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It was quiet.
Too quiet.
Not in the ominous, someone's-about-to-jump-out-with-an-axe kind of way.
No — the "someone-just-barricaded-themselves-inside-their-room-after-a-lust-fueled-magic lock-in" kind of quiet.
Which, somehow, felt worse.
I stood outside Akane's door for the third time that morning, debating whether to knock or just slide a heartfelt apology note under the frame. Maybe attach a muffin. Or a fire extinguisher.
"Akane…?" I called gently, pressing my ear to the door.
Silence.
Then a muffled voice: "Don't. Talk. To me."
Reasonable.
I stepped back just in time to dodge a butter knife that flew past my face and clattered on the wall behind me.
"Oh cool!" chirped Mei, popping up beside me like a jump-scare in red pajamas. "That one was just a warning shot. Here's your actual welcome gift."
She handed me a glittery pink dagger with 'Back Off, Horny' etched into the blade.
I stared at it. "Mei, what is this?"
