Things sort of got into motion afterwards. Two weeks later, on a Friday, somehow they had managed to get together to buy props and fabrics for their next cosplays.
The fabric district in Akihabara was a familiar, chaotic battlefield. This time, however, the dynamic was different. There was less hostility, less sharp tension. It had been replaced by a low, simmering competition and a surprising, almost domestic sense of calm.
For now, they weren't just rivals, but a team. A very dysfunctional and horny team.
Yuna was in her element, a small gray-haired general directing her troops. She flitted between the bolts of fabric, her declarations sharp and decisive. "No, that purple is too bright for Shinobu's haori. We need something with more depth."
She threw Mika a glance. "No, Mika, stop looking at the ribbons. You're a demon, you don't get to be cute."
Mika played the role of a diligent soldier perfectly. She fetched, she carried, she offered thoughtful opinions that Yuna immediately shot down. "But Yuna-chan," she said softly, holding up a swatch of pale pink silk. "Don't you think this would be better for Mitsuri's costume?"
Ayane followed a few steps behind with a bemused smile, as if she were the seasoned pro, watching the new recruits learn the ropes.
And Makoto was the pack mule. His arms were already laden with fabric bolts: dark purple for Shinobu's and Mitsuri's uniforms, and soft pink for Nezuko's kimono. He was a walking monument to his own poor financial decisions.
He grunted as his body swayed from the heavy bags. "Hand off that expensive-looking fabric, Ayane!" He looked at her with a wicked gleam. "I've already told you I'm buying a cheap kimono for my Muzan cosplay from Taobao. Do you have any idea how much a real kimono costs?"
Ayane let out a dramatic sigh, dropping the bolt of exquisite hand-dyed silk as if it physically pained her. "Fine," she said, voice dripping with mock tragedy. "Suffer in your cheap polyester factory-made garbage. See if I care!"
She leaned against a rack of lace, looking wounded. "When your cheap-ass Muzan costume inevitably falls apart mid-con because of shoddy stitching, don't come crying to me for help."
Yuna, haggling with a shopkeeper over butterfly-patterned fabric, snorted. "He's right, you idiot," she said to Ayane without turning around. "We're already spending a fortune on your ridiculous Love Hashira tits-out uniform. He doesn't have the budget for an authentic Taisho-era kimono."
She turned with a feral smirk. "Besides," she added dangerously. "He's the villain. He's supposed to look a little cheap and tacky."
Mika, who had been quietly examining bamboo stalks for her muzzle, offered a serene smile. "I think it's very practical of him," she said gently. "It shows he's being financially responsible. For our future family." She gave him a slow, deliberate wink as she rubbed her belly.
Makoto hugged Yuna with a fond smile. He rubbed his chin against her cheek with a fake sob. "See? I can't believe my little stepsister has grown so much. She's now caring about my budget and wallet." His eyes sparkled wickedly. "Your big bro is going to reward you later."
Yuna let out an indignant squawk, her entire body going rigid. "G-Get off me, you disgusting pig!" she sputtered, face exploding in a furious blush. "I'm not being responsible! I'm just being realistic! And stop rubbing your stupid stubby chin on me! It's gross!"
But she didn't push him away. In fact, for a split second, she leaned into the hug with a small sigh.
The shopkeeper, a kindly old woman, smiled warmly. "Ah, to be young and in love."
Yuna's crimson face went completely pale. She shoved him away with frantic strength. "We're not in love!" she shrieked in mortified panic. "He's my stepbrother! It's just... it's just... family bonding!"
The entire fabric shop went silent. Everyone was staring. Ayane facepalmed with a weary groan. "Oh, for the love of God."
Mika calmly selected a piece of bamboo as if nothing had happened. "This one looks good," she said to no one in particular. "It's very sturdy. Should be able to muffle my screams quite effectively."
Makoto sucked and bit Yuna's cheek blatantly before pulling away with a smile. "Ahem, you shouldn't be so shy. I know how much you love your brother."
He looked at Mika mischievously. "You know, Mika, back then, we went to buy stuff for Yuna's Ganyu costume too. Too bad she only got second prize and cried while hugging me later."
Mika's eyes, which had been calmly assessing the bamboo, widened with interest. "Oh, really?" she said curiously. She set the bamboo down, giving him her full attention. "Did she really cry?"
Yuna, who had been on the verge of an aneurysm, froze. Her panic was replaced by white-hot fury. "I did not cry!" she snarled. "I was just expressing my disappointment!"
She pointed a trembling finger at him. "And you! You're not allowed to tell her that! That's a secret! A sacred siblings post-cosplay-competition-failure secret!"
Ayane, trying to become one with a silk bolt, groaned. "You're both impossible."
Mika smiled slowly and devastatingly. "Don't worry, Yuna-chan," she said too sweetly. "I won't tell anyone." She looked at him with mischievous eyes. "But you'll have to tell me everything later. When she's not around."
After they finished their shopping, Makoto sighed tiredly. "Let's go buy some groceries on our way back." He looked at the three of them with tiring eyes. "I'm too broke to eat out, so we're cooking tonight."
The supermarket was brightly lit and surprisingly calming after the fabric district's chaos. It felt normal, almost. Makoto grinned and hummed as he pushed the shopping cart. "So... what should I cook tonight? It would be better to know my harem's food preferences too."
"Preferences?" Yuna repeated dangerously. She shoved his cart with an aggressive screech and started piling it with the most expensive, unhealthy items she could find. "You should have known that by now. I like meat and carbs, and anything that will give me a heart attack." She threw in a family-sized bag of extra-spicy chips, full-fat ice cream, and instant ramen multi-packs.
Mika glided through the aisles gracefully. She selected fresh vegetables, lean chicken, and organic eggs. "I like things that are clean, simple, and healthy," she said softly. "But I'm not opposed to a little dessert. On special occasions."
Ayane shrugged with a world-weary expression. "I'll eat anything that doesn't try to eat me first," she said loudly. "But I'm a sucker for good katsudon." She winked deliberately. "Especially when a certain someone makes it."
They all turned to him with expressions mixing expectation, challenge, and a thousand unspoken desires.
Makoto chuckled. "Well, if you manage to get a high-paying job to provide for me after graduation, I don't mind being a home-husband and cooking every day, Ayane."
Ayane's teasing confidence softened into a genuine, shy smile. "Deal," she said quietly. "But you have to promise katsudon at least once a week."
He nodded, checked the almost-full cart, adding more vegetables and meat. "Let's have hotpot tonight, then."
"Hotpot?" Yuna sniffed disdainfully. "And you said you're cooking? That's just boiling things and throwing them together." But she didn't fight. She threw premium Wagyu beef into the cart in silent acceptance.
Mika nodded with a beatific smile. "That sounds lovely. Perfect for our new family." She carefully placed fresh handmade udon into the cart. "I never got the chance to try it with my parents or friends before," she murmured.
Then, as he turned toward checkout, a voice cut through the supermarket's gentle hum.
"Well, well. Look what we have here."
They all turned. At the end of the aisle stood a girl he didn't recognize. She was tall with long dark hair and a cold, predatory smile. And she was staring right at Mika.
"Fancy seeing you here, Mika-chan," she purred dangerously. "I didn't know you were into group activities."
Mika's angelic smile faltered for just a second. She went completely, terrifyingly still.