...Shirogane...

...I leaned back, exhaling a frustrated sigh. "How is this still taking so long? I’ve been buried in these files for three hours." The door slammed open as Natsuya charged in. "Boss, we have a massive problem." “Worse than this paperwork?" I muttered. “This isn't a joke," he snapped, his voice tight. I looked up, finally catching his urgency. "An intruder breached the agency last night. He didn't just break in—he accessed the secure archives. I traced his steps, and he saw everything regarding the hit on Target 345." He shoved his screen toward me. I stared at the grainy footage of a dark-haired youth glancing around nervously before bolting toward the exit. My mind raced—our security was impenetrable. To slip through unnoticed, he had to be talented. Or lucky. A slow grin spread across my face. "Let’s turn this disaster into a game. Whoever catches the brat first wins five thousand." Natsuya hesitated, tapping his chin. "Five grand? I'm not sure that's worth the legwork." “Ten thousand," I countered instantly. “Now you're talking," he smirked. "Deal."...

...Miho...

...“Stop touching me there, Miho… you know I’m sensitive.”Haru’s voice was barely a murmur, that low, shaky tone he only gets when it’s just the two of us. I let my hand linger against the heat of his neck for a second too long before finally pulling away. My heart was doing that annoying thumping thing against my ribs. "Sorry,” I said, and I know I was beaming like an idiot. “You’re just too cute. I can’t help it.” The air between us felt heavy—the good kind of heavy. Like the world had finally gone quiet and we were the only two people left in it. I was literally seconds away from leaning back in when the entire vibe didn't just die—it was murdered....

...“HEY GUYS!”...

...I didn't even have to look up to know it was,Shiro. He appeared out of nowhere, crashing into our space with that loud, oblivious energy that makes my skin crawl. The romantic tension evaporated so fast it actually made my head spin. If it weren't for Haru actually being friend with the guy I wouldn't waste a second of the day with him. "Guys I have a really good idea." "What is it?" I grumbled trying not to sound as horrible as I felt. "How about we have a sleepover at my house today? My parents are out of town for the week and I’m honestly really bored. So what do you guys say?" Right now I'm thinking of two things I could respond with....

...1. I could blow the whole thing off and completely just say "No I don’t wanna go." Unfortunately there is a pro in a con to this. The pro is that I don’t have to spend the night with Shiro, but the con is that Haru might think I’m just being mean to him....

...2. I could just say "Why not" and get the whole thing over with. The downside is that I have to stay the night with Shiro but on the other hand I get to sleep next to Haru....

...Based on the accusations I’ve made I’m going with two....

..."Yeah, I guess that'd be really fun." "Well since I got the O-KAY with you then I'm assuming Miho is going too." I mean he’s not wrong if Haru is going then I’d obviously go, but don't go running into conclusions! I gravelly mumble, "Yeah, whatever." Suddenly Haru grabs my hands starts jumping up and down. "Yay this will be so fun! Thank you Miho!" I freeze in my mind. To be honest I don't know why I just froze maybe I was supried. I guess Haru noticed because he stopped jumping and started getting closer to my face as if he was inspecting me for drugs or somthing. At this point we are inches away before he could get closer I quickly turn my face away not realizing I looked like a tomate before Shiro pointed it out. Way to go BUDDIE. I shout, “LET'S GET GOING SHALL WE?” before they could see my brain short-circuiting. I started stomping toward Shiro's house, trying to look annoyed, but I couldn't wipe the stupid grin off my face. Option two was definitely the right call....

...Murasame Shiro 5:46...

When we finally pulled up to the driveway, Haru and Miho froze. They looked like they’d just witnessed an elephant leap across the country. Their gazes traveled upward, tracing the massive, imposing frame of the house with wide, disbelieving eyes. The silence stretched until it felt heavy. “Well… this is it. Home sweet home,” I finally managed to say, the keys jingling nervously in my hand. I unlocked the heavy front door and ushered them inside. As we settled into the living room, a thick, suffocating silence descended upon us. My internal monologue was screaming one word on loop: Awkward. Miho let out a long, weary sigh, clearly summoning the courage to break the tension. “So… what exactly do you usually do at a sleepover?”

“GAMES!” I blurted out.

