Ryo had just settled in for a peaceful afternoon when his phone buzzed.
đ± Unknown Number:"Come to the mansion tonight. 7 PM sharp. Don't be late."
Ryo (reading, sweating): "Wait⊠MANSION?!"
Then, before he could reactâa black car pulled up outside his house.
Ayane (leaning in the doorway, grinning): "Oh? Looks like someone's important."Ryo (panicking): "NO. THIS IS BAD. REALLY BAD."
The car window rolled down, revealing a huge, terrifying Yakuza guy.
Yakuza Guy: "Get in. The boss is waiting."
Ryo's soul left his body.
Ryo: "W-Wait, I have rightsâ"Yakuza Guy: "No, you don't."
And just like that, he was dragged away.
Before Ryo could even process his potential death, the car stoppedâbut not at a hideout.
It was a massive, luxurious mansion.
Ryo (blinking): "Wait⊠I was expecting a torture chamber."Yakuza Guy (ignoring him): "The boss is inside. Move it."
As Ryo stepped in, he was greeted by a long dining table, filled with expensive food⊠and the boss himself.
Yakuza Boss (grinning): "Takahashi! You actually showed up. Sit."
Ryo nervously sat down, fully expecting to be shot.
But before things got worseâŠ
đ„ The front door burst open!
Haruka (panting): "RYO! DON'T SIGN ANYTHING!"Misaki (adjusting gloves): "I knew something shady was happening."Reika (smiling): "Ara~ What an interesting gathering."Ayane (calmly sitting next to Ryo): "Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world."
Ryo's heart dropped.
Ryo (muttering): "WHY. ARE YOU. ALL HERE?"Haruka: "We're here to save you!"Ryo: "From WHAT?!"
Yakuza Boss (laughing): "Hah! I like these girls. Fine, you all can stay. Let's eat."
And just like that⊠dinner started.
As food was served, the boss leaned in toward Ryo.
Yakuza Boss: "Now, let's talk about you."Ryo (sweating): "U-Uh⊠yes, sir?"Yakuza Boss: "I hear⊠you have many women fighting over you."
đ Dead silence. đ
Ryo (choking on food): "IâWHAT?!"Haruka & Misaki (outraged): "WHO TOLD YOU THAT?!"Ayane (grinning): "Oh, this is getting good."Reika (smiling): "I'd like to hear this too."
The Yakuza boss sipped his tea, unfazed.
Yakuza Boss: "Listen, kid. Women are dangerous. I should knowâI married four times."Ryo: "That's⊠not helping."
Yakuza Boss (grinning): "So tell me, Takahashi⊠which girl are you picking?"
đ More silence. đ
Ryo (internally):I'M GOING TO DIE.
Haruka, Misaki, Ayane, and Reika all turned toward him.
Their eyes burned with interest.
Haruka (blushing): "Y-Yeah, Ryo⊠Who are you picking?"Misaki (smirking): "Choose wisely, Takahashi."Reika (tilting her head): "Ara~ I'm curious too."Ayane (grinning, cracking her knuckles): "Go ahead, Ryo. Pick."
Ryo looked at the boss for help.
Ryo (whispering): "Sir. Please. Help me."Yakuza Boss (laughing): "Nope. This is entertaining."
With zero options left, Ryo did what he did bestâhe talked his way out.
Ryo (clearing throat): "You see, sir⊠love is a complicated thing."Yakuza Boss: "Hoh?"
Ryo dramatically held up a chopstick.
Ryo: "Love is like chopsticks. You can't use just one. It's all about balance."Haruka, Misaki, Ayane, & Reika: "Hah?"
Ryo, feeling himself now, continued.
Ryo: "You see, each of these girls⊠represents a part of my life. Together, they form a perfect equilibrium. Choosing just one would destroy the harmony of the universe."
Haruka (confused): "Wait⊠are you comparing us to chopsticks?"Misaki (flatly): "Takahashi. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
Ryo (dramatically sighing): "And yet, you're all still listening."
Silence.
Yakuza Boss (laughing heartily): "Hah! Kid, you're either a genius or the biggest idiot I've ever met."
Ryo: "I like to think it's both, sir."
And just like that⊠Ryo somehow survived.
As they left the mansion, Ryo wiped sweat off his forehead.
Ryo (relieved): "Phew. That went better than expected."
Then, he realized the girls were staring at him.
Ryo: "âŠWhat?"
Ayane (grinning): "So we're chopsticks, huh?"Haruka (cracking her knuckles): "Care to explain that, Ryo?"Misaki (adjusting gloves): "I think he needs a lesson on proper metaphors."Reika (smiling sweetly): "Ara~ I think we should all talk with him. Privately."
Ryo turned pale.
Ryo: "W-Wait. We just left the Yakuza mansion! You can'tâ"
Ayane: "Oh, we can."
And that night, Ryo's suffering continued.