Kaito's Obsession

Chapter 22 The Unseen Touches

KAITO’S APARTMENT - LATE NIGHT

The wall of monitors glows softly, showing every angle of Xhilo’s bedroom. Kaito stands there in his plain black t‑shirt, deep blue hair falling over his forehead, eyes fixed on her sleeping form. He picks up his small camera and the bottle of sleeping mist.

KAITO’S THOUGHTS

Ryuu thinks money can buy her. He thinks kindness can win her. But I’m already part of her nights, her dreams, even her senses. Soon, she’ll feel me everywhere — even when she doesn’t see me.

XHILO’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - LATE NIGHT

The lock turns silently. He slips inside, closes the door without a sound, and sprays a fine cloud of mist into the air — deep enough to keep her asleep, but gentle enough to leave no after‑effect.

As he leans over her, his scent drifts through the room.

He kneels beside the bed, brushes her long jet‑black hair away from her face, and lifts his camera. With the flash turned off, he takes photo after photo

- His cheek resting softly against hers.

- His arm wrapped loosely around her waist, as if they belong together.

- His fingers laced through hers, captured in the silver moonlight.

Each click is quiet, almost undetectable. He reviews them with a satisfied, dark smile — private moments only he will ever own.

Then he leans in closer, his presence filling the space beside her.

Whispering, low and thick with possession. "You smell like home. And soon, you’ll know my scent just as well as I know yours."

His hand slides slowly down her arm, tracing the line of her shoulder, then resting gently over her waist. He leans in, pressing a slow, warm kiss to her forehead, then her cheek, then lingering on her lips — soft at first, then deeper, claiming her breath as his own.

He moves lower, kissing along her neck, leaving faint, almost invisible marks — not enough to raise suspicion tomorrow, but enough for him to see. His hands wander carefully, exploring every curve, every inch of skin, reverent yet hungry. He stops just at the edge of what would cross the final line — he promised himself he would wait until she gave it willingly, but that doesn’t stop him from marking her as his in every other way.

He presses his body lightly against hers, wrapping his arms around her like a shield, burying his face in her hair.

"No one else gets to hold you like this. No one else gets to see you this defenseless. Ryuu can spend every last cent he has — he will never touch you the way I do. Never know you the way I do. You are mine, Xhilo you are mine..."

He stays there for what feels like hours, just watching, touching, whispering his devotion into the dark. When he finally leaves, he adjusts everything back exactly as it was — blankets tucked, windows closed, locks reset leaving no trace he was ever there.

All the while, his scent lingers in the air, wrapping around her like a blanket.

INSIDE XHILO’S DREAM

She finds herself in a soft, warm darkness. She can’t see clearly, but she feels arms holding her tight, a body pressed against hers, and lips touching her skin in slow, gentle kisses. A voice whispers her name — low, familiar, sending shivers down her spine.

And everywhere, there is that scent, something rich, clean, and comforting — like expensive wood and soft rain, warm and safe.

"I know this smell… she thinks in the dream. Where have I smelled it before?"

She tries to wake up, tries to see who it is, but her body feels heavy, relaxed, too comfortable to move. She feels hands exploring her, touching her, marking her, and even though a small part of her feels confused, the rest of her feels strangely protected, wanted.

XHILO’S BEDROOM - DAWN

Kaito slips out just before the first light touches the window, locking everything exactly as he found it — no thread broken, no lock tampered with, no sign of entry.

Minutes later, Xhilo stirs awake.

Her eyes flutter open, and the first thing she notices is the faint, lingering trace of that same scent — still soft in the air, slowly fading.

She sits up abruptly, pressing a hand to her chest. Her skin feels warm, sensitive, as if someone really did touch her all night. Her lips feel slightly swollen, her neck and waist tingle with a faint, strange sensation.

She looks around frantically — everything is in its place. The door is locked, the window latched, the thread she placed across the frame is still untouched.

But the feeling doesn’t go away.

I dreamed someone was holding me… kissing me… touching me… she thinks, her heart beating fast. And that smell… it’s so familiar. I know it. But why can’t I place where it comes from?

She runs her hands over her own body, a mix of embarrassment and confusion washing over her. It feels too real — like it wasn’t just a dream. Like someone was really there, making her feel things she didn’t ask for, but couldn’t stop.

KITCHEN - LATER THAT MORNING

Xhilo makes her coffee, still distracted, sniffing the air every so often as if trying to catch that scent again.

Then there’s a soft knock on the door.

Warm, cheerful from outside. "Xhilo? It’s me. Brought you warm bread and your favorite honey tea."

She opens the door — and the moment she does, that same scent hits her again.

"Oh..."

Her eyes widen slightly. She freezes for half a second, staring at him. There he stands in his plain black t‑shirt, smiling gently, and the air around him carries exactly that same warm, familiar fragrance.

Softly, almost to herself. "That smell…"

Tilting his head, innocent curiosity in his eyes.

''Hmm? What smell?"

Shaking her head quickly, forcing a small smile. "Nothing… just… your perfume.. It smells nice. Really familiar, actually. Like I’ve smelled it somewhere lately."

Smiling wider, stepping closer just enough to let it wrap around her. "Good. I wear it every day. Maybe you’ve passed me in the hallway before."

He hands her the paper bag, and their fingers brush — sending a small, electric jolt through her.

"Did you sleep well? You look a little tired."

Xhilo’s cheeks heat up. She looks away, her mind flashing back to the dream — the hands, the kisses, the feeling of being held.

"I… I think I had a very vivid dream. Too vivid. It felt like… like it was actually happening."

Voice dropping just a little, soft but knowing. "Sometimes dreams feel that way when your mind is tired. But rest easy — nothing bad can happen here. Not while I’m next door."

He turns to leave, but glances back once more — his eyes dark and gleaming, hiding the truth behind a perfect mask.

"If you feel anything strange, or just need someone to talk to… I’m always here."

He closes his door.

Xhilo stands there, holding the tea, her heart racing. She now knows where the scent comes from — but that only confuses her more.

"Why does it feel like I was breathing this same scent all night long? and why does my body still feel like someone was touching me while I slept?"