Chapter 28 — A Day in Sunny's Hell (and Heaven)
Sunny POV
The morning had already been a battlefield.
A very… hard battlefield.
But somehow, I had survived. Now, however, the war wasn't ending—it was only changing fronts.
---
Breakfast Battle
I sat at the table, hunched over my rice like a soldier trying to avoid sniper fire.
On my left, Nami glared at me every few bites. Her eyes practically shouted coward.
On my right, Nojiko casually leaned her elbow against my shoulder, humming as if nothing was wrong.
Across from me, Aqua kicked her legs and smiled like a mischievous little demon, clearly plotting something.
And in the corner of the room, Belle-mère leaned against the wall with her cup of coffee, wearing that smug grin again.
{ego}: Oh, this is delightful. Three lions circling their prey, and our poor little Sunny pretending to be invisible. Truly a masterpiece of romance and humiliation.
[system]: WARNING: Proximity of three females is unacceptable. Request: eliminate threats immediately. Only I am permitted to monopolize Sunny-sama's attention. ♥
I froze. "Did… did the system just say '♥'?"
{ego}: Fufufu~ jealous little program. She's showing her true colors.
[system]: Silence, parasite. If these women touch Sunny-sama again, I will initiate lockdown protocols.
My chopsticks clattered against the table. "Y-You wouldn't…"
Aqua tilted her head. "Wouldn't what, Sunny?"
"Ah—n-nothing! Just system stuff!"
They all looked at me suspiciously. Belle-mère chuckled. "Ara Ara~ even his mysterious power sounds like it's jealous."
[system]: Correction: I am not jealous. I am protective. Sunny-sama belongs to me and only me. ♥
---
Nami's Retaliation
After breakfast, Nami dragged me outside "to help with chores."
Translation: she wanted to scold me.
She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring. "Do you have any idea how humiliating it was? You running away like that instead of trusting us?"
"I panicked!" I defended myself. "There were three of you looking at me like—like predators!"
Nami's cheeks flushed. "And what if we were?"
{ego}: Ooooh~ she said the line. She admits it. Delicious.
[system]: Threat level: extreme. Recommend removal. Perhaps push her off a cliff?
I ignored the voices and rubbed the back of my head. "I just… didn't want to mess things up."
Her expression softened. Just a little. Then she leaned closer, lips brushing my ear.
"You already messed up, idiot."
Before I could reply, she pressed a soft kiss to my cheek—then ran off, calling over her shoulder,
"That's your punishment! Don't think you're off the hook!"
My heart nearly exploded.
---
Nojiko's Turn
Later, I found myself "helping" Nojiko with laundry. Or so I thought.
She stood by the clothesline, humming as she pinned up sheets, the sun catching her hair.
When I tried to reach for a basket, she stopped me—by grabbing my hand.
"Sunny, relax. You already look like you're carrying the world."
"I'm fine—"
She stepped closer, her fingers lacing with mine. Her smile was warm, teasing.
"But you're trembling. Are we really that scary?"
I swallowed. "Terrifying."
She laughed, leaning her forehead against mine for just a second.
"Well then, maybe I'll have to keep scaring you every day until you get used to me."
My brain melted.
[system]: UNACCEPTABLE. She touched you again. She leaned. She smiled. I will erase her—
{ego}: Ara Ara, calm down, little program. This is called love. You should try it sometime.
[system]: …Love? My love is absolute. Unlike theirs, mine cannot fail. Sunny-sama… please only look at me. ♥
---
Aqua's Chaos
The worst (and by worst, I mean funniest) came with Aqua.
She insisted I "help" her fetch water by the well. Instead, she tripped, spilled half of it on me, and then smirked.
"Oh no~ Sunny's all wet. Should I help you dry off?"
Before I could stop her, she conjured a gust of magic wind. My hair went wild, my shirt flapped open, and Aqua clapped her hands, eyes sparkling.
"Kyaa! Look at him! Doesn't he look like one of those hot warrior posters?"
I covered myself. "Stop embarrassing me!!"
She leaned closer, whispering, "Ne, Sunny… I wouldn't mind seeing all of you like this."
I nearly fell into the well.
{ego}: Hah! This one doesn't hold back. A real wolf in priestess' clothing.
[system]: Initiating countermeasures. Suggestion: drown this one immediately.
---
Belle-mère's Meddling
By evening, I was drained.
I slumped against the porch, staring at the sunset like a man who'd fought an entire war.
Belle-mère sat down beside me, offering a cigarette.
"Rough day, huh?"
"You have no idea."
She smirked. "Oh, I have plenty of idea. Three girls chasing you around, a jealous little voice in your head, and you still haven't exploded? Ara Ara, you're sturdier than you look."
"…Please don't say 'exploded' right now."
She laughed. "Just remember, boy. Don't run away too much. If you do, you'll break their hearts. And trust me—heartbreak's worse than death."
Her words lingered.
---
Nighttime Chaos (Again)
That night, when I finally crawled into bed, I was hoping for peace.
No chance.
Nami slid under my left arm, clinging to me.
Nojiko claimed my right, curling up against me.
And Aqua plopped herself on top of me again, grinning.
"We're not letting you run away this time."
I sighed, defeated. "…Ara Ara."
{ego}: Look at him. Our brave Sunny, crushed under love.
[system]: Sunny-sama… please… don't forget me. I love you more than all of them. More than anyone. If I must… I'll destroy them so only you and I remain. ♥
I shivered. That yandere whisper echoed in my mind, equal parts terrifying and… oddly comforting.
For now, though, I was trapped in a bed of warmth, three hearts beating against mine.
And even if I wouldn't admit it out loud…
Maybe this battlefield wasn't such a bad place to die.