I yanked the door open—and Daiki struck the exact same ridiculous pose, radiating the same unstoppable, blinding energy.
"Yeaaaaaah~!"
Ah.
This is reality.
I shot my hand up and clamped it over his mouth. "Daiki, you shit! What are you doing here?!"
"Heeeh…?" His voice muffled behind my hand. "You said 'come over anytime'!"
"At least text me! I said I'd reply!" I barked, finally releasing him, only for him to lean in with that infuriating grin.
"Ehehee… I figured you'd be home," he said, eyes sparkling with that infuriating, chaotic joy. Then he smirked. "Mr. Newly-wed-husband."
My face practically combusted. "A—Agh! Shut your mouth!"
***
Daiki marched in like a hurricane with legs. All the energy in the world packed into one too-loud human. And there I was… utterly helpless.
"Pardon my intrusion!!!"
Risa stepped forward, trying to maintain composure, and gave a polite bow. "Mr. Inoue, welcome."
"Ah! Risa-chan! Just 'Daiki' is fine!" he said, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Risa blinked, cheeks faintly pink. "U-Uh… okay."
Then Daiki's gaze swept across the living room—and locked eyes with Kana.
"Ah—"
"Ah—"
I'm doomed.
The air itself seemed to crackle. Two unstoppable forces of extroversion, sizing each other up, mid-living room showdown.
Daiki spun toward me, finger pointed at Kana. "Rion! Who's this?! She's super cute! Is she singl—Agh—!"
My hand gripped his face. "Have some shame!!" I barked. Then, letting out an exasperated sigh, I gestured to Kana. "This is Risa's friend… Yoshi—"
Kana leapt up dramatically, striking a pose. "Allow me to introduce myself! Yoshikawa Kana! Risa's emotional support mascot!"
Ah.
She upgraded from 'idol'.
Her energy shot across the room like a tidal wave, battering me, Risa, and Daiki all at once.
Daiki's grin widened. He matched her energy without hesitation.
"I am Inoue Daiki!" He struck an absurdly exaggerated pose—and I swear I heard a whip sound effect. "Rion's personal pain in the ass!!"
The air practically vibrated under the force of their combined chaos. And before I could blink, they approached each other, clashing their energy midair.
Kana leaned in, eyes sparkling. "Mister! I like your energy!"
Daiki puffed up proudly, meeting her gaze. "Ha-Ha! I like your style, dear maiden!"
Then… they laughed. Triumphantly. Spectacularly. Like two forces of nature who had just discovered each other.
And me?
I could only stand frozen, hands trembling.
At this rate, the world might literally end tonight.
Risa stepped beside me, reaching for my hand. I turned to her as she squeezed. She smiled, detaching me from the chaos of the living room. And the triumphant laughs of the two demon lords of extroversion blurred into the back of my mind.
I squeezed her hand back. "This is gonna be a long night…"
"Mm." She nodded, calm and reassuring.
***
Finally,
Finally!
We settled down in the living room.
"Yaaah!" Daiki scratched his head. "I figured we could have a welcome party for Risa!" He turned to Kana. "But I didn't expect a surprise this cute!"
"Ahaha! Daiki you're making me blush!" Kana playfully jabbed him a few times.
"You're the surprise here, you knave! Also stop flirting! You just met!" I barked, jabbing a finger at him.
"Huuh~" Daiki playfully fidgets with his fingers. "Are you saying I'm the cute surprise?~"
A vein popped in my head.
This guy…
I want to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile at him.
"Also I'm not flirting!" He waved around. "That was just the proper way to greet cute girls." He said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, then he glanced at Kana. "Right? Kana-chan?"
Like hell it is!
"Yes, yes." She nodded. "I give it a 10/10. And besides, I wouldn't flirt right from the get-go either."
Then her eyes sharpened towards Daiki, a dangerous smirk forming on her lips. "Unless they're into it."
Daiki raised a brow, matching her grin. "Oh~? I don't know~ Maybe I should open up my schedule~"
These two...
They're making me feel embarrassed.
"Can I have your contact?" Daiki innocently slid his phone.
"Mm!" Kana nodded, not missing a beat. "Here you go."
I twitched.
Could you at least think about it???
A tired sigh escaped me. It hasn't even been ten minutes, and I was ready to collapse on the spot.
"Thanks for waiting!" Risa lowered a heaping plate of karaage onto the table.
"Wooooah!" Kana and Daiki exploded in unison.
"This is perfect!" Daiki grabbed the plastic bag and slammed a can of beer on the table. "Let's enjoy ourselves!"
Kana leaned in eagerly. "Ohh!! You know your stuff, Daiki-kun!"
"I brought snacks too!" Daiki added, reaching for another item.
I watched in silence as the two hurricanes blabbered over each other, chaos incarnate.
Risa settled beside me, brushing lightly against my shoulder. I stole a glance, just for a moment, and the noise of the room seemed to fade.
Risa… and her magic.
Calming me just by existing.
"Risa," I murmured.
She looked up. "Yes?" Her voice was soft, calm amidst the storm. Her eyes shined bright.
Seems like she's enjoying this.
Well, to be honest, I am too.
This is nice.
Once in a while.
I reached for a beer and held it out. "Do you drink?"
"Ah, just a little... I'm a light drinker."
My gaze lingered on her as I cracked the can. "Alright then… don't let them drag you around."
She accepted it with a small, knowing smile. And for a fleeting moment, there was no chaos around us. It felt like the room belonged only to us.
"Alright!" Daiki shot upright, wearing a grin wide enough to light up the universe. "Here's to the newly-weds!!" He flung his can forward with theatrical flair.
I couldn't help but smile. I cracked my own can and tossed it in return. Kana followed, Risa next, their movements perfectly in sync.
Our cans collided in the center of the table, splashing golden liquid into the air. The droplets caught the light, sparkling like tiny stars suspended in the moment.
And in unison:
"Cheers!!!"