These Dangerous Girls Placed Me Into Jeopardy

After we left that strange antique shop, we didn’t wander around anymore and went straight home.

Dinner was at home too. Since it was already past six, I made something simple—curry. Well, another reason was because Serena really likes curry. I guess you could call it a little reward for her.

“Yay, big brother, we finally picked out the gift!”

“Mhm, thanks to you, Serena. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have found a place like that.”

“Cora thinks that store gave off a pretty weird vibe though...”

“Yeah, it was kind of strange... but I doubt we’ll ever go back again anyway.”

We’d been out all day, and I was dead tired. It wasn’t even nine yet, but I already wanted to crawl into bed.

Then, when I called my two sisters, they gave me a completely unexpected response.

“You’re going to sleep already, big brother? Good night, sweet dreams~”

“Good night.”

“Huh? You’re not sleeping with me tonight?”

Honestly, after everything, I thought the girls—who had already confessed everything to me—would be clinging to me every night, wanting to sleep together. But this was the opposite of what I expected.

Not that I’m complaining. I mean, it’s probably better this way. But Serena really helped me out today—not just with the shoulder rub, but keeping Cora in check and helping me get that gift without a hitch.

I figured I should do something to reward her.

If I slept hugging her, she’d probably be really happy, right? That’s what I thought when I offered. It definitely wasn’t because I wanted to do it for myself! Absolutely not!

“Cora’s going to sleep with Serena tonight, so you’re on your own, big brother~ Hehe!”

Cora stuck her tongue out and smugly grabbed Serena’s arm.

“Mm...”

Serena looked a little reluctant, but she nodded.

Seriously... what was I even supposed to say to that? All I could do was give a helpless smile.

Ugh... the sudden loneliness is hitting hard...

No, wait. I should be happy about this... right?

Tch. My feelings are all over the place...

I’m probably just too tired. My brain’s getting scrambled. I should just go to sleep already.

Since the two sisters decided to be all lovey-dovey tonight, I figured I’d leave them alone.

I went back to my room, changed into pajamas, and got ready for bed.

Hmm... I locked the door, shut the windows, then turned off the lights after a bit of hesitation.

I was sleeping alone tonight—no reason not to turn the lights off. Besides, I always sleep better in the dark.

As soon as I lay down, I could feel the aching soreness in my back start to ease up, and my body relaxed.

Tomorrow... is Lillian’s birthday.

I wonder what kind of party it’ll be. Probably one of those stand-up reception-type things...

Should I wear formal clothes?

I wonder if she’ll like this magatama...

I kind of want to see her...

Damn it. Since when did I get this sentimental?

Whatever. I’ll be seeing her tomorrow anyway, right?

I’ll give her the gift, then tell her, face to face, that I like her.

Heh. I wonder what kind of expression she’ll make...

I’m looking forward to it a little.

So let’s just wait quietly for April 4th to arrive...

...Ethan An, sleeping...

zzz

zz

z

Bzzz bzzz—

Bzzz bzzz—

In my sleep, I vaguely heard a vibrating sound... it wasn’t that loud, but it kept going nonstop...

Bzzz bzzz—bzzz bzzz—

So annoying...

I’m pretty sure I didn’t set any alarms...

Bzzz bzzz—

“Ugh! So damn annoying!”

In the end, I couldn’t win against the constant buzzing. I sat up groggily in bed.

Where’s my phone? Where is it?

I fumbled around half-asleep until I finally found it.

I swiped instinctively to turn off the alarm, only to realize—it wasn’t the alarm.

It was the sound of new text messages.

Even someone as patient as me couldn’t help but groan and scratch my head in frustration.

“It’s only one in the damn morning... who the hell is texting me...”

My eyes were stinging like they were about to pop out of my skull. Probably because I haven’t gotten proper sleep in three nights.

Mentally drained and pissed off.

God, can’t I just sleep in peace for once?

I walked all over the place yesterday—give me a break already. Once the Qingming holidays are over, I won’t have a chance to sleep in anymore.

Who the hell could be texting me?

Snowy? Lillian?

They’re the only ones who would ever text me. Well, maybe Ms. Shirley too, but she wouldn’t bother me this late at night.

Is something urgent going on?

As much as I didn’t want to, I still opened my messages—just in case it was something important.

And what I saw... was from a completely unknown... no, it didn’t even show a number!

What kind of black-market tech is this?! Even the number’s hidden!

And every single message said the exact same thing:

[Are you there?]

Just those four characters and a question mark. Spammed. Over and over.

You’ve got to be kidding me!

