HIERARCHY IN LOVE

LITTLE NOTES

AIDEN

"Oh !It's you.Kaito"

"Disappointed?"Kaito said .

As Kaito and I worked on our project, I couldn't help but sneak glances at him. He was so focused, his brow furrowed in concentration. I smirked, teasing him. "Hey, Kaito, you okay over there? You look like you're trying to solve world hunger."

Kaito looked up, a hint of a smile on his face. "Just trying to keep up with your brilliant ideas, Aiden."

I chuckled, feeling a spark of competitiveness. "Oh, so you're saying I'm brilliant now?"

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "I said your ideas are brilliant. There's a difference."

I laughed, playfully rolling my eyes. "Ouch, burn."

As we continued working, our banter back and forth, I felt a sense of ease with Kaito that I hadn't experienced in a while. Maybe it was the coffee, or maybe it was just the company, but I was having a great time. But then, as Kaito got up to grab another coffee, I saw it - a piece of paper on the table, folded up and tucked under a notebook. My name was scribbled on it, in the same handwriting as the mysterious note.

My eyes narrowed, my mind racing. What was going on? And how did Kaito get this note?

I decided to keep my cool, curious to see if Kaito would say anything. But as he sat back down, his eyes met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something there. A flicker of awareness, maybe? But it was gone before I could be sure.

"Hey, Kaito," I said, trying to sound casual. "You know anything about this?" I nodded towards the paper, my eyes locked on his.

Kaito's expression didn't change, but I could sense a subtle tension. "No idea what you're talking about," he said, his voice smooth.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Was Kaito playing dumb, or did he really not know what I was talking about? Either way, I was determined to find out.

As we finished up our work, Kaito leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. "I think we've made some great progress, Aiden. You're a valuable team member."

I chuckled, "Thanks, I think."

Kaito's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm serious. You've got a great perspective on things."

My heart skipped a beat as Kaito's words triggered a flash of memory. The night of the party, the dare, the closet... it was all coming back to me.

But before I could respond, Kaito's phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. "Sorry, I've got to go. Let's catch up soon,Ama-ite. "

I walked back to the dorm, my mind still reeling from the encounter with Kaito. Ama-ite ? And why did I feel like there was something important just out of reach?

As I walked into the dorm, I was greeted by the familiar sight of students lounging in the common area. I made my way to the elevator, my thoughts still consumed by Kaito and the mysterious notes.

When the elevator doors opened on my floor, I stepped out and walked down the hallway to my room. I swiped my card and pushed open the door, calling out to my roommate Liam.

"Hey, man, I'm back," I said, dropping my bag onto the floor.

Liam looked up from his laptop, a curious expression on his face. "Hey, Aiden. So, did you go to the oak tree like the note said?"

I hesitated for a moment before responding. "Yeah, I did. But I didn't see anyone. What about you? Did you send the note?"

Liam's expression didn't change, but I could sense a hint of tension. "I didn't send it, but I'm curious to know more about it. What happened when you went?"

I filled Liam in on the details, leaving out the part about Kaito. Liam listened intently, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information.

When I finished, Liam nodded thoughtfully. "This is getting weirder by the minute. Let's keep digging and see if we can uncover more about what's going on."

As Liam and I continued discussing the mysterious note, I heard a faint rustling sound coming from the door. We both turned to see a piece of paper being slipped under the door. I got up to retrieve it, my heart racing with anticipation.

The note read, "I see you went there. Sweet paws." My eyes widened as I showed the note to Liam. "What does this mean?" I asked, feeling a shiver run down my spine.

Liam's expression turned serious. "It seems someone's watching us. And they know about the oak tree."

I felt a chill run down my spine. Who was doing this, and what did they want from me?

I leaned against the railing of the dark veranda, the music from the party muffled by the walls. The cool night air was a welcome respite from the crowded rooms inside. I closed my eyes, letting the calm wash over me.

Suddenly, a hand clamped down on my arm, yanking me backward. I stumbled, my heart racing, as I was pulled into a dimly lit room. The door slammed shut behind me, and I was plunged into darkness.

A low voice whispered in my ear, "You shouldn't have gone at the tree."

I spun around, trying to make out the features of the person holding me. "Why? You mean I shouldn't have gone to the oak tree?" I asked, my voice firm despite the unease creeping up my spine.

The voice didn't respond immediately, and for a moment, I wondered if I'd imagined the whole thing. But then, the grip on my arm tightened. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into, Aiden."

As the dim light caught Kaito's features, I felt a jolt of surprise. Kaito's eyes, usually bright with curiosity, now narrowed slightly, his gaze piercing. "I warned you earlier to be careful, Aiden," he said, his voice low and even. "But it seems you didn't take me seriously."

I tried to process the revelation, my mind racing with questions. Why was Kaito involved in this? What did he want from me? "What are you talking about, Kaito?" I demanded, trying to shake off the feeling of unease.

Kaito's grip on my arm didn't loosen. "Don't play dumb, Aiden. You know exactly what I'm talking about. The notes, the oak tree... you're poking your nose into things you don't understand." His words were laced with a warning, but his tone hinted at a deeper concern.