Chapter 10: ’’A New Rival!!??"

 “Sure. Let’s go after my shift.”Later that evening, they sat across from each other at a cozy outdoor café. The sunset bathed the sky in soft oranges and pinks. Everything felt perfect until the music started playing.

“Cheaters gonna cheat, but karma always eats HEY!”“We see you, faker! Don’t be a heartbreaker!”

 Can’t even blame her.”kaoe,dramatically placing a hand over her chest, whispered with mock betrayal, “Master… you betrayed me...”

The city lights twinkled in the distance as Kai walked home, hands in his pockets and a dazed look in his eyes.

Kai: “Man… that date felt way too real. Is this really still a dream? Or am I actually losing my mind?”

He shook his head and climbed the stairs to his apartment. The moment he unlocked the door…

Yuki: “Welcome back, cheater.”Kaoe: “Oh, so you finally remembered you live here.”

Kai froze. Kai: “O-oh yeah… you two…”Yuki raised an eyebrow, clearly not amused.

Yuki: “Your little date must’ve been amazing, huh?”Kai blinked.Kai: “W-what?! How do you know about that?!”

Kaoe crossed her arms.Kaoe: “What’s that supposed to mean? You really went on a secret date?”Yuki dramatically turned away.

Yuki: “It feels like forever since I was your favorite… then this ugly cat entered you life and steal all the attention "

Kaoe: “Who are you calling ugly, huh?!”Kai’s eyes widened as panic set in.Kai: “Wait… WAIT so it wasn’t a dream?!”

Yuki looked over her shoulder, clearly hurt.Yuki: “And now you’re trying to make up more lies? I hate you.”

Kai stepped forward, his voice gentle.Kai: “Hey, Yuki… I’m sorry. I really didn’t know it was real… I thought it was just another weird dream. I swear.”

Yuki’s expression softened just a little.Yuki: “Hmph… fine. I guess I understand. But the fact that you actually went on a date still hurts.”

Kai: “I’ll do anything to make it up to you. I mean it.”She turned to him slowly, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Yuki: “Anything?”Kai: “Y-yeah. Anything…”Yuki: “Then take me on a date.”Kaoe: “Me too!” she chimed in with a grin.

The next morning, Kai was still trying to recover from the emotional rollercoaster of yesterday.

Yuki: “We’ve decided.”Kai: “Decided what...?”Yuki: “We’re going on that date today.”

Kaoe: “A double date. Me and you, and Yuki and you.”Kai: “Wait... what? That’s not even how dates work!”

Yuki: “And we’ll go to that same restaurant. You know, the one where she works.”Kai: “W-What!! Why there?!”Kaoe: “Oh, I agree. It’ll be... fun.”

Kai thinking “Oh man, what’s wrong with them? Why are they like this?!”Yuki: “Did you say something, Kai?”Kai: “No! Nothing at all!”

At the Restaurant

Kai sat sandwiched between Yuki and Kaoe, nervously sipping water. The atmosphere was tenser than a suspense movie. Then... she arrived.

Zoya walked over, her smile charming but her eyes full of betrayal.Zoya: “Welcome back, sir. What can I get you?”

She leaned slightly forward, pretending to write something on her notepad and whispered just low enough for only Kai to hear

Zoya: “...Cheater.”

Kai: “What?!”Zoya quickly smiling “Nothing! Your order will be out soon.”Kai slumped in his seat.

Kai thinking “Great. Just great. I’ve officially been labeled a player in four different realities... The food hadn’t even arrived yet, but the tension at the table was thick enough to cut with a spoon.

Yuki smiling too hard “So Kai... how did the food taste yesterday?”

Kai sweating “Uhh... I-I don’t really remember... haha…”

Kaoe: “Oh? But didn’t you tell her it was ‘cool and atmospheric’?”Kai: “Wait, how do you ?!”

Zoya returned to the table, setting down the drinks with the grace of a professional... but slipped a note next to Kai’s glass.

Yuki: “What’s that?”Kai: “Nothing!”He snatched it quickly and read it under the table.

“Don’t act all innocent. I thought I was special, cheater boy.” – Zoya.

Kai thinking “Why is my life turning into a romantic horror game?!”Kaoe smiling sweetly “Zoya, you look tired. Everything okay?”

Zoya fake smile “Oh no, I’m doing great. Just had to serve a backstabbing traitor earlier.”Yuki giggling “Wow, some people are really dramatic.”

Zoya: “Mhm. And some girls just can’t take a hint that they were never his favorite.”

Kaoe gasps “Oh? I’m sorry, I don’t speak the language of side characters.”Kai whispers “I want to go home.”

Zoya slams the food on the table a little too hard, spaghetti bouncing on Kai’s shirt.

Zoya: “Oops. My hand must’ve slipped.”Yuki glaring “Don’t worry, I’ll clean him up later.”

Kaoe: “Actually, I’ll do it. I’m used to handling messy situations.”Kai just stared at his plate, wondering if it would be rude to hide under the table.