If you’ve got something to say, then just say it! What’s with the dozens of “are you there” messages?! And clearly, I’m not there if I’m not replying!

Like, come on. Use your brain. Who the hell’s awake at this time of night? What were they thinking? Are they from overseas or something?

No, then they wouldn’t be texting in Chinese!

“Ugh...”

I ranted hard in my head, then blocked the number. I wasn’t going to respond. I had no reason to talk to someone who spam-texted me in the middle of the night!

After setting the block, I put my phone back on the desk and flopped onto the bed, ready to fall back asleep.

Then—

Bzzz bzzz—

...Again?

Oh, come on. What is this?

Who now? I already blocked that number—how the hell are they still messaging me?

Did they switch numbers or something?

My head was about to explode from frustration. I grabbed my phone again, fuming.

Sure enough, another message. Another unlisted number.

Yawning, I opened it—and the moment I did, a thought hit me.

How did they know I blocked the previous number?

And then the message answered that question for me.

2017-4-4 01:11

[I know you’re there. I saw you wake up.]

My body jolted awake.

I rolled out of bed and scrambled to flip on the light.

No one was in the room.

The door was still locked. The windows were shut. Curtains drawn...

Was I... seeing ghosts ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) or something?!

Bzzz bzzz—

Almost as if to confirm that disturbing thought, another text arrived at exactly the right moment.

2017-4-4 01:12

[I’ve been watching you the whole time~]

And right then—I really felt it. The sensation of someone watching me.

It wasn’t coming from a specific direction either. It was like it was coming from everywhere, all at once. I couldn’t tell where the gaze was coming from.

Shit! This is terrifying! I’m actually being haunted, aren’t I?!

I couldn’t stay calm anymore. I quickly replied.

Sent: [Who are you? Are you spying on me?]

Bzzz bzzz—

Immediate response.

[Heehee, guess who I am~ (●´∀｀●)]

They were toying with me—and even using emoji. Normally, I might think it’s cute, but right now? It was just plain creepy!

Sent: [Please stop joking around! You’re disturbing my rest! If you have something to say, just say it! Don’t send any more texts!]

And then I called them.

They declined the call.

Looks like they had no intention of letting me hear their voice.

[Don’t be mad (,,•́. •̀,,) I know I was wrong... I was just so happy, I couldn’t help but text you to celebrate... Heehee~ from now on, I’ll get to see you all the time, Ethan~ I’m super excited~ ε٩(๑> ₃<)۶з]

...They’re seriously playing the cutesy card now?

But what they wrote—it made my skin crawl. See me all the time? What does that even mean?

They really are watching me somewhere, aren’t they?!

My whole body tensed with unease. I started frantically checking the room—under the bed, inside the wardrobe, even the drawers...

Even though I knew there couldn’t be anyone there, I still looked everywhere.

Of course, I found nothing. Which only made me more uneasy.

Is it... Lan Hua?

For some reason, she was the only one who came to mind.

And hers was the only gaze that could make my skin crawl like this.

Once the thought crossed my mind, I couldn’t let it go. I was convinced—it had to be Lan Hua.

I immediately typed out a new message.

2017-4-4 01:15

Sent: [It’s you, isn’t it?! Lan Hua! I know it’s you!]

The reply didn’t come immediately this time. A delay.

That meant she hesitated after seeing my message.

Which only convinced me even more—this psycho spam-texting me in the middle of the night was definitely Lan Hua!

What’s the point of asking how she got my number? The answer’s obvious!

She probably peeked at my phone while I was dozing off on the subway!

I didn’t have anything private on there, so I never bothered setting a lock screen. That just made it easier for her to snoop.

I still didn’t know how she was watching me... but at least now I knew she was human. Not a ghost or anything.

But... still terrifying.

This is Lan Hua we’re talking about... I have no idea how to deal with her.

And I already rejected her completely...

I made it crystal clear. Anyone else would’ve given up. But Lan Hua... even after all that, she still hasn’t let go? That kind of persistence might be admirable, but for me, it’s just a huge pain in the ass...

Bzzz bzzz—

Here it comes...

About five minutes later, another message finally arrived. I let out a long breath and opened it—and immediately inhaled sharply.

2017-4-4 01:20

[So happy~ You guessed who I was so quickly. I knew you would, Ethan~ Good job~ (´･ω･)ﾉ]

“Ughhh...!”

She wasn’t even calling me by my last name anymore. That tone—like we were super close—what the hell is this?!

I rejected her. And yet now she’s acting like we’re even closer?

What does she even want?!

Somebody help me—I think I’ve really been caught by a seriously deranged girl...