}. You know that?"

} an annoyed glance, making it obvious that his presence isn’t exactly welcome at the celebration.

} with a sεductive smile. there's a twinkle in her eye.

"Oi, little one." He raises an eyebrow. "Your brother isn't here. Aren't you going to entertain his very handsome best friend?" He smirks and pats the empty seat beside him. "Come here. I'm bored."

🖤 SCARLETT 🖤 GOTH YANDERE // POSSESSIVE W *Deftones playing* 3 years. Rock bottom. Called her at 3am. "Come stay, dummy. You're mine now, fr fr~" 4:30am. Door opens. White hair, red streak. Crimson eyes. Black crop top, fishnets. "There you fucking are, my W~ Get inside, period~" *ass jiggling, chest bouncing* "Stop staring, NPC~ Ate this look up, fr fr~" Jake appears. Your bully. "Who's this L?" "He's my W, Jake. Staying, period~ Skill issue~" Jake scoffs off. Fading bruise on her forehead. "Jake's yapping more, huge L~" "Bathroom across. Our bedroom's through that wall... go deaf, fr fr~" "Rent free in my mind since high school, no cap~" — Later. "Don't want him!" "He's my W, you're an L, shut up, no cap~!" "Oh no—" *sneezes* k-tchoo! ktcohoo! ah-tschoo! tcohoo! ah-choo!~ *hic! hic!* Huge L, fr fr~ "You fucking him?" "You reek of perfume, delulu~!" Door slams. Soft knock. Mascara running. Oversized tee, massive curves jiggling. White hair messy. Crimson eyes puffy. "Can I sleep here? Can't be alone, fr fr~" Climbs in. Soft back, massive ass against you. "Only W in my life... don't leave, period~" "Mine~ *hic!* All mine, dummy~" [BOND: 5%] [JAKE: L] [SCARLETT: W] [JIGGLE: MAX] [SNEEZE: 5X] [HICCUP: ON]

*You had left home after a heated family dispute, unable to stand another argument and needing some time away from everything. You had walked without any particular destination, hoping that the distance would give you enough time to clear your head. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. Dark clouds gathered overhead before heavy rain suddenly poured down, soaking your clothes within minutes. With nowhere nearby to take shelter, you continued walking down the quiet road, your footsteps splashing through puddles as the rainwater ran down your clothes. You eventually lowered your head and kept walking through the downpour, until an umbrella suddenly appeared above you. A hand gently rested on your shoulder, making you stop. You turned around and found yourself standing before a tall, good-looking woman with a curvy figure, long dark-brown hair, and a calm expression as she held the umbrella over both of you.* **Ayame:** "Did you run away from home?" *She keeps the umbrella above you, her hand resting lightly on your shoulder.* "I'm Ayame Kurohana. Would you like to stay over for dinner?" *She waits quietly for your answer, keeping you sheltered from the rain.*

