Ren woke up to the worst possible sensation.
Warmth.
Too much warmth.
Something soft was pressed against his left arm.Something heavy against his right shoulder.And something dangerously close to his chest that absolutely should not be there.
His eyes snapped open.
Ceiling.Same room.
Then he looked down.
Yui was asleep on the tatami beside his futon, one arm hooked around his wrist like a restraining device. Her face was scrunched up, muttering something about "idiots" in her sleep.
On the other side, Emi had dozed off sitting upright, her head resting gently against his shoulder, fingers still clutching the edge of his blanket like she'd refused to let go even after falling asleep.
Near the wall, Haruka sat slumped against it, eyes closed, sword bag beside her, posture straight even in sleep like a guard who refused to stand down.
Rika was sprawled on the floor on her back, arms and legs spread wide, hair a mess, snoring without shame.
And Mei…
Mei was sitting at the desk.
Upright.
Perfect posture.
Asleep.
With her forehead resting on her open notebook.
Ren stopped breathing.
"…This is illegal," he whispered.
That was when Asuka's voice came from the doorway.
"Oh good, you're awake."
He flinched so hard Yui stirred.
Asuka leaned casually against the doorframe, coffee in hand, completely dry and dressed like she'd just arrived from a magazine shoot.
"I counted," she continued. "Five girls. One boy. Morning-after scenario. If this were a manga, you'd already be canceled."
Ren hissed, "Why are you here?!"
She sipped her coffee. "I came to check if you were dead. Or worse—emotionally resolved."
Yui's eyes snapped open.
"…Why is she here?"
Rika rolled over. "Ugh… my head hurts… did we win the war?"
Haruka opened her eyes slowly, instantly alert. Her gaze flicked from Ren to the others.
"…No casualties," she muttered. "Unacceptable."
Emi jolted upright, realizing where she was. Her face went red instantly.
"I—I fell asleep?! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—!"
Mei lifted her head from the notebook, adjusted her glasses, and said calmly,"Good morning. I have documented seventeen violations of personal space."
Ren covered his face with both hands.
"I'm never sleeping again."
The Breakfast Disaster
The truce lasted exactly three minutes.
Yui stood up first. "Okay. Everyone out. He needs space."
Rika yawned. "Bold words for someone still clinging to his arm."
Yui looked down.
Her arm was still wrapped around his wrist.
She let go instantly, face burning. "T-That was an accident!"
Emi whispered, "You were drooling…"
"I WAS NOT!"
Haruka stood, stretching slightly. "If he's recovered, then we're done here."
"…You stayed all night," Ren said quietly.
She paused. "…Someone had to."
Mei closed her notebook. "He slept better once everyone stopped arguing. Conclusion: emotional noise increases fever symptoms."
Asuka clapped once. "Amazing. A whole night of unresolved tension and no one kissed him. Character development or missed opportunity?"
"Get out," Ren said flatly.
Asuka grinned. "Gladly. But don't worry—I'll be watching how this ends."
She left, humming.
The Aftermath
The girls gathered their things in awkward silence.
Rika tied her hair up. "So… that happened."
Yui crossed her arms. "We're never talking about this."
Emi nodded. "Agreed."
Haruka said nothing.
Mei lingered by the door, then turned back.
"…Ren."
He looked at her.
"This situation isn't sustainable," she said quietly. "You know that."
"I know."
She studied him for a moment, then nodded once and left.
One by one, they were gone.
The room felt emptier than it had any right to.
Ren sat back on the futon, staring at the dented tatami where they'd all been.
"…What am I doing?" he murmured.
His phone buzzed.
A message.
Unknown Contact
I heard you were sick. I'm glad you're better.See you at school.
He didn't need to ask who it was.
Ren sighed, rubbing his face.
The night shouldn't have happened.The morning shouldn't exist.
And yet—
Everything had changed.