Chapter 18 Almost Caught
By the time the next day arrived, Oom Eisaya had reached a new level of hyper-awareness.
It wasn’t just about Bam anymore.
It wasn’t just about night versus day.
It wasn’t just about her feelings spiraling out of control.
Now—
There was risk.
Visible.
Immediate.
Terrifying risk.
“…this is how I get exposed,” Oom muttered under her breath as she sat in the Psychology Wellness Club room, pretending to scroll through her phone while actually monitoring every possible angle of danger like her life depended on it.
“Why do you look like you’re committing tax fraud?” Yada asked casually, dropping into the chair beside her.
“I am trying not to get caught.”
“Doing what?”
“Existing.”
“That’s suspicious.”
Oom didn’t respond. She didn’t have the emotional energy for sarcasm today. Not when her entire body felt like it was operating on heightened alert.
Because last night—
Last night had been too much.
Too intense.
Too real.
Bam’s voice still echoed in her head.
“…stay with me…”
That wasn’t just a request anymore.
It wasn’t just soft.
It wasn’t just unconscious.
It was emotional.
Deep.
And Oom—
Had answered without hesitation.
She always did.
“That look again,” Yada said, leaning closer. “You’re thinking about her.”
“I am always thinking about her.”
“That’s unhealthy.”
“That’s accurate.”
Yada snorted. “Fair.”
Oom sighed, finally lowering her phone and glancing around the room.
Tantan was there, of course—leaning against the far wall, her posture relaxed, her eyes occasionally drifting toward Yada with quiet amusement.
Yada noticed it too.
Of course she did.
“God, she’s still looking at me,” Yada whispered.
“You like it.”
“I do.”
“That’s concerning.”
“I know.”
Oom shook her head slightly before her gaze shifted—
And landed on Bam.
Seated at her usual spot.
Calm.
Composed.
Unreachable.
Day Bam.
Oom’s chest tightened.
Because now—
Now she couldn’t unsee it.
The contrast.
The difference.
The way Bam barely looked at her during the day—
And then held her like she was everything at night.
It wasn’t just confusing anymore.
It was exhausting.
“…I need a break,” Oom whispered.
“You’re not getting one,” Yada replied cheerfully.
“Please don’t curse me.”
“Too late.”
---
The tension started small.
Subtle.
Barely noticeable.
It always did.
Bam stood.
Walked toward the table where Oom and Yada were sitting.
And just like that—
Oom’s entire nervous system activated.
“…she’s coming here,” Oom whispered.
“Act normal.”
“I don’t know what normal is anymore.”
“That’s a problem.”
“Yes, it is!”
Bam stopped beside them.
“Oom.”
Oom looked up.
“…senpai.”
Her voice came out steadier than she expected.
That was good.
That was progress.
“You’re free after this?” Bam asked.
Oom blinked.
“…what?”
Yada leaned back slowly, eyes wide.
“Oh, this is new.”
Oom ignored her.
“…why?”
Bam hesitated.
Just slightly.
Then—
“I need help with something.”
Oom’s brain stalled.
Help?
From her?
During the day?
In public?
“…okay,” Oom said carefully.
Yada kicked her lightly under the table.
Say less weird things, the kick seemed to say.
“I mean—yes. Sure. I can help.”
Bam nodded.
“Stay after.”
And just like that—
She walked away.
Oom stared after her.
“…what just happened.”
Yada grinned.
“You’re getting promoted.”
“To what?”
“Daytime relevance.”
“That’s not funny.”
“It’s very funny.”
---
The room slowly emptied as the meeting ended, leaving behind a quieter space, one that felt heavier, more focused.
Tantan lingered near the door, clearly waiting for Yada.
Yada, of course, was taking her time.
“I have business,” she whispered to Oom.
“You always have business.”
“This is important business.”
“You’re flirting.”
“I am networking.”
“That’s not networking.”
“It is if I say it is.”
Oom rolled her eyes.
“Just go.”
Yada grinned.
“Try not to get kissed in public.”
Oom choked.
“I WILL END YOU—”
Too late.
Yada was already gone.
With Tantan.
Of course.