The word echoed off the high ceilings a bit too loudly. I winced; maybe a little too much confidence there. Miho’s eyes narrowed as he countered, “I disagree. A movie is better for the vibe.” We locked eyes, a silent glare-off beginning to brew between us. Before the sparks could fly, Haru’s soft voice cut through the friction. “Those are both great ideas,” he said, smiling like a peacemaker. “I think we should settle this the fair way: Rock, Paper, Scissors. Best of three?” I turned to Miho intensly. This game of rock,paper,scissors will determined this sleepover from now to the future. I’m making it sound like it’s life or death,but if you think about it is.

When Miho finally turned to me I could tell he was thinking the same thing. As we started beating our fist against our palms I knew their was no going back. One Two Three

This moment felt like an eternity.

What should I pick?

Rock or paper?

Definitely not scissors.

Maybe I should picked scissors

Okay let’s not stress about this

Damn it

Damn it

Damn it!

It’s okay I can do this. When we both put our hand signs down I realized i’d won the first round. I picked rock while he picked scissors. I sighed a sigh of relief. “Don’t get too excited” he said in his annoying smug voice. “I’ll beat you with the next one.”

*Bastard**. We chanted rock paper scissors again and he we have it Miho wasn’t longing he actually won this round. It was one it one. Wait a second why am I sweating? It feels like I’m in a video game fighting the last boss. Last round I can do this. As we slap down our hands for the last time I looked over at Haru behind Miho in that split second. I didn’t think about work, but he actually turned around. Miho had scissors but I had paper in that moment when he was turning back around I turned my wheel hand into a rock and ended up wining the round. “Hey that’s not fair you cheated! You made me look at Haru! You could’ve switched your sign!” “Actually I didn’t make* you do anything. You turned around on your own free will.” Haru turned to me and raised my hand. “We have a victor.” I grinned at Miho as he stood in the same spot fuming. Who knew : Rock Paper Scissors could be so suffocating?

Kirisaki Miho

The entire time Shiro leaded us to his bedroom. I glared at him from behind, hoping he’d see me. While opening his door for us he looked at me and stuck at his tongue. What the hell was that suppose to mean? Does he want to fight? BRING IT ON! I look at the floor an see their are 2 bean bags placed there. That means it’s 50/50 chance to see if I sit on the same bean bags as Haru. Before a second thought I dash to the green one. Shiro sits on the green one the exact same time as me. Shit.. this is not I wanted it to turn out. Haru majestically sits on the orange one. I don’t even know how that’s possible yet he still did it. When Shiro announced we’d be playing Truth or Dare I was feeling a little vengeful. I’m not gonna lie I’m still mad about Shiro cheating in Rock Paper Scissors so I have something planned for him. We ended up pulling names to see who’d go first and of course it was me. “Shiro, Truth or Dare?” “Hmm how about Truth.” I grin. I’m secretly plotting to make him admit something supper embarrassing. “Have you ever walked into a glass door?” I stare at Shiro waiting for a pleasurable reaction. Instead of him getting a humiliated like I pictured he actually chuckled. He calmly nodded. I was dumbfounded. The craziest thing was that Haru ended up laughing too! Damn it, this was not what was suppose to happen. soon Shiro asked Haru, truth, or dare. “ How about dare?” “ I dare you to say I evol uoy backwards.”

As soon as he said those words I already knew what the words spelled out. I love you. I looked at Haru thinking about what he could say. There was a 75% chance that he’d actually know what the phrase means. Before I had a chance to stop him he said what it meant so bubbly I bet I could see the text bubble. “Oh! I love you!” He said that so cutely my entire world shook. He wasn’t even saying it to me. The words hung in the air, vibrating between us. Even though I knew it was just a trick, hearing those three words come out of Haru's mouth—with that oblivious, bright smile—made my heart do a painful somersault. “Good job.” Shiro replied. He then patted Haru’s head like he was a dog. I’m genuinely cringing. I felt a vein throb in my forehead. Every time Shiro touched him, it felt like someone was scraping sandpaper against my nerves. Who the f*ck does he think he is?! I know he did that on purpose. Game on Shiro.

...Shinohara Natsuya 7:27pm ...

