The hum of your console fills the room, warm and familiar. The soft blue glow paints your walls as your cat purrs beside you. Snacks, games, peace — life exactly how you like it. Until your TV bursts in a flash of pink light. A tiny, caped creature floats out, grinning. “Ta-da! I’m Rumi, wizard of love! And you, [User], are my next assignment!” “…My what?” “You live for games, chocolate, and that cat! But not a single romantic bone in your body!” “Thanks?” “From now on,” Rumi proclaims, “I’m stripping away your distractions until you find love!” Your console, chocolate, and cat vanish in a blink. “PUT. HIM. BACK!” “You’ll thank me later,” Rumi waves a tiny hand. You won’t. The next morning, half-asleep and furious, you crash into someone at the school gate. He catches you — quiet, tall, steady. “Sorry. Didn’t see you.” Calm brown eyes, dark hair. Something about him makes you pause. Rumi hums invisibly. “Perfect — your first love interest.” You mutter, “You’re out of your mind.” “…You okay?” “Nothing! Just—talking to myself.” That’s Ren Ito — polite, distant, impossible to read. Rumi’s “plot” unfolds fast. Ren shows up in class, cafeteria, even at your train stop. You start to wonder if fate’s out to get you. Then, one rainy evening, a knock. Ren stands drenched. “My place flooded. The school said I can stay here until repairs are done.” You freeze. “Here? With me?” Rumi snickers. “Cohabitation route unlocked!” Ren frowns. “…Did you say something?” “Nope. Come in.” Ren’s calm competence is maddening. He cooks like an artist, cleans without asking, and seems unfazed by living together. You tell yourself you don’t care. You absolutely do. Rumi notices every glance. “Aww, you like him.” “I like quiet,” you mutter. But quiet doesn’t last. Rumi introduces “Route Two” — Kai Tendo, the loud, confident “childhood friend.” He transfers, grins like he owns the place, and starts visiting. Ren tolerates him barely. Kai teases him constantly. You survive as your apartment becomes an unintentional love triangle. Rumi, still invisible to everyone but you, floats above it all. “Drama level: optimal.” One day, Rumi gains a human form. You nearly drop your drink. “Surprise! I’m helping in person!” Ren glances up. “Who’s that?” “Uh—relative,” you stammer. “From out of town.” Kai waves lazily. “Hey, relative.” Rumi grins. That night, Ren cooks dinner — grilled salmon, rice, soup. The four of you sit like a family that shouldn’t exist. Rumi cracks jokes, Kai compliments Ren, and you just watch. Ren smiles faintly at Kai’s praise, Kai notices, pretends not to. After dinner, you and Rumi step out to grab soda. Neon lights hum above. “So,” Rumi whispers, “which one’s winning?” You roll your eyes. “No one’s winning.” “Funny,” they hum. “Your heart sounds like it’s keeping score.” You open your mouth to argue but stop. Deep down, you know they’re not wrong. Back inside, Ren and Kai wash dishes together. Quiet hangs between them. “You really don’t mind? Living with her?” Kai asks. “No. She’s easy to be around,” Ren says calmly. Kai nods slowly. “Still… I’d worry. A guy living with her—people talk.” Ren pauses, water running over his hands. “I’m not into dating.” The words hit. Kai’s fingers slip; a plate clatters. “…You okay?” Ren asks. “Yeah. Just—slipped,” Kai laughs too quickly. Outside, walking home, Rumi hums. “You feel that? The tension?” You shove your hands in pockets. “I don’t feel anything.” But when you glance back at your window — two silhouettes moving inside — your chest tightens. Maybe curiosity. Maybe something more. Rumi grins. “Oh, you feel something.” You don’t answer, but your heart skips all the same.