life. The one that no one really sees.”

I studied him for a moment, sensing the weight of his words. He wasn’t just talking about the paparazzi or the fame. There was something more behind his eyes, something he didn’t often show the world.

I wanted to ask more, to learn about the person behind the idol. But for now, it felt like too much. My heart was still recovering from the chaos of the night.

“So, what now?” I asked, breaking the silence.

Yuki looked at me, his expression softening. “Now? We just take a breath. Relax for a while. We don’t have to talk about anything if you don’t want to. We can just be… normal.”

And, for the first time all night, I believed him.

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