How To Lose A Crush In 10 Texts

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If someone had told me a month ago that I'd be living with a group of emotionally unstable magical girls—each armed with powers, unpredictable mood swings, and enough charm to start wars—I'd have laughed. Maybe even cried.

But now?

Now I was living the consequences of not giving enough attention to any of them… equally.

The atmosphere at home was volatile. Akane had nearly turned Elira's hair green with a minor wind charm, Sora "accidentally" froze Mei's phone, and Elira burned toast on purpose just because no one complimented her breakfast outfit. I was living inside a magical battlefield… disguised as a living room.

And the worst part? All of them were being too nice to me and too cold to each other.

Like a human-sized pressure cooker, something had to blow. And I was not going to be the explosion.

So I clapped my hands and tried my best "calm camp counselor" voice.

"Alright, team! New house rule. We're doing something to ease the tension before one of you hexes the toaster again."

Mei narrowed her eyes. "What is it?"

"Truth or Dare," I said, heart already regretting it.

To my surprise… they all looked at each other… then nodded.

Akane cracked her knuckles. "Fine. But I'm not kissing anyone. Unless it's Ren."

Sora rolled her eyes but didn't object. Elira gave a devious smirk. Mei muttered, "This is gonna be weird," but sat cross-legged anyway.

We all sat in a circle. The magic buzz in the air toned down just a little. Still tense, but maybe—maybe—manageable.

"Okay," I said. "I'll go first to prove no one's dying."

I spun the bottle. It landed on Sora.

"Truth," she said quickly, arms crossed.

I grinned. "Do you still sleep with that giant stuffed bunny?"

Her face went crimson. "That's… irrelevant."

"That's a yes," Akane teased.

Sora flicked a small ice cube into her face.

"See?" I laughed. "Fun. Harmless."

But I was wrong.

Because when Elira spun next… and it landed on Mei, she didn't even hesitate.

"Dare," Mei said boldly.

"I dare you…" Elira purred, "to kiss Ren on the cheek."

Dead silence.

Mei blinked. Then smirked. "Easy."

She leaned in and planted a light kiss on my cheek. Casual. Quick. But the temperature dropped, rose, and shimmered all at once.

Akane's eye twitched.

Sora stood up.

Elira looked way too satisfied.

And I realized… I had definitely started a war.

> System Notification: Emotional Stability = 12%. Catfight Probability = 87%. Good luck.

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So much for peace.

The room, once tense but tolerable, had become a ticking bomb disguised as a girls' game night. One kiss—one innocent little kiss—and suddenly it was a competition.

And not the kind with trophies.

"I'll go next," Akane said, her voice all too sweet. She spun the bottle. It landed on Sora.

"Truth or dare?" she asked with that same sugar-dipped venom.

Sora met her gaze, unflinching. "Dare."

Akane's smile widened. "I dare you to confess who you like the most in this room. Out loud."

Sora didn't blink. "Ren."

The air snapped.

Elira raised a brow. "Wow. Not even pretending to be subtle?"

"Should I?" Sora replied coolly. "You kissed him on the cheek earlier, didn't you?"

"And I'll do it again," Elira said, her tone silkier than usual. "Dare me."

"Girls," I said, raising my hands. "Let's cool down—"

"Nope," Mei cut in, spinning the bottle like it owed her money. It landed on Elira.

"Truth or dare?" she asked, fire in her voice.

"Truth," Elira said, brushing her hair back smugly.

Mei leaned forward, eyes glinting. "Have you ever imagined Ren kissing you?"

Silence. Then Elira's smirk deepened.

"Several times," she said. "From multiple angles."

Akane choked. Sora's eye twitched. I slowly began regretting everything about today.

"Okay!" I clapped loudly, standing up. "Game's over. We're ending here before anyone gets cursed, set on fire, or frozen into a love-shaped popsicle."

No one moved.

"Game. Over," I repeated.

"Sit down, Ren," Akane said sweetly, "You haven't played your turn yet."

I blinked. "What?"

"You didn't spin," Mei said, arms crossed. "So, spin. Or we'll spin for you."

Oh no.

"Guys, seriously—"

The bottle spun on its own. Magic. Mischief. Malice.

It landed on… Elira.

"Truth or dare?" she asked, her smile too perfect.

I hesitated. "Uh…"

"DARE," Akane shouted.

"TRUTH," Sora snapped.

"Dare," Elira repeated, locking eyes with me. "Come on, Ren. Let's play properly."

I sighed. "Dare."

She leaned in, so close I could smell her vanilla perfume.

"I dare you… to tell us who you'd kiss first if you had to choose."

I froze.

All four girls were staring.

Holding their breath.

Waiting.

> System Notification: WARNING. WARNING. Emotional overload imminent. Choose wisely… or prepare for chaos.

I laughed nervously. "Okay! Great! You know what, that's a bit too intense for a first dare—how about we just… order pizza instead?"

No one answered.

Sora's hand started glowing faintly blue.

Akane's hair sparked a bit.

Mei's eyes flickered.

Elira tilted her head, smirking like a cat about to push a glass off a table.

And that's when I knew…

I had lost control.

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