Chapter 22: I Had to Choose One Girl. Then the Others Started Sneaking In.

Reina was holding the dare card like it was law.

> "Choose one girl to sleep beside tonight. No excuses. No running."

Yuna's eyes sparkled like a predator.

Riko was frozen, trying not to look like she cared.

Airi was already doing breathing exercises.

Akari? She smiled like she already won.

And me?

I wanted to evaporate.

---

The Decision

I closed my eyes.

Took a deep breath.

And pointed.

"…Riko."

Everyone went silent.

Riko blinked. "Wh-What?"

"I just… feel like you haven't gotten a fair chance."

Yuna: crossed arms. "Bold of you."

Airi: already updating her ranking spreadsheet.

Akari: said nothing. But her smile vanished.

---

Later – Inside the Cabin

The others were "respectfully" staying in the other room.

Riko was curled up beside me on the futon, stiff as a board.

Neither of us said anything for five minutes.

Then she mumbled—

"…Thanks. For choosing me."

I turned my head. "You okay?"

"I'm fine."

She wasn't.

"…I almost said it earlier. At the fire."

"I know."

She turned to face me.

"I've never said it before. To anyone."

I swallowed.

Her voice shook. Just a little.

"If I say it… everything changes. Doesn't it?"

"Yeah," I said.

We stayed silent.

Then she reached out—just barely—and held my hand.

Just for a second.

"…Not tonight," she whispered. "But maybe soon."

---

Meanwhile – Yuna's Late-Night Infiltration

She cracked the cabin door open at 1:27 a.m.

Barefoot. Hoodie. Mischief in her soul.

She tiptoed into the other room.

Saw Kaito and Riko sleeping, not touching but too close.

She scowled.

"…Okay. That's enough peace."

She quietly pulled out a bottle labeled "Plan B – Emotional Detonation" from her bag.

---

Airi's Monitor Activates

Beep.

Beep.

> "UNAUTHORIZED BODY MOVEMENT DETECTED"

Airi's eyes opened.

She sat up.

"…The fox is loose."

She grabbed a flashlight and three backup plans.

---

Akari Watches From the Shadows

Alone on the porch, Akari sat in the moonlight.

Looking at her phone.

At an old photo.

A selfie.

Little Kaito. Little Akari.

She was hugging him.

He was smiling.

The caption:

> "My future husband. No backsies."

She sighed.

"…Not losing. Not again."