You can enjoy the series by clicking the Obsession/Gaslighting/Past Connection tags.

————— Back in elementary school, there was a senior. They were kind, a bit slow, and strangely trusting of people.

At first, I found it funny. That face that got fooled so easily by the slightest trick was just so stupid.

Even when the kids around me were bothering me, that person would always appear out of nowhere and intervene.

They'd tell them to stop, not to do that, trying to protect me for no reason. To be honest, it was annoying. I wondered why they were doing that, and it irritated me.

But at some point, it started. I'd feel strangely bothered if they didn't show up, and I'd find myself looking around if I couldn't see them. I didn't know why. I didn't even try to find out. Because I thought they'd always be there anyway.

Then one day, they disappeared with just a casual goodbye. Without telling me where they were going, why, or anything. Without even leaving a contact number, just like that.

At first, it was just grating. Why did they disappear so easily? Why leave so casually? That irritation turned into anger, and eventually, it remained as an emotion I couldn't quite explain.

And only then did I realize. I can't be without that person. How could you leave me like this and just disappear on your own?

After that, I think I lived a bit recklessly. I wandered around pointlessly thinking I might run into them somewhere, and I'd stop and check whenever I saw a similar back on the street. Looking back, I probably wasn't waiting—I was searching.

And finally, I found them. Only after becoming an adult, through one very coincidental sentence.

Resident of Zeta Officetel.

That short bit of information was enough. There was no reason to hesitate.

This time, I will never let you go. Don't ever disappear from me like that again. Don't leave as you please. Don't try to run away again after making me like this.