---
Break week was supposed to be peaceful.
Keyword: supposed.
Instead of sleeping in and pretending my cursed life didn't exist, I woke up to the sound of a suitcase being dragged across gravel.
I peeked out the bedroom window.
Standing at the mansion gate, wearing a winter coat and a shy smile, was Mei.
She waved.
I blinked.
She waved harder.
Then pulled out her phone.
> Mei: You're probably wondering why I'm here with a suitcase.
It's not what you think.
…Okay, it's exactly what you think.
But I can explain!!
---
Ten minutes later, I opened the door.
"Ren-kun!" she beamed, shivering slightly. "Is the mansion haunted this early or do you always answer doors looking like a reclusive novelist?"
I was wearing pajama pants, a hoodie with coffee stains, and one sock.
"…Don't judge me."
"I'm judging you with love."
She stepped inside like she already belonged. And to my horror… she did.
---
Why She Came
Over a steaming mug of tea (which she insisted on making herself), Mei finally gave me her Reason.
"Ren," she said, tone serious, "my dorm is getting fumigated."
"…That's not a real word."
"It is a real word. Bugs. Gas. Uninhabitable for two days."
"And your school just casually told you this right before break?"
"I might've ignored some emails."
I rubbed my temples.
"…And your parents?"
"They're on a cruise. No signal. I tried. I swear."
I sighed. "And there's literally no one else who could host you?"
She smiled brightly. "Not with a haunted mansion, a cursed boy, and great natural lighting!"
"...You scare me."
"Admit it. You'd be bored without me."
I stared into my tea like it held the answers to the universe.
> System Update:
Temporary cohabitation established.
Mei's bond proximity increasing.
Alert: Contain romantic escalation. Suggested: Casual boundaries, humorous deflection.
Great. Even the cursed phone wanted me to be funny.
---
Rules of Survival
To maintain my sanity, I established some house rules.
1. No entering my room without knocking.
2. No sleeping in my bed.
3. No intense staring while I eat.
Mei agreed to all of them.
She broke all of them within two hours.
---
Violation 1: The Door
She knocked. Then opened the door.
"You didn't say how long I had to wait after knocking!"
"Mei—get out!"
"But you're folding laundry wrong."
"I'm folding it like a functional human being!"
"You're folding it like an orphan who was raised by wolves."
"…Touché."
Violation 2: The Bed
She crawled onto it while we were watching anime.
"It's the warmest spot!"
"I'm literally right there on the floor with a blanket."
"But then I'd have to watch your hair instead of the screen."
"That doesn't make sense!"
"It makes emotional sense."
Violation 3: The Staring
I was eating cereal.
She just… watched me.
No blinking.
No words.
Just that soft, dreamy look like I was a Disney prince chewing magically.
"Stop it."
"I'm not doing anything."
"You're romanticizing my jawline."
She blushed. "It flexes when you crunch…"
I dropped the spoon.
---
Despite my best efforts, the first day went smoothly.
No catastrophes. No magical breakdowns.
Just awkward hallway moments, shared meals, and her humming from the bath.
It was… kinda normal.
Too normal.
Which is why I knew something was coming.
---
The Girls Find Out
Around 3PM, my phone buzzed.
> Ayaka: Heard Mei's staying over.
Cool.
…You alive? Should I send rations?
> Akane: You let her stay?! You fool. You beautiful, tragic fool.
> Elira: Do humans commonly allow mates to share shelter before the bonding ritual? I am curious. Also, is the guest room warm?
I faceplanted into the couch.
Mei peered over the backrest. "They found out, huh?"
"Did you post it somewhere?"
"I might've updated my Insta story with the caption: 'Guess who's crashing at the Haunted Boyfriend Mansion?'"
"Mei—why?!"
"For the aesthetic."
I groaned.
> System: Group dynamic shift initiated. Expect increased interactions, rivalry escalation, or bonding development.
"Can I uninstall this app?" I muttered.
> No.
---
The Night Incident
Around 2AM, I heard a noise.
Soft. Like a whisper. A bump. A door creak.
I tiptoed into the hall and found Mei standing outside my door.
"Can't sleep?" I asked.
She nodded.
"Bad dream?"
"…Sort of."
I hesitated.
Then sighed. "Come in. Just for a bit."
She padded in, curling up on the far corner of the bed.
"…This okay?" she asked.
"Yeah."
We lay there in silence.
The moonlight painted stripes across her face.
"I'm not trying to push you," she whispered.
"I know."
"I just… feel safe near you."
Something in my chest tightened.
I didn't say anything.
But I didn't move away either.
> System: New behavior detected. Mei's bond entering content state. No escalation required.
The room was quiet.
I listened to her breathing slow.
And for once… I didn't feel cursed.
Just… human.
---
The next morning, the cursed phone hovered above my face again.
> System Update:
Congratulations. All active soulbonds have stabilized.
Emotional reciprocation complete.
Target risk: neutralized.
> You have passed the critical phase.
Reward: The girls are no longer in physical or emotional danger from your rejection.
> New Objective:
Maintain affection equilibrium.
Too little attention = anxiety spikes.
Too much = emotional overload.
Recommended Action: Balanced engagement. Casual warmth. Occasional compliments. No full-blown declarations.
"…So I'm a cursed emotional thermostat now," I muttered.
The phone buzzed one last time before lowering.
> You are no longer just their danger.
You are their comfort.
I rolled over.
Pulled the blanket over my head.
And whispered, "I didn't ask for this."
But part of me?
Didn't hate it.
---