Obsessive Justice - chapter 4
The first time Matsuda looked at you, it was a shy smile. The last time, it was an intensity that promised you’d never be truly alone again.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
The moment the two of you stepped inside the game store, you were greeted by rows upon rows of colorful shelves packed with games, consoles, and collectibles.
Your eyes lit up instantly.
You bounced from display to display, stopping every few steps to point something out before hurrying toward the next aisle with a smile so bright it almost didn’t seem real.
Matsuda found himself smiling before he even realized it. There it was again. That smile. It was strange.
He’d seen plenty of people smile before. Coworkers. Friends. Victims after difficult cases were finally solved.
None of them had ever made his chest feel this warm. Watching you laugh was… addicting.It felt important. Like if he remembered every tiny detail, he’d never have to see you unhappy.
“Welcome in!” the employee called from behind the register.
You smiled politely. “uh.. hi! Do you know where the Resident Evil games are?”
“Oh yeah,” the employee answered. “We just got a new shipment this week. You a fan?”
That was all it took. Your entire face brightened.
“yea i am! I’ve loved Resident Evil forever. Resident Evil 4 is probably my favorite, but honestly I love almost all of them. The puzzles, the atmosphere, the characters-”
You kept talking while the employee laughed, asking questions here and there.
Matsuda stood quietly beside you. At first, he simply listened. Then…
Something uncomfortable settled in his chest. The employee wasn’t doing anything wrong.
He wasn’t flirting. He wasn’t touching you
He was only smiling. So…Why did Matsuda suddenly feel unnecessary?
His fingers twitched at his side. He tried telling himself to stop. You were allowed to make friends. You were allowed to enjoy conversations.
You looked happy. That should’ve been enough.
So why did it bother him that someone else was making you laugh?
The employee chuckled at something you said. You laughed too. The sound echoed in Matsuda’s ears.
His smile faded. It wasn’t fair. He had wanted to hear you laugh like that. Not because he wanted attention.
Because… He wanted to know he was enough.
“Y/N.”
The name left his mouth before he realized how sharp it sounded.
You blinked.
“Oh..”
The employee looked between the two of you before taking a small step back. “…Sorry,” he said. “I’ll let you two look around.”
“Oh..”You immediately looked guilty. “I’m sorry….”
His heart squeezed. “It’s okay.”
Even though he didnt sound like it was okay
The walk through the store was full of awkward silence before Matsuda walked across a Pokemon flushie.
“…You like Pokémon?” wich he knew rhe answer to thanks to stalking your profile.
You turned toward him before your eyes landed on the enormous Bulbasaur plush tucked beneath his arm.
“Oh my God!” Your entire face lit up. “Where did you find that?!”
His breath caught.That smile again.Because of him. Not the employee. Not anyone else.
Him.
You pick up RE3. “My best friend and I used to play this one together back home.” You smiled softly, your thumb brushing over the game’s cover.
“We’d get home from school, wait until my parents left for work, then spend the whole afternoon trying to beat it.” A quiet laugh escaped you. “We never actually finished it.”
Matsuda watched your expression change.It happened so quickly most people wouldn’t have noticed.
The tiny hesitation.The smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. The way your voice became quieter the moment you mentioned your parents.
He noticed. Someone had made you think you had to pretend you were okay.
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Who? Your parents? Someone else? It didn’t matter. Whoever had done that… They didn’t deserve to be anywhere near you.
The thought came so naturally it startled him.
He blinked.
“If it’s okay with you..” he gently takes the game from your hands. “…Maybe we could finally finish it together.”
For just a moment… The sadness disappeared. Your eyes widened in surprise.
He felt himself breathe again.
There you are. That’s better. Much better.
“Come on…” you scoffed, waving your hands dismissively. “You don’t have to.” Matsuda looked down at the copy of Resident Evil 3 resting in his hands.
You’d smiled when you’d picked it up. Not just smiled. Your entire face had softened, your thumb unconsciously tracing over the cover as you talked about playing it with your best friend years ago.
That expression hadn’t left his mind. You had looked… Comfortable.
He wanted to see that look again.
…
…
…
“…Nope.”
Before you could protest again, he tucked the game securely beneath his arm and turned toward the register.
“I’m buying it.”
“Matsuda!”
Your laugh rang through the aisle. It was impossible not to smile when you laughed.
You hurried after him, lightly smacking his arm.
“Give it back!”
“No can do.” He lifted the game above his head with a grin.
You narrowed your eyes dramatically before stepping closer.
“Fine…” You stretched onto your tiptoes, reaching for the game. It was still just out of reach. “…Then I’ll just take it.” Without thinking, you leaned farther against him.
Your shoulder brushed his chest. The front of your chest bumped lightly against his arm. Your face was only inches away now. Close enough that he could see the tiny flecks of color in your eyes. Close enough to catch the light floral scent lingering in your hair.
