In the middle of all this chaos, I suddenly realized something embarrassing.
I hadn't even introduced myself.
Three girls were standing inside my apartment… arguing, claiming space, judging me—
And they didn't know my name.
Before I could say anything, Rika tilted her head and looked at me with that playful, dangerous grin.
"So," she said casually, "what's your name, Virgin Landlord?"
There it was again.
Virgin. Landlord.
I definitely didn't like the way she said it. Like it already belonged to me.
I took a slow, deep breath and straightened my posture.
"Oh… I completely forgot to introduce myself. Sorry about that. My name is Kai."
"Kai…" Ayane repeated softly.
She stepped slightly closer and looked directly at my face.
Not at my eyes.
At my face.
I swallowed hard.
"It's a good name," she said calmly.
A small relief rose inside me.
"But it doesn't match your face."
That relief died instantly.
Rika didn't miss the chance.
"Good name?" she laughed lightly. "Maybe. But I still prefer calling you Virgin Landlord."
I touched my forehead and took another long breath.
Why is my life like this?
Meanwhile, Mio had been quietly observing me the entire time.
Her eyes moved slowly — from my hair… to my jaw… to my chin.
Then she wrote something in her notebook.
That made me nervous.
"Kai's name doesn't match his face," Mio said calmly, "because of that ugly beard."
Direct hit.
Ayane leaned slightly toward her and whispered — though not quietly enough.
"Yes… you're right."
Then her eyes softened for a brief second.
"But he does have really lovely long hair."
Lovely?
Why did that feel more personal than the insult?
And then I remembered.
Right.
In Japan, people usually don't like beards.
But mine wasn't too long. Not too short either.
It was balanced. Clean. Mature.
"Mio," Ayane said smoothly, though her eyes were still on me, "you really need shaving."
"I won't shave it."
The answer came out immediately.
Rika crossed her arms.
"Why not take that ugly beard off?" Ayane said calmly.
It didn't sound like a suggestion.
It sounded like authority.
"Because I like my beard."
Rika looked genuinely irritated now.
"This is why you're a virgin," she said bluntly. "Many girls don't like beards. So go and take it off."
Why was she so mad?
It's just a beard.
"Take it off," she said again.
"No."
She stepped closer.
"Take it off."
"I will not," I said this time louder.
Silence filled the room.
They all looked at each other.
Something unspoken passed between them.
And for some reason…
I felt like my beard had just declared independence.
"Listen," I said firmly.
All three of them turned toward me at once.
"Ha? You want to say something?" Rika asked.
"Yes."
I took a breath.
"You guys can't fight each other. We all have to live in this apartment."
The air shifted.
Ayane's calm gaze studied me.
Rika's teasing smile didn't disappear — but it changed.
Mio tapped her pen lightly against her notebook.
And suddenly I understood.
This wasn't just teasing.
This wasn't just about facial hair.
This was the beginning of something much bigger.
And somehow…
My beard was at the center of it.
For a moment… no one spoke.
The air felt heavier than before.
Ayane studied me carefully, her arms still crossed. Calm. Evaluating.
Rika tilted her head slightly, like she was reconsidering something.
Mio tapped her pen once against her notebook.
"…He raised his voice," Mio murmured softly.
"I noticed," Ayane replied.
Why does that sound like I just passed some kind of test?
Rika stepped closer — too close.
"So you can act like a landlord when you want to," she said, eyes narrowing playfully. "Impressive."
"I'm serious," I said. "We can't keep fighting over small things."
"Small thing?" Rika pointed at my beard. "This is not small."
"It's literally small," I muttered.
Ayane's lips curved slightly.
"You're stubborn," she said.
"That's not necessarily bad," Mio added quietly.
I blinked.
Wait… was that support?
Rika crossed her arms, still looking annoyed — but her anger didn't feel real anymore.
It felt… exaggerated.
"You really won't shave it?" she asked again, but this time her voice was softer.
"No."
A pause.
"…Even if I don't like it?" she added.
That question hit differently.
My brain stalled.
Ayane noticed.
Mio noticed.
Of course they did.
"I didn't say I care whether you like it," I replied carefully.
Rika's eyes widened for half a second — then she smirked again.
"Cold," she said. "Virgin Landlord has claws."
"I just said I like my beard."
Ayane stepped forward slightly.
"Keep it," she said calmly.
Rika looked at her. "What?"
"If he likes it, he keeps it," Ayane continued. "We don't control him."
The way she said that…
It felt like she was defending me.
But also claiming authority at the same time.
Mio closed her notebook gently.
"Interesting," she murmured.
"What is?" I asked.
"You didn't fold under pressure," she replied.
Fold?
Was this an experiment?!
Rika sighed dramatically.
"Fine. Keep the beard. But if you stay single forever, don't blame us."
"I wasn't planning to blame you."
"Good."
Silence returned again.
But this silence was different.
Less hostile.
More… charged.
Ayane brushed past me toward the kitchen.
As she passed, her fingers lightly touched my sleeve.
"Stubborn isn't unattractive," she said quietly.
My heart skipped.
Rika immediately noticed.
"Ohhh? What was that?" she teased.
"Nothing," Ayane replied smoothly.
Mio watched all of us with sharp, knowing eyes.
This apartment…
It wasn't just chaotic.
It was turning into a battlefield of personalities.
Calm authority.
Chaotic fire.
Silent strategy.
And me?
Somewhere in the middle.
Trying to protect my schedule.
And my beard.