𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒍𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 | 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒖𝒌𝒆 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓

₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ Jimmy's in Charge?!

The cabin was uncomfortably crowded as everyone shuffled to find a seat. You sank into your usual spot on the couch, wedged between Daisuke, who had taken up way too much space with his careless sprawl, and Swansea, who sat with his arms crossed and a permanent scowl.

Anya perched on the armrest next to you, absently twirling a strand of her hair while sneaking glances at Curly, her curiosity obvious.

On the other side of Daisuke was Jimmy, sitting as stiff as a board with his arms resting on his knees like he was preparing for some big announcement.

The pullout couch remained empty, an eerie monument to a long-forgotten disaster.

There was an unspoken rule that no one dared to sit on it anymore—not after the 'Great Couch Incident.'
No one had the guts to even get near it, much less test its functionality.

Ever since that night, the couch had been cursed in the eyes of everyone who'd witnessed the fiasco.
Even the bravest souls—those who didn't fear much—avoided the pullout, as though it could snap back into its disastrous form at any moment.

The couch had a giant
"Do Not sit" sign on it.

The room buzzed with a quiet tension as Curly stood in front of the group, his usual mischievous energy replaced with something... off.
The lack of his megaphone was unnerving enough, but the tight line of his lips and his uncharacteristically somber expression had everyone exchanging wary glances.

"Alright, listen up,"
Curly began, his voice quieter than usual but no less commanding.
"I've got some family stuff I need to take care of."

The announcement was met with stunned silence.
Daisuke raised an eyebrow, his laid-back posture betraying the slight shift in his expression.
Swansea rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath about how convenient it was for Curly to bail.

Anya glanced at you, her lips pressed into a thin line, clearly just as skeptical as you were.
Jimmy, however, seemed to straighten at the news, his brows furrowing as if calculating what came next.

Curly cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping over the group.
"While I'm gone, someone has to take charge."

"Can I be in charge?"
Daisuke volunteered, raising his hand with a grin.

"Eh... nah,"
Curly immediately shot him down, wrinkling his nose like he'd just smelled something awful.

"Not a chance, man,"
he added, as laughter and murmurs of agreement rippled through the group.

"Trust me, you'd have us all on some kind of wild adventure, man. We need a leader with more... stability."
He cast a glance toward Jimmy.

No. Please, no, you thought, your stomach dropping as you already guessed where this was going.

"Jimmy's in charge."
The announcement landed like a bomb.

"Are you kidding me?"
Swansea snapped, throwing his hands up.
"This guy? Really?"

"Jimmy? Of all people?"
Anya whispered to you, her tone incredulous.
You barely heard her, too busy glaring at Curly in disbelief.