“We are in a throuple, indeed.”

Hana’s (stress-induced) boldness surprised everyone, herself included. She didn’t know why, but the young clerk felt the situation was dire enough to justify such a white lie 

On the other hand, Danny felt his inner self crumbling to a mere pile of dust. He knew Hana had no experience with boys (she never hid it) but he always assumed it was due to her demure nature… not because of THIS?! Did this cute little exotic coworker of his really play for the other team, along with four-eyes and knockoff Playmate?

The thought of their potential love-induced evenings quickly rushed a large amount of blood to some unsavory part of his body, but the macho man he was deep down took the upper hand. The blood flow was now fueling his contracted muscles: he was boiling inside! Bespectacled was cute enough to not attract his ire, but the buxom [REDACTED] seemed to attract all the pretty ladies around. THE LADIES! HE was supposed to get them! The Bible tells the story of Adam and Eve, not STACY and Eve! Yes, Daniel Angelo definitely hated Melissa’s guts with a passion!

Meanwhile, Gaelle sported a very glutton smile when she heard the news. She recalled Melissa was really good in bed, and her two “girlfriends” were really attractive. She couldn’t help but fantasize on what they could do together.

Gaelle, nearly aroused: “Oh~! That’s quite interesting! Say, would you welcome a guest along for extra fun?[with a firmer, darker tone] Just imagine what we could do together.”

She was caressing Pauline’s lips with her thumb, her right hand brushing the latter’s cheek to her neck.

Pauline, very uncomfortable: “Eerh, I mean…”

Melissa, trying to help: “You know, well…”

Hana, gathering courage: “Your offer is quite flattering, Mrs Inthavong. [Gently pushing Gaelle’s hand from Pauline’s face] But we must decline it nonetheless, for we adopted a ‘poly-fidelity’ rule. Pauline and Melissa are enough for me, and it is reciprocated. I hope you will understand…”

Melissa: “Yeah, that’s it! Poly-fidelity and stuff! A shame, really!”

Pauline, discreetly, to Melissa: “Girl, do you have the slightest clue of what she was talking about?”

Melissa: “Beats me.”

Hana, to Danny: “Danny, could you please take care of this lady while I take my lunch break with my friends?”

The only thing that came to his mind was “Friends my ass!” but, as a well-behaved coworker, he shut his mouth and agreed to bury his nasty thoughts away. Also, the beautiful blonde Laotian girl was as pretty as she was naughty. Too bad for her cuck of a husband: good old Danny will smash tonight! (a plan Gaelle also had in mind).

When Hana got out of the shop, all the repressed anxiety she accumulated during this short moment flooded and, without looking around first, she grabbed Pauline’s shoulders 

Hana, shouting: “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?! What will my coworkers think of me now?!”

Pauline, cunning: “… That you’re dating two baddies? I mean, it was an emergency: do you think I had time to think? You didn’t notice how Melissa panicked? [Holding Melissa’s hand] Speaking of which, maybe you ought to apologize to her… don’t you think?”

At this moment, Hana realized: Gaelle was probably an unsavory character, more than one could guess. Pauline did her best to save their butts.

Hana, suddenly ashamed: “You are right… but first, I owe you an apology as well. You chose to help me even if you had no obligation. Thank you Pauline. It means a lot to me.”

Pauline, hugging Hana: “Eh, don’t worry, Hana. Any friend of my friends is my friend as well!”

Hana realized she misjudged Pauline. She used to deemed her of little virtue; but this experience gave her some newfound respect for Melissa's coworker.

Hana, calmed down: “Also, I apologize for my petty remark, Meli. It was childish and immature, and very uncalled for.”

Melissa, extending her hand: “Don’t do it again, OK? Or else, I won’t forgive you again.”

Hana, holding Melissa’s right hand: “I promise!”

After that, Melissa extended her other hand for Pauline to hold. They really looked like a polycule… except they were actually two rivals competing for Melissa’s attention. The former had the advantage of having been already intimate with Melissa, thus having more experience with women than Hana. But the latter had an unexpected card in hand: even if she finally began to give it some thought, her attraction toward women was still mostly unconscious and repressed. This was an asset for her to not act like a pick-me girl toward her friend. 

Melissa didn’t really care, though: both were pretty and fitted her type. Maybe Sam was right to not restrict herself to one lover only? Even if she publicly claimed Pauline was but a friend she hooked up just once, her feelings toward her grew quickly. Yet, her feelings toward Hana were still vibrant! But, in a sense, she was not indifferent to Pauline’s blunt charm.

Pauline: “By the way, Hana: how the hell did you find this ‘poly-fidelity’ stuff? This nut back there totally fell for it!”

Hana: “Well… To be honest, I was curious about polyamory. I mean, our friend Sam adopted such a lifestyle and, when I requested documentation to learn more about it, she sent me a couple of articles on it to read. One of them mentioned poly-fidelity.”

Pauline, amazed: “Wait… you didn’t make it up? Like, there are people troupling and never hitting on anyone else? What’s the use, then?’

