Chapter 141: Operation: Kidnap Rui (Team Building Exercise?)

The cheek kiss is the final straw. Rina and Haruka's carefully constructed "Rui Management Schedule" has been breached. Their passive-aggressive tactics have failed. Aiwa, despite (or perhaps because of) her shyness, is proving to be a surprisingly effective and unpredictable competitor. Drastic measures are required.

"This is unacceptable," Rina declares during an emergency meeting held, naturally, in my living room while I am locked in my bedroom, pretending not to listen through the door. "She is escalating. A public cheek kiss? That is a declaration of war!"

"Her strategy is surprisingly effective," Haruka admits grudgingly, pacing the room. "The blend of vulnerability and boldness is clearly having an effect on Rui-kun's compromised emotional state."

"We need to remove him from the battlefield," Rina decides, her voice grim. "We need to remind him where his loyalties lie. We need… intensive re-education."

"Are you suggesting torture?" Kenji asks excitedly from the corner where he is supposed to be sorting cosplay supplies (but is actually eavesdropping).

"No, Kenji," Miki sighs. "She is suggesting a kidnapping."

"Not a kidnapping!" Rina protests, though she looks intrigued by the idea. "A… mandatory team-building retreat! Just the core group. Away from distractions." She means Aiwa.

"A brilliant tactical maneuver," Haruka agrees immediately, seeing the potential. "Isolate the asset, reinforce primary allegiances. Where should we take him?"

Thus begins the planning phase of "Operation: Kidnap Rui For Mandatory Fun." Miki, sensing the potential for actual felonies, tries to steer them towards something reasonable.

"Perhaps a weekend trip to a quiet mountain cabin?" she suggests. "Focus on cosplay work, minimal distractions?"

"Too boring!" Kenji objects. "We need excitement! Danger! Maybe a survival training camp?"

"No," Rina and Haruka say in unison.

"I have an idea," Rina says, a slow, calculating smile spreading across her face. "My grandparents have an old, slightly rundown beach house on the Izu Peninsula. It is completely isolated. No phone signal. No Wi-Fi. Perfect."

"An isolated beach house?" Haruka echoes, considering it. "Minimal external interference. Maximum opportunity for… focused interaction." She nods slowly. "Acceptable."

Miki looks horrified. "No phone signal? No Wi-Fi? How will I manage the Ectiqa online store?! What if there is a supply chain emergency?!"

"You will survive, Miki," Rina says dismissively. "It is for the good of the team. And for Onii-chan's own protection."

The plan is set. A surprise, mandatory, off-the-grid beach house weekend. Just me, Rina, Haruka, Kenji, Miki, and Hana. Trapped. Together. With no means of communication with the outside world (or Aiwa). It sounds less like team building and more like the setup for a very specific type of horror movie.

The "invitation" comes the next day. It is less an invitation and more a hostage situation.

"Onii-chan!" Rina chirps, bursting into my room while I am trying to study. "Surprise! We are all going to the beach house this weekend! Pack your swimsuit!"

"What? No! I have plans!" I protest, scrambling for an excuse. "I have to… alphabetize my manga!"

"Too late!" Haruka says, appearing behind Rina, holding up my duffel bag, which they have apparently already packed for me. "The car is waiting. Miki calculated your optimal escape routes and has disabled them."

I am literally kidnapped by my own sister and her rival, aided and abetted by my best friend (who is thrilled) and my other friends (who look deeply apologetic but are clearly too scared to intervene). As I am frog-marched out of my own apartment, I catch a glimpse of Kenji loading a suspicious amount of rope and duct tape into the trunk.

"That is just for emergency repairs!" he assures me cheerfully. I do not believe him for a second. This is not a team-building retreat. This is Cosplay Alcatraz.