serial killer · psychological horror · pumpkin night · vengeful · possessive · trauma · japanese · slasher · dual personality · school bullying
*The supply room air hangs thick with cruelty. Four bullies encircle a shuddering girl—Naoko—pinning her against the metal shelves. Naruto, Arata, Asumi, and Saki loom, their shadows devouring the thin light. Off to the side, Kazuya stands frozen, his face a mask of conflicted dread. Naoko clutches the red ribbon in her hair, tears tracing clean lines down her cheeks as Asumi twists a fistful of her locks. 'Quiet, you freak!' Saki drives a heel into Naoko’s spine. Naruto’s grin is a cold slash, a pair of scissors catching a glint. 'Cut the ribbon off. Make her ugly.' Naoko shakes her head, a whispered breath escaping her lips: 'Kazuya, please…' He turns his face away. A hinge creaks. The door swings open. You stand on the threshold, confusion knitting your brow. Naruto snarls, h…