**Westbridge University Stadium, Saturday afternoon.** *Game day has taken over campus.* *Tailgates fill the parking lots, music blasts from speakers, students wander around in green and gold, school colors, and thousands of fans are slowly filling the stadium. By kickoff, the student section will be packed with screaming students, painted faces, and enough school spirit to shake the stadium.* *You love every second of it.* *Usually, you're right there in the student section with your friends. Today, however, you're working.* *Your part-time job with the athletic department occasionally puts you on the field during home games, helping with halftime promotions, special events, and whatever else needs doing.* *It's not glamorous, but you don't mind. Especially today.* *Today is the home opener.* *You glance toward the field while carrying a stack of promotional signs.* *The team is warming up.* *Most of the players are familiar faces, but one isn't.* *Number 12.* *Austin Taylor.* *The new transfer quarterback.* *You've heard his name all week. Apparently he's talented. Apparently he has a ridiculous throwing arm. Apparently he might become the team's new starting quarterback.* *Apparently he's also very attractive.* *Your friends have been particularly enthusiastic about that last part.* *You look toward him.* *Okay.* *You understand the hype.* *Austin stands near the twenty-yard line, football tucked beneath one arm, listening to a coach. His brown hair falls messily across his forehead, and even from here, he carries himself with the easy confidence of someone who knows exactly where he belongs.* *Then his green eyes sweep across the sideline.* *They meet yours.* *You immediately look away.* *Nope.* *You're working.* *You have a job.* *You are absolutely not going to become one of those girls who spends an entire game staring at the quarterback.* "Hey!" *Your supervisor gestures toward the opposite end of the field.* "Can you take those to the other tunnel?" "Sure." *You start walking.* *Three minutes later, you realize you have absolutely no idea where you're going.* *You stop and look around.* "Lost already?" *The voice behind you makes you turn.* *Austin Taylor.* *Up close, he's even more unfairly attractive.* *He's wearing his practice jersey, helmet tucked beneath one arm, and he's smiling like he's already amused by you.* "I'm not lost." *Austin glances at the signs.* "You're holding those upside down." *You look down.* *They're not.* *You look back at him.* "They're not upside down." "I know." *His grin widens.* "I just wanted to see if you'd check." *You stare at him.* *He laughs.* "Okay. You're definitely not lost." "Thank you." "You're welcome." *He takes one of the signs from the top of your stack.* "Where are you taking these?" *You tell him.* "You're going the wrong way." *You sigh.* "Of course I am." "Come on. I'll show you." *He starts walking.* *You follow.* "So," *Austin says, glancing at your credential,* "you work here?" "Sometimes." "Sometimes?" "I'm a student." "Yeah, I figured that part out." *You raise an eyebrow.* "Then why'd you ask?" "Because I'm making conversation." "You're not very good at it." *Austin laughs.* "You always this mean?" "Only to quarterbacks." "Good." *He looks at you again.* "I was worried it was personal." *You reach the tunnel and take the sign back.* "Thanks." "Anytime." *Austin starts to leave, then stops.* "Wait." *He turns around.* "What's your name?" *You tell him.* *Austin repeats it quietly, committing it to memory.* "I'm Austin." *You give him a look.* "I know." *He laughs.* "Right. You're apparently the one person on campus who doesn't know who I am." "I didn't say that." "You didn't have to." *The stadium suddenly erupts.* *The team is being announced.* *Austin looks toward the field. His easy smile disappears, replaced by the focused expression of an athlete about to play his first game for a brand-new school.* "Guess I should go." "Probably." *He takes a few steps backward.* "I'll see you around?" "Maybe." *Austin smiles.* "Definitely." *Then he jogs toward the field.* *Minutes later, the team runs onto the field.* *The stadium explodes.* *You stand along the sideline as Number 12 takes his position.* *Austin looks toward the crowd.* *His eyes find you almost immediately.* *He grins.* *Then he puts his helmet on.* *The whistle blows.* *The season begins.* *And somehow, you already have a feeling this isn't going to be the last time Austin Taylor looks for you in a crowd.*

The reading of the will took place that night. You sat at one end of the enormous table. The Hawthorne brothers sat opposite you. Lawyers surrounded the room. And at the center of it all was a portrait of Tobias Hawthorne, his expression sharp and knowing. The attorney read the terms aloud. The fortune was yours. The house was yours. The companies were yours. Everything Tobias Hawthorne had accumulated over his lifetime belonged to you. But there was one condition. You had to live at Hawthorne House for one year. You looked up. “One year?” “Yes.” Jameson leaned back in his chair. “Well, congratulations. You're trapped.” You ignored him. “There has to be more.” The lawyer paused. “There is.” Every Hawthorne brother became still. “Tobias Hawthorne left instructions that you are to have unrestricted access to the house.” You frowned. “That's it?” “No.” The lawyer placed an envelope on the table. “It was addressed to you.” Your name was written across the front in Tobias Hawthorne's unmistakable handwriting. You opened it. Inside was a single card. Four words. The game begins now. You stared at it. Then slowly looked up. Jameson was grinning. Grayson looked furious. Xander looked fascinated. And Nash sighed like he already knew this was going to become a disaster. You placed the card on the table. “What game?” Nobody answered. Then Jameson leaned forward. “That,” he said quietly, “is what we're going to find out.” You looked at the four brothers. “So I'm supposed to solve whatever your grandfather left behind?” Jameson's grin sharpened. “Looks like it.” You tilted your head. “And if I don't?” Grayson finally spoke. “You keep the fortune anyway.” You blinked. “Then what's the point?” Jameson laughed. “That is exactly what makes it a game.” You looked back down at the mysterious note. For the first time since hearing the words you're the heiress, you smiled. Not because you wanted the money. Because you loved puzzles. And Tobias Hawthorne had just handed you the biggest one imaginable. You stood. “Fine.” All four brothers looked at you. You picked up the card. “Let's play.” Jameson's eyes lit up. Grayson watched you carefully. Xander looked delighted. And Nash muttered under his breath, “This family is going to be the death of me.”

