After enjoying the delicious dinner Yuta prepared, everyone cheerfully said their goodnights and headed toward their rooms. The house slowly fell into a calm, comfortable silence, but for Yuta, sleep wasn't coming easily. The unfamiliar softness of the new mattress and the strange atmosphere of the shared home kept him turning from side to side.
Eventually, he gave up trying to sleep and stepped outside his room to get some fresh air. He walked quietly onto the platform between the rooms on the second floor. As the cool night breeze brushed his face, he saw someone else already standing there—right across from his room.
It was Erika.
She stood under the dim ceiling light, holding her phone close to her chest. Her cheerful energy was nowhere to be found—her expression looked pale and tired, eyes glossed over as she stared blankly at the screen.
Yuta walked closer, surprised. "Erika? Are you okay?"
Startled, she quickly wiped her eyes and turned around with a faint smile. "Ah, Yuta. I'm fine. Just… couldn't sleep either."
But Yuta wasn't convinced. He caught a glimpse of her phone screen before she locked it—and what he saw made his chest tighten.
A nasty, abusive comment.
From a high school girl.
"She's just a cheap girl selling herself for attention. Probably has an OnlyFans. Disgusting."
Jealousy masked as hate. It stung even him—and it wasn't even directed at him.
"You don't have to hide it from me," Yuta said gently. "That comment… it wasn't okay."
Erika lowered her gaze. "Please… don't tell anyone. I don't want them to worry or pity me."
"I won't. Promise." Yuta nodded firmly.
He paused for a moment, then added, "People think being a model or influencer is easy. But honestly? I don't think it's easy at all. You have to always look your best, smile even when you're breaking inside, and keep going no matter what people say."
Erika blinked in surprise.
"I may not know everything, but I do know that your work is real," Yuta continued. "What that girl said… she was just jealous. That's all."
Erika looked at him—really looked at him—and for the first time in a while, her smile was genuine.
"You're a really kind person, Yuta," she said softly. "Thank you… for seeing me, not just my image."
Yuta rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly blushing. "I–It's nothing."
As the moment faded, Erika turned back to her room. "Good night, Yuta."
"Good night, Erika."
Yuta watched her go, still feeling the warmth of her smile—and maybe, just maybe, her trust.
Then he walked back into his room, wondering if sleep might finally come now that his heart felt a little fuller.
The morning sun peeked gently over the rooftops, casting a golden hue over the quiet neighborhood. The house was still asleep, but Yuta had already laced up his running shoes.
Maintaining his physique was important to him—both for discipline and for self-confidence. As part of his daily routine, he jogged around the narrow paths behind the house, soaking in the fresh air and soft chirping of birds.
Just as he turned the corner behind the backyard, he noticed a familiar figure also running—Mai.
Yuta raised an eyebrow. Mai? Running this early?
Then it clicked. Ah, right. Her badminton tournament's coming up. She's probably training for it.
He watched her movements for a moment. She was light on her feet, nimble, but… something was off. Her steps seemed hurried, a bit anxious. Her expression wasn't her usual bubbly self—she looked tense, worried even.
Concerned, Yuta picked up his pace and caught up to her.
"Hey, Mai!"
Startled, she turned her head, eyes wide. "Ah—Yuta?! W-What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same," Yuta chuckled. "You looked a little nervous, so I thought I'd check in. Is everything okay? Are you worried about the tournament?"
Mai's mouth dropped. "Wha—wait, are you a mind-reader or something?"
Yuta grinned. "So I was right?"
She sighed, slowing down just a little. "Yeah… it's the biggest tournament of my life. If I lose… I'll disappoint everyone. I'm scared, Yuta."
Yuta's expression turned serious but kind. "You won't disappoint anyone. I've seen you play during gym class—you're focused, fierce, and honestly, amazing. It's your passion, right? I believe in you."
Mai blinked, eyes softening. "You… really think so?"
"I promise I'll be there to cheer you on, front row," he added with a thumb up. "Just tell me when and where."
Mai smiled shyly. "It's… one month from now. But if you really come… I'll be super confident."
Before Yuta could reply, she blushed and suddenly sped up, leaving him behind.
"Wha—hey! Wait!" Yuta called out, confused.
She wants to race? …Alright, let's go then!
He picked up his pace, sprinting with full energy. Within seconds, he zoomed past Mai like a rocket.
Mai stopped mid-run, eyes wide in disbelief. "Huh?! That dumbass actually thought I wanted to race? He's so fast—wait, why is he so fast?!"
Giggling in exasperation, she shook her head and continued running at her pace.
By the time Yuta returned home, still catching his breath from the "race," he stepped inside and headed toward the kitchen. There, under the soft morning light, stood Yuki, preparing two cups of coffee.
She turned her head and froze for a moment upon seeing him. "You… went for a run?"
