Ryo thought today would be peaceful.


    Ryo (stretching): "Finally, a normal day—"


    Before he could finish, Haruka and Misaki appeared on either side of him, blocking his escape.


    Haruka (smiling too sweetly): "Ryo~ we need to talk."Misaki (adjusting her gloves): "Yes, Takahashi. A very important talk."


    Ryo''s survival instincts kicked in.


    Ryo (sweating): I''m in danger.


    Haruka and Misaki dragged Ryo to an empty classroom and shut the door.


    Ryo (nervous laugh): "Uh… this feels like an interrogation."Haruka (smiling but eyes sharp): "Good. Because it is."Misaki (crossing arms): "We''ve had enough, Takahashi."


    Ryo gulped.


    Ryo: "Enough… of what?"Haruka & Misaki (together): "AYANE."


    Ryo froze.


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    Ryo: Oh no.


    Haruka (leaning forward, blushing but serious): "Ryo, be honest. Who do you like more? Me, or that sneaky ninja girl?"Misaki (smirking, confident): "Obviously, I''m the superior choice, but let''s hear it from you."


    Ryo''s brain shut down.


    Ryo (internally screaming): WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!


    He had two options:1?? Answer truthfully → Immediate death.2?? Lie → Delayed death.


    Ryo (suddenly serious): "You know… this is a deep question."Haruka & Misaki (leaning in): "Yeah?"Ryo (nodding, crossing arms): "How can I possibly answer before considering all factors?"


    Step 1: Stall for Time.


    Ryo: "Love is a complex thing. It requires deep thought, understanding, and—"


    Misaki: "Just pick someone, idiot."


    Step 2: Confuse the Enemy.


    Ryo: "BUT! What is love, really?"Haruka: "DON''T START PHILOSOPHIZING."


    Step 3: Escape.


    Ryo (pointing to the window): "OH NO, A DISTRACTION!"


    Haruka and Misaki instinctively looked.


    Ryo ran.


    Haruka & Misaki: "GET BACK HERE!"


    That night, Ryo sighed in relief.


    Ryo (grinning): "Man, I dodged that one."


    Then, Ayane''s voice purred behind him.


    Ayane (smirking): "Oh, Ryo~"Ryo (immediately sweating): "Oh no."


    Before he could react, Ayane kicked his legs out, pinned him, and grinned.


    Ayane: "I saw everything."Ryo: "Please, have mercy—"Ayane: "No."


    And so, Ryo suffered that night.


    But at least he was still technically alive.