Itasha had always been a problem.
Not the quiet kind.
Not the "oops, I made a mistake" kind.
No—
Itasha was loud, blunt, and completely unapologetic about it.
She climbed things she wasn't supposed to, said things she definitely shouldn't, and had a habit of doing exactly what people told her not to do—
just to see what would happen.
"Monkey," people called her when she was younger.
It stuck.
"Stop doing that," Sam said, watching her from across the yard.
"I'm not doing anything," Itasha replied immediately—
while very clearly doing something.
Sam sighed.
He was used to this.
Being her older brother meant dealing with chaos daily.
And unfortunately for him—
he had help.
Kaizer leaned casually against the gate, watching the scene unfold.
He and Sam had been best friends for years.
Same age.
Same mindset.
Same exact ability to find Itasha extremely annoying.
"She's going to break something," Kaizer said.
"I'm not," Itasha snapped.
Something cracked behind her.
Silence.
Sam closed his eyes slowly.
"…You were saying?"
"It was already broken," she said instantly.
Kaizer let out a short laugh.
"Of course."
Five minutes later—
she was caught.
Standing in the middle of the mess.
Trying to look innocent.
Failing completely.
"Explain," Sam said.
"I tripped."
"You were standing still."
"I tripped emotionally."
Kaizer snorted.
"That's not a thing," Sam said.
"It is now."
Silence.
Then—
that look.
The one Sam and Kaizer shared.
Itasha saw it.
"…No."
"Punishment," Sam said.
"I'm not doing anything."
"You are," Kaizer replied calmly.
She crossed her arms. "Make me."
Kaizer pushed himself off the gate and stepped forward slightly.
Not angry.
Not loud.
Just sure.
"Two options," he said.
"I'm not choosing."
"You will."
"No, I won't."
"Yes, you will."
Silence.
Itasha narrowed her eyes.
"…Say it."
Kaizer held up one finger.
"Option one—"
He paused.
Just to annoy her.
"—you get spanked with your own hairbrush."
Her eyes widened instantly.
"WHAT?! No!"
Sam turned away slightly, trying not to laugh.
Kaizer didn't even react.
"Option two," he continued, "you run twenty rounds."
Itasha blinked.
"…That's it?"
"Every day," Kaizer added.
Her face fell.
"That's worse."
"Then pick the first one."
"I'm not picking that!"
"Then run."
Silence.
She looked at Sam.
He was already grinning.
Then at Kaizer.
Completely serious.
That annoyed her more than anything.
"…Fine," she muttered.
"I'll run."
Kaizer raised an eyebrow.
"Sure?"
"I am NOT picking the first one," she snapped.
That did it.
Sam laughed.
Kaizer smirked.
"Good," he said.
The next morning—
"Round one," Sam called out.
"I hate both of you," Itasha muttered, already running.
"Louder," Kaizer said.
"I HATE BOTH OF YOU!"
"Better," he replied.
Sam was counting like it was entertainment.
"Five!"
"Stop shouting!"
"No."
Kaizer stood nearby, arms crossed, watching.
Completely relaxed.
Like this was normal.
Like she was normal.
Which somehow made it worse.
By round ten—
she was breathing harder.
By round fifteen—
she was regretting every life choice.
And by round twenty—
she stopped.
Bent forward.
Exhausted.
"Done," she said.
Sam clapped slowly.
"Barely."
"Shut up."
Kaizer stepped forward slightly.
Looked at her.
"…Again tomorrow," he said.
Her head snapped up.
"WHAT?!"
"You agreed."
"I did NOT agree to daily suffering!"
"That's exactly what you agreed to."
She glared at both of them.
They were grinning.
Like absolute idiots.
Watching her.
Enjoying this.
"I'm going to get you back," she said.
Sam laughed. "You always say that."
"I mean it."
Kaizer tilted his head slightly.
"Try," he said.
Silence.
Then—
Itasha smirked.
"Oh, I will."
She was still annoying.
Still chaotic.
Still completely impossible.
And this?
This was just the beginning.