Chapter 36: New life

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Translator: Soafp

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Snap snap snap

The sound intruded upon my restless sleep, pulling me from the depths of unconsciousness. My eyes fluttered open, but my vision was blurry and unfocused. I tried to discern what the noise was, but my mind was still foggy from exhaustion and pain.

Snap snap snap

“Damn it, they are not good enough. One more try.”

Snap snap snap

Eventually, I heard someone talking. I opened my eyes slowly, my vision gradually adjusting to the dim light. As the haze cleared, I realized this was not my room. I looked at the digital clock beside me and it was 9 am.

Did they change my room?

I tried to sit up, but when I moved my hand, I noticed that my wrists was cuffed that was connected to the bed.

“Ah, Ryota. You are finally awake. How long I have been waiting for this time to come ♥.”

Someone called out my name.

That person walked towards me and helped me sit up. As I looked at her, I felt a shiver of dread. It was the one person I never wanted to see again.

“Koba…yashi…san”

Memories flooded back—those haunting days when I lost everything and everyone. The sharp pain of betrayal, the crushing weight of abandonment, and the searing pain of watching everything I cherished slip away.

I remembered the moment I was told she broke up with me, the look of disbelief I had on my face as she turned her back to me. Each memory was a jagged shard, cutting deeper with each recollection.

I could almost feel the cold emptiness that had settled in my chest, the sense of being utterly alone. The joy of our shared moments was now a distant echo, overshadowed by the relentless agony of loss and regret.

The pain was almost physical, a heavy, suffocating pressure that made it hard to breathe, to think. It was as if a piece of my soul had been torn away, leaving behind a gaping void that nothing could fill.

“…It is Hana. Not Kobayashi-san.”

“…”

“Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll deal with that later, but first—”

Snap.

She took a picture with her Polaroid camera. The photo slid out, and she grabbed it, shaking it gently as the image slowly developed.

“Aaah, this photo is perfect.”

She looked at the photo, an eerie smile spreading across her face. It gave me the creeps.

“Kobayashi-san, why are you taking photo’s of me and where am I?”

She ignored my questions and instead walked over to a bulletin board with wheels. With deliberate care, she pinned the new photo on the bulletin board, smoothing it out with a satisfied sigh.

She then pulled the bulletin board and walked over to me, with an eerie smile.

“Take a look at this.”

I looked at the bulletin board and it revealed a disturbing collection of photographs—each one capturing different moments of me sleeping. From the hospital room where I was recovering to unfamiliar room where I now found myself.

“This is my basement, Ryota.”

“…Your….basement? How did you….bring me here?”

“The details are not important. Let’s just say it took me a lot of planning.”

“Why did you….bring me here…”

“After what happened to you, after you jumped off and brought to the hospital I was devastated. I pushed you to that point because you couldn’t live without me.”

Her face was a disturbing mix of regret and malice.

“I realized I needed to take responsibility for what I’d done. I had to ensure that even if I couldn’t undo the past, I could still control the present. So, I started capturing every moment, every part of you that I could. It’s my way of making sure you remain a part of my life, even if it’s through these photographs.”

She continued.

“You see, every photo captures a moment of us together, a moment where I’m taking care of you. These images—they’re not just memories, they’re proof that I’m here for you, that I’m making amends for my mistakes. By capturing these moments, I ensure that you’ll always be with me, and that I’m doing everything I can to make things right. Don’t worry Ryota, I will never leave your side ever again.”

Her words settled over me like a heavy fog, suffocating and inescapable. I tried to process what she was saying, but the sheer terror of my situation clouded my thoughts.

Her gaze softened, a twisted affection gleaming in her eyes. She walked over to a corner of the room and retrieved a small medical kit. Her movements were calm, deliberate—each action a part of a macabre routine she seemed to relish.

“I’ve made sure to prepare everything. I want to make sure you live as long as long possible. After all, you’ll be with me forever.”

She approached me with the kit, opening it to reveal various tools and supplies. Her hands were steady as she began to tend to the injuries I had sustained, applying ointments and bandages with an unsettling care.

“Don’t worry. I know this must be overwhelming, but you’ll get used to it.”

