The Burden of Choice

Each day that passed, Jisso grew stronger.

Her training was relentless, pushing her body and mind beyond their limits. What had once seemed impossible—controlling the strange power that had always lain dormant inside her—was now becoming second nature. She could feel the difference in herself, not just in her movements but in the way the air around her seemed to shift. She was no longer powerless.

But with strength came awareness.

One late afternoon, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the villa's vast courtyard. Jisso wiped sweat from her brow, catching her breath after another grueling session. She was about to take a break when a sudden, unsettling sensation prickled at the back of her neck.

Someone was watching her.

Her pulse quickened. She turned sharply, scanning the surroundings, her gaze darting between the trees at the villa's edge and the balconies above. But there was nothing—no movement, no sign of life beyond the three brothers standing nearby.

**Jisso (muttering to herself):** "Why do I feel like someone is watching us…?"

Subaru, who had been watching her closely, gave a knowing nod.

**Subaru:** "It seems your power is awakening fully."

Jisso frowned.

**Jisso:** "So this feeling… it's real?"

**Kanata (smirking):** "That's good news. Your instincts are getting sharper."

**Rai (crossing his arms, his usual grin dimming slightly):** "Yeah, but good things don't come without a price."

Jisso turned to him, noting the shift in his usual teasing demeanor.

**Jisso:** "What price?"

For the first time, Rai hesitated, glancing toward Subaru as if waiting for him to answer first.

Subaru met Rai's gaze before shifting his eyes back to Jisso. His crimson orbs, usually calm, held something else now—hesitation, maybe even guilt.

**Rai:** "From now on, we're not just your protectors anymore… We're also your *so-called* husbands."

Jisso's breath caught in her throat.

**Jisso:** "What are you saying?"

She looked between the three of them, searching for an explanation—some kind of joke, a misunderstanding—but Subaru's face was unreadable.

Finally, Subaru sighed, stepping closer.

**Subaru:** "He's right. You have to choose one of us to be your husband."

The weight of his words settled heavily in her chest, pressing against her ribs like an invisible force.

**Jisso:** "But… why? What are you talking about?"

Subaru's expression darkened slightly, as if the answer pained him.

**Subaru:** "Before your mother died, she gave us a final request. She told us that the one of us whom you choose to love will become your husband."

Jisso took a step back, shaking her head.

**Jisso:** "No… no, that doesn't make sense! My mother… she would never arrange something like that!"

**Kanata (arms crossed, watching her reaction carefully):** "But she did."

Jisso turned to him, searching for something—anything—that would prove he was lying. But there was nothing. The air around them grew heavier, the silence suffocating.

**Jisso:** "And if I refuse?"

Rai, who had been quiet for too long, let out a small chuckle. It wasn't his usual playful sound—it was laced with something heavier, something real.

**Rai:** "Then you'll become just like us."

Jisso swallowed.

**Jisso:** "Just like you?"

Kanata exhaled, his voice quieter than before.

**Kanata:** "You'll be immortal. Just like us. And you won't be able to leave the villa."

The words struck her harder than she expected.

**Jisso (whispering):** "I won't be able to die…?"

Subaru nodded, his expression grim.

**Subaru:** "That's right. If you don't choose, you'll inherit the fate of this villa. You'll be bound here, just like us. Trapped."

Jisso's body went cold.

She had come here searching for answers, for family, for a place where she belonged. But now it felt like she had walked straight into a prison. A beautiful, enchanted prison disguised as a home.

**Jisso:** "So I have no choice?"

Rai tilted his head slightly, his green eyes flashing with something unreadable.

**Rai:** "You *do* have a choice. You can love one of us, or you can spend eternity here alone."

**Jisso:** "Alone…"

The reality of the situation hit her like a crashing wave. It wasn't just about romance or marriage—it was about freedom. Her freedom.

She turned to Subaru, eyes pleading.

**Jisso:** "But why? Why did my mother decide this?"

Subaru hesitated, then answered, his voice calm but firm.

**Subaru:** "Because she knew what was inside you. She knew your power wouldn't let you live a normal life. This was the only way to protect you."

Jisso wrapped her arms around herself, her fingers digging into the sleeves of her dress.

**Jisso:** "That's not fair."

**Kanata:** "Life never is."

Jisso clenched her jaw, her mind spinning.

She wasn't ready for this. She hadn't even fully understood her own feelings, let alone thought about marriage. She barely knew what she wanted for herself.

Her eyes darted between the three of them. Subaru—the one who had always been composed, reliable, protective. Rai—the one who teased her endlessly but, beneath it all, had a kindness she couldn't deny. Kanata—the one who had been distant at first but had grown to understand her in ways she never expected.

Was she supposed to just… pick one?

Jisso took a shaky breath.

**Jisso:** "I… I don't know if I can do this."

**Subaru (softly):** "No one's rushing you, Jisso. But you need to know the truth. Think about it. If you love one of us, we will accept it wholeheartedly. You won't be alone."

She bit her lip, looking down at her trembling hands.

Alone.

The word echoed in her head.

If she didn't choose, she would be stuck in the villa forever. But if she did…

Would it be real?

She closed her eyes, trying to push away the overwhelming emotions flooding her.

**Jisso (whispering):** "I need time."

Subaru nodded.

**Subaru:** "Then take it. But don't take forever."

The three of them stepped back, giving her space. But she could still feel their presence—three powerful, immortal beings, waiting for her answer.

And for the first time since she had arrived at the villa… she felt truly afraid.

Because no matter what choice she made—her life would never be the same again.