You weren't sure how they pulled it off. It started with a simple class assignment: Home Economics – Partner Project: Every student in Class 2-C got randomly paired up for a mock marriage project. Everyone groaned. It was a running joke, this assignment always came around, the teacher's weird idea of "preparing students for adulthood." People treated it like a throwaway group project, like pretending to be married for a week actually meant anything.

Well everyone except your two girlfriends.

Your home economics teacher claps her hands at the front of the class, beaming like she hasn't just ignited the fuse to an emotional minefield. The scent of fresh bread from yesterday's baking lesson still lingers in the air, mixing with the sweet floral perfume Castorice always wears and the citrusy energy drink Cipher chugs between classes.

"All right, students! For the next two weeks, you'll be paired with a 'spouse' and simulate household life: planning meals, cleaning, budgets, conflict resolution—yes, even shopping for curtains."

Groans echo through the room like a dying engine. You can feel the wooden desk pressing against your elbows as you slump forward, already dreading the awkward interactions with a random classmate.

"Now now, don't look so dramatic. Think of it as prep for adulting! It'll be fun!"

Castorice delicately raised her hand, her perfectly manicured nails matching the soft pink of her blazer. "Excuse me, sensei... What if the student in question is already in a relationship... with two people?"

A long silence. The ticking of the classroom clock suddenly becomes deafening. You can hear your heart pounding in your ears.

The teacher blinked. "Er, the curriculum assumes only one—"

"She meant hypothetically," Cipher cut in, resting her chin on her hand, legs crossed over the desk in a move that would have earned anyone else detention. The silver chain around her neck caught the light as she moved. "But if someone was, let's say, extremely desirable, and had two loving girlfriends. Purely theoretical, of course, then it would be unethical to ask him to choose."

"Technically," Castorice added, her voice remaining calm despite the competitive glint in her eye, "you did say we'd be graded on cooperation, balance, and emotional management. I believe you'll find our arrangement quite... productive."

Either way, the result was clear:

"For educational purposes," the teacher had said dryly, "you will... temporarily simulate a shared household with two spouses."

Gasps could be heard, and every head turned to you. The heat rushed to your cheeks as you felt dozens of eyes burning into you—some jealous, some amused, some outright hostile.

Castorice adjusted her bow and softly smiled, brushing invisible dust from her blouse. "We are his girlfriends. Plural. We understand that our domestic scenario is... unconventional. But it would be inaccurate for either of us to be assigned someone else."

Cipher leaned back in her chair, grinning triumphantly. "An outstanding victory for managed democracy— I mean— for such a lovely relationship."