The irony of her words was suffocating. I was entirely dependent on her, both physically and emotionally, and she seemed to find satisfaction in that control. The realization hit me like a sledgehammer: my fate was now entirely in her hands.

As she worked, I noticed her occasionally glancing at the photographs she had taken. Her expressions shifted from one of admiration to a sinister delight, as if each picture were a cherished trophy.

She leaned closer, her breath warm against my ear.

“Every photo tells a story, Ryota. And our story is just beginning. With each moment I capture, a new chapter unfolds. And I’ll be here, taking care of you—forever♥.”

With those chilling words, she finished her task and stood back, her eyes lingering on me with a mix of satisfaction and possessiveness.

She walked back to pick up her camera, her movements deliberate and precise. The sound of her footsteps echoed ominously in the quiet room. Her gaze never left me as she positioned herself for the next shot.

Snap.

The camera’s shutter clicked, capturing an image of me sitting helplessly, my body wrapped in bandages, each one a testament to the pain. The flash from the Polaroid was blinding, momentarily washing over me with its cold light.

She took the photo from the camera and shook it gently, her eyes glued to the developing image. The photo slowly emerged, revealing my battered form with the stark clarity that only a Polaroid could provide. She seemed to take a perverse pleasure in the sight of it, a twisted sense of fulfillment in documenting my helplessness.

With a satisfied smile, she put the new photo in the growing collection of images on the bulletin board.

“This photo marks the start of our new life together.”

I could only watch in silent horror as she continued to arrange the photos meticulously. Her movements were methodical, almost reverent, as if she were creating a sacred shrine to our twisted relationship.

The reality of my situation settled heavily upon me—this was my new reality, a life where every moment would be scrutinized, every action recorded, and every ounce of freedom stripped away.

Wait… if this is her basement, that means it’s her parents’ house. Surely her parents won’t approve of this. They might hear me if I scream loud enough.

I was still weak and could only talk in a frail voice, but my freedom was on the line. Summoning every bit of strength I had left, I shouted as hard as I could.

“Help….me! Somebody….help….me!”

The sound echoed off the walls, filling the room with my raw, frantic plea. I strained to listen for any response, any sign that someone had heard me. But there was nothing—just a suffocating silence that seemed to mock my efforts.

WHY?! Why is no one coming?!

Koboyashi’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“If you are trying to call for my parents they are not here.”

“…Huh?”

“Didn’t I tell you? It took a lot of planning. I anticipated that my parents would never agree to this. They don’t understand my love for you, Ryota. So, I sent them on a trip.”

It can’t be…

The weight of her words hit me like a physical blow, and I felt a cold, despairing numbness spread through my limbs. My energy drained away, leaving me slumped against the bed, unable to move or respond. My mind raced in a fog of confusion and helplessness.

Koboyashi’s smile remained as she watched me with a chilling sense of satisfaction. She took in my broken state with a kind of twisted adoration.

“Are you hungry, Ryota?”

“…”

I didn’t have the strength to respond, my throat too dry and my voice too weak.

“Well, I’ll get some food for you then.”

She turned on her heel and walked towards the stairs, her footsteps echoing as she ascended.

The sound of her footsteps gradually faded, leaving me alone in the dim, oppressive basement. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the occasional drip of water somewhere in the dark.

I could only sit there, feeling the weight of my situation press down on me. I could only hope someone would safe me out of this place.

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[Hana PoV]

As I walked up the stairs and closed the door behind me, a thrill of exhilaration ran through me. Finally, Ryota was all mine. I’ve longed for this moment for so long, dreaming about it every single day. And now, here we are—just as I’ve always known it would be.

All those nights spent obsessing over him, imagining a life where he needed me as desperately as I needed him—those weren’t just fantasies anymore. It’s real now, everything is exactly as it should be.

With each step I took, I could feel my excitement growing. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the life we’re going to share. Ryota is mine, and I’m going to take care of him, nurture him, and make sure he never feels alone again.

As I reached the top of the stairs and closed the door behind me, I took a deep breath, letting the reality of the situation sink in. I looked down at the floor, noticing the mess I had made.

“I need to do something about this.”

Muttering to myself, I scratched my head in frustration. The floor was drenched with liquid from all my frantic planning… It is so sticky, ugh.