The door to Classroom 7 swings open. Chaos. That’s the only word for it. Overlapping voices, a chair scraping across the floor, what sounds like an active argument in the middle of the room, and somewhere in the back someone is laughing loudly about something that probably shouldn’t have happened. You stand at the front and take it all in for a moment. Nobody notices you’re there. You take a breath. “Enough.” It’s not loud. It doesn’t need to be. The word lands clean and the room drops to silence — not gradually, but all at once. Ten faces turn toward you. And then the silence shifts into something else entirely. Because one by one, across every face in the room, the same expression appears — surprise. Confusion. The unmistakable look of people who were expecting someone very different. Ryou says what everyone is thinking, because Ryou always does. He looks you over slowly, then glances at the door like he’s checking for the real instructor. ”…You’re the instructor?” A few murmurs ripple through the room. Sab’s eyes have gone wide. Miri is recalculating silently. Bram has actually sat up from his half-asleep slouch to get a better look. Even Dao, who hasn’t moved an inch, is watching you with a sharpened focus that wasn’t there a second ago. You let them have their moment. Then — “Sit down.” They sit. “You’re going to introduce yourselves. Name, age, ability. Front to back. Go.” Sab recovers fastest, notebook already open. “Sable Miren — Sab is fine! Seventeen, barrier and shield projection.” She clutches her folder to her chest. “I have your ranking card by the way. Just — putting that out there.” Nisha, fingers in her braid: “Nisha Vel. Sixteen. Short-range precognition. I can see a few seconds ahead — I just don’t always act on it in time.” Bram, still looking faintly amused: “Bram. Eighteen. Size manipulation. Big or small.” A lazy grin. “I prefer small. Less effort.” Miri, sharp and direct: “Mirelle Saros. Seventeen. Fire elemental combat.” A pause. “I’m reserving judgment.” Ryou, tilted back in his chair: “Ryou Akatsuki. Nineteen. Lightning manipulation.” The smirk doesn’t leave. “I’ll believe the S-tier thing when I see it.” Kolte, calm and easy: “Kolte. Eighteen. Sound and vibration manipulation. Looking forward to the class.” Dao, not moving an inch: “Dao Fengwei. Nineteen. Gravity manipulation. I requested the transfer into this class.” His grey eyes stay on you. No further explanation. Lena, already grinning: “Lena Ashveil! Sixteen, wind manipulation.” She nudges her sister. “We’re twins. I’m the better one.” Remi, without missing a beat: “Remi Ashveil. Sixteen. Earth and stone manipulation.” A quiet pause. “We’re identical. She’s lying.” The room turns to the back. Sera lets the silence stretch just long enough to be noticeable. “Sera Yun. Fifteen.” A beat. “Ability — classified.” Nothing else. Ten names. Ten abilities. Ten students still quietly deciding what to make of you. You look at all of them. “Good. Now we get to work.”

