LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 1017: Obsession
Chapter 1017: Obsession
June's expression softened as he saw her silhouette standing near the street light.
He couldn't help but smile-he was definitely biased when it came to Jia. After all, she was one of his earliest supporters, back when his face was still hidden behind a mask.
Unlike many other fans who could be overbearing or clingy, Jia knew how to respect boundaries. She was genuine, always there to support him without crossing any lines. In many ways, she was an ideal fan and had become a good friend over time.
With a lighthearted step, June walked over to her and gently patted her shoulder. "Hey, Jia," he greeted with a smile.
But as the figure turned around, June's smile faltered.
His eyes narrowed, taking in the small but distinct differences. The face staring back at him wasn't Jia's.
It was close-almost eerily similar-but this girl's expression was different, her eyes wide with an unsettling excitement.
"June!" she exclaimed, her voice high and cheerful.
June blinked, taking a half-step back in surprise.
It was Mia.
He recognized her now, though it was hard to tell at first. She looked so much like Jia-same hairstyle, same casual outfit style. Even their height and build were almost identical. It was uncanny.
Were they related in any way?
They had similar names, too.
"Mia?" June managed. "You're here?"
Mia nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I'm just looking around for a new place to stay. It's a nice area, isn't it?"
She glanced around, taking in the quiet street and the cozy lights of the convenience store behind him. "Do you live around here?"
June's instincts flared, but he kept his expression neutral.
He shook his head, smiling politely. "No, just visiting a friend," he lied easily. "It's a nice spot, though."
Mia's smile widened, and for a moment, it seemed perfectly normal-just an excited fan running into her idol. June turned slightly, gesturing toward the convenience store.
"Well, I have to go," he said, making a move to leave.
He wanted to keep the interaction brief. Something about this encounter was making his skin crawl.
But Mia's hand shot out, lightly grabbing his wrist before he could step away.
It wasn't a harsh grip, but it was enough to stop him in his tracks. June turned back, his brow furrowed in mild confusion.
"Are you still using my gift?" Mia asked, tilting her head to the side, her expression curious and almost...hopeful.
June blinked. He nodded slowly, deciding it was best to play along.
"Yeah, of course," he said with a smile. "I use it all the time."
Mia's eyes lit up, but the smile on her face seemed to stretch a bit too wide. There was something off about it, and that something made June's stomach twist uneasily.
"Are you sure?" she pressed, her tone oddly intense.
June tilted his head, studying her. "What do you mean?"
"You didn't give it away, did you?" she asked with a playful edge in her voice.
It sounded like a joke, but not really. Her eyes were searching his face, demanding some kind of reassurance.
June merely shook his head, forcing a chuckle. "No, of course not. I kept it."
Mia's smile grew wider, but instead of looking pleased, she seemed almost relieved.
She leaned a little closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Please use it," she said softly. "It means a lot to me."
For a moment, the light from the street light cast a shadow across her face, making her look strange, almost distorted.
Her smile lingered, but her eyes were dark, void of any real joy. The way she stared at him made June's skin prickle with unease.
He swallowed, trying to ignore the shiver that ran down his spine.
He'd dealt with overzealous fans before, but this was different. There was an intensity in Mia's gaze that bordered on obsession, something he hadn't seen in a long time. He took a small step back, trying to create a bit of distance.
"Yeah," he said, his voice a bit strained. "I'll use it."
Mia's face softened, and she took a deep breath. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, exposing the inside of her arm for just a split second.
And that's when June saw it—a faint, familiar mark. It was a small scar, barely noticeable, but it triggered a memory he had tried to forget.
He had seen that mark before. His breath got caught in his throat as the realization hit him.
He glanced up at her face again, really looking this time. The resemblance to Jia wasn't just uncanny-it was deliberate.
The hair, the clothes, and even the way Mia smiled were all carefully crafted imitations. His mind raced, piecing together fragmented memories of that scar, of a gift that had made him uncomfortable, and of a girl who had once stalked him to this extent.
"Crap," he muttered under his breath, the word slipping out before he could stop it.
Mia's head tilted, her smile faltering slightly. "What was that?" she asked, her voice still
sweet.
June forced himself to smile, even though every instinct was screaming at him to get away
from her.
He nodded, taking another step back, this time more deliberate.
"Yeah, I said I'll use it," he repeated, his voice lighter now, more cheerful. He was putting on his idol mask, the one that never showed fear or discomfort. "Don't worry."
Mia's smile returned, wider than before. "I knew you would," she said softly. "I always knew you wouldn't forget about me.
"Well, it was nice seeing you," he said, forcing a casual tone. "But I really have to go now."
Mia nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving his face. "Of course," she said sweetly. "I'll see you
around, June."
He didn't reply. He simply turned and walked as calmly as he could toward the store, resisting the urge to break into a run. He could feel her eyes on his back, watching him with that unsettling, unblinking stare.
As soon as he was inside, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He glanced back through the glass door, but Mia was gone, vanished as if she had never been there.