The thing about being cornered in a house full of women—two of whom actively enjoy teasing you, and one who blushes every time the word "kiss" is mentioned—is that you eventually stop trying to escape.
You just learn to endure.
We were back in Koharu's room. A small fortress of posters, plushies, and half-finished storyboards. The door had barely clicked shut when Rena poked her head in with that same foxlike grin.
"So, Kuroda-kun," she said. "What do you actually like about my awkward little sister?"
Koharu froze mid-sentence.
"Rena! That's none of your—"
"What? It's a valid question. He's been dragged into your chaos. Might as well know if he's in it for the long haul."
I adjusted my glasses, mostly to stall.
Rena leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
Koharu had gone red from the collarbone up.
"Well?" Rena pressed. "Is it her chaotic energy? Her weird obsession with being a heroine? Her incredible ability to trip over nothing?"
"You're not helping," Koharu hissed.
I shrugged. "She makes things... less quiet."
Both sisters blinked.
"That's it?" Rena asked.
"It matters to me."
Koharu's mouth opened, then shut. Like her brain couldn't decide whether to squeal or short-circuit.
"You two are disgustingly cute," Rena muttered. "I need a drink."
She left, finally, but not without throwing in one last wink. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
The room fell quiet again.
Koharu flopped onto the bed face-first and groaned into her pillow.
"I swear she was put on this planet to ruin my dignity."
"She's good at it."
"Don't encourage her."
After a few minutes, she sat up and looked at me with something different in her expression. Not embarrassment. Not mischief. Something closer to nervous determination.
"Hey..."
"Hm?"
"Do you think... kissing should be practiced? Like... in drafts?"
I blinked. Twice.
"Like, should we... try it? Not for real! Just for the story. Like a... rehearsal."
I might have died in that moment. Or maybe my brain blue-screened.
"You know," she added quickly, "like blocking a scene! Not emotional. Just technical. Scripted. Like actors."
"Sure. Actors. Right. Definitely not terrifying."
She crawled over, slow and awkward, like she wasn't sure if this was bravery or lunacy.
We were close. Really close.
Her eyes flicked up to mine. Her breath was uneven.
I swallowed.
And then—
"PUDDING!"
The door burst open. Misaki Minami stood there holding a tray of cups with a triumphant grin.
"Oho~ Are we at that part already? Should I dim the lights?"
Koharu screamed and dove under a blanket.
I stared at the ceiling and quietly considered whether I could fake a coma.
Rena reappeared behind her mom and smirked. "Ten bucks says Koharu headbutts him out of fluster."
"Rena, GET OUT!"
"Technically, I never came in."
Koharu's pillow hit the door with a thud. Misaki just hummed a tune and passed me a pudding.
"You're very brave, young man," she said. "Most don't survive this household past dinner."
I took the pudding and muttered, "Please kill me."
Koharu peeked out from under the blanket, face burning.
"We're never talking about this. Ever."
"Agreed."
But I noticed her hand lingered beside mine.
And for all the chaos, all the noise, one thought stayed with me:
Even her practice kisses felt real.
And I didn't mind the rehearsal.