After the war finally ended, everyone gathered in the living room.
I quietly slipped away to my room. Peace at last.
Or so I thought.
When I stepped back into the hallway, I saw Ayane standing in front of the open freezer, staring inside like a detective investigating a crime scene.
She frowned.
"Where did I put it? I don't see it anywhere…"
"What are you looking for?" I asked softly.
She turned dramatically. "My premium limited-edition snacks! They were right here!"
I pointed straight at Rika. "You can't find them because she ate them."
It was the perfect chance for revenge.
Ayane and Mio slowly turned toward Rika.
Rika shrank under their gaze. "S-Sorry… they were really tasty… I couldn't control myself…"
"You ate my PREMIUM. LIMITED. EDITION. SNACKS because you 'couldn't control yourself'?!" Ayane's aura turned dark. "I'll kill you!"
"I think you should run," Mio advised calmly.
Rika immediately dashed behind me and grabbed my shoulders. save me!
"Calm down, Ayane—"
"Stay out of this!"
An egg flew through the air.
Boom. Direct hit.
Then a potato.
Boom. Another direct hit.
"Wait, stop—"
A frying pan spun toward me.
I raised my arms to protect my face.
Boom.
Knockout.
Voices echoed around me.
"Is he okay?!"
"Oh man…"
"Why did you throw a pan?!"
"This is your fault!"
Everything sounded distant.
Then darkness.
A minute later, I slowly opened my eyes.
I was lying on the couch.
Mio was leaning over me, pressing a pouch of ice gently against my forehead. I could feel her soft breath against my skin. She smelled faintly of soap and something sweet.
When I looked at her face closely, she blinked her beautiful eyes.
She looked… worried.
A small drop of sweat slid from her jaw down her neck, disappearing beneath her collar.
For the first time, I saw her this close.
She was really cute.
"You're awake…" she whispered in relief.
Behind us, Ayane and Rika were still arguing.
"It's your fault!"
"No, it's yours! You threw the pan!"
"He's awake!" Mio suddenly said.
Both of them rushed toward me.
"Kai, are you alright? I'm sorry!" Ayane said quickly.
"Does it still hurt? This is Ayane's fault!" Rika argued.
"It's YOUR fault! You hid behind him!"
"STOP!" I shouted.
Instant silence.
I sighed and held my forehead. "Ayane… you can't throw dangerous things like pans. You could seriously hurt someone."
She lowered her head. "Sorry…"
"And Rika… you should ask before eating someone else's food."
"…Sorry."
I thought everything was finally settled.
But then—
"What about my snacks?" Ayane asked.
I answered calmly, "I'll buy them tomorrow."
Big mistake.
"Why are you taking her side?" Mio narrowed her eyes at me. She notices everything. She's terrifying.
"I can't study without snacks," Ayane declared.
"What do you mean you can't study without snacks?"
"It's my habit. I eat while studying."
"What kind of weird habit is that?"
"Me too," Mio added casually.
…What.
Suddenly Rika stepped forward. "This is my fault. I'll go to the market with Kai."
I froze.
She just called me by my name.
First time.
"No," Ayane said.
"But why?"
"Because we're ALL going."
My heart dropped.
Going to the market with three girls?
That's not shopping. That's chaos.
"No. You're all staying here. I'll go alone."
"No," Mio said calmly. "I'm coming. I need to buy something."
"What? Tell me. I'll buy it for you."
"I… can't say."
"Say it louder."
"I can't! It's personal!"
She started blushing.
It was the first time I'd ever seen her blush.
"…Fine. You can come."
"If she's going, we're going too," Ayane said.
I smirked. "What? You two also need to buy something 'personal'?"
Slap.
Ayane hit my face. "None of your business."
Slap.
Rika hit the other side. "You cheap idiot."
I stood there, holding both cheeks.
Why is my life like this?