Chapter 89: The Post-Photoshoot Fallout

The Cosmode photoshoot is officially over, but the fallout is just beginning. My life, previously a simple Category 3 hurricane of sibling drama and rivalries, has been upgraded to a Category 5, spinning vortex of international cosplay intrigue and deeply buried childhood mysteries. Knowing that Aiwa Matsuki, my shy, quiet classmate, is also LUNA, the untouchable cosplay goddess, has fundamentally broken my brain.

Walking into school on Monday morning feels like entering a gladiatorial arena armed only with a wet noodle. My every nerve is frayed. I keep expecting LUNA's deep, commanding voice to boom out of Aiwa's mouth, or for Aiwa to suddenly levitate her pencil case using hidden micro-servos. She does neither. She is just Aiwa, sitting quietly at her desk, sketching in her notebook, occasionally glancing up with a small, hesitant smile that now sends waves of pure panic through my system. How can she be so normal?! Is this acting? Or is the LUNA persona the real her, and this shy schoolgirl is the act? My head hurts.

My personal mental breakdown is, of course, completely overshadowed by the ongoing Cold War between Rina and Haruka over the newly contested territory known as "Me." The photoshoot seems to have only intensified their efforts. They are no longer just rivals; they are allies united against a common threat (LUNA), but also bitter enemies in the battle for my attention. It is exhausting.

"Good morning, Onii-chan!" Rina chirps, latching onto my arm the moment I step into the classroom. Her grip is possessive, her smile aimed like a laser beam at Aiwa's general direction.

"Morning, Rui-kun," Haruka says, appearing seemingly out of nowhere on my other side, attempting to link her arm through mine. "Did you sleep well? You look a little tired. Planning world domination must be exhausting." Her words are directed at me, but her sharp gaze is fixed on Rina.

I am once again the rope in their passive-aggressive tug-of-war. "I slept fine," I grumble, trying to extract myself from both of them. "And please maintain a minimum safe distance. I need oxygen to survive."

Aiwa watches this exchange from her desk, her eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and something that looks suspiciously like amusement. She quickly ducks her head back down to her sketchbook when she realizes I am looking at her. My suspicion flares again. Is she laughing at me? Does she know the chaos she has inadvertently caused?

Kenji, my ever-helpful best friend, chooses this moment to arrive. "Behold!" he declares, striking a pose in the doorway. "The noble knight Rui, flanked by his two beautiful valkyries! Light and Shadow! What epic quest do we embark upon today?"

"The quest to get you to shut up, Kenji," I mutter.

"He is just jealous because Rui-kun clearly has superior taste in companions," Haruka says, giving Rina a pointed look.

"He does," Rina agrees, tightening her grip on my arm. "Which is why he prefers my company."

They start bickering, using me as a conversational shield. I just stand there, a helpless pawn in their game, while Aiwa watches from her desk, a small, unreadable smile playing on her lips. My life is a sitcom, and I am pretty sure I am not the main character; I am the long-suffering straight man whose only purpose is to react to the absurdity around him.