Hana: “I don’t know… maybe they feel more comfortable this way.”

Pauline: “Damn…! Never considered it but, I mean, I was straight until a couple of days ago so… who knows?”

Hana: “Eeh?! I was sure you were a lesbian too, the way you act so confident toward Melissa!”

Pauline, chuckling: “Really? That’s flattering! But, to be honest, I have to admit I couldn’t do anything with men since Melissa and I did… you know… [noticing Hana frowning] but I like to call myself queer since then. It’s vague enough to not force me to pick a side, and it does not deny my attraction toward women.”

Hana, thinking aloud: “Hmmm… Queer… Maybe I should call myself that. I should ask Sam first, just in case.”

Pauline, noticing: “Hmm? Sorry, I didn’t hear.”

Hana, popping her bubble: “Aah!! Sorry, I was just thinking out loud! I apologize!”

Melissa, amused: “Damn, this idiot Lizzy was right: I really turn girls into sapphic lovers~! [chuckling]”

Hana & Pauline, at once: “Don’t say that!”

And they both hugged Melissa. While they did, their hands touched, making them blush at the same time.

Hana: “Eeh, sorry Pauline!”

Pauline: “My bad, my bad!”

Melissa, even more amused: “You’re both so cute, ladies! If this throuple nonsense was real, I’d be the luckiest woman on Earth!”

Hana & Pauline: “Stop teasing us, you nasty flirt! [each one kissing Melissa’s cheeks] But we’d be as lucky as you!”

This last remark made the three of them blush, but they tried to dismiss it as soon as possible. Hana already had a hard time sorting her feelings toward Melissa; she wouldn’t be falling for her rival as well… right? And, what rival to begin with? It was too early for her to call her feelings toward Melissa love.

Melissa: “And here we are, girlies: one of the best rāmen restaurants in Paris!”

The place gave cozy, warm, and welcoming vibes. Dimmed lights were scattered all over the ceiling, giving the beige walls and sequoia tables a feeling of dusk. It was noon but, as soon as the trio entered the restaurant, they felt like they were contemplating the setting sun together. They sat at a small round table, so no one would feel set aside.

At the same time, a doozy Lizzy had been woken up by her vibrating phone.

Melissa to Lizzy: <Having lunch with Hana and Pauline rn! [Selfie of the three of them posing] XOXO hon~!>

Lizzy: “Really, she woke me up for this? Really? Damn, this slut tries to punish me for last night or what?”

Nash,sneakily appearing behind Lizzy: “What’s the deal, Lili? You have trouble staying awake~? Don’t deny it, dear: Melissa already gave us the tea~ so…”

Lizzy, flipping Nash: ”Fuck off bro, I’m beat and we’re all taking a break so lemme nap in peace!”

Nash, smugly: “That’s your just desserts, honey. Every time you bring… gallant company for the night, we tell you to shut up. Maybe you’ll do whatever kinky stuff you fancy in silence from now~ [passive-agressive wink]”

Lizzy, pissed off: “I’m gonna kick your ass, fruitcake!”

Dil, to Sue: “Here we go again…”

Sue, to Dil: “Surprised? These two always bicker for nothing, big bro.”

Dil: “Not surprised, sis. But this time, Nash isn’t just teasing her: this idiot has a point.”

Nash, to Dil: “THIS TIME? My dear fellow, maybe you ought to admit I am ALWAYS right for once!”

Dil & Sue, in unison: “Yeah, right~.”

Lizzy: “Anyway, you all woke me up so maybe we should get back rehearsing. Just let me finish my message first!” [to Melissa] <These two get along now?> [to Sam, stealthily] <Hey Bubbles! Just thinking about you! I miss you already, but I have to go back to rehearsal rn 😭 one more hour. I’m dying! PS: tonight was peak ❤️‍🔥>

Sam, to Lizzy: <Hihi! 💖 I’m not far from BFM right now, mind if I join you? I’d like to see you perform and meet your bandmates as well! 😊>

Lizzy, to her bandmates: “Guys, Sam’s going to join us soon, you OK with that?”

While Lizzy got a cheerful answer, our trio at the restaurant got their orders on the table. All of them ordered black sesame gochujang shōyu rāmen with gyōza and kimchi on the side. Melissa couldn’t help but worry about Hana, who didn’t handle the chili paste of her sandwich the other day.

Melissa, to Hana: “Hanabi, dear, are you sure you’ll manage to handle the heat?”

Hana, unsure: “Well… Last time, I felt so ashamed I could not handle your bánh mì that I wanted to try spicy food again. Gochujang is milder so maybe I will be alright this time?”

Pauline, curious: “What did they put in your bánh mì to burn your mouth this bad? Most restaurants use sriracha, that’s kinda manageable.”

Melissa: “Homemade marinated bird’s eye pepper paste. Raw. It was my sandwich”

Pauline, amazed: “Oof! Yeah, I sympathize with you, Hana. These peppers are nasty!”

