Raven’s plan had gone off without a hitch. Using the disguise, I was able to exit the high rise and hop into the taxi without issue. I hadn’t noticed any paparazzi, but I wasn’t so na?ve as to think there wasn’t any creeping around the building waiting for us. Either way, my ride home was rather peaceful, and I was able to enjoy it and the silence that accompanied.

  As the car pulled into my apartment parking lot, my phone buzzed. There was a text from an unknown number, but the author left no doubts about their identity.

  (Unknown number) Hey Shinsuke, it’s Raven. I enjoyed talking with you over tea tonight. I hope the sleepy time helps you rest peacefully. Goodnight. P.S. now you have my number.

  (Me) Wait, how did you get my number?

  (Unknown number) ;)

  I couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed into the imaginary sitcom camera.

  How the hell had she gotten my number, let alone my apartment address?

  “Here we are, sir,” the driver said, speaking for the first time since I got in the car.

  I shook off my astonishment and stepped out into the parking lot. As I walked up the stairs of my apartment building, I saved Raven’s number in my phone, deciding I would figure out how she got my number later.

  The second I stepped up to my door, it flew open, and I was yanked inside and pushed onto the couch.

  “What the?!”

  “Were you followed?” I heard my mom ask in a huff, but I couldn't see her. The whole apartment was pitch black.

  “Not that I know of. Why is it so dark in here?”

  Dad flicked on the lights, and I saw mom and Mizuki frantically peering out the curtains.

  “Guys. What’s going on?”

  Mom turned to me and said, “after your little car chase, a bunch of paparazzi showed up and were swarming around the apartment looking for you. When you didn’t show up, most of them left, but there were more than a few still creeping around. Some of them even tried to peek into our windows! We’ve been trying to lay low.”

  “They were here too? Gods, those guys don’t give up…”

  “Shinsuke,” Mizuki called. She sat next to me and continued. “I know you said you were okay in your text, but you aren’t hurt at all, are you?”

  “No,” I replied. “I’m sorry I had to run off like that. Between the mob at school and the paparazzi outside, if I hadn’t jumped in the limo with Raven, I would have been ripped to pieces.”

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  “I understand…”

  “Dare I ask what happened at school after I got run off?”

  “They rounded everyone up in the auditorium and yelled at us. The day was already over, so they couldn’t do much more than that, but they said there was going to be a lot of punishments over the next few days.” She shook her head and leaned closer. “But forget that. Shinsuke, what did you end up saying to Raven?”

  “Yeah, what happened with that?” mom chimed in. “Mizuki told us about what she said to you. The picture of you two against the locker has been all over the news and social media. They’re all saying you two are dating!”

  “Well, they’re wrong,” I clarified. “Yeah, she did ask me to be her boyfriend, but we were both more focused on being chased around the city. We agreed to talk about things first before I agree to anything.”

  Mizuki clutched the arm rest and said, “Shinsuke, you’re not really considering—”

  “Oh man!” dad whined, interrupting Mizuki.

  “What are you so frustrated about?” I asked.

  “I was kind of hoping you would have said yes to her. I mean, having a movie star for a daughter-in-law would be so exciting!”

  “Dad, weren’t you just skulking around in the darkness of your own apartment because of the paparazzi? Is this not enough ‘excitement’ for you?”

  He laughed nervously as I shook my head.

  Mizuki rose from the couch, her expression notably irritable. “I should go back to my apartment. I need to help my dad get ready for work tomorrow.”

  “I’m sorry about everything today, Mizuki. I hope tomorrow is less of a nightmare, but what are the chances of that?”

  “It’s fine, Shinsuke. Good night.”

  My parents bid her a good night and she left.

  I groaned and threw myself back on the couch, the exhaustion of the day finally hitting me like a freight train.

  Or maybe it was the sleepy time tea.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re okay,” mom said. “Don’t go passing out just yet though. I left your dinner in the microwave. Make sure you eat.”

  “Thanks, mom.”

  “You still got that pudding cup on you?” she asked.

  I reached into my bag and pulled the eternal object of my affection from its depths. She tossed a plastic spoon at me and laughed.

  “Good. I told you you’d end up needing it. Eat up, you’ve had a long day.”

  Understatement of all understatements.

  Dad ruffled my hair and said, “good night, son. Proud of you as always but consider trying things out with Raven!”

  “Good night, dad.”

  I put enough stink on the end of that to make a dumpster blush. He offered that damn nervous laugh again and retreated to his bedroom with mom.

  I didn’t waste any time digging into dinner. I was more tired than hungry and just wanted my bed more than I needed air.

  Midway through stuffing my face with stir fry, my phone started to buzz again. Eva was calling me.

  “Hey, Eva,” I answered.

  “Thank goodness, I didn’t know if you’d pick up! Did you get home, Shinsuke?”

  “Yeah, but I’m exhausted. I’m eating dinner and then I’m going to fall on my face.”

  “Aw, I was hoping we’d get to talk about what happened with Raven’s publicity stunt. But you should rest.”

  She still thinks that was a publicity stunt…

  “Oh, but like I texted you before,” she continued. “We were supposed to train today. Tomorrow, we have to start. This free time we have while the gauntlet is held up is valuable and we can’t afford to waste it.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.”

  “Sleep well, Shinsuke. See you tomorrow.”

  She hung up and I finished inhaling my food. I made sure to take mom’s advice and have my pudding cup as a courtesy to myself. Though the chocolatey taste of the majestic treat wasn’t enough to stop the creeping fear of the inevitable from invading my mind.

  The negotiations between the royals could come to an end at any moment, and then the timer would be on again. As much as the thought drained me, Cynthia and Eva were right that I needed to train as much as possible before that time arrived. But Raven being in the picture now was going to make things a lot harder.

  I need to sort this out. Fast.

  This chapter is a bit more low-key compared to the last few, but peace is often quite deceptive... Anyway, thanks for reading! And thank you to my Patrons as always!