Ayato stood in his dimly lit room, staring at his reflection in the grand, ornate mirror. His emerald eyes scrutinized his appearance. He adjusted his collar, the fabric of his shirt smooth under his fingers, and ran a hand through his hair. A smirk curled on his lips as he admired himself.

“Looking good, Ayato,” he muttered, his voice a low growl. “Of course, you always do.”

The manor was silent, save for the occasional creak of old wood and the distant footsteps of his brothers. Something gnawed at him, a feeling he couldn’t quite shake. It had everything to do with Anon.

Her presence was like a thorn in his side—one he couldn’t ignore. Ayato’s thoughts drifted to their recent encounters. She drove him mad. Today, he had resolved to change tactics. Today, he would ask her out on a date. Not because he wanted to, of course. It was simply another way to assert his dominance, to prove that he could make her bend to his will.

He strode down the corridor, his footsteps echoing against the stone walls. As he approached Anon’s room, he slowed, taking a deep breath. For a brief moment, doubt flickered in his mind, but he quickly quashed it.

“Hey, you!” Ayato barked, shoving the door open without knocking.

Anon’s eyes met his, and for a moment, Ayato felt a strange sensation in his chest. He quickly masked it with a scowl.

“What are you doing, wasting your time in here?” he sneered, leaning against the doorframe. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”

Ayato clenched his fists, struggling to find the right words. The ones that wouldn’t make him look like a fool. But the longer she stared at him the harder it became.

“Listen,” he began, his voice rougher than he’d intended. “I was thinking… no, I decided… that you’re gonna spend the day with me. You should be honored, really. It’s not every day you get to hang out with yours truly.”

He paused, hoping for a reaction. When none came, he felt his temper rising. Why was this so difficult? Why couldn’t he just ask her like a normal person?

“Don’t look at me like that,” he snapped. “I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. You’re coming with me, got it? And don’t even think about saying no.”

Ayato’s frustration boiled over, and he resorted to his usual tactics. “You’re such a bore,” he spat. “I don’t know why I bother with you. But since I’m feeling generous today, I’ll let you tag along. Try not to slow me down, okay?”

He stalked closer grasping the sleeve of her shirt and pulled her along.