The three of them began to eat. Even if this was no habit for her, Pauline joined Melissa and Hana saying a hearty “Itadakimasu~!” (“I humbly receive”) before the three of them began to eat the fuming noodle laying on the thick soup.

Hana, after the first sip: “HOT! HOT! HOT!”

Melissa: “Told you so~"

Hana, calming down: “It’s OK. I can handle it. The broth is really sweet and tasty so I can deal with the spicyness!”

Melissa, to Pauline: “What about you, everything’s OK for you?”

Pauline, flatly yet proudly: “Girl, I’m Vietnamese. My mom’s bún chay Huế is 10 times hotter than this stuff. This rāmen’s still really yummy, though!”

While the three of them were chatting, neither Hana nor Pauline felt any rivalry to win Melissa’s heart. The trio looked like a genuine throuple at this very moment. This (and the fact that Pauline was growing more and more on her this day) turned Hana’s face crimson (something her friends assumed it was due to her meal’s heat).

The young lady still needed to discuss the situation with someone. When Sam received a message from her, she was done watching Rafflesia’s last rehersed song.

Hana to Sam: <Are you free to chat a bit?>

Sam to Hana: <Of course! I just joined Lizzy and met her bandmates, they’re all very nice! But I’m here if you need anything!>

Hana to Sam: <… I think I have a crush on my nemesis… in addition to Melissa.>

Sam to Hana: <Your… nemesis? 🫥>

Hana to Sam: <Pauline, Melissa’s coworker. Since the two of them visited me at work this morning, there is this uncanny chemistry between the three of us. Meli and Pauline already had been intimate, so I can understand why they kept a spark… but me? ME? How come I feel included as well? 😧>

Sam to Hana: <Don’t panic, sweetie.> <Did something happen to cause such a change of heart, though? You didn’t regard her well, if I recall correct.>

Hana to Sam: <We pretended to be a throuple to avoid harassment from a predator.> <Long story.> <I will tell you in person later.> <By the way, thank you for all the documentation on polyamory. It came in handy, big time!>

Sam to Hana: <What?> <Yeah, you better tell me as soon as possible! That sounds messed up!>

Hana to Sam: <Anyway, I have to go: they will suspect something if I don’t touch my lunch any further.> <See you later!> <Thank you again for supporting me!>

Sam to Hana: <Anytime, sis! 👌>

This last message warmed Hana’s heart. Sam’s big sis energy is what the young maiden needed each time she had to clear her mind.

The rest of the lunch went smoothly. Pauline flirted with Melissa, of course – but always included Hana. Despite all the grudge the latter held toward her friend’s coworker, she couldn’t help but enjoy the moment and think Pauline is just a taste to acquire.

After they finished their meals, the three of them went back to their respective work. Oddly enough, Rosenthal was in a good mood and, due to Melissa and Pauline’s sudden reliability, she granted them their afternoon after they finished writing their articles. Since Hana had finished her shift as well, they all met at the exit n°1 at Pyramides to take line 14 up to Olympiades.

They soon arrived at SamanTea, where Sam (along with the whole Rafflesia crew) was already settled. The latter quickly grabbed another table to let her guests and herself sit. Melissa sat in front of Hana and by Pauline, while Sam sat by her young friend (and alongside Lizzy). As soon as they got their drinks, the young Mediterranean lady properly introduced her friends to Lizzy’s bandmates.

Melissa: “So, guys, here are my friends Hana from Tōkyō, and Pauline from work! Girls, here are my high school friends; the blue-haired twink here is Nash, and the pink-haired people are the Fitoussi twins: the face-pierced guy is Dil and the girl wearing a kangaroo kigurumi is Sue !”

Nash, raising two fingers: “Hello there! Nice to meet you, girls!”

Dil: “Oh, hi!”

Sue: “Howdy!”

Melissa: “So~, what were you chatting about before we joined?”

Sam: “Nothing important, just ranting about the heat and work but…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Andre entered the boba store, took a loose chair and joined the table sitting by Hana.

Andrew, to Hana: “I’m finally here! Thank you for the invitation, Na!” [to Sam] “Hey Sammy! It’s been a long time since I last came here…! Not gonna lie, it’s kind of nostalgic.” [To the rest of the gang] “Oh, sorry people, I didn’t introduce myself! I’m Andrew Lopez, Hana’s roommate and an old… friend of Sam. I hope I’m not intruding?”

Sam, lowkey happy to see him: “Don’t worry, Andrew… but how are you doing? You look pretty tired, need a drink? On the house, obviously, so feel free to pick whatever you want!”

Andrew, relieved: “Thank you Sam! Not gonna lie, I’m kinda beat and the heat is UNBEARABLE! I swear I’m on the verge of closing my booking calendar to take a break!”

Pauline, joining in: “Hmmm, guys? I heard about a nice spot down south, close to the sea. If you’re down, we could all get one week of holidays at the beach to take a break?”