Eri Spencer burst into Zane Cartel's apartment without hesitation.
Zane, catching his breath from everything that had just happened, calmly shut the door behind her. He was used to Eri's brashness. She might be a tsundere through and through, but he could handle her type.
He figured she was just throwing a mini tantrum over being asked to leave earlier. No big deal.
Eri stormed into the living room but quickly lost her fire when her eyes landed on a stack of hand-drawn sketches sitting on the dining table.
To the public, Eri Spencer was the picture of elegance—a refined girl from a prestigious family.
But in private?
She was a full-blown manga otaku, and even worse (or better, depending on perspective), a highly talented and well-known doujin artist in the Multiverse Anime Crossover scene. Her alias was famous in niche circles, though she rarely admitted to it.
Seeing those beautifully inked pages scattered on the table, Eri's interest was instantly piqued. Her irritation melted away as she leaned over and flipped through the sketches.
Zane quietly followed behind her and used the distraction to clean up the unused plates on the table. He smirked.
Easy bait. Works every time.
Eri's blue eyes sparkled as she flipped through several pages, her expression shifting between awe and surprise.
"Wait... this is your work?" she gasped. "You've actually got a good 70% of Miss Spencer's artistic level in here!"
Zane didn't respond. He simply smiled as Eri became more and more absorbed. She didn't just appreciate the art—she was completely pulled into the story.
It wasn't until she finished reading the entire thing in one go that she looked up again, excitement written all over her face.
"This is amazing! Do you have more? I need to see what happens next!"
Zane chuckled. "That's all I've got for now. I'm still working on the next chapters."
Eri reluctantly set the pages down, visibly disappointed. But she couldn't hide the excitement bubbling inside her.
"You have to debut officially! As a manga artist, I mean! Since you were taught by yours truly, you'll be famous in no time!"
She raised three fingers, smirking playfully.
"I'll introduce you to my editor—just treat me to dinner three times!"
In her heart, she added: Three solo dates. That's more than enough to make some progress... right?
However—
"No need," Zane said calmly.
Eri froze. "What?"
"Why not!?" she yelled, quickly realizing she was overreacting. Her face turned a shade pinker as she tried to reel herself back in, sitting down stiffly.
Zane pointed at her with a mock-serious look. "Because the editor you know specializes in adult comics. Doesn't quite match the tone of my work."
Eri: ...oh.
She had completely forgotten about that.
For someone so proud of her dual life, it was embarrassing to be reminded of the genre her editor worked in.
"I'll find someone else!" she tried again, refusing to give up.
Zane just smiled and reached over to ruffle her hair. "That won't be necessary."
Eri swatted his hand away, her cheeks burning again.
"You're such an idiot!"
And then she struck—using her patented Tsundere Twin-Tails Attack.
She swung her long blonde ponytails like whips at his face, hoping to land a blow.
Zane caught one with his palm and smiled.
Eri's breath hitched. The warmth of his hand on her cheek made her heart flutter.
Her face turned so red it looked like she had been dunked in paint. She yanked herself back.
"Let go! Baka!"
"You started it, Eri."
"There's no way I like you!"
Zane finally released her, chuckling.
She sat down again, arms crossed and cheeks puffed out in frustration. Then she glanced to the side—and her eyes landed on the bedroom door.
Wait... that must be where he draws... right?
Curiosity lit up her face.
Without a word, she hopped off the couch and marched toward the bedroom.
Just as her hand grabbed the doorknob—
A hand slapped onto the wood beside hers, stopping her.
She froze.
The door was locked.
She turned her head—and Zane was right there, face mere inches from hers.
A classic "kabedon."
Eri's eyes spiraled into dizzy lines, her brain turning into soup.
She couldn't move.
"Wanting to explore my room? So curious... does this mean you like me?" Zane whispered with a smirk.
His breath tickled her ear. The air between them felt electric.
"I—I—I..."
Eri stammered, redder than ever. Her heart pounded like a war drum.
She did like him. She always had. But her pride would never let her say it aloud.
So, like a true Tsundere...
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm going home, you idiot!"
Eri broke free and bolted toward the entrance.
She threw the door open and ran back to her apartment next door, leaving a very amused Zane behind.
The moment she slammed her door shut, Eri collapsed at the genkan (entrance), clutching her head.
"What the heck was that!? I should've just said something! Aaarghhh! I blew it again!"
She rolled on the floor in self-pity, whining like a kicked puppy.
From inside the apartment, a graceful woman emerged.
She looked remarkably like Eri—small, elegant, and twin-ponytailed—but with long black hair.
This was Mrs. Spencer, Eri's mother.
Seeing her daughter curled up in agony, she sighed deeply.
"She must've embarrassed herself again..."
Mrs. Spencer didn't even need to ask. She had watched this exact scene unfold far too many times over the past three years.
As neighbors, the Cartels and the Spencers were close. Mrs. Spencer had watched Zane grow up—kind, intelligent, talented, and, to her dismay, extremely popular.
He'd even ranked first in the high school entrance exams.
And more importantly—her daughter liked him. A lot.
Mrs. Spencer had tried many subtle matchmaking tricks over the years. She gave Eri advice, offered helpful nudges, even deliberately sent her to borrow sugar she didn't need.
But after three whole years?
Zero progress.
Eri still panicked every time she got close to the boy she liked.
"Good grief... what am I going to do with you?" Mrs. Spencer whispered, pressing a hand to her forehead.
She could already see the future: Eri sitting alone in her room, surrounded by manga drafts and crying into a pillow while Zane got stolen by some other girl.
After all, what could a hyper-tsundere with no confession skills do against real competition?
If I don't help her soon, she's going to end up heartbroken... or worse, forever single!
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