Leo sat cross-legged on his apartment floor, the glow of the Life Simulation System's interface bathing him in a faint blue light. It had been a few hours since his return from the Selene debacle. Despite escaping the simulation, his mind was anything but calm.
[You look terrible. You're really leaning into the whole "depressed survivor" aesthetic, huh?]
"Shut up," Leo muttered. "I'm not in the mood."
[Aw, did Selene's tragic backstory give you the feels? You know, it's not every day someone performs a forbidden ritual to gain ultimate power just for you.]
"I don't need your commentary."
[Too bad, you're stuck with me. Let's review your 'stellar' performance, shall we?]
A new window popped up, displaying Leo's results:
Simulation Summary: Era of Hunters (Medium-sized Simulation)
Survival Duration: 18 years
Enemies Evaded: 3 major yanderes
Overall Score: B+
Rewards:
Trait: Yandere Radar
Item: Emergency Escape Talisman (One-Time Use)
[Congratulations! You didn't die! Barely.]
"Yandere Radar?" Leo raised an eyebrow. "What kind of cursed reward is that?"
[It's exactly what it sounds like. A sixth sense that activates whenever someone with yandere tendencies is nearby. Think of it as your early warning system.]
"Fantastic," he groaned. "I'm officially a walking target with a built-in alarm. What's next, 'Yandere Lure'?"
[Oh, we don't need a trait for that. You're naturally cursed.]
Leo rolled his eyes. He pocketed the Emergency Escape Talisman and stretched out on the floor, trying to relax.
"I just need a break. No simulations, no yanderes, just peace."
[Sure thing, buddy. And I'm a quiet, well-mannered system.]
---
The next morning, Leo woke up feeling mildly less miserable. He grabbed a piece of toast and flipped through the morning news on his phone.
"Today's headlines:" the anchor announced. "An unexplained energy surge was detected in the northern district last night. Experts believe it may be linked to an interdimensional rift."
Leo's hand froze mid-bite.
"Interdimensional rift?"
[Don't get too paranoid. It's probably just some random supernatural anomaly. Happens all the time in this world.]
"Or it's a yandere following me out of the simulation," Leo muttered.
[Could be. But hey, what's life without a little excitement?]
Leo ignored the system and finished his breakfast. He needed to get out of the apartment before his anxiety consumed him.
---
The streets were bustling with people, all going about their day as if nothing unusual had happened. Leo wandered aimlessly for a while before stopping at a park bench.
He was about to sit down when a sudden chill ran down his spine.
[Ding! Yandere Radar activated!]
Leo froze. His eyes darted around the park, searching for the source of the warning. Was it someone he knew? A stranger?
"Come on, show yourself," he muttered under his breath.
"Leo?" a familiar voice called out.
He turned slowly. Standing a few feet away was a young woman with long, dark hair and piercing violet eyes. She wore a simple dress, but her beauty was anything but ordinary.
"Selene?!" Leo's heart nearly stopped.
"It's been a while," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
[Surprise! The past just punched you in the face.]
"What are you doing here?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I found you," Selene said simply. "I told you I'd never let you go."
Leo's mind raced. This wasn't just a residual memory from the simulation. Selene had crossed over into the real world.
"Look, Selene, we need to talk—"
"There's nothing to talk about," she interrupted. "We belong together. And now that I'm here, we can finally be happy."
"Happy?" Leo repeated, incredulous. "You nearly killed me last time!"
Selene's eyes darkened. "You left me no choice. But I've changed. I'm better now."
[Better at stalking, maybe.]
"Selene, please. This isn't the way."
"Then what is?" she asked, stepping closer. "Tell me, Leo. How do I make you stay?"
Leo backed away, hands raised. "I don't know. Just give me some space."
"Space?" Her smile twisted. "You've had plenty of space. Now it's my turn."
[Oh boy. Here we go.]
Before Leo could react, Selene closed the distance between them. She grabbed his wrist with a grip that was both tender and unyielding.
"Come with me," she whispered.
"Nope!" Leo yanked his arm free and bolted.
[Running again, huh? Classic Leo.]
He didn't stop until he was halfway across the park. He ducked behind a tree, panting.
"This is bad," he muttered. "Really bad."
[You think? She's got crazy eyes and a love obsession. That's a recipe for disaster.]
Leo's mind raced for a plan. He needed to get Selene off his trail before she caused a scene—or worse.
[You've still got that Emergency Escape Talisman. Might want to use it.]
"I was saving that for an emergency!"
[This is an emergency, genius.]
Before he could decide, Selene appeared around the tree.
"Leo." Her voice was soft, but there was an edge to it that made his skin crawl.
"Selene, please. Let's just talk."
"No more running," she said, her eyes locking onto his.
Leo's hand darted into his pocket, fingers closing around the talisman. He didn't have a choice.
"Sorry, Selene," he said.
In a flash of light, Leo vanished.
---
He reappeared in his apartment, collapsing onto the floor.
"I hate my life."
[And I love watching you suffer. This is great entertainment.]
"Shut up."
But deep down, Leo knew this was far from over. Selene wasn't the type to give up easily. And with the Yandere Radar now permanently activated, he was certain more chaos was on the horizon.
[Get ready, Leo. The storm's just getting started.]