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

Ryo woke up to something strange. The house was… quiet.

Normally, Ayane would've ambushed him, flipped him out of bed, or at least smacked him for existing. But today? Nothing.

Ryo (blinking): "Weird. Maybe she finally got bored of bullying me?"

He walked into the living room and found Ayane curled up under a blanket on the couch.

Ayane (weakly glaring): "If you… say anything smug… I will end you."Ryo (grinning): "Oh? The mighty ninja… defeated by the common cold?"Ayane: "Shut up before I use my last strength to strangle you."

For the first time ever, Ayane looked… fragile.

Ryo (tilting head): "Huh. So even you have weaknesses."Ayane (mumbling): "I swear, once I recover…"

Before Ryo could process this rare non-violent moment, the door slammed open.

Haruka (rushing in): "I heard Ayane's sick!"Misaki (dramatic gasp): "How tragic! I suppose even the strongest warriors have their limits!"

Ryo: "Why do you two always know what's happening in my house?!"

Haruka immediately pulled out a homemade lunch.

Haruka (blushing): "I-It's not like I made this just for Ayane! It's just… I always carry one!"Misaki (smirking): "How pathetic. Unlike you, I hired a professional chef to prepare this."

She gestured to a bag full of expensive, high-class food.

Ayane stared at both offerings… then looked at Ryo.

Ayane (weakly): "Ryo. I'm too tired to pick. You choose."

Ryo, being Ryo, made the worst possible decision.

Ryo: "I'll take both. I'm starving."

Haruka & Misaki (in sync): "YOU'RE NOT THE ONE WHO'S SICK!!!"

Haruka and Misaki took turns fussing over Ayane, but as soon as they left the room…

Ayane (mumbling): "Ryo… water…"Ryo: "Oh, NOW you need me?"Ayane: "Shut up… or I'll… beat you… later…"

Ryo sighed, grabbed a wet towel, and placed it on her forehead.

Ryo: "Wow. Taking care of you without getting punched? This is new."

Ayane opened one eye, her usual sharp gaze missing.

Ayane (softly): "You're… kinda nice when you're not an idiot."Ryo (grinning): "Is that a compliment? From you?"Ayane (mumbling): "Don't get used to it…"

For the first time ever, Ryo saw a different side of Ayane. One that wasn't smug, teasing, or violent.

And it made his heart feel weird.

Ryo (frowning): "Ugh. Maybe I'm getting sick too."

By nighttime, Haruka and Misaki had gone home, and Ayane was finally resting.

Ryo, sitting beside her, let out a relieved sigh.

Ryo: "Okay, finally, some peace—"

Then, Ayane shifted under the blanket… and grabbed his sleeve.

Ryo (blinking): "Uh… Ayane?"

She wasn't fully awake, but she mumbled softly:

Ayane (sleepily): "…Don't leave."

For once, there was no teasing. No threats. No smug grins. Just… a quiet, genuine moment.

Ryo, normally dense, felt something stir in his chest.

Ryo (softly): "…Yeah, yeah. I won't."

Ayane didn't beat him that night.

The Day Ayane Became Soft?!