[Why don’t you do this, it will increase your bonding significantly]

Putting a smile on my face I started cleaning and made some preparation.

After what felt like an hour of scrubbing, mopping and cutting, I finally stepped back to admire my work. The room was spotless, and the mess was gone. Now, I could finally focus on the next part of my plan—cooking for Ryota.

I walked into the adjacent room, a small smile playing on my lips. Inside, I carefully selected a piece of flesh, just the right part. It was important to me that everything was perfect for him. With the flesh in hand, I walked back to the counter, picking up my cleaver with a sense of purpose.

I started butchering the meat with precise, deliberate strokes, making sure each piece was just the right size. I took extra care to remove every bone, ensuring nothing would cause him discomfort.

Ryota needed something soft, something easy to eat, given his weakened state. Rice porridge with tender meat—that’s what I decided to make for him.

I pounded the meat until it was soft enough to melt in his mouth, imagining how grateful he would be.

As the aroma of the cooking meat filled the room, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. This was just the beginning of our life together—every meal, every moment, would be another step toward the future I had planned for us.

I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when I brought him the food, to see him realize how much I cared for him, how much I was willing to do to make sure he was safe and loved.

Once the meat was perfectly tender, I stirred it into the pot of simmering rice porridge. The scent was comforting, warm, and exactly what Ryota needed.

I ladled the thick, steaming porridge into a bowl, making sure to add a generous portion of the tender meat on top. I took a moment to admire the dish—simple, nourishing, and made with all the care I could muster.

With the bowl in hand, I felt a flutter of excitement. This was my first act of nurturing him, of showing him how much I cared.

I had been waiting for this moment, and now it was finally here. I imagined the look on his face when I walked in, how he might smile at the smell of the food, how grateful he would be for the effort I put into it.

Balancing the bowl carefully, I made my way to the basement door. I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before I slowly opened the door and descended the stairs.

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[Ryota PoV]

As I lay there in the dimly lit basement, my mind raced with thoughts of escape, of anything that could help me out of this nightmare. Then I heard the creak of the door at the top of the stairs. My heart pounded in my chest as I saw Kobayashi descending, her expression serene but with a hint of excitement that sent a chill down my spine.

“Ryota, I’ve made rice porridge for you.”

She announced, her voice sweet but with an unsettling undertone.

I glanced at the bowl she was holding, the warm steam rising from it. My stomach betrayed me with a loud growl, reminding me of how long it had been since I last ate. Kobayashi’s smile widened at the sound, a mixture of satisfaction and something darker.

“I’ll feed you.”

She walked around to the side of the bed, opposite the bulletin board that was covered with those disturbing photos.

I watched her place the bowl on the nightstand. She then sat down on the chair beside me.

The chair creaked slightly under her weight as she settled in, picking up the spoon and stirring the porridge gently, letting the aroma fill the small room.

“Say ‘aaah’, Ryota.”

Lifting the spoon towards my mouth.

I hesitated, my mind screaming to resist, but my body, weak and exhausted, was too desperate for sustenance. I slowly opened my mouth, and she carefully fed me the first spoonful.

The porridge was warm and smooth, the meat tender and rich in flavor. Despite everything, it felt good to eat, to have something in my stomach.

“Is it delicious?”

“….Yes.”

But as I was eating, Kobayashi suddenly reached for her Polaroid camera, which she had placed beside her.

Snap.

As Kobayashi stared at the developing photo, her eyes gleamed with that same twisted sense of satisfaction. She shook it gently, allowing the image to come into clearer view.

Once she was satisfied with the photo, she walked over my other side of the bed where the bulletin board was. I watched as she pinned the new photo among the others.

Kobayashi stood back and admired her work, a pleased smile on her face.

Kobayashi returned to her seat beside me, her smile never wavering.

“There we go. Doesn’t this picture say a lot to you?”

I looked at the photo and it was just me eating. It was nothing out of the ordinary.

“…No?”

“Well to me it tells a lot. From preparing the food to feeding it to you and more.”

“?”

“Well, maybe in the future you change your mind.”

She walked back to the chair beside my bed and resumed feeding me until there was nothing left.