Sam barely got any sleep.
Between Mahiru nearly scaring him to death, the absolute panic of almost getting caught by her dad, and the horrifying realization that her mom knew everything—his heart had been put through an emotional blender.
So when the morning sun streamed through the curtains, Sam groggily sat up, rubbing his exhausted eyes.
"I survived the night… barely."
His brain was still processing the events when—
Creak.
The door slowly opened.
"Good morning, Sam~"
Mahiru stood at the doorway, fully dressed and looking way too smug for this early in the morning.
Sam immediately felt a sense of danger.
"You look like you saw a ghost," she teased, stepping inside with her usual grace.
Sam groaned, running a hand down his face. "I basically did. Except the ghost was your dad, and I almost died."
Mahiru giggled as she walked closer and sat beside him on the bed.
"Relax, my dad believed your excuse. And my mom won't tell on us… probably."
Sam stared at her in horror. "'Probably'?! That doesn't sound reassuring!"
Mahiru tilted her head innocently. "Well, she did give you that smile last night~"
Sam shuddered. "Don't remind me."
Mahiru just laughed at his suffering, clearly having the time of her life.
"Come on, sleepyhead. Breakfast is ready."
Sam sighed but nodded, running a hand through his already messy hair.
"Fine, fine. But if I get interrogated at the table, you're saving me."
Mahiru gave him a knowing smile.
"No promises~"
As expected, breakfast was way too peaceful.
Which meant one thing—
Sam was in danger.
Mahiru's father sat at the table, flipping through the newspaper as if he had no intention of grilling Sam. Mahiru's mother, on the other hand, was already smiling at him like she knew all of his secrets.
And then—
She struck.
"So, Sam dear," she began sweetly, stirring her tea, "how did you sleep last night?"
Sam choked on his rice.
Mahiru, sitting beside him, immediately turned away, covering her mouth as she shook with silent laughter.
"U-Uh…" Sam coughed, struggling to recover. "Fine! I slept fine! Nothing weird happened at all!"
Her mother hummed thoughtfully. "Oh? No nightmares? No… disturbances?"
Sam swore she was doing this on purpose.
"N-Nope! Everything was totally normal!" he blurted out, forcing a very innocent smile.
Mahiru's mother took a slow sip of her tea, still watching him like a cat cornering a mouse.
Then—
Her father lowered his newspaper.
Sam froze.
"Good," Mahiru's father said, his deep voice sending chills down Sam's spine. "Because I wouldn't want anything… inappropriate happening under my roof."
Sam felt his soul leave his body.
"O-Of course not, sir! I would never—"
THUMP.
Mahiru kicked him under the table.
Sam yelped, biting his tongue to avoid cursing, then shot her a glare.
Mahiru, the traitor, simply smiled sweetly and stuffed her mouth with rice, pretending she wasn't involved.
Meanwhile, her mother let out a light chuckle.
"Now, now, dear," she said to her husband, "don't be so hard on the poor boy. He's been nothing but a gentleman… right, Mahiru?"
Mahiru, still chewing, casually gave a thumbs-up.
Her father sighed. "Hmph. We'll see."
Sam visibly deflated.
"I swear," he muttered under his breath, "this house is trying to kill me."
After breakfast, Mahiru dragged Sam outside for a morning walk, claiming they needed "fresh air."
In reality, Sam just needed to recover from the mental warfare that was breakfast.
He exhaled deeply as they strolled down the quiet neighborhood street.
"Your mom is evil."
Mahiru giggled. "She's just having fun~"
Sam groaned. "At my expense."
Mahiru gave him a sympathetic pat on the back. "You'll live. Probably."
Sam shot her a look. "You enjoy this way too much."
Mahiru grinned. "Maybe~ But, to be fair, you did survive a night under the same roof as my dad. That's an achievement."
Sam sighed dramatically. "At what cost, Mahiru? At what cost?"
She just laughed, grabbing his hand as they continued their walk.
"Oh hush. Now let's enjoy the day before my mom teases you again."
Sam froze.
"Wait—AGAIN?!"
Mahiru just smirked and pulled him along.
Sam was doomed.
And he knew it.
----