Nova_Verse

Ryo Takahashi, a broke high schooler with a silver tongue, thought he had pulled off the perfect scam—conning a Yakuza boss out of a small fortune. Unfortunately, his gambling addiction and a rigged crane game drained his winnings in less than a week. Instead of getting “dealt with,” the boss gave him a new job: hide a runaway ninja princess in his house… or else.

Help! My Fake Cousin is a Ninja Princess

Flashback: The Scam That Backfired

Two weeks earlier, Ryo had thought he was on top of the world.

He had sweet-talked a powerful Yakuza boss into handing over a briefcase full of cash for a "foolproof investment." He had walked out of that deal grinning, convinced he had pulled off the scam of the century.

Then, like an absolute idiot, he lost it all.

Gambling, bad investments, and a particularly aggressive crane game at the arcade had wiped out his entire fortune within a week.

And just as he was considering skipping town, the Yakuza boss found him.

Yakuza Boss: "You've got guts, kid. But you're also a damn fool."

Ryo: sweating "Now, let's not be too hasty—"

Yakuza Boss: "Hasty? You lost all my money. You're lucky I find you amusing. So, I'm giving you a new job."

Ryo: "…Job?"

Yakuza Boss: "Yes. You're going to hide someone for me. A very special someone. And if anything happens to her… well, let's just say you won't have to worry about money problems ever again."

Before Ryo could even argue, the Yakuza boss had already made the arrangements—including talking to his mother.

That's how Ryo ended up hiding Ayane, the runaway ninja princess whose very existence put a target on his back.

Present Time: Breakfast With the Devil

Ryo trudged downstairs, still processing his ruined life.

Ayane sat at the dining table, smiling sweetly as if she wasn't the literal cause of all his problems. His mom was completely fooled by her innocent act, chatting away happily.

Ryo's Mom: "It's so wonderful having family around! Ryo, you should treat Ayane like a real sister."

Ryo: I'd rather eat my own shoe.

Ayane gave him a demure look, then whispered so only he could hear: "Be nice to your dear cousin, Ryo. Or else~"

After surviving breakfast, Ryo led Ayane upstairs to show her the room she'd be staying in.

"Alright, so this is where you'll be—"

The moment the door closed behind them, Ayane's innocent expression vanished. Her sweet smile twisted into something far more sinister.

Before Ryo could react, she grabbed his collar, flipped him over, and tied him upside down from the ceiling like a piece of meat.

Ryo: "WHAT THE HELL?!"

Ayane (smirking): "Lesson one, Cousin Ryo: Know your place."

She flicked his forehead, making him spin slightly. Ryo struggled, trying to wiggle free, but her knots were insanely tight.

Ayane: "I know exactly what kind of guy you are. The moment you saw me, you were thinking all sorts of dirty things, weren't you?"

Ryo: "LIES! Slander! I'm innocent!"

Ayane: "Oh? Then why is your face turning red?"

Ryo cursed himself. He had, in fact, definitely imagined a scenario or two the moment he saw her, but that was beside the point!

Ayane: "From now on, you will behave like a proper gentleman around me. Understood?"

Ryo: "LIKE HELL I UNDERSTAND! LET ME DOWN!"

She simply grinned, walking to the door. "I'll think about it… after I finish unpacking."

With that, she left the room, closing the door behind her.

Ryo dangled helplessly from the ceiling, staring at his upside-down world.

This was going to be a long nightmare.

what!