Double Trouble

After surviving yet another morning filled with Ayane's subtle threats, Ryo thought he was safe. That was his first mistake.

During lunch, he was happily eating his meal when Haruka sat down beside him. A second later, Misaki took the seat on his other side.

Ryo (pausing mid-bite): "Huh? What's this? A seating arrangement I wasn't informed about?"

Haruka (grinning): "Nope, just felt like sitting here today."

Misaki (smirking): "Coincidence, I'm sure."

Ryo's survival instincts kicked in immediately. Something about this setup felt very, very wrong.

Across the cafeteria, Ayane's chopsticks snapped in half.

Ayane (muttering, glaring daggers): "Oh? So now there are two of them?"

Haruka leaned in closer, smiling innocently.

Haruka: "So, Ryo, you ever thought about getting a girlfriend?"

Ryo (casually): "Nah, too expensive. Dating means gifts, dates, and anniversary dinners. I'm not about that life."

Haruka (eye twitching): "Oh? What if the girl didn't care about money? What if she just liked you for you?"

Ryo (laughing): "That girl would have terrible taste!"

Haruka's grip on her spoon tightened. The sound of metal bending filled the air.

Haruka (sweetly but menacingly): "Oh, really now?"

Misaki, watching this unfold, sipped her tea with amusement.

Misaki: "Interesting. Very interesting."

Misaki, never one to let Haruka take the lead, gently placed a hand on Ryo's shoulder.

Misaki (smiling elegantly): "Ryo, darling, if you're so worried about money, I have a simple solution."

Ryo (raising an eyebrow): "Oh? What's that?"

Misaki (leaning in, whispering): "Just marry into my family."

Ryo froze mid-chew. The cafeteria went dead silent.

Random Student: "D-Did she just propose?!"

Haruka (slamming the table): "EXCUSE ME?!"

Ryo (choking on his food): "HACK—COUGH—WAIT, WHAT?!"

Misaki simply took another sip of tea, looking completely unbothered.

Misaki (smirking): "What? You'd be rich, you wouldn't have to work, and all you'd have to do is sit there and look pretty. Isn't that your dream?"

Ryo held his head.

Ryo (muttering): "Why does that sound so appealing…?"

Ayane, meanwhile, was seconds away from leaping across the room and throwing hands.

Ayane (muttering): "Oh no. Oh no, no, no. That won't do."

4. The Nightly Punishment – Double the Pain

That night, Ryo stretched, feeling mentally exhausted from dealing with both Haruka and Misaki.

Ryo: "At least now I can sleep in peace—"

Ayane (suddenly appearing behind him): "Oh, Ryo~"

Ryo's soul left his body.

Ryo (slowly turning): "Ayane… why are you smiling like that?"

Before he could react, Ayane flipped him over and pinned him down.

Ryo (panicking): "WAIT, WHAT DID I DO?!"

Ayane (smiling sweetly): "Oh, nothing. Just making sure you don't get any funny ideas about Haruka or Misaki."

Ryo: "THIS IS UNFAIR! I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING!"

Ayane: "Oh? So getting a marriage proposal and ignoring Haruka's feelings isn't 'anything'?"

Ryo: "OKAY! OKAY! BUT WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO INVOLVE PAIN?!"

Ayane (grinning, tightening her grip): "Because, dear cousin, you deserve it~"

Ryo's cries of suffering echoed through the night.

And so, the next morning, he arrived at school limping.

Haruka: "Ryo, what happened to you?"

Misaki (sipping tea): "Rough night?"

Across the cafeteria, Ayane smiled smugly.