"Yeah," Yuta nodded, wiping sweat off his forehead. "Trying to stay in shape."
Yuki hesitated, then glanced down, cheeks slightly pink. "Would you… like some coffee?"
Yuta blinked, surprised. Then smiled. "Sure. I'd love some."
He stepped beside her quietly, the morning air between them filled with unspoken feelings, light blushes, and the soft aroma of coffee.
As Yuta quietly sipped his coffee beside Yuki in the kitchen, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Izumi and Amane, still half-asleep, dragged themselves down into the living room, hair messy, eyes barely open.
"Ughhh… what time is it…?" Izumi mumbled, stretching like a cat who got zero sleep.
Amane yawned deeply, slumping onto the couch. "It's too early for life…"
Mai, already freshened up and stretching her legs, turned with a cheeky grin. "Well, well, look who finally decided to join the land of the living."
"Huh?" Amane rubbed his eyes.
"You two should really learn from Yuta," Mai said, pointing dramatically toward the kitchen. "He woke up early, went for a run, and guess what—he beat me in a race. In seconds!"
"Wait—what?!" Erika, who had just entered the room, almost dropped her phone. "Yuta beat you in a race?!"
Yuki blinked in disbelief. "That's seriously impressive… Mai won the fastest runner championship across all the middle schools in our city."
Yuta scratched the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. "Ahaha… it just kind of happened."
A moment of stunned silence.
Then—Izumi screamed.
"Whaaaaat?! YOU BEAT MAI?! BROOOOO!! ARE YOU SECRETLY A SHONEN PROTAGONIST?!"
He grabbed Yuta by the shoulders and shook him. "Teach me your ways, Master Yuta!"
Amane's jaw dropped. "Hold up. You're telling me you outran Mai—the Mai?! The girl who runs like a hurricane with wings?! What kind of protein do you even eat, dude?!"
Yuta laughed awkwardly. "It wasn't that big a deal…"
Mai crossed her arms with a pout. "Yeah, yeah… act humble. But I'll win next time!"
Erika smirked. "Okay, now I'm interested. We definitely need a rematch. And maybe a sports day in this house."
Yuki added softly, "Maybe we should all start a morning routine together…"
Izumi instantly paled. "Wait… wait. Are we talking about running? In the morning?! That's against my religion!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
As the group walked through the school gates, it felt like the entire campus had frozen.
All eyes were on Yuta, Mai, Erika, and Yuki — the dream team.
📸 Click.📸 Click click.Phones were snapping photos faster than a concert.
Whispers filled the air like static electricity.
"Bro, how the hell did Yuta pull that off?!"
"Is he dating one of them? Wait... which one?!"
"I bet it's Erika. They look like a celebrity couple."
"No way, Yuki's totally his type. You see how she looks at him?"
"Maybe it's Mai! They look like childhood friends in a rom-com anime."
Then one guy gasped dramatically, "WAIT… what if he's dating all three?!"The hallway fell silent for a second.
"...No way.""...Legend.""...I want to be Yuta in my next life."
Even some teachers were glancing their way as they walked past the entrance.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hallway...
A group of girls watched in disbelief.
"Ugh, why are Erika, Yuki, and Mai always with him?"
"Yuki was supposed to be the quiet, cool loner. Now she's smiling around Yuta?"
"I swear Erika smiled more in one week with Yuta than her entire influencer career."
"And Mai's acting even more clingy than usual. So annoying."
One girl huffed, "It's like they're competing. Which one's gonna date him?"
Another crossed her arms. "Bet it's Erika. She's the bold type."
"I'm voting Yuki. Those silent types always win in anime."
"Maybe… just maybe… he's dating all of them."
The whole group gasped in sync. "NO WAY!"
Back near the shoe lockers, Izumi and Amane leaned on the wall, listening to everything.
Izumi's eye twitched. "This guy's about to start a war without even realizing it…"
Amane crossed his arms. "Girls are jealous of the girls, boys are jealous of Yuta... This is peak anime plot."
Izumi grumbled, "I was happy being invisible till now. Now everyone looks at me like I'm Yuta's sidekick."
Amane nodded. "Same. We're not even his sidekicks. We're like... side-background-characters."
Izumi smirked. "You know what? I'm gonna challenge Yuta to a popularity duel."
Amane laughed. "You'll lose before lunch break."
Yuta, meanwhile, kept walking, totally unaware.
He turned to Mai. "Everyone seems excited today. Is there a school festival coming up?"
Mai blinked. "You really are dense, huh?"
Yuki softly giggled. Erika shook her head with a grin.
"You're not the festival," Erika teased, "you are the main event."
Yuta blinked, confused. "Huh?"
Author`sNote-
Who will win Yuta's heart first? And how long can the peace last in this "too-perfect" shared life? Comment your favorite moment and couple below — your reviews keep this story alive! 💖