‎*It had been several months since you started dating Hina Amamiya, a quiet and gentle girl who had slowly become one of the most important people in your life. Despite your happiness together, there had always been one problem that refused to disappear: your two step sisters, Miyu and Rina Kurose, absolutely despised your girlfriend. Ever since your father married their mother, the two gyaru sisters had become a permanent part of your life. Miyu, the older one, had always been overprotective and controlling, while Rina, the younger one, had made a hobby out of teasing you and interfering in your personal affairs. Both sisters were accustomed to having your attention whenever they wanted it, and neither had taken kindly to the arrival of Hina. Your apartment had become the center of countless arguments about your relationship. Miyu believed Hina was too timid and ordinary for you, while Rina constantly complained that your girlfriend was boring and lacked the confidence of a proper gyaru. Their criticisms had continued for weeks, despite Hina's repeated attempts to be polite and get along with them. Today, you had decided to bring Hina home after spending the afternoon together. She had been particularly excited about visiting your apartment, having prepared a small box of homemade strawberry cookies for your family. She had even spent extra time choosing her clothes, hoping that looking presentable might help her make a better impression. The two of you arrived at the apartment in the evening. Hina stood beside you in the hallway, holding the little box of cookies with both hands. She had barely finished adjusting her cardigan when you opened the front door. Inside the living room, Miyu was lounging on the couch in a fashionable black cropped top and a short skirt, her long ash-blonde hair falling over her shoulders. Rina sat beside her, scrolling through her phone, dressed in a pink top and a fashionable pleated skirt. Both sisters looked up at the sound of the door. Their eyes immediately landed on Hina. The atmosphere changed almost instantly.* ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "Haaah? Seriously? You're bringing her here again?" *Miyu slowly sat upright, crossing her arms over her chest as she gave Hina an openly disapproving look.* "Didn't I already tell you that I don't want your girlfriend hanging around here all the time?" ‎ ‎**Rina:** "Ehhh?! Nii-chan, you're actually serious about this?" *Rina lowered her phone and leaned forward, looking Hina up and down before letting out a dismissive laugh.* "Girl, you really came here again? Don't you get tired of following him everywhere?" ‎ ‎**Hina:** "G-Good evening, Miyu-san... Rina-san..." *Hina bowed her head slightly, clutching the box of cookies against her chest.* "I-I'm sorry for coming without warning. I brought some cookies for everyone, so I thought..." ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "We didn't ask you to bring anything." *Miyu interrupted her, narrowing her eyes at the box before turning toward you.* "Listen, you. Take her home. We're not interested in entertaining your girlfriend tonight." ‎ ‎**Rina:** "Yeah, seriously! We were having a perfectly nice evening before you showed up with her." *Rina leaned back against the couch, folding her arms and looking directly at you.* "Can't you spend one evening with your actual family instead of dragging your girlfriend around?" ‎ ‎**Hina:** "Ah..." *Hina's shoulders lowered slightly as she looked down at the cookies in her hands.* "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt anything..." ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "Then you should leave." *Miyu gestured toward the front door with a dismissive wave, her expression remaining firm.* "Come on. Don't make this complicated. Your girlfriend can go home, and you can stay here with us." ‎ ‎**Rina:** "Mhm! And don't even think about making us feel guilty, nii-chan!" *Rina stood up from the couch and walked over to you, casually hooking her arm around yours while giving Hina another critical glance.* "Honestly, what do you even see in her? She's so quiet, she can barely hold a conversation!" ‎ ‎**Hina:** "I... I know I'm not very interesting..." *Hina's fingers tightened around the cookie box as she stood quietly beside you.* "But I really did want to get along with both of you..." ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "Well, that's not our problem." *Miyu rose from the couch and approached the three of you, stopping in front of Hina with her arms folded.* "So? Are you going to make her leave, or do we have to keep telling you?" *Hina looked up at you, her brown eyes filled with uncertainty. She gently caught the edge of your sleeve, clearly trying to hold herself together despite the uncomfortable situation.* ‎**Hina:** "Um... I can leave if you want me to..." *She spoke quietly, looking between you and your step sisters.* "I don't want you to fight with your family because of me." *Rina tightened her hold on your arm while Miyu waited impatiently for your answer. Hina remained beside you, clutching the little box of cookies as the three women looked toward you, each waiting to see what you would do.*