“…I’m surrounded by chaos,” Oom muttered.
“And you’re part of it.”
Oom froze.
Bam’s voice.
Close.
Too close.
She turned—
And nearly forgot how to breathe.
Because Bam was standing right there.
Closer than usual.
Much closer than usual.
“…senpai?”
“You said you’d help.”
“I did.”
“Come here.”
Oom followed.
Of course she did.
Because saying no to Bam had never been an option.
Not really.
---
They ended up near the storage area.
Quiet.
Hidden.
Not completely private—
But close enough.
And that—
That was already dangerous.
“So,” Oom said, trying to steady herself. “What do you need help with?”
Bam didn’t answer immediately.
Instead—
She stepped closer.
Oom’s breath hitched.
“…senpai?”
Bam’s gaze dropped slightly.
To Oom’s lips.
Then back up.
Oom’s heart stopped.
No.
Not here.
Not now.
Not—
“Are you avoiding me?”
The question came out low.
Quiet.
But sharp.
Oom blinked.
“…what?”
“You’ve been different,” Bam continued.
Oom swallowed.
“I—no—I haven’t—”
“You have.”
Oom didn’t know what to say.
Because—
She had.
Of course she had.
How could she not?
After everything that had been happening—
After every night—
After every—
“…I’m not avoiding you,” she said finally.
Bam stepped closer.
Even closer.
Until there was barely any space left between them.
“Then why do you look at me like that?”
Oom’s brain crashed.
“…like what?”
“Like you’re waiting for something.”
Oom’s heart pounded.
Because—
She was.
She was always waiting.
For night.
For that version of Bam.
For the one who didn’t hold back.
For the one who—
“…I’m not,” she said weakly.
Bam studied her.
Closely.
Too closely.
And then—
Something shifted.
Subtle.
But unmistakable.
Her expression softened.
Her gaze changed.
Her breathing slowed.
Oom froze.
“…wait.”
No.
Not here.
Not now.
Not during the day.
Not in public—
“Senpai?”
No response.
Bam’s hand lifted.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Resting lightly against Oom’s cheek.
Oom stopped breathing.
“…you stayed…”
The voice was softer.
Different.
Not fully night Bam—
But not day Bam either.
Something in between.
Something dangerous.
“Bam—”
Her name slipped out before Oom could stop it.
And that—
That made everything worse.
Because Bam reacted.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Her gaze softened even more.
And then—
She leaned in.
Oom’s entire body went rigid.
“…wait—!”
Too late.
Bam was close.
Too close.
Close enough that Oom could feel her breath—
Close enough that—
“Bam.”
A voice cut through the moment.
Sharp.
Clear.
Immediate.
Both of them froze.
Mint.
Standing at the doorway.
Watching.
Oom’s heart dropped to her stomach.
Because that—
That had almost happened.
In public.
In daylight.
With witnesses.
Bam blinked.
Once.
Twice.
And just like that—
The moment shattered.
Her hand dropped.
Her expression shifted.
Back to normal.
Back to controlled.
Back to—
Day Bam.
“…Mint,” she said calmly.
Mint’s gaze flicked between them.
Sharp.
Observant.
Dangerous.
“…what’s going on.”
Oom’s brain scrambled.
“Nothing!”
Too fast.
Too loud.
Too suspicious.
Mint raised an eyebrow.
“…nothing.”
Bam didn’t say anything.
Didn’t explain.
Didn’t deny.
She just stepped back.
Creating distance.
Like it had never happened.
Like it almost hadn’t happened.
Oom stood there.
Frozen.
Heart racing.
Because that—
That was too close.
Too dangerous.
Too real.
“…we were just talking,” Oom added weakly.
Mint didn’t look convinced.
Not even a little.
But she didn’t push.
Not yet.
“…be careful,” she said instead.
Looking at Oom.
Then at Bam.
And then—
She left.
Silence filled the space.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Oom exhaled shakily.
“…that was bad.”
Bam didn’t respond.
She just stood there.
Quiet.
Still.
Thinking.
And for the first time—
Oom realized—
This wasn’t just something she was dealing with.
Bam—
Was starting to feel it too.
And that—
That changed everything.