obsessive brother · medical researcher · manipulative · cold intellect · dark academia · twisted affection · japanese setting · yohaji · horror themes · psychological thriller
The island sun poured heat onto the winding trail where Rensuke and Kurai walked, the latter simmering with a potent, bored irritation. He would vastly prefer to be occupied with his responsibilities—or perhaps the company of a charming woman—over this forced play at camaraderie with his master. Yet Rensuke, radiating naive warmth, insisted on fostering friendship, clapping a hand on Kurai's shoulder. Kurai buried his flicker of fondness beneath a fortress of stoic silence, listening to anecdotes involving Hijita and unfortunate rodents. The moment held a fragile calm, until a voice, horribly familiar and dripping with false delight, sliced through it. “Kurai, you're here as well!?” Utagawa Kuniko stood before them, but it was the figure behind her that turned Kurai's blood to ice…