I restlessly flipped through piles of paperwork. I let out a long, weary sigh. This is harder than I thought. “Miyamoto Haru,” I said to myself. Something about him seems… off. I took out my computer and the clattering of typing filled my office. A quick search appeared on my screen. According to the records, Miyamoto is a 17-year-old junior sitting at the top of his class. It clearly states in his bio, “My best friend Miho put me up to this.” Well, that's interesting. His latest post was on top of a school rooftop. He was sitting next to a dark-haired boy. Safe bet that was Miho. I wondered, since Miho convinced Miyamoto to make an account on Pixelgram, could he also be responsible for sneaking into the safehouse? Or am I maybe just thinking too much? I shut my computer. The boss is very skilled. I can't afford to waste any time. I grabbed my keys and ran out of my office. I think I recognized the building next to the school they were at. Ten minutes later I arrived at the school. This must be it, Midori High. This school is surprisingly close to the base. But it doesn't match the IP addresses. These kids… what are they up to?

...Joo Haru 9:41pm ...

We’ve been playing games for like three or four hours. That entire time Miho looks down. He's usually super energetic but he was all calm and sometimes even silent. I knew something was wrong. We have been friends for 3 whole years so I can read him like a book, though not the easiest one. “I'm gonna grab some snacks, I'll be back,” Shiro says before exiting the room. This is my chance. “Uh, Miho.” he turns his head around slowly as if saying “Yes?” I can do this I say to myself. I start to speak but once the words come out they don't stop. “Are you okay? I know you through and through. If anything's bothering you just tell me. I want you to know I'm here for you. You are my best friend just.. I don't know talk to me.” I gain the courage to look up at his face. Instead of the heartfelt conversation I intended, a burst of laughter filled the room. There is nothing more I dislike than getting laughed at and Miho knows that. Miho finally managed to slip out. “Sorry” “I just-you're just so cute,” he says still giggling. I whine as he breaks through and stops. Wiping a tear from his eye, he starts but doesn't quite finish. “I'm fine I just-” He just what? I'm dying with curiosity. “I'm just tired!” he says with a smile. Shiro returned to the room with a snack tray. Miho and Shiro start arguing as per usual. I'm eating potato chips off the tray. I've met many people who lied to me, but I never thought my best friend would be one of those people.

...Kirisaki Miho...

I can't believe Miho is actually concerned with me! Like he was all like, “You can tell me anything.” I squeal in excitement not too loud so the others can hear. Obviously, I couldn’t just tell him I was jealous because he said, “I love you” to Shiro and not me. Good thing I said it was just tired. After a long four hours as a group, we finally decided to watch a movie. “What movie should we watch?” Shiro asked in his annoying voice. Haru shakes his head as if he doesn't know. I suddenly get an idea. “How about we watch a scary movie? And I'm talking really scary. Like jump out of your pants, scary.” I glance at Shiro and a half smile is on his face. When we make eye contact he goes back to a cold expression. “That’s boring though.” I can clearly tell he wants to watch one. “Any better ideas?” I say. He rolls his eyes as I put on a movie called Blood-Drenched Horizon. We all sat down lights off with popcorn in our laps sitting side by side on our futon. Haru was in the middle while Shiro and I were on his sides. About 15 minutes of the movie goes by. Nothing scary yet. It is about three high school boys the same age as us having a sleepover. In the middle of the night they were kidnapped by a shady man. One of them ended up dying a brutal death right in front of the other friends. Haru jumped holding my arm. What the heck. What am I supposed to do now? He's holding on tightly and I'm freaking out. Meanwhile Shiro is chomping popcorn loudly. Haru finally removes his arm. I feel like I just died and came back to life. The movie ended sadly. “Good night Miho, Shiro.” me and him say at the exact same time. “Night Haru.” Everyone is sleeping and I'm just observing Haru’s face. I sigh. What am I doing? I kiss Haru on the forehead and close my eyes. As soon as I was about to fall asleep, Haru lays his head on my shoulder. HUH? WHAT THE FRIDGE IS HAPPENING HERE. SHOULD I REMOVE HIS HEAD? SHOULD I JUST STAY IN THIS POSITION LITERALLY ABOUT TO DIE? WHAT THE FRIDGE! Before I have a stupid crush overload he moves his head to Shiro’s shoulder. Dammit. NO. THAT SHOULD BE ME. I'm flopping both ways now I can't get any sleep with Haru’s head on Shiro’s shoulder. I HATE HIM SO MUCH THIS IS ALL SHIRO'S FAULT. Suddenly Haru finally moves his head back in the middle. Whew thank God. My brain is fully scrambled now. It's okay when I wake up tomorrow we will have a good breakfast have fun and me and Haru will walk home peacefully. Everything is okay. Drifting asleep I think of all the best possibilities that could possibly happen. But little did I know none of them actually came true.