Warm. You were warm. His entire body locked up.
She…
She doesn’t even realize.
The realization sent another wave of heat rushing to his face. You trusted him enough to invade his space without a second thought.
Stop it.
You’re making this weird.
She just wants the game.
She doesn’t mean anything by this.
His thoughts became a tangled mess, stumbling over one another.
Don’t stare. Don’t panic.
Just..
He took such a sudden step backward that his heel nearly caught on the edge of a display stand.
Then he turned on his heel and bolted.
“H-Hey!” You laughed harder, immediately chasing after him.
“That’s cheating!”
“I’m literally running away!”
“Exactly!”
Customers looked up from browsing as the two of you darted through the aisles.One older man chuckled to himself before shaking his head.
Matsuda couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed this hard. Every time he glanced over his shoulder, you were still chasing him, smiling like this was the greatest game in the world.
By the time you caught up to the front counter, Matsuda already checked out
“You’ve got to be kidding me…” You folded your arms with an exaggerated huff, though the smile tugging at your lips ruined any attempt at looking annoyed. “I was this close.” You pinched your fingers together for emphasis.
Matsuda laughed, still slightly out of breath.
The receipt printed with a quiet whir before the employee carefully packed everything into a large shopping bag.
When he set it on the counter, the oversized Bulbasaur plush peeked out from the top, its round face squished against the opening.
Your expression immediately softened.“…You bought the plush too?”
Matsuda’s smile faltered into something shy.
“I…” He glanced down at the bag. “…You looked really happy when you saw it.”
That he’d noticed how your eyes lingered on the plush just a little longer than everything else in the aisle.
“I figured you’d like it.”
“You didn’t have to.” Your voice came out much quieter this time.
Growing up, presents had never really been an ordinary thing. Aside from the occasional birthday surprise from your grandfather, gifts usually meant someone had gone out of their way to think about you.
Looking into the bag, you couldn’t stop yourself from smiling. “…Thank you.” The words slipped out before you even realized how softly you’d spoken.
For a brief moment, Matsuda simply stared.
That smile. It was different this time. Smaller. Gentler. It wasn’t excitement. It was gratitude. And somehow… It felt even more precious.
His heartbeat settled into a steady rhythm.
There it is.
You notice how tense the cashier looked ever since you ran back to the register.
You reached for the bag, but before you could thank him, you noticed the strange expression on his face.
His smile looked… forced. Like he was trying to act as though everything was normal.
When your eyes met his, he hesitated. Just for a second.
Then his gaze flickered toward Matsuda before returning to you. “…Have a nice day.”
There was something oddly careful about the way he said it.
Almost… Concerned.
Your brows knitted together. “…Thanks.” For a brief moment, you wondered if something had happened when Matsuda beat you to the register.
As you walked outside, you glanced back one last time.
The cashier was still standing behind the register.He was watching the two of you leave. The moment he noticed you looking, he quickly busied himself with straightening a display on the counter.
The late afternoon air was noticeably cooler than when the two of you had arrived.
The Bulbasaur plush leaned against the console, its oversized head lolling to one side. You couldn’t help smiling again. A gentle knock against your window pulled you from your thoughts.
Rolling it down slightly, you found Matsuda standing beside the door with his hands tucked awkwardly into his pockets.
“I’ll see you later.”He gave the hood of your car a light, affectionate pat before taking a step back.
You smiled waving goodbye.
Not too long after, your phone buzzed, the vibration breaking the quiet inside your car.
The screen lit up.. A smile tugged at your lips as you answered.“Raye?”
“Hey.”. His voice sounded tired. “Naomi made soba,” he said. “She remembered it’s your favorite. Thought you’d want to come by before it gets cold.”
Your face lit up immediately. lNo way. She actually made soba?” A laugh escaped you. “Tell her I love her. I’ll be there in ten.”
“You don’t have to speed-“
“I won’t!” You hung up before he could finish, already reaching for the ignition.
A few minutes later, you climbed the familiar porch steps.
The moment Naomi opened the door, warmth spilled into the hallway along with the comforting aroma of simmering broth.
Before she could even greet you, you wrapped your arms around her. “It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever.” Naomi laughed softly as she hugged you back. “It’s only been two weeks.”
“It feels longer.”
She smiled before gently patting your shoulder. “And yes…” Her eyes sparkled knowingly. “Raye already told me why you’re really here.” You grinned.
“…The soba may have influenced my decision.”
“I knew it.”
The apartment welcomed you like it always had. The smell of broth. The quiet hum of the television. The familiar creak of the wooden floor beneath your shoes. It felt safe. Like nothing bad could ever happen inside these walls.
“…Another fifty criminals were found dead today under mysterious circumstances…” The evening news echoed through the living room.
You frowned.
Raye sat slouched on the couch, one elbow resting against the armrest as he watched the broadcast without really seeing it.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes. His tie had already been loosened. One hand absentmindedly rubbed at the bridge of his nose.
Naomi sighed. “Raye, honey…” She glanced toward the television. “Could you turn that off for tonight?”
For a second, he didn’t respond. Then he quietly picked up the remote. The grim voice of the news anchor disappeared.
In its place came the bright, cheerful opening theme of Sailor Moon. You laughed. “You actually remembered.”
“I’ve heard you sing it enough.”
“You love it.”
“I tolerate it.”
“Liar.”
The corner of his mouth twitched upward.
You dropped onto the couch beside him. “See?” You gestured dramatically toward the television.
The smile disappeared almost as quickly as it’d come.
The investigation was wearing him down. Everyone knew it.
You nudged his shoulder. “Our new strategy only started a today, give it some time.”
He looked over at you. For just a moment, the exhaustion faded.
“So…” His eyebrow lifted. “How was your little adventure today?”
You blinked. “…what?”
“You know.” His grin returned.
“The one where you tried sneaking out of headquarters.”
Your face immediately turned red. “Raye stop!!”
“Y/N.” He laughed. “You were tiptoeing through the hallway.”
“I was not!” You slap his shoulder
“You checked both directions before leaving.”
“I-”
“You even ducked behind Mr.Yagami.”
Naomi covered her mouth to hide a laugh. Your face fell into your hands.
“You looked like a cartoon thief.”
“I can’t believe this.” You lightly shoved his shoulder. “Stop acting like my dad.”
“I make no promises.”
The laughter faded naturally. Raye studied you for a moment. Longer than before.
“…Y/N.”
Something in his tone made you look up.
“It’s okay if you’re interested in someone.”
You grow almost offended at his accusation. “I’m not interested in Matsuda…. were just becoming good friends.”
Raye didn’t answer right away. Instead… He stared at the dark television screen.
His reflection looked just as tired as he felt.
“…Maybe.” His voice was almost absent “But…” He looked back at you. “Theres something about him...”
You frowned. “dont start.. ” He hesitated. Long enough that you almost thought he’d changed his mind.
“He throws me off Y/n, something about his energy” he thinks back to earlier when he caught Matsuda basically death staring him in the office.
The room fell strangely quiet. Naomi paused in the kitchen.
Raye looked down at his hands. “I don’t know.” He shook his head.
You let out a small sigh. “Raye..”
“I know how that sounds.”
“I think you’re reading too much into it.”
“I hope I am.” His answer came immediately. He looks back at you “I really hope I am.” Something about the certainty in his voice made your smile falter.
The cheerful voices from Sailor Moon suddenly felt oddly distant.
“…Or maybe,” you muttered, trying to lighten the mood, “you’re just jealous I’m not clinging onto you as much.”
Raye managed a tired smile. “Maybe.” Then it disappeared again. “Y/N…” His voice softened.
“I’ve wanted nothing but the best for you, ever since the day i found you at that cafe.” His gaze never left yours.
“…If I ever thought someone might hurt you, I’d tell you.”
Your chest tightened.
“When have I ever lied to you? hm?”
You opened your mouth. Nothing came out.
“When have I ever knowingly let you get hurt?”
Before the silence could grow heavier, Naomi appeared carrying three steaming bowl. “Enough investigation talk.” She set the bowls on the table. “You two are going to let my soba get cold.” The rich aroma instantly filled the apartment.
The tension dissolved. Conversation drifted to easier things. Laughter slowly returned. Watching Naomi lean comfortably against Raye’s shoulder, you smiled to yourself. For a little while…
Everything felt normal. Safe. Like family.
Much later, after apologizing for “destroying” their bathroom and promising to visit again soon, you stepped out into the cool Tokyo night.
The apartment door clicked shut behind you. You unlocked your car, into the driver’s seat, and drove away. You never noticed the pair of headlights that remained dark until you disappeared around the corner.
Matsuda remained in his car across the street, the engine idling quietly as he watched the front door of the Penders’ home. Minutes stretched into nearly an hour. Just as he considered leaving, the front door opened.
His fingers loosened their grip on the steering wheel as you drove away, and he waited several seconds before pulling out after you.
There you were.
The porch light caught your smile as you waved goodbye to Naomi and Raye before making your way toward your car. Even from across the street, Matsuda found himself relaxing.
Good.
You’d made it out safely.
It wasn’t a long drive.That fact bothered him more than he cared to admit.
So you lived this close to Raye Pender. His jaw tightened.
Too close.
Sorry for the late post I’ve been so busy. Being employed sucks ANYWHO this chapter was more on the brighter side. So for anyone wondering, Im trying to lean towards a storyline where Matsudas obsession grows extremely worse over time, which starts to affect y/ns life. Okay! hope you enjoyed.