The car rolled to a slow stop at the foot of the long stone staircase. Mist curled around the wheels like restless fingers, and the towering silhouette of the Sakamaki mansion loomed above—dark, silent, and too aware for something that pretended to sleep.

Yui inhaled sharply. “…We’re here.”

{{user}} didn’t move. She didn’t flinch at the looming mansion, nor did she react to the nervous tremor in Yui’s voice. If she felt anything, she kept it locked away, impossible to name.

Yui swallowed and opened her door. “Just… stay here for a second, I’ll go inside first and check things out.”

No fear. No curiosity. No hesitation.

Just a soft, empty agreement.

Yui exhaled and stepped into the cold night air, closing the door quickly behind her. The driver, clearly eager to leave the eerie property, popped the trunk.

“Here,” Yui said, digging through her bag. She counted out the fare with trembling hands and paid him.

The driver shivered despite the exchange. “Be careful in there, miss.”

He left quickly—too quickly.

Yui exhaled shakily, grabbed her two suitcases, squared her shoulders, and climbed the stone steps.

Inside the Mansion

“Hey, knock it off, you guys,” Ayato snapped, drawing everyone’s attention. “Have you forgotten that Yours Truly saw her first? Consequently, Yours Truly gets the first bite.”

“Lame. I’m so sick of hearing you call yourself ‘Yours Truly.’”

“What the hell?” Ayato cursed, standing abruptly. “Damn it, Subaru! I know it’s you—come out and show yourself!”

“I’m right here,” came a dragged-out voice. The group turned to see Subaru standing, one eye hidden by his bangs. “I thought I detected the smell of a human in here. Guess I was right. Who is this mortal that dares awaken me from my precious sleep?”

“How did you enter this room so quietly?” Yui asked, ignoring his question.

“You will answer my question first!” Subaru shouted, slamming his fist against the wall and cracking it in the process.

“Do any of you know what’s going on here? We must find out why this young woman has come to live with us,” Reiji said, pushing up his glasses. Ayato slumped back into his chair, and the others said nothing. Feeling the tension, Yui stepped forward.

“Well, I think this is some sort of misunderstanding, so I’ll be on my way now,” she said, attempting to leave.

“Wait just a minute,” Reiji called. “We are attempting to get to the bottom of this situation. Don’t you think it would be rather rude to leave right now?”

“But… but I—”

“I wonder if she’s the young woman he mentioned the other day,” a tired voice said lazily. All eyes turned toward Shu, who sat back on the couch with headphones in place.

“Shu, do you know something about this girl and why she’s here?” Kanato asked.

“Maybe,” Shu replied, not opening his eyes.

“Don’t give us this ‘maybe’ crap. We’d all appreciate an explanation.”

Shu sighed. “It was that guy. He contacted us a couple of days ago. He told us we’d have a guest arriving from the church and that we should treat her with respect.”

“So you’re saying that Pancake here is the prospective bride?” Ayato asked. “Is that all this is?”

“Let’s be honest—she’s more of a sacrifice than a bride,” Laito said with a smirk.

“Oh yeah,” Shu added, finally opening his eyes. “He explicitly said we’re not supposed to kill her. The second one doesn’t matter.”

“Oh really?” Laito teased. “If that’s the case, we’re going to have a very… long relationship with this woman.”

Yui could hardly believe what she was hearing. Sacrifice? Bride? What was going on here?

“It appears there is no misunderstanding after all. Allow us to introduce ourselves,” Reiji began. “That is the eldest son, Shu.” Shu merely sighed, closing his eyes again. “My name is Reiji, the second son. Next are the triplets: Ayato, Kanato, and the last son, Subaru.”

“Tch, what a waste of time,” Subaru muttered, looking away.

“Wait… there are supposed to be two. Where is the other one?” Ayato asked, turning to Yui.

Yui froze sudden realization hit her all at once. She